[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19363-19364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8943]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 032800C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Application 
for an Exempted Fishing Permit

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing 
permit.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of a joint application for an 
exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Groundfish Forum Inc. and At-Sea 
Processors Association. If awarded, this permit would be used for 
limited testing of a device for the Pacific cod fisheries in the Bering 
Sea and Gulf of Alaska that would lower halibut bycatch rates without 
significantly lowering catch rates of Pacific cod. It is intended to 
promote the objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of 
the Gulf of Alaska and the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish

[[Page 19364]]

Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMPs).

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EFP application are available by writing to 
Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: 
Lori Gravel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Salveson, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FMPs and the implementing regulations at 
50 CFR parts 679.6 and 600.745(b) authorize issuance of EFPs to allow 
fishing that would otherwise be prohibited. Procedures for issuing EFPs 
are contained in the implementing regulations.
    NMFS received a joint application for an EFP from Mr. John Gauvin, 
Groundfish Forum Inc. and Mr. Trevor McCabe, At-Sea Processors 
Association. The purpose of the EFP would be to conduct limited testing 
of a device for the Pacific cod fisheries in the Bering Sea and Gulf of 
Alaska that would lower Pacific halibut bycatch rates without 
significantly lowering catch rates of cod. The project would be 
conducted in coordination with gear development scientists at the 
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, who would help the applicants 
select the most promising Pacific halibut excluder design for testing 
using criteria set out in the EFP application. Results from the EFP 
could be used by the groundfish trawl industry, the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council (Council), and NMFS to develop fishing 
methods or effective regulatory measures to reduce halibut bycatch in 
the Pacific cod trawl fisheries.
    In accordance with regulations, NMFS has determined that the 
proposal warrants further consideration and has initiated consultation 
with the Council by forwarding the application to the Council. The 
Council will consider the EFP application during its April 12 - 17, 
2000, meeting, which will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Anchorage, AK. 
The applicants have been invited to appear in support of the 
application if the applicant desires.
    A copy of the application is available for review from NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: April 5, 2000.
George H. Darcy,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8943 Filed 4-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F