[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 25709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11020]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 040400C]


Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; 
Northern Anchovy Fishery

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

ACTION: Receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) 
and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces receipt of an application for an EFP that would 
allow an experimental fishery for northern anchovy in an area off San 
Francisco ordinarily closed to vessels fishing to reduce the catch into 
products such as fish meal and oil. Reduction fishing is prohibited in 
the Farallon Islands closure by the regulations implementing the 
Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The purpose of 
the proposed fishery is to investigate the consequences of conducting 
at least a small-scale reduction fishery in the area. If granted, the 
permit would allow fishing that otherwise would be prohibited by the 
FMP and its implementing regulations.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Rodney R. McInnis, Acting Administrator, 
Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean 
Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Morgan at 310-980-4036.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FMP and implementing regulations at 50 
CFR 660.516 and 50 CFR 600.745(b) specify that EFPs may be issued to 
authorize fishing that otherwise would be prohibited. Regulations at 50 
CFR 600.745(b) set forth procedures for issuing such permits.
    NMFS has accepted an application for review and has forwarded 
copies to the U.S. Coast Guard and the Director of the California 
Department of Fish and Game. The applicant proposes to harvest northern 
anchovy off the coast of California in the area of the Farallon 
Islands. This area has been closed to reduction fishing since 
implementation of the FMP in 1978 and, like other area closures in the 
FMP, was meant to avoid conflict between recreational vessels and what 
was then a growing high-volume reduction fishery located in southern 
California. Fishing operations would most likely take place in the 
summer and fall of 2000 with roundhaul gear.
    Others wanting to participate in the fishery must submit 
applications to the Regional Administrator (SEE ADDRESSES), which must 
provide the required information specified at 50 CFR 600.745(b). 
Exempted fishing permits may require that the permittee carry an 
observer at the permittee's expense, keep accurate records of bycatch, 
and make other necessary reports.
    Applications will be discussed at the June 23-26, 2000, meeting of 
the Pacific Fishery Management Council, which will be held at the 
Doubletree Hotel Columbia River in Portland OR, 1401 N. Hayden Island 
Drive, Portland, OR 97217. The decision on whether to issue any EFP and 
determinations on appropriate permit conditions will be based on a 
number of considerations, including recommendations made by the Council 
and comments received from the public. A copy of the application is 
available for review at the NMFS Southwest Regional Office. (see 
ADDRESSES).

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

    Dated: April 27, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11020 Filed 5-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F