[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34675-34676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12166]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 050102F]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species; Exempted Fishing Permits

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

ACTION: Issuance of Exempted Fishing Permits; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of requests for Exempted Fishing 
Permits (EFPs) for the retention of undersize swordfish bycatch for 
distribution at a charitable food kitchen, and for tuna purse seine 
vessels to begin fishing prior to the traditional start date in order 
to assist with scientific research. In addition, NMFS announces its 
intent to issue an EFP for longline fishing to take place within a 
closed area of the North Atlantic in order to assist with research 
addressing sea turtle bycatch in the fishery. NMFS invites comments 
from interested parties on potential concerns should these EFPs be 
issued.

DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address or fax 
number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. eastern standard time on 
May 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Christopher Rogers, Chief, Highly Migratory 
Species Management Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments also may be sent via facsimile (fax) 
to (301)713-1917. Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail 
or Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sari Kiraly, 301-713-2347; fax: 301-
713-1917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are requested and issued under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and/or the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act 
(16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). Regulations at 50 CFR 600.745 and 50 CFR 
635.32 govern scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and 
exempted educational activity with respect to Atlantic HMS.
    NMFS has received a request from Amazing Grace Church of 
Whaleyville, MD for an EFP to land swordfish below the allowable 
minimum size from two longline vessels operating out of Ocean City, MD 
for charitable donation at the church food kitchen. The requesters seek 
to land only those juvenile swordfish brought to the boat as dead 
bycatch. In addition, the requesters intend to assist NMFS with data 
collection on the distribution of juvenile swordfish.
    The East Coast Tuna Association has requested an EFP for five tuna 
purse seine vessels to begin fishing their giant Atlantic bluefin tuna 
allocation on July 15, rather than the traditional start date of August 
15. Beginning July 1 the vessels will facilitate research conducted by 
the New England Aquarium involving pop-up satellite tagging of bluefin 
tuna. The Aquarium's costs of chartering the purse seine vessels can be 
reduced if the vessels are in a position to conduct commercial fishing 
for their bluefin allocation upon the completion of the research on 
July 15 rather than return to other fishing activity requiring either 
vessel fishing gear changes or vessel relocation.
    In addition, NMFS intends to issue an EFP for contracted longline 
vessels fishing in the Northeast Distant Water closed area of the North 
Atlantic. Approximately eight to fifteen longline vessels, depending 
upon availability, will be fishing under an Endangered Species Act 
Section 10 permit in order to conduct an experiment to determine 
alternative fishing methods to reduce sea turtle bycatch in the 
fishery.


[[Page 34676]]


    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 9, 2002.
Virginia M. Fay,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-12166 Filed 5-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S