[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17925-17926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9060]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 032803D]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Applications for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)

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

ACTION: Notification of a proposal for an EFP to conduct experimental 
fishing; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that an EFP 
application submitted by the Mount Desert Oceanarium (MDO) of Southwest 
Harbor, ME, contains all of the required information and warrants 
further consideration. The EFP would allow one fishing vessel to fish 
for, retain, and land small numbers of regulated multispecies, 
monkfish, spiny dogfish, and several unmanaged species for the purpose 
of public display. NMFS has made a preliminary determination that the 
activities authorized under this EFP would be consistent with the goals 
and objectives of the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for the managed 
species. However, further review and consultation may be necessary 
before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Regulations 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
require publication of this notification to provide interested parties 
the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

DATES: Comments on this notification must be received at the 
appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) on or before April 
29, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Patricia Kurkul, Regional 
Administrator, Northeast Regional Office, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark on the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 
MDO Exempted Fishing Permit Application.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul H. Jones, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
978-281-9273, fax 978-281-9135, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MDO of Southwest Harbor, ME, submitted 
an application for an EFP on February 14, 2003, to collect several 
species of fish for public display. The target species would include 
winter flounder (blackbacks), witch flounder (dabs), yellowtail 
flounder, American plaice (grey sole), Atlantic halibut, monkfish, eel 
pouts, sculpins, sea ravens, Atlantic cod, wolfish, spiny dogfish, 
little skate, barndoor skate, and various species of the Phyla 
Arthropoda (not including lobsters) and Echinodermata.
    A single chartered vessel would use a shrimp trawl with 2-inch 
(5.08-cm) mesh to collect marine fish with approximately 2-tows per day 
over a 2-day period from May 12, 2003, through May 20, 2003, and over a 
2-day period from June 23, 2003, through June 30, 2003. Tow lengths 
would be between 10 minutes to 1 hour. The specimens would be cared for 
in chilled and aerated seawater while on board the fishing vessel and 
would be transferred live to tanks the day they are caught. The fish 
would be brought to shore, maintained in tanks for public display for a 
period of time not to exceed 5 months, and would be returned to the sea 
in October 2003.
    Collection would be made using a 2-inch (5.08-cm) mesh shrimp net 
within the Small Mesh Northern Shrimp Fishery Exemption Area (Area) off 
Maine. Since the shrimp fishery would be closed at the time of 
collection, an exemption from the Northeast multispecies minimum mesh 
regulation of 6-inch (15.24-cm) diamond/6.5-inch (16.51-cm) square mesh 
at 50 CFR 648.80(a)(2) for vessels operating in the Area would be 
required. If the target species cannot be found in the Area, an 
exemption from the Northeast multispecies minimum mesh regulation of 6-
inch (15.24-cm) diamond/6.5-inch (16.51-cm) square mesh at 50 CFR 
648.80(a)(2) would be required to allow collection farther east and 
southeast in portions of the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Regulated Mesh 
Area.
    In addition, the applicant has requested exemptions from monkfish 
and multispecies days-at-sea requirements at 50 CFR 648.92 and 648.82. 
The target species would include winter flounder (blackbacks), witch 
flounder (dabs), yellowtail flounder, American plaice (grey sole), 
Atlantic halibut, monkfish, eel pouts, sculpins, sea ravens, Atlantic 
cod, wolfish, spiny dogfish, little skate,

[[Page 17926]]

barndoor skate, and various species of the Phyla Arthropoda (not 
including lobsters) and Echinodermata.
    The applicant would retain a maximum of six fish per species, 
juveniles and adults combined with the exception of Atlantic halibut. 
The applicant would only be permitted to retain a total of one Atlantic 
halibut with a minimum length of 36 inches (91.44 cm). The applicant 
has requested exemption from minimum fish sizes and possession limits 
at 50 CFR 648.83, 648.86, 648.89, 648.93, 648.94 (multispecies and 
monkfish fisheries); 648.103, 648.105 (summer flounder fishery); 
648.124, 648.125 (scup fishery); and 648.143, 648.145 (black sea bass 
fishery).
    Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted 
fishing activity would be prohibited.

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

    Dated: April 8, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9060 Filed 4-11-03; 8:45 am]
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