[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42668-42669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18339]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[I.D. 070703B]


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

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

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

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) 
has made a preliminary determination that the subject EFP application 
contains all the required information and warrants further 
consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a 
preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP 
would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Black Sea Bass 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation 
may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. 
Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator 
proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued that would allow three 
vessels to conduct fishing

[[Page 42669]]

operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing 
the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP would allow 
for exemptions from the minimum fish size requirement for the retention 
of undersized fish for data collection purposes. The EFP would allow 
this exemption for approximately 250 lb (114 kg) of undersized 
(juvenile) black sea bass (Centropristis striata) for the remainder of 
the 2003 fishing year. 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 document must be received on or before August 
4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope 
``Comments on VIMS Black Sea Bass Population Biology EFP Proposal.'' 
Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to (978) 281-9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Hooker, Fishery Management 
Specialist, phone 978-281-9220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Institute of Marine Science 
(VIMS) submitted an application for an EFP on June 23, 2003, with final 
revisions received June 24, 2003. The experimental fishing application 
requests authorization to allow the collection of undersized (juvenile) 
black sea bass for research into the reproductive biology and 
population dynamics of black sea bass. The VIMS researchers propose to 
enlist three fishing vessels to retain 25-50 lb (12-23 kg) of 
undersized black sea bass each month during the participation period 
(August 1-December 31, 2003). This would result in a maximum retention 
of 250 lb (114 kg) of under-sized black sea bass for the 2003 fishing 
year. The collections would take place using handline and fish pot 
fishing gear under the normal fishing operations of the participating 
vessels. The collections would take place off the coasts of Virginia 
and North Carolina in 30-minute squares 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 25, and 
26. The participating vessels would be required to comply with 
applicable state landing laws and report all landings on the Federal 
Fishing Vessel Trip Report.
    Based on the results of this EFP, this action may lead to future 
rulemaking.

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

    Dated: July 14, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-18339 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
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