[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42670-42671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18342]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[I.D. 071403A]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP)

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

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

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS 
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 Northeast (NE) 
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and 
consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to 
issue an EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Regional Administrator 
proposes to issue an EFP that would allow one vessel to conduct fishing 
operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing 
the fisheries of the northeastern United States. The EFP would allow 
the vessel to fish outside the regulated fishing season for shrimp, 
which occurred in 2003 between January 15- February 27. The proposed 
experiment would test a semi-pelagic shrimp trawl using 180-ft (54.6-m) 
bridles, and small mesh (50 mm), with the codend left open. All 
experimental work would be monitored by University of New Hampshire 
(UNH) personnel.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 must be received at the appropriate address or fax 
number (see ADDRESSES) on or before August 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 
UNH Semi-Pelagic Shrimp Trawl EFP Proposal.'' Comments may also be sent 
via fax to (978) 281-9135. Comments will not be accepted if submitted 
via e-mail or the Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Sagar, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9341, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An initial application from UNH for an EFP 
was received on June 16, 2003, and the application was completed on 
July 1, 2003. The proposed study would test a semi-pelagic shrimp trawl 
net with small mesh (50 mm) and up to 180-ft (54.6-m) bridles, which 
would be designed in such a way as to reduce seabed impact when 
trawling for shrimp in the Gulf of Maine. The bridles would not be in 
contact with the seabed and, therefore, are not expected to adversely 
affect benthic organisms, demersal species, or the seabed itself. The 
codend would be left open throughout testing and no fish, therefore, 
would be retained. The proposed study would take place off the coast of 
Seabrook, NH, west of 70 W. long., excluding closed areas. One 
commercial vessel would fish a maximum 4 days, making approximately 6 
tows per day, for a total of 24 tows for this study. Tow length would 
be approximately 1 hour. The participating vessel would be required to 
notify NMFS prior to commencing an experimental fishing trip. The final 
phase of the experiment would be data analysis and reporting, including 
an acoustic monitoring analysis and video analysis. A final report 
containing the results of the study would be provided to NMFS no later 
than 6 months following completion of the study.
    The EFP would allow this vessel to fish outside the regulated 
fishing season for shrimp, which occurred in 2003 between January 15-
February 27.
    Based on the results of this EFP, this action may lead to future 
rulemaking.

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


[[Page 42671]]


    Dated: July 14, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-18342 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S