[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51239-51240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21723]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 081803C]


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 Northeast 
Multispecies 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 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 for exemption from the 
Georges Bank cod landing limit for one commercial vessel, for not more 
than 26 days-at-sea (DAS). The experiment would test the effectiveness 
of two cod-avoiding flatfish trawl designs for reducing bycatch of cod 
(Gadus morhua) and sub-legal size yellowtail flounder (Limanda 
ferruginea) while maintaining catch rates of legal-sized yellowtail 
flounder.
    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 
September 10, 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 Massachusetts DMF Cod-Avoiding Trawl Net EFP Proposal.'' 
Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to (978) 281-9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Chinn, Fishery Management 
Specialist, phone 978-281-9218.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Massachusetts Division of Marine 
Fisheries (DMF) submitted an application for an EFP on June 9, 2003,

[[Page 51240]]

to implement a Salstonstall-Kennedy grant, with a final, revised 
submission on July 30, 2003. DMF proposes to conduct 100 tows for each 
design with a twin trawl net, in which the test net is rigged alongside 
a standard net, for 200 total tows, and limited to 200 hours of bottom-
time. The experimental fishing would take place between September 1, 
2003, and March 1, 2004, on Georges Bank in 30-minute squares 62-63, 
79-80, 92-99, 109-114, 118-119, excluding year-round Closed Areas I and 
II. DMF requests exemption from the trip limit for haddock, specified 
at 50 CFR 648.86(a)(1), and the Georges Bank cod landing limit, 
specified at 50 CFR 648.86(b)(2), and requests retention of legal-sized 
fish for sale, with the vessel receiving the revenues as compensation 
for using its DAS. The participating vessel would be required to comply 
with applicable state landing laws and Federal commercial DAS 
requirements, and to report all landings on the Federal Fishing Vessel 
Trip Report.

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

    Dated: August 19, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21723 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S