[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2412]



[[Page 5483]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[I.D. 121603A]


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

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

ACTION: Correction to a notification of a proposal for EFPs to conduct 
experimental fishing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On December 24, 2003, NMFS announced that the Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NOAA Fisheries (Assistant 
Regional Administrator) was proposing to issue EFPs in response to an 
application submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisherman's 
Association (CCCHFA), in collaboration with Massachusetts Division of 
Marine Fisheries (DMF), and Research, Environmental and Management 
Support (REMSA). These EFPs would allow up to 17 vessels to fish for 
haddock using longline gear or jig gear in Northeast (NE) multispecies 
year-round Georges Bank (GB) Closed Area I (CAI) during the months of 
January, February, and May through September 2004. In this 
notification, NMFS announces that the Federal Register notification 
contained a typographical error in the description of the area where 
the experiment would be conducted. This notification informs the public 
of the typographical error contained in December 24, 2003, document and 
informs the public that revised EFPs containing the correct coordinates 
will be issued to the applicant.

DATES: Comments on this action must be received at the appropriate 
address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) on or before February 20, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 
Haddock EFP Proposal.'' Comments may also be sent via fax to (978) 281-
9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Sagar, Fishery Management 
Specialist, phone: 978-281-9341, fax: 978-281-9135, email: 
[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 24, 2003 (68 FR 74542), NMFS published notification in 
the Federal Register announcing the receipt of an application for an 
EFP to conduct a study to evaluate the best spatial and temporal 
location for a directed haddock hook-gear fishery in GB CA I, while 
having minimal impact to GB cod. The results of the proposed study 
could be used by the New England Fishery Management Council and NMFS to 
determine the feasibility of establishing a Special Access Program for 
traditional haddock hook-and-line fishery in CA I. The Federal Register 
notification indicated the study would occur in a specified area within 
the northern portion of CA I (north of loran-C line 13660). The 15-day 
comment period on the proposed EFP closed on January 8, 2004. NMFS 
recently issued EFPs to the applicant that indicated that the study 
would be conducted within the northern portion of CA I (north of loran-
C line 13660). Upon receipt of the EFPs, the applicant informed NMFS 
that an incorrect coordinate was cited in the EFP and the Federal 
Register notice. On page 74543, column 3, first full paragraph, the 
coordinate provided in the fourth line should have read ``(north of 
loran-C line 43660)'' rather than ``(north of loran-C line 13660).''
    An Environmental Assessment (EA) was originally prepared for the 
proposed study that analyzed the impacts of the proposed experimental 
fishery on the human environment. Although the coordinates identified 
numerically in the EA referred to the incorrect coordinate, the maps 
contained in the EA clearly identified the correct coordinates 
(northern portion of CA I (north of loran-C line 43660) for this study. 
The EA analyzed the impacts of the proposed experimental fishery on the 
human environment based on the area correctly identified in the maps 
provided in the EA. The EA concluded that the activities proposed to be 
conducted under the requested EFPs are consistent with the goals and 
objectives of the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, would not be 
detrimental to the well-being of any stocks of fish harvested, and 
would have no significant environmental impacts. The EA also concluded 
that the experimental fishery would not be detrimental to essential 
fish habitat, marine mammals, or protected species. The ``Finding of No 
Significant Impact'' contained in the EA was signed by the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries on January 27, 2004.
    Through this document, NMFS informs the public that the coordinates 
contained in the December 24, 2003, Federal Register notification 
contained a typographical error. The document should have identified 
the northern portion of CA I in which the study would be conducted as 
north of loran-C line 43660. NMFS also informs the public that NMFS 
intends to re-issue EFPs containing the correct coordinates. However, 
because the original Federal Register document contained the incorrect 
coordinates that may have caused confusion, NMFS is inviting comments 
on the revision to the EFPs. Should NMFS receive substantive comments 
on EFPs, NMFS may reconsider whether issuance of, modificatiopon to or 
rescission of the EFPs would be appropriate.
    Therefore, on page 74543, third column, first sentence under 
section entitled, ``Proposed EFP'', remove ``(north of loran-C line 
13660).'' and in its place insert ``(north of loran-C line 43660).''

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

    Dated: February 2, 2004.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2412 Filed 2-2-04; 1:07 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S