[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 85 (Monday, May 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24134-24135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-989]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 042704F]


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

[[Page 24135]]

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 
operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing 
the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP would allow 
for exemptions from the black sea bass minimum fish size requirement so 
that undersized fish may be retained for data collection purposes. The 
EFP would allow this exemption for approximately 350 lb (159 kg) of 
undersized (juvenile) black sea bass (Centropristis striata) for the 
remainder of the 2004 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 May 18, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice may be submitted by e-mail. The 
mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is [email protected]. 
Include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the following 
document identifier: ``Comments on VIMS Black Sea Bass Population 
Biology EFP Proposal.'' 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 April 12, 2004, with 
final revisions received April 21, 2004. This is the second year of a 
2-year study. A summary report of the 2003 study was received on April 
21, 2004. 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 (June 1-December 31, 2004). This would 
result in a maximum retention of 350 lb (159 kg) of undersized black 
sea bass for the 2004 fishing year. The collections would take place 
using handline and fish pot fishing gear during 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.

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

    Dated: April 28, 2004.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E4-989 Filed 4-30-04; 8:45 am]
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