[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29701-29702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-1208]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I. D. 052004C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Application 
for an Exempted Fishing Permit

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing 
permit.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received an application for an exempted fishing 
permit (EFP) from the Washington Sea Grant Program (WSGP). If granted, 
this EFP would authorize the applicant to conduct an experiment to 
evaluate the integrated weight groundline as a potential seabird 
avoidance measure in the fall 2004 Pacific cod hook-and-line fishery in 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). The project 
is intended to promote the objectives of the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Groundfish Fishery of the

[[Page 29702]]

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP) by reducing fishery 
interactions with the endangered short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria 
albatrus) and other seabird species.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EFP application may be requested from Sue 
Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Lori Durall by: mail to P. O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802; fax to 907-586-7557; or email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Rivera, 907-586-7424 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the domestic groundfish 
fisheries in the BSAI under the FMP. The North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council) prepared the FMP under the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). 
Regulations governing the groundfish fisheries of the BSAI appear at 50 
CFR parts 600 and 679. The FMP and the implementing regulations at 
Sec. Sec.  679.6 and 600.745(b) authorize the issuance of EFPs to allow 
fishing that would otherwise be prohibited. Procedures for issuing EFPs 
are contained in the implementing regulations.
    NMFS received an application for an EFP from the WSGP. The purpose 
of this EFP is to authorize experimental fishing using integrated 
weight groundline to evaluate its effectiveness as a potential new 
seabird avoidance measure. The application calls for testing integrated 
weight groundlines against unweighted groundlines, with and without 
paired streamer lines. This proposed effort follows up on work that was 
completed in Alaska in 2002, and compliments efforts taking place in 
other fisheries. Information from this experiment could ultimately 
result in better and more effective seabird avoidance measures. The 
hook-and-line fishing industry appears especially interested in this 
experiment, because it may provide them a better tool with which to 
avoid the incidental catch of the endangered short-tailed albatross and 
other seabird species. In addition, potential exists for improved 
fishing efficiency with better gear handling characteristics and 
increased target catch rates resulting from getting baited hooks down 
more quickly. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a Biological 
Opinion (September 2003) that includes a conservation recommendation 
for NMFS to support research efforts to develop new and novel deterrent 
technologies such as integrated weight groundlines. This experiment 
would fulfill such a recommendation.
    The goal of the experiment is to reduce the incidental catch of the 
endangered short-tailed albatross and other seabird species in ways 
that are consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act National Standard 9 which 
requires conservation and management measures to minimize bycatch and 
bycatch mortality and that the effects on birds should be considered 
when selecting these measures. A preliminary WSGP investigation in 2002 
evaluated four weightings of integrated weight groundline (25, 50, 75, 
and 100 g/m). The four weighting treatments were compared to a control 
of unweighted groundline in the sablefish fishery in the Aleutian 
Islands and the Pacific cod fishery in the Gulf of Alaska. Preliminary 
results strongly suggest that 50 g/m line was the optimal weighting. It 
was the most practical gear in terms of operational performance in 
mechanical baiting (auto-bait) longline systems and it sank quickly 
beyond the range of seabirds.
    Based on these initial results, WSGP proposes to continue this work 
by comparing the catch rates of all species, the abundance and behavior 
of seabirds, and the sink rate of groundlines under three scenarios: 50 
g/m integrated weight groundline, and un-weighted groundlines with and 
without paired streamer lines. Regulations at 50 CFR Sec.  
679.24(e)(4)(ii)(c) require the use of paired streamer lines by vessels 
greater than 55 ft (16.8 m) length overall. Thus, an EFP is necessary 
to conduct the experimental control treatments that call for the 
experimental gear to be deployed in the absence of paired streamer 
lines, to allow fishing in a way that would otherwise be prohibited. 
Work will take place on two freezer-longliner vessels using auto-bait 
systems in the Pacific cod fishery in the BSAI during the fall of 2004, 
and during 2005, if unforeseen circumstances prohibit completion of the 
work in 2004.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.6, NMFS has determined that the 
application warrants further consideration and has initiated 
consultation with the Council by forwarding the application to the 
Council for consultation. The Council will consider the application 
during its June 9-15, 2004, meeting which will be held at the Benson 
Hotel in Portland, Oregon. While the applicant has been invited to 
appear in support of the application, all interested parties may 
comment on the application at the meeting during public testimony.
    The vessels that would conduct the experimental fishing were not 
identified on the application, but will be identified on the EFP, once 
they have been selected for the project. The NMFS Regional 
Administrator may consider and attach additional terms and conditions 
to the EFP that are consistent with the purpose of the experiment. 
Public comment may help determine such conditions.
    A copy of the application is available for review from NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES).

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

    Dated: May 20, 2004.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E4-1208 Filed 5-24-04; 8:45 am]
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