[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45701-45702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-4242]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 080205B]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 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 Exempted Fishing 
Permit (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 the EFP. Therefore, NMFS 
announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator

[[Page 45702]]

proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued that would allow one 
commercial fishing 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 exemptions from the 
FMP as follows: The Gulf of Maine (GOM) Rolling Closure Areas and the 
minimum mesh size for trawl gear.
    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 on or before August 23, 2005.

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 the GOM Rope Separator Trawl Study.'' Comments may also 
be sent via fax to (978) 281-9135 or submitted via e-mail to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Ruccio, Fishery Management 
Specialist, phone (978) 281-9104.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    An application for an EFP was submitted on July 20, 2005, by Dr. 
Pingguo He of the University of New Hampshire for the continuation of a 
Cooperative Research Partnership Initiative contract project. The 
primary goal of the research is to design and test a rope separator 
trawl that targets haddock and pollock while releasing cod and flounder 
in inshore western GOM waters. The intent of the researchers is that 
the experimental net, if successful, could be suitable for fishing 
using Category B Days at Sea in the future.
    This EFP would be used to conduct the second phase of at-sea trials 
for the experimental trawl net. The first phase was conducted under a 
separate EFP. One vessel would conduct 12 days of at-sea trials 
consisting of three to four 1-hour tows per day. Additionally, 
researchers would use remote underwater video observation and acoustic 
gear geometry monitoring to assess the success of the net during at-sea 
trials. The design of the net would consist of a rope separator in 
place of the more common netting separator in order to simplify design 
and rigging; a large bottom escape area for cod, flatfishes, and 
benthos; and a raised fishing line running through long drop chains to 
further allow benthic species to escape. Researchers have requested a 
small mesh exemption to allow for the use of a second codend or a 
small-mesh cover to collect fish released from the trawl to assess the 
effectiveness of the separator trawl.
    All specimens caught would be sampled and measured. All undersized 
fish would be returned to the sea as quickly as practical after 
measurement and examination. All legal-sized fish, within the 
possession limit, would be sold, with the proceeds returned to the 
project for the purposes of enhancing future research.
    The study would take place from September 1, 2005, to July 30, 
2006. The trials would occur between 43[deg]20' and 42[deg]30' N. lat. 
and west of 70[deg]15' W. long., excluding the Western GOM Closure 
Area.
    The principal investigator has requested a small-mesh exemption to 
allow for the use of a second codend or a small mesh cover to collect 
fish released from the experimental trawl to assess the effectiveness 
of the separator trawl. An optimum mixture of haddock and cod is 
necessary for testing the experimental gear. The majority of field work 
is tentatively scheduled for fall 2005. Dr. He has requested exemptions 
from the GOM Rolling Closure Areas to allow for spring 2006 fishing, 
should weather, vessel availability, or haddock and cod abundance in 
the study area hinder completion of the fall 2005 survey schedule.

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

    Dated: August 3, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-4242 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
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