[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 87 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 25748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8700]



[[Page 25748]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 030107C]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Exempted Fishing Permits; 
Request for Public Comments

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

ACTION: Notice; request for an exempted fishing permit; request for 
public comment.

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

SUMMARY: This notice re-opens the comment period on an March 13, 2007, 
Federal Register notice that was extended on April 11, 2007, regarding 
a request for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to collect fisheries 
data in the East Florida Coast and Charleston Bump closed areas. The 
extended comment period closed on April 25, 2007. NMFS is reopening the 
comment period due to requests from the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council (SAFMC) and others. The SAFMC has requested re-
opening the comment period to include their next meeting on June 11-15, 
2007. The Agency is re-opening the comment period to allow for 
additional comments to be received from the SAFMC and the public prior 
to making a determination on the application.

DATES: The deadline for written comments on the April 11, 2007 (72 FR 
18208), notice has been re-opened until 5 p.m. on June 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
the following identifier: ``I.D. 030107C''.
     Mail: Michael Clark, Highly Migratory Species Management 
Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910. Please mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on EFP 
Application.''
     Fax: (301)713-1917

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Clark, by phone: (301) 713-
2347; fax: (301)713-1917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are requested and issued under the 
authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) (16 U.S.C. 971 et 
seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(1601 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), which regulate fishing activities of tunas, 
swordfish, sharks, and billfish. Regulations at 50 CFR 635.32 govern 
scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted 
educational activity with respect to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 
(HMS).
    On March 13, 2007 (72 FR 11327), NMFS published a notice announcing 
receipt of an application to conduct fishing activities from Pelagic 
Longline (PLL) vessels in portions of the East Florida Coast and 
Charleston Bump closed areas. The comment period was extended on April 
11, 2007 (72 FR 18208). The objectives of this EFP request have not 
changed. The applicant states that these data would provide information 
on circle hook performance, target and bycatch species composition, and 
allow comparative analysis with historical pelagic longline logbook and 
observer program data. The applicant states that the goals of these 
fishing activities are to determine if implementation of new pelagic 
longline fishing practices justify the resumption of PLL fishing in the 
selected areas and to catch more of the United States swordfish quota. 
The proposed activities would occur in Federal waters of the Atlantic 
Ocean off Florida and South Carolina from the date of issuance through 
April 2008.
    NMFS is re-opening the comment period until June 20, 2007, because 
of requests made by the South Atlantic Fishery Management and others. 
This will afford the Council an opportunity to consider the EFP request 
during their June 2007 meeting and will also provide additional time 
for the public to consider the application prior to the Agency making a 
determination.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 1, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-8700 Filed 5-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S