[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 153 (Thursday, August 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44834-44835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15511]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB84


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Exempted Fishing Permits

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is not issuing, at this time, an exempted fishing permit 
(EFP) requested by Blue Water Fishermen's Association to collect data 
on the performance of circle hooks with regard to target catch and 
bycatch rates, among other variables, associated with pelagic longline 
(PLL) fishing activities inside the existing Charleston Bump and 
Florida East Coast PLL closed areas.

[[Page 44835]]

NMFS is investigating additional means of obtaining this data.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russell Dunn, 727-824-5399; fax: 727-
824-5398; or Chris Rilling, 301-713-2347; fax: 301-713-1917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are requested and issued under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and/or the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act 
(16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). Regulations at 50 CFR 600.745 and 50 CFR 
635.32 govern scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and 
exempted educational activity with respect to Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species.
    The Blue Water Fishermen's Association requested exemptions from 
certain regulations applicable to the harvest and landing of Atlantic 
HMS in order to collect data on the performance of mandatory circle 
hooks with regard to target catch and bycatch rates, hooking location, 
and mortality of fish at haul back. The proposal included data 
collection in the existing Charleston Bump and Florida East Coast 
pelagic longline closed areas. After considering public comment 
received, as requested in the Federal Register (72 FR 11327, March 13, 
2007 );(72 FR 18208, April 11, 2007); (72 FR 25748, May, 7, 2007), the 
Agency has decided not to issue a permit as requested by the current 
application. Specifically, the proposal did not discuss anticipated 
effort levels or the spatio-temporal distribution of effort, did not 
identify ``control'' fishing locations, and did not justify the number 
of vessels proposed to participate in the fishery. Absence of this 
information limits the ability of the Agency to evaluate the potential 
effectiveness of the data collection program and to analyze its 
impacts.
    NMFS supports collecting such data under controlled circumstances 
and as part of a program with a scientifically rigorous study design. 
These data are critical to evaluating the efficacy of bycatch 
mitigation efforts, including required bycatch reduction gears and 
time/area closures in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. As such, 
NMFS is actively considering under what circumstances and how best to 
conduct scientific research that is necessary to evaluate the 
effectiveness of current bycatch reduction measures.

    Dated: August 3, 2007.
Alan Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15511 Filed 8-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S