[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 1595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-389]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-AW92


Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Limited Access for Guided Sport 
Charter Vessels in Alaska

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

ACTION: Notice of application period.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS will accept applications from persons applying to 
receive a charter halibut permit under the Limited Access System for 
Guided Sport Charter Vessels in Alaska. Potential eligible applicants 
are notified of the one-time opportunity to apply for a charter halibut 
permit for the 60-day period from February 4, 2010, through April 5, 
2010. Any applications received by NMFS after the ending date will be 
considered untimely and will be denied.

DATES: An application for a charter halibut permit will be accepted by 
NMFS from 8 a.m. Alaska local time (A.l.t.) on February 4, 2010, 
through 5 p.m. A.l.t. on April 5, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  Application forms are available on the internet through the 
Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/default.htm or by contacting NMFS at 1-800-304-4846 (option 2). An 
application form may be submitted by mail to NMFS, Alaska Region, 
Restricted Access Management, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, by 
facsimile (907-586-7354), or by hand delivery to NMFS, 709 West 9th 
Street, Room 713, Juneau, AK 99081.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Baker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a final rule implementing a 
limited access system for charter vessels in the guided sport fishery 
for Pacific halibut in waters of International Pacific Halibut 
Commission Regulatory Areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A (Central Gulf 
of Alaska) in the Federal Register on January 5, 2010 (75 FR 554). 
Under this rule, NMFS will issue a charter halibut permit to the owner 
of a licensed charter fishing business based on the business's past 
participation in the charter halibut fishery. Section 300.67(h)(1) of 
the final rule requires NMFS to specify an application period for 
charter halibut permits of no less than 60 days in the Federal 
Register, and to deny any applications received after the last day of 
the application period.
    This notice specifies a 60-day application period of February 4, 
2010, through April 5, 2010. An application period was referenced in 
the proposed rule published on April 21, 2009 (74 FR 18178) and in the 
final rule published on January 5, 2010 (75 FR 554). This 60-day 
application period is consistent with the intent of the final rule to 
give adequate time for participants in the charter halibut fisheries in 
Areas 2C and 3A to review the final rule and prepare materials 
necessary for the application procedure specified at 50 CFR 
300.67(h)(3). Beginning on February 1, 2011, all vessels with charter 
anglers on board that are catching and retaining Pacific halibut in 
Areas 2C and 3A will be required to have on board the vessel a valid 
original charter halibut permit with an angler endorsement equal to or 
greater than the number of charter anglers that are fishing for 
halibut.
    All persons are hereby notified that they must obtain an 
application on the Internet or request a charter halibut application 
from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The application period for charter halibut 
permits begins at 8 a.m. A.l.t. on February 4, 2010, and ends at 5 p.m. 
A.l.t. on April 5, 2010. Applicants with incomplete applications will 
be notified in writing of the specific information necessary to 
complete the application. Charter halibut permit applications submitted 
to NMFS (see ADDRESSES) after 5 p.m. A.l.t. on April 5, 2010, will be 
considered untimely and will be denied.


    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.

    Dated: January 6, 2010.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-389 Filed 1-11-10; 8:45 am]
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