[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 36 (Thursday, February 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 10724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4251]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648--XB009


Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries; American Samoa Longline 
Limited Entry Program

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

ACTION: Notice; availability of permits.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of at least six permits for 
the American Samoa pelagic longline fishery.

DATES: NMFS must receive completed permit applications by June 22, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Request a blank application form from NMFS Pacific Islands 
Region (PIR), 1601 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4733, 
or the PIR Web site www.fpir.noaa.gov. Mail your completed application 
and payment to NMFS PIR, ATTN: ASLE Permits, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 
1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4733.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Ikehara, Sustainable Fisheries, 
NMFS PIR, tel 808-944-2275, fax 808-973-2940, or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS may issue new permits for the American 
Samoa pelagic longline limited entry program if the number of permits 
in a vessel size class falls below the maximum allowed. Six permits are 
available, as follows:
     Four in Class A (vessels less than or equal to 40 ft in 
overall length); and
     Two in Class D (over 70 ft in overall length).
    The number of available permits may increase before the application 
period closes.
    NMFS will assign the highest priority to the applicant (for any 
vessel size class) with the earliest documented participation in the 
fishery on a Class A vessel. Applicants with earliest documented 
participation in Classes B, C, and D, in that order, will get lower 
priority. If there is a tie in priority, the person with the documented 
earliest following participation will receive higher priority.
    NMFS (see ADDRESSES) will not accept applications received after 
June 22, 2012. You must provide a completed and signed application 
form, legible copies of documents supporting historical participation 
in the American Samoa pelagic longline fishery, and payment (non-
refundable) for the application-processing fee.
    You may find the regulations governing the American Samoa pelagic 
longline limited entry program at Title 50 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 665.

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

    Dated: February 17, 2012.
Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4251 Filed 2-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P