[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65971-65972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26322]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 041229366-5088-02]
RIN 0648-XC884


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish Fisheries 
Management Plan; Reallocation of 2013 Monkfish Research Set-Aside Days-
at-Sea

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

ACTION: Notice; reallocation of monkfish research set-aside days-at-
sea.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the reallocation of 2013 Monkfish 
Research Set-Aside days-at-sea. These days are being reallocated 
because they were not awarded through the 2013 Monkfish Research Set-
Aside Program grant process. The reallocated days-at-sea are available 
to conduct monkfish research activities during fishing year 2013 (May 
1, 2013-April 30, 2014).

DATES: Effective November 4, 2013, through April 30, 2014. Days-at-sea 
reallocated through this Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program must be 
used by April 30, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Applications for an exempted fishing permit can be sent to 
the Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 55 Great 
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Berthiaume, (978) 281-9177.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Amendment 2 to the Monkfish Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) (70 FR 21927, April 28, 2005) established the 
Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, which annually sets-aside 
500 of the total monkfish DAS as RSA DAS to be used to conduct monkfish 
research. Amendment 2 also established the Monkfish Exemption Program, 
which requires NMFS to make any unallocated RSA DAS available as 
exempted DAS. These exempted DAS

[[Page 65972]]

may be used to conduct monkfish research activities during the current 
fishing year. In September 2012, NMFS published a notice announcing the 
2013 Monkfish RSA Program, and solicited proposals for monkfish 
research activities to be conducted under the RSA program. Four 
proposals were received, and two were granted awards totaling 426 RSA 
DAS. As a result, there are 74 DAS that were not awarded and are now 
available as exempted DAS. Therefore, pursuant to the regulations 
governing the monkfish fishery at 50 CFR 648.92(c)(1)(v), NMFS is 
reallocating the unused 2013 RSA DAS as exempted DAS that may be used 
to conduct monkfish research during the remainder of fishing year 2013 
(through April 30, 2014). Requests for exempted DAS must be submitted 
to NMFS along with a complete application for an exempted fishing 
permit. The exempted DAS differ from RSA DAS in that research must 
occur in conjunction with the exempted DAS. The exempted DAS cannot be 
used solely to generate funds. A summary of the requirements for 
submitting an exempted fishing permit are available online at: 
www.nero.noaa.gov/permits/forms/EFPLOAEEAAPossessionLOAGuidance.pdf.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C.553(b)(B), 
there is good cause to waive prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment on this action, as notice and comment would be unnecessary and 
contrary to the public interest because the action is administrative in 
nature, and because it provides the public (i.e., researchers) the 
opportunity to reduce costs associated with conducting monkfish related 
research activities. Additionally, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in effective date because the 
action is administrative in nature.

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

    Dated: October 30, 2013.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-26322 Filed 11-1-13; 8:45 am]
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