[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 141 (Thursday, July 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43719-43720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18054]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE040


Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; 
General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted 
Fishing Permits

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The NMFS Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, has made a preliminary 
determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit renewal application from 
the Commercial

[[Page 43720]]

Fisheries Research Foundation contains all of the required information 
and warrants further consideration; and that the activities authorized 
under the Exempted Fishing Permit would be consistent with the goals 
and objectives of the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for American 
lobster. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act and the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on Exempted Fishing 
Permit applications.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 7, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on this notice may be submitted by the 
following methods:
     Email to: [email protected]. Include in the subject 
line ``Comments on CFRF Lobster EFP.''
     Mail to: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 
CFRF Lobster EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Hanson, NOAA Affiliate, 978-
281-9180.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation 
(CFRF) submitted a complete application for a 2-year renewal to an 
existing Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on June 25, 2015. The purpose of 
this study is to test electronic data collection while conducting 
research on the abundance and distribution of juvenile American 
lobster. Funding for this study will be provided through a NOAA grant, 
as part of the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program. The EFP proposes to 
use a total of 36 ventless, untagged traps in Lobster Management Areas 
2 and 3; covering statistical areas 464, 465, 512, 515, 522, 525, 526, 
537, 561, 562, 613, 615, and 616. Maps depicting these areas are 
available on request.
    The study would take place during regular fishing activity on 12 
federally permitted commercial fishing vessels; 6 vessels in each of 
the two management areas. Sampling would occur during scheduled fishing 
trips on each vessel once per week in Area 2, and once every 10 days in 
Area 3. If an EFP extension is granted, there would be an additional 36 
modified, untagged traps in the water during any given time, for a 
period of two years. Each participating vessel would have up to three 
modified traps attached to a regular trap trawl. Modifications to a 
conventional lobster trap would include a closed escape vent, single 
parlor, and smaller mesh size and entrance head.
    The CFRF is requesting exemptions from the following Federal 
lobster regulations:
     Gear specifications in 50 CFR 697.21(c) to allow for 
closed escape vents, and smaller mesh and entrance heads;
     Trap limits as listed in 50 CFR 697.19(b) for Area 2, and 
50 CFR 697.19(c) for Area 3, to be exceeded by 3 additional traps per 
fishing vessel for a total of 36 additional traps;
     Trap tag requirements, as specified in 50 CFR 697.19(i), 
to allow for the use of untagged traps; and
     Possession restrictions in 50 CFR 697.20(a), to allow for 
onboard biological sampling of juvenile, v-notched, and egg-bearing 
lobsters.
    All lobsters caught by modified gear would remain onboard for a 
short period of time to allow for biological sampling and data 
collection, after which they would be returned to the water. Biological 
information will be collected on both kept and discarded lobsters, 
including: Carapace length; sex; and presence of eggs, v-notches, and 
shell disease. This study would use several data recording devices, 
including electronic calipers for length measurements, video cameras, 
and waterproof tablets. Once the vessels return to shore, data would be 
relayed to a central database and made available via the Atlantic 
Coastal Cooperative Statistic Program.
    If approved, CFRF may request minor modifications and extensions to 
the EFP throughout the study period. EFP modifications and extensions 
may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to 
facilitate completion of the proposed research and have minimal impacts 
that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP 
request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the 
exempted fishing activity would be prohibited.

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

    Dated: July 17, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-18054 Filed 7-22-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P