[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37578-37579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13728]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE619


Magnuson-Stevens 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.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS

[[Page 37579]]

(Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary 
determination that an exempted fishing permit application contains all 
of the required information and warrants further consideration. This 
permit would allow one commercial fishing vessel to test the economic 
viability of using electric rod and reel gear to target pollock in the 
Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area, and to temporarily retain 
undersized catch for measurement and data collection. The privately-
funded study would be conducted by a commercial fisherman as a pilot 
demonstration project.
    Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for 
proposed exempted fishing permits.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 27, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on Rod and Reel Fishing in WGOM Closed Area EFP.''
     Mail: 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 Rod 
and Reel Fishing in WGOM Closed Area EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Scheimer, Fisheries 
Management Specialist, 978-281-9236, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A commercial fisherman submitted a complete 
application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) on May 4, 2016, to 
conduct commercial fishing activities that the regulations would 
otherwise restrict. The EFP would authorize one vessel to use electric 
rod and reel gear in the Western Gulf of Maine (GOM) Closure Area and 
to temporarily retain undersized catch for measurement and data 
collection.
    The project, titled ``Utilization of Electric Rod and Reel to 
Target Pollock in WGOM Closed Area,'' is privately funded by a 
commercial fisherman as a pilot study to test the economic viability of 
using electric rod and reel gear to target pollock while avoiding non-
target catch. The study would take place in the Western GOM Closure 
Area, from June through August 2016, with one vessel planning to fish 
up to 5 days per month. The exemptions are necessary because groundfish 
vessels on commercial groundfish trips are prohibited from fishing in 
the Western GOM Closure Area and from retaining undersized groundfish. 
The vessel would use four electric rod and reels each day and fish for 
at least 4 to 6 hours, with an additional 5 to 6 hours of steaming, for 
a total trip of approximately 12 hours. Fishing would primarily occur 
within the Western GOM Closure Area, in the area known as ``The 
Fingers,'' with some effort being conducted outside the area. The 
researcher is requesting access to the Western GOM Closure Area based 
on his belief that pollock is concentrated in this area, and that they 
can be targeted with minimal catch of non-target species.
    A research technician would accompany all trips that occur under 
this EFP to measure and document fish caught (retained and discarded), 
document fishing gear, bait, location, and fishing conditions to 
evaluate gear performance. Undersized fish would be discarded as 
quickly as possible after sampling. All Northeast multispecies of legal 
size would be landed, with all catch being attributed to the sector 
vessel's annual catch entitlement. Proceeds from the sales would be 
retained by the vessel. The participating vessel would not be exempt 
from any sector monitoring or reporting requirements.
    If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and 
extensions to the EFP throughout the year. 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: June 6, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13728 Filed 6-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P