[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 50 (Thursday, March 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 13977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05267]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF216


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 (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 a commercial 
fishing vessel to test the economic viability of using electric jigging 
machines to target pollock in the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area, 
and to temporarily retain undersized catch for measurement and data 
collection.
    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 March 31, 2017.

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 on 
Electric Jigging Machine Fishing in WGOM Closed Area EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle Molton, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9236, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A commercial fisherman submitted a complete 
application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) on November 29, 2016, 
to conduct commercial fishing activities that the regulations would 
otherwise restrict. The EFP would authorize one vessel to use electric 
jigging machines in the Western Gulf of Maine (WGOM) Closure Area and 
to temporarily retain undersized catch for measurement and data 
collection. An identical EFP was issued in 2016, but no experimental 
fishing occurred under the previously issued EFP due to the timing of 
the EFP issuance and fish availability.
    The project, titled ``Utilization of Electric Rod and Reel to 
Target Pollock in WGOM Closed Area,'' would be conducted by a 
commercial fisherman as a pilot study to test the economic viability of 
using electric jigging machines to target pollock while avoiding non-
target catch. The study would take place in the WGOM Closure Area, from 
June through August 2017, with one vessel planning to fish up to 5 days 
per month for a total of approximately 15 trips. The exemptions are 
necessary because vessels on commercial groundfish trips are prohibited 
from fishing in the WGOM Closure Area and from retaining undersized 
groundfish. The vessel would use four electric jigging machines for at 
least 4 to 6 hours per trip, with an additional 5 to 6 hours of 
steaming, for a total trip of approximately 12 hours. Fishing would 
primarily occur within the WGOM Closure Area, in the area known as 
``The Fingers,'' with some effort being conducted outside the area. The 
applicant is requesting access to the WGOM Closure Area based on 
reports that pollock are seasonally concentrated in this area, and the 
likelihood that they can be targeted with minimal catch of non-target 
species.
    A research technician or at-sea monitor would accompany all trips 
that occur under this EFP to measure and document fish caught, and 
document fishing gear, bait, location, and fishing conditions to 
evaluate gear performance. The captain would also document fishing 
practices. Undersized fish would be discarded as quickly as possible 
after sampling. All Northeast multispecies of legal size would be 
landed, and all catch would be attributed to the vessel's sector annual 
catch entitlement. Proceeds from the sales would be retained by the 
vessel. The applicant would document ex-vessel price for all sold catch 
by species and grade for comparison with other harvest methods. 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.

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

    Dated: March 13, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05267 Filed 3-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P