[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 53688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21917]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XX015


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.

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

SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary 
determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application from the 
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the University of 
Massachusetts, Dartmouth, School for Marine Science and Technology 
contains all of the required information and warrants further 
consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would allow four charter/
party vessels to collect sub-legal Atlantic cod. Regulations under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require 
publication of this notice to provide interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing 
Permits.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 23, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``DMF/SMAST cod study EFP.''
     Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``DMF/SMAST cod 
study EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Vasta, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9196.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the 
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, School for Marine Science and 
Technology (SMAST) submitted a complete application for an Exempted 
Fishing Permit (EFP) on August 29, 2019, to conduct a study of Atlantic 
cod on and around Cox Ledge in southern New England. Data collected 
through this EFP would help scientists better characterize spawning 
seasons, sex ratios, demographics, genetics, and growth rates of cod 
around the Deepwater Wind Lease Area. The EFP would exempt four 
charter/party vessels from the following Federal regulations, for 
sampling purposes only:
    1. Recreational minimum fish size limit for Atlantic cod specified 
at 50 CFR 648.89(b); and
    2. Recreational Atlantic cod possession limit specified at Sec.  
648.89(c).
    Researchers from DMF and/or SMAST would accompany the participating 
vessels on approximately 24 for-hire recreational fishing trips during 
November 2019-August 2021. During each sampling trip, customers would 
capture Atlantic cod (and other species) using standard recreational 
rod and reel gear. Biological samples would be collected from legal 
(greater than or equal to 21 inches) cod that are retained by 
customers. Sub-legal (less than 21 inches) cod would also be 
temporarily retained for tagging or retained for biological sampling.
    Once on board, the physical condition of each sub-legal cod would 
be assessed. Sub-legal cod that are expected to survive would be 
temporarily retained, measured, tagged with conventional t-bar tags, 
and returned to the ocean. Sub-legal cod that are not expected to 
survive (e.g., severe barotrauma, major injuries) would be retained for 
biological sampling. Biological samples would include length 
measurements, otoliths, fin clips, and tissue samples.
    Approximately 240 sub-legal cod (10 individuals per trip) would be 
tagged and approximately 120-240 sub-legal cod (5-10 individuals per 
trip) would be retained for biological sampling as part of this 
research. DMF and/or SMAST personnel would be on board the vessels 
directing sampling activities during all trips taken under this EFP, 
and exemptions would only apply to fish being collected for the 
research. Charter/party customers would not retain undersize cod.
    If approved, DMF or SMAST 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: October 3, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-21917 Filed 10-7-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P