80 FR 54531 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 175 (September 10, 2015)

Page Range		54531-54532
FR Document		2015-22834

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would allow four commercial fishing vessels to fish outside of the limited access sea scallop regulations in support of study investigating the effect different dredge tow cable scope ratios have on dredge pitch and catch rates using the Turtle Deflector Dredge and Low Profile Dredge designs. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 175 (Thursday, September 10, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54531-54532]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22834]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE166


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, has made a preliminary 
determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all 
of the required information and warrants further consideration. This 
Exempted Fishing Permit would allow four commercial fishing vessels to 
fish outside of the limited access sea scallop regulations in support 
of study investigating the effect different dredge tow cable scope 
ratios have on dredge pitch and catch rates using the Turtle Deflector 
Dredge and Low Profile Dredge designs.
    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 September 25, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``DA15-065 CFF Dredge Design Study 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 ``DA15-065 CFF 
Dredge Design Study EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, 978-282-8456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA has preliminarily awarded the 
Coonamesset Farm Foundation (CFF) a grant through the 2015 Saltonstall 
Kennedy grant program, in support of a project titled ``Improving an 
Ecosystem Friendly Scallop Dredge.'' To conduct this research, CFF 
submitted a complete application for an EFP on August 6, 2015. The 
project would look at the effect different scope ratios have on dredge 
pitch and catch rates using the Turtle Deflector Dredge (TDD) and Low 
Profile Dredge (LPD) designs. The project would also utilize an 
underwater camera attached to the dredge frames to capture fish dredge 
interactions.
    CFF is requesting exemptions that would allow four commercial 
fishing vessels be exempt from the Atlantic sea scallop days-at-sea 
(DAS) allocations at 50 CFR 648.53(b); crew size restrictions at Sec.  
648.51(c); and rotational closed area exemptions for Closed Area I at 
Sec.  648.58(a), Closed Area II at Sec.  648.58(b),

[[Page 54532]]

and Nantucket Lightship at Sec.  648.58(c). It would also exempt 
participating vessels from the Atlantic sea scallop observer program 
requirements at Sec.  648.11(g) and from possession limits and minimum 
size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subsections B and D 
through O, for sampling purposes only. Any fishing activity conducted 
outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited.
    Four vessels would conduct scallop dredging in October 2015-April 
2016, on four 7-day trips, for a total of 28 DAS. Each trip would 
complete approximately 50 tows per trip for an overall total of 200 
tows for the project. Trips would take place in the open areas of 
southern New England and Georges Bank as well as in Georges Bank 
scallop access areas that are closed. Trips would be centralized around 
areas with high yellowtail and winter flounder bycatch and in areas 
that contain a wide range of scallop sizes to examine changes in size 
selectivity due to dredge design and wire scope.
    All tows would be conducted in tandem using one TDD and one LPD for 
a duration of 60 minutes with a tow speed range of 4-5.5 knots. Both 
dredges would be 15 feet (4.57 meters) in width using 4-inch (10.16 cm) 
rings, and would be rigged with a 7-row apron, and twine top hanging 
ratio of 2:1. Both dredges would be equipped with a regulation turtle 
chain mat for any tows west of 71[deg] W. longitude. The LPD dredge in 
comparison to the TDD dredge has a reduced frame angle from 45[deg] to 
22.5[deg], an extended shoe from 15 inches (38.10 cm) to 22 inches 
(55.88 cm), and a reduced frame height from 15 inches (38.10) to 9.5 
inches (24.13 cm). Each tow pair would be conducted in a straight line 
varying between long (4:1) and short (3:1) scope ratios in an AB-BA 
alternating pattern. Scope is the ratio of deployed towing cable to 
ocean depth.
    To film finfish interactions, both dredge frames would have an 
underwater camera attached to the outer frame bars facing the depressor 
plate. Each interaction would be recorded using Observer XT computer 
software and would fall into three categories: Horizontal escape where 
the fish swims perpendicular to the dredge; vertical escape where the 
fish swims over the frame; and overcome/capture where the fish passes 
under the cutting bar or through the openings between the depressor 
plate and cutting bar. Filming will help test the hypothesis that the 
LPD frame aids in flatfish escapement and reduces interaction time with 
the dredge potentially, reducing incidental mortality rates.
    For all tows, the sea scallop catch would be counted into baskets 
and weighed. One basket from each dredge would be randomly selected and 
the scallops would be measured in 5-mm increments to determine size 
selectivity. Finfish catch would be sorted by species then counted, 
weighed, and measured in 1-mm increments. Depending on the volume of 
scallops and finfish captured, the catch would be subsampled as 
necessary. No catch would be retained for longer than needed to conduct 
sampling and no catch would be landed for sale.

                         Project Catch Estimates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Species                           lbs       mt
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scallops............................................   110,231     50.00
Yellowtail..........................................     2,000      0.91
Winter Flounder.....................................       500      0.23
Windowpane Flounder.................................     3,500      1.59
Monkfish............................................     4,500      2.04
Summer Flounder.....................................       150     0.007
Barndoor Skate......................................       500      0.23
NE Skate Complex....................................    75,000     34.02
Atlantic Cod........................................        50      0.02
Haddock.............................................        75      0.03
Silver/Offshore Hake................................       125      0.05
Unclassified hakes..................................       100      0.06
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CFF needs these exemptions to allow them to conduct experimental 
dredge towing without being charged DAS, as well as deploy gear in 
access areas that are currently closed to scallop fishing. 
Participating vessels need crew size waivers to accommodate science 
personnel and possession waivers will enable them to conduct finfish 
sampling activities.
    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: September 4, 2015.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-22834 Filed 9-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

54532 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 175 / Thursday, September 10, 2015 / Notices

and Nantucket Lightship at § 648.58(c). dredge potentially, reducing incidental DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
It would also exempt participating mortality rates.
vessels from the Atlantic sea scallop National Oceanic and Atmospheric
For all tows, the sea scallop catch
observer program requirements at Administration
would be counted into baskets and
§ 648.11(g) and from possession limits weighed. One basket from each dredge
and minimum size requirements Proposed Information Collection;
would be randomly selected and the Comment Request; Reporting
specified in 50 CFR part 648,
scallops would be measured in 5-mm Requirements for Commercial
subsections B and D through O, for
sampling purposes only. Any fishing increments to determine size selectivity. Fisheries Authorization Under Section
activity conducted outside the scope of Finfish catch would be sorted by species 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection
the exempted fishing activity would be then counted, weighed, and measured Act
prohibited. in 1-mm increments. Depending on the
AGENCY: National Oceanic and
Four vessels would conduct scallop volume of scallops and finfish captured,
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
dredging in October 2015-April 2016, on the catch would be subsampled as
Commerce.
four 7-day trips, for a total of 28 DAS. necessary. No catch would be retained
ACTION: Notice.
Each trip would complete for longer than needed to conduct
approximately 50 tows per trip for an sampling and no catch would be landed SUMMARY: The Department of
overall total of 200 tows for the project. for sale. Commerce, as part of its continuing
Trips would take place in the open areas effort to reduce paperwork and
of southern New England and Georges PROJECT CATCH ESTIMATES respondent burden, invites the general
Bank as well as in Georges Bank scallop public and other Federal agencies to
access areas that are closed. Trips would Species lbs mt take this opportunity to comment on
be centralized around areas with high proposed and/or continuing information
yellowtail and winter flounder bycatch Scallops ........................ 110,231 50.00 collections, as required by the
and in areas that contain a wide range Yellowtail ....................... 2,000 0.91 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
of scallop sizes to examine changes in Winter Flounder ............ 500 0.23 DATES: Written comments must be
size selectivity due to dredge design and Windowpane Flounder .. 3,500 1.59 submitted on or before November 9,
wire scope. Monkfish ....................... 4,500 2.04 2015.
Summer Flounder ......... 150 0.007
All tows would be conducted in ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
Barndoor Skate ............. 500 0.23
tandem using one TDD and one LPD for to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
NE Skate Complex ....... 75,000 34.02
a duration of 60 minutes with a tow Paperwork Clearance Officer,
Atlantic Cod .................. 50 0.02
speed range of 4–5.5 knots. Both Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
Haddock ........................ 75 0.03
dredges would be 15 feet (4.57 meters) Silver/Offshore Hake .... 125 0.05 14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
in width using 4-inch (10.16 cm) rings, Unclassified hakes ........ 100 0.06 Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
and would be rigged with a 7-row Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).
apron, and twine top hanging ratio of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
2:1. Both dredges would be equipped CFF needs these exemptions to allow
them to conduct experimental dredge Requests for additional information or
with a regulation turtle chain mat for copies of the information collection
any tows west of 71° W. longitude. The towing without being charged DAS, as
well as deploy gear in access areas that instrument and instructions should be
LPD dredge in comparison to the TDD directed to Lisa White, (301) 427–8402
dredge has a reduced frame angle from are currently closed to scallop fishing.
or Lisa.White@noaa.gov.
45° to 22.5°, an extended shoe from 15 Participating vessels need crew size
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
inches (38.10 cm) to 22 inches (55.88 waivers to accommodate science
cm), and a reduced frame height from 15 personnel and possession waivers will I. Abstract
inches (38.10) to 9.5 inches (24.13 cm). enable them to conduct finfish sampling This request is for an extension of a
Each tow pair would be conducted in a activities. currently approved information
straight line varying between long (4:1) If approved, the applicant may collection.
and short (3:1) scope ratios in an AB– request minor modifications and Reporting injury to and/or mortalities
BA alternating pattern. Scope is the extensions to the EFP throughout the of marine mammals is mandated under
ratio of deployed towing cable to ocean year. EFP modifications and extensions Section 118 of the Marine Mammal
depth. Protection Act. This information is
may be granted without further notice if
To film finfish interactions, both they are deemed essential to facilitate required to determine the impacts of
dredge frames would have an commercial fishing on marine mammal
completion of the proposed research
underwater camera attached to the outer populations. This information is also
and have minimal impacts that do not
frame bars facing the depressor plate. used to categorize commercial fisheries
change the scope or impact of the
Each interaction would be recorded into Categories I, II, or III. Participants
initially approved EFP request. Any
using Observer XT computer software in the first two categories must be
and would fall into three categories: fishing activity conducted outside the
scope of the exempted fishing activity authorized to take marine mammals,
Horizontal escape where the fish swims while those in Category III are exempt
perpendicular to the dredge; vertical would be prohibited.
from that requirement. All categories
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

escape where the fish swims over the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. must report injuries or mortalities on a
frame; and overcome/capture where the Dated: September 4, 2015. National Marine Fisheries Service form.
fish passes under the cutting bar or
Jennifer M. Wallace, II. Method of Collection
through the openings between the
depressor plate and cutting bar. Filming Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Respondents have a choice of either
will help test the hypothesis that the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. electronic or paper forms. Methods of
LPD frame aids in flatfish escapement [FR Doc. 2015–22834 Filed 9–9–15; 8:45 am] submittal include online forms, email of
and reduces interaction time with the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P electronic or scanned forms, and mail

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:28 Sep 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1

Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:03:37
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:03:37

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice; request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before September 25, 2015.
Contact		Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456.
FR Citation		80 FR 54531
RIN Number		0648-XE16

80 FR 54531 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 175 (September 10, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration