82 FR 26918 - 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 82, Issue 111 (June 12, 2017)

Page Range		26918-26919
FR Document		2017-12103

The NMFS Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, 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 commercial fishing vessels in collaboration with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries to research the use of raised-footrope trawl gear to target whiting (Northern silver hake) within an area of the Gulf of Maine whiting exempted fishery for two weeks before the start of the current open season. 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 a proposed exempted fishing permit.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 111 (Monday, June 12, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 111 (Monday, June 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26918-26919]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12103]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF438


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 NMFS Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, 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 commercial fishing vessels in 
collaboration with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries to 
research the use of raised-footrope trawl gear to target whiting 
(Northern silver hake) within an area of the Gulf of Maine whiting 
exempted fishery for two weeks before the start of the current open 
season.
    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 a 
proposed exempted fishing permit.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on 2017 MADMF Whiting Exempted Fishery Study EFP.''
     Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, 
MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``2017 MADMF Whiting 
Exempted Fishery Study EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reid Lichwell, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 282-9112.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Massachusetts Division of Marine 
Fisheries (MADMF) submitted an application for an Exempted Fishing 
Permit (EFP) to assess the use of small-mesh raised-footrope trawl gear 
in a Gulf of Maine (GOM) exempted fishing area two weeks before the 
area opens for whiting fishing. Research would occur within a subarea 
of Small Mesh Area 1 (SMA1). This EFP would allow up to eight 
participating commercial fishing vessels exemptions from the minimum 
mesh size gear requirements found at 50 CFR 648.80(a)(3); and from the 
possession limits and minimum size requirements specified in 50 CFR 
part 648, subparts B and D through O.
    MADMF asserts that the GOM whiting exempted fishery is 
underutilized and analysis of observer data have indicated that whiting 
stocks may be more prevalent and more effectively targeted within the 
exemption areas before the current July 15 opening for SMA1. This study 
would provide data on catch rates of whiting and bycatch of regulated 
Northeast (NE) multispecies to evaluate if an earlier opening of the 
GOM whiting exempted fishery in SMA1 is warranted. This is the second 
year of study to test raised-footrope trawl gear targeting whiting 
before the start of the SMA1 whiting exempted fishery.

[[Page 26919]]

    This EFP would allow eight vessels to fish within the western 
portion of SMA1 during July 1-14. Participating vessels would each be 
limited to six fishing days. The length of each trip would be at the 
discretion of the vessel operators, consistent with normal commercial 
fishing practices. Each vessel would conduct 3 to 4 tows per day, with 
each tow lasting approximately 90 minutes.
    These vessels would operate under the normal restrictions for 
operating in the whiting exemption areas during their open seasons. For 
instance, participating vessels would use a raised-footrope trawl with 
diamond mesh nets that have either a codend mesh size of greater than 
2.5 inches but less than 3 inches, or a codend mesh size of 3 inches or 
greater, consistent with Sec.  648.80(a)(9)(ii). Per trip possession 
limits that would be allowed for silver, northern red, and offshore 
hake are consistent with those outlined in Sec.  648.86(d). Additional 
species permitted for retention and sale would include butterfish, 
spiny dogfish, Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel, scup, and squid. 
Regulated Northeast multispecies (cod, haddock, etc.) cannot be 
retained by the participating vessels either under this EFP or during 
the normal small-mesh exempted fisheries. Participating vessels would 
be exempt from the possession limits and minimum size requirements for 
sampling purposes only, in order to facilitate collecting weight and 
length measurements of catch. All catch not retained for sale would be 
returned to the sea as soon as possible after biological sampling is 
conducted.
    MADMF has analyzed catch data collected during last year's sampling 
trips, which utilized the same gear, time period (July 1-14), 
geographic area, and methods that are proposed for this year's study. 
Last year's sampling was conducted by five vessels within SMA1, 
totaling 29 trip (82 tows). Data collected from these trips shows 
approximately 10 percent bycatch of regulated groundfish species in 
SMA1. The majority of this catch was haddock. It is anticipated that 
the catch for the proposed 2017 study would have similar bycatch and 
catch composition as last year's study.
    All trips will be accompanied by either MADMF trained staff or 
contracted observers to collect data on catch composition, length and 
weight measurements, and operational data (location, weather, time, 
duration of tow, trawl speed, etc.). All gear will be inspected and 
measured prior to its use to verify that it meets the mesh sizes 
requirements consistent with existing applicable small-mesh exempted 
gear 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 impact that does not change the scope 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 7, 2017.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12103 Filed 6-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

26918 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 111 / Monday, June 12, 2017 / Notices

Meeting address: The meeting will be 1. Using datasets and initial assessment commercial fishing vessels in
held via webinar. The webinar is open analysis recommended from the Data collaboration with the Massachusetts
to members of the public. Those Webinar, panelists will employ assessment Division of Marine Fisheries to research
interested in participating should models to evaluate stock status, estimate the use of raised-footrope trawl gear to
population benchmarks and management
contact Dr. Julie A. Neer at SEDAR (see criteria, and project future conditions.
target whiting (Northern silver hake)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) to 2. Participants will recommend the most within an area of the Gulf of Maine
request an invitation providing webinar appropriate methods and configurations for whiting exempted fishery for two weeks
access information. Please request determining stock status and estimating before the start of the current open
webinar invitations at least 24 hours in population parameters. season.
advance of each webinar. Regulations under the Magnuson-
Although non-emergency issues not
SEDAR address: 4055 Faber Place Stevens Fishery Conservation and
contained in this agenda may come
Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC Management Act require publication of
before this group for discussion, those
29405. this notification to provide interested
issues may not be the subject of formal
parties the opportunity to comment on
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. action during this meeting. Action will
applications for a proposed exempted
Julie A. Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; be restricted to those issues specifically
fishing permit.
telephone: (843) 571–4366; email: identified in this notice and any issues
arising after publication of this notice DATES: Comments must be received on
Julie.neer@safmc.net or before June 27, 2017.
that require emergency action under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens ADDRESSES: You may submit written
of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Fishery Conservation and Management comments by any of the following
Caribbean Fishery Management Act, provided the public has been methods:
Councils, in conjunction with NOAA notified of the intent to take final action • Email: NMFS.GAR.EFP@noaa.gov.
Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf to address the emergency. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments
States Marine Fisheries Commissions on 2017 MADMF Whiting Exempted
have implemented the Southeast Data, Special Accommodations Fishery Study EFP.’’
Assessment and Review (SEDAR) The meeting is physically accessible • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional
process, a multi-step method for to people with disabilities. Requests for Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
determining the status of fish stocks in sign language interpretation or other Regional Office, 55 Great Republic
the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a multi- auxiliary aids should be directed to the Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the
step process including: (1) Data Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 outside of the envelope ‘‘2017 MADMF
Workshop; (2) Assessment Process business days prior to each workshop. Whiting Exempted Fishery Study EFP.’’
utilizing webinars; and (3) Review FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reid
Workshop. The product of the Data Note: The times and sequence specified in
this agenda are subject to change. Lichwell, Fishery Management
Workshop is a data report that compiles Specialist, (978) 282–9112.
and evaluates potential datasets and Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
recommends which datasets are Massachusetts Division of Marine
Dated: June 7, 2017.
appropriate for assessment analyses. Fisheries (MADMF) submitted an
The product of the Assessment Process Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
application for an Exempted Fishing
is a stock assessment report that Permit (EFP) to assess the use of small-
describes the fisheries, evaluates the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–12072 Filed 6–9–17; 8:45 am]
mesh raised-footrope trawl gear in a
status of the stock, estimates biological Gulf of Maine (GOM) exempted fishing
benchmarks, projects future population BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
area two weeks before the area opens for
conditions, and recommends research whiting fishing. Research would occur
and monitoring needs. The assessment within a subarea of Small Mesh Area 1
is independently peer reviewed at the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
(SMA1). This EFP would allow up to
Review Workshop. The product of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric eight participating commercial fishing
Review Workshop is a Summary Administration vessels exemptions from the minimum
documenting panel opinions regarding mesh size gear requirements found at 50
the strengths and weaknesses of the RIN 0648–XF438 CFR 648.80(a)(3); and from the
stock assessment and input data. possession limits and minimum size
Participants for SEDAR Workshops are Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
General Provisions for Domestic requirements specified in 50 CFR part
appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South 648, subparts B and D through O.
Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Fisheries; Application for Exempted
MADMF asserts that the GOM whiting
Management Councils and NOAA Fishing Permits
exempted fishery is underutilized and
Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries analysis of observer data have indicated
HMS Management Division, and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and that whiting stocks may be more
Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), prevalent and more effectively targeted
Participants include data collectors and Commerce. within the exemption areas before the
database managers; stock assessment current July 15 opening for SMA1. This
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
scientists, biologists, and researchers;
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES

study would provide data on catch rates
constituency representatives including SUMMARY: The NMFS Assistant Regional of whiting and bycatch of regulated
fishermen, environmentalists, and Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast (NE) multispecies to evaluate
NGO’s; International experts; and staff Greater Atlantic Region, has made a if an earlier opening of the GOM
of Councils, Commissions, and state and preliminary determination that an whiting exempted fishery in SMA1 is
federal agencies. exempted fishing permit application warranted. This is the second year of
The items of discussion in the contains all of the required information study to test raised-footrope trawl gear
Assessment Process webinars are as and warrants further consideration. This targeting whiting before the start of the
follows: exempted fishing permit would allow SMA1 whiting exempted fishery.

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Document Created: 2017-06-10 01:40:38
Document Modified: 2017-06-10 01:40:38

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 June 27, 2017.
Contact		Reid Lichwell, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 282-9112.
FR Citation		82 FR 26918
RIN Number		0648-XF43

82 FR 26918 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 111 (June 12, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration