[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62368-62369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25435]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XZ19
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit
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, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator)
has made a preliminary determination that an EFP application from the
University of New England (UNE) contains all the required information
and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow three
commercial fishing vessels to possess spiny dogfish (dogfish) during
Federal quota closures in support of a study on their reproductive
biology. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a
preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP
would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Spiny Dogfish
Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation
may be necessary before a final determination is made.
Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide
interested parties the opportunity to comment on EFP applications.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 25, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for
providing e-mail comments is [email protected]. Include in the subject
line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier:
``Comments on UNE dogfish possession EFP.'' Written comments should be
sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast
Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark
the outside of the envelope, ``Comments on UNE dogfish possession
EFP.'' Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to (978) 281-9135.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lindsey Feldman, Fishery Management
Specialist, phone: 978-675-2179, fax: 978-281-9135.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP would exempt federally permitted
commercial fishing vessels from dogfish closures while conducting
research for the University of New England. The EFP would temporarily
exempt participating vessels from dogfish quota closures, in limited
situations for research purposes only, to retain dogfish that would
otherwise be prohibited. No dogfish will be landed for sale when the
fishery is closed.
The FMP implemented a semi-annual quota for the commercial dogfish
fishery; when a semi-annual quota is projected to be harvested, NMFS
closes the fishery until the next semi-annual quota opens. During a
dogfish closure, no vessel may fish for or possess dogfish. A dogfish
closure is currently in effect through October 31, 2010.
As part of a continuing research project, UNE is investigating the
reproductive biology of dogfish along the U.S. Atlantic coast. UNE will
investigate previously observed regional anomalies in dogfish
reproductive biology. Investigators from UNE aim to update information
known on the gestation period for dogfish; in particular whether the
current estimate of 22 months for gestation has been overestimated.
Data from the research would provide more detailed life history
information on dogfish that could potentially be used to fine tune
stock assessments and management plans for dogfish in the Northwest
Atlantic.
The applicant would collect 150 female dogfish samples per month
(one year total), 50 each from the Gulf of Maine (GOM), waters off New
Jersey (NJ), and waters off North Carolina (NC). The total number of
dogfish landed under this EFP would not exceed 1,800 individuals.
Samples would be collected during regular commercial fishing
operations, in areas open to commercial fishing for species other than
spiny dogfish. Vessels would fish
[[Page 62369]]
with otter trawls that are fully compliant with applicable regulations
and adhere to the following conditions: Possess 150 or fewer dogfish
per trip; all live dogfish bycatch would be returned to the ocean as
quickly as possible; no dogfish may be landed for sale; dogfish would
not be targeted during the fishing trips.
Participating vessels would be exempt from the spiny dogfish
fishery closure regulations at 50 CFR 648.231 and required to comply
with all other applicable requirements and restrictions specified at 50
CFR part 648.
The applicant may make requests to NMFS for minor modifications and
extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and
extensions may be granted by NMFS without further notice if they are
deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and
result in only a minimal change in the scope or impact of the initially
approved EFP request. In accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-
6, a Categorical Exclusion or other appropriate NEPA document would be
completed prior to the issuance of the EFP. Further review and
consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to
issue the EFP. After publication of this document in the Federal
Register, the EFP, if approved, may become effective following a 15-day
public comment period.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 5, 2010.
Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-25435 Filed 10-7-10; 8:45 am]
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