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Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Environmental Assessment; Exempted Fishing Permits

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 [Federal Register: April 4, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 63)]
[Notices]
[Page 17069-17070]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ap05-63]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 032805A]

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Environmental Assessment;
Exempted Fishing Permits

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of an Environmental Assessment
(EA) prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to
analyze the potential impacts associated with exempting six pelagic
longline vessels from existing area closures and other regulations for
the purpose of evaluating whether gear modifications and/or various
fishing techniques can avoid/reduce bycatch and associated regulatory
discards of juvenile highly migratory species (HMS) in the Gulf of
Mexico, Florida East Coast, South Atlantic Bight, Mid-Atlantic Bight,
and Northeast Coastal statistical areas of the Atlantic Ocean. The EA
examines alternatives available to authorize activities otherwise
prohibited by regulations for the conduct of scientific research and
the investigation of bycatch, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and
other relevant Federal laws. NMFS is requesting comments on the
alternatives outlined in the EA.

DATES: Written comments on this action must be received no later than 5
p.m., local time, on April 11, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EA can be obtained by contacting Heather
Stirratt (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) or by viewing the
document online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/. Exit Disclaimer
    Comments regarding the EA and issuance of Exempted Fishing Permits

[[Page 17070]]

(EFPs) can be submitted by any of the following methods:
    ? Email: ID032805A@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line the
following identifier: I.D.032805A.
    ? Mail: Heather Stirratt, NMFS Highly Migratory Species
Management Division, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    ? Fax: (301) 713-1917.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Stirratt at (301) 713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are requested and issued under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and/or
the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). Regulations
at 50 CFR 600.745 and 635.32 govern scientific research activity,
exempted fishing, and exempted educational activity with respect to
Atlantic HMS.
    Six operators of permitted Atlantic pelagic longline vessels have
requested exemptions from certain regulations applicable to the harvest
and landing of HMS in order to conduct bycatch reduction research in
the following regions of the Atlantic Ocean: North of Cape Hatteras,
South of Cape Hatteras, and Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Specifically, the
vessels propose to test gear modifications and/or various fishing
techniques to avoid incidentally-caught white marlin, blue marlin,
bluefin tuna, and sea turtles, while allowing for the targeted catches
of allowed species.
    To conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of gear
modifications, in the shortest timeframe, it is necessary to test
bycatch reduction measures in those areas where pelagic longlines are
most likely to encounter the bycatch species of concern (i.e., juvenile
HMS). As such, it is necessary to conduct comparison experiments both
inside and outside of existing closed areas. Restricted access within
existing closed areas has been proposed by the applicants as terms and
conditions of the proposed research in order to minimize or eliminate
the potential for gear and/or fishing grounds conflicts. Within the GOM
region, two pelagic longline vessels propose to conduct 100 compensated
bycatch reduction fishing sets (approximately 750 hooks/set) during a
limited time period (late April through September). Within the North of
Cape Hatteras region, two pelagic longline vessels propose to conduct
50 compensated bycatch reduction fishing sets (approximately 680 hooks/
set) during a limited time period (June through August). Within the
South of Cape Hatteras region, two pelagic longline vessels propose to
conduct 50 compensated bycatch reduction fishing sets (approximately
556 hooks/set) during a limited time period (late April through June).
    This research may benefit all interested parties by providing
fishery managers with additional gear modifications and/or fishing
techniques that reduce or avoid incidental capture/bycatch mortality of
HMS in the research areas as proposed above.
    The regulations that would prohibit the proposed activities include
requirements for size limits (50 CFR 635.20), commercial retention
limits for sharks and swordfish (50 CFR 635.24), and definitions as
they apply to closed areas (50 CFR 635.2).
    NMFS invites comments from interested parties on potential concerns
should these EFPs be issued. Copies of the EA are now available for
review and comment (see ADDRESSES).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: March 30, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6598 Filed 3-30-05; 1:47 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

 
 

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