Fishery conservation and management: Stevens Act provisions— Domestic fisheries; experimental fishing permits,

[Federal Register: June 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 110)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 30956-30957]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr09jn99-29]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 600 and 648

[I.D. 052699A]

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Applications for Experimental Fishing Permits (EFPs)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notification of experimental fishery proposal; request for comments.

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, is considering approval of an experimental fishing proposal. EFPs would allow vessels to conduct operations otherwise restricted by regulations governing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery, and would exempt vessels from days-at-sea (DAS), mesh sizes, and other gear restrictions. The experimental fishery proposal is for a comparative mesh selectivity study in waters south of Rhode Island Sound, South of Nantucket Island, North of Cape Cod Bay, and South of Long Island from Montauk to Shinnecock. Regulations under the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act provisions require publication of this document to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on the proposed experimental fishery.

DATES: Comments on this notification must be received by June 24, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Jon Rittgers, Acting Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark on the outside of the envelope ``Comments on Proposed Experimental Fisheries.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie Van Pelt, Fishery Management Specialist, 978-281-9244.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The initial experimental fishery proposal was submitted by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island (URI) on March 15, 1999. It was later revised to include additional areas, species, and codend mesh sizes on May 12, 1999. Their proposal is for a comparative mesh selectivity experiment that would investigate mesh selectivity functions of three square codend mesh sizes--5.5

[[Page 30957]]

inch (14 cm), 6 inch (15.2 cm) and 6.5 inch (16.5 cm). The study will be conducted using two Rhode Island commercial fishing vessels, as well as representatives from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, two Massachusetts commercial fishermen, two New York commercial fishermen, and participation by the New York Department of Environmental Protection. Sea trials will be conducted to quantify the mesh selectivity differences and comparative catch rates of winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferrugina), American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), grey sole (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), and windowpane flounder (Lophopsetta maculata). The experiment will test both 6.5 inch (16.5 cm) codend and 5.5 inch (14 cm) codend square mesh (treatments) against 6 inch (15.2 cm) codend square mesh (control) nets, including the use of mesh liners (currently prohibited under the regulations), by switching the control and treatment between the participating vessels on alternating tows. This alternating sampling sequence between two different vessels is designed to show how vessel power and size differences may contribute to mesh selectivity differences.

URI scientific personnel will monitor all cruise operations. All undersized fish will be returned to the sea as soon as possible. All other catch not used for sampling purposes will be landed and sold. The proposed operations will occur over a 20- to 24-day period to begin on or about July 15, 1999, through October 31, 1999.

EFPs would be issued to the participating vessels in the experiments in accordance with the conditions stated, and will exempt vessels from the mesh size, DAS, and other gear restrictions of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan during the specified time frame.

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

Dated: June 2, 1999. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-14644Filed6-8-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F