Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 48 / Tuesday, March 13, 2007 / Notices 11327 

Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and 

Management Act require publication of 

this notification to provide interested 

parties the opportunity to comment on 

applications for proposed EFPs. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before April 12, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice 

may be submitted by e-mail. The 

mailbox address for providing e-mail 

comments is DA7012@noaa.gov. 

Include in the subject line of the e-mail 

comment the following document 

identifier: ‘‘Comments on UNH Raised 

Footrope Trawl (DA7–012).’’ Written 

comments should be sent to Patricia A. 

Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 

Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn 

Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the 

outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on 

UNH Raised Footrope Trawl (DA7–

012).’’ Comments may also be sent via 

facsimile (fax) to (978) 281–9135. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Moira Kelly, Fishery Management 

Specialist, phone: 978–281–9218, fax: 

978–281–9135. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A 

complete application for an EFP was 

submitted on January 5, 2007, by Dr. 

Pingguo He of the University of New 

Hampshire (UNH). This project is 

funded by the Northeast Consortium. 

The project would be used to study 

the effectiveness of a raised footrope 

trawl in retaining haddock while 

excluding Atlantic cod and flounders, 

and comparing catch composition to a 

standard groundfish trawl. The intent is 

for this project to take place between 

May and June 2007, in GOM Rolling 

Closure Areas III and IV, when the 

researcher believes that the best mix of 

haddock, Atlantic cod, and flounders 

would be present. As a result, UNH has 

requested an exemption from the 

requirements of the GOM Rolling 

Closure Areas III and IV which would 

otherwise be closed. Undersized, or 

otherwise protected fish, would not be 

retained or landed. Legal sized fish 

would be landed and sold under a 

normal NE multispecies day-at-sea and 

other applicable regulations. The 

researcher anticipates that the overall 

fishing mortality of the experimental 

trawl would be approximately 30 

percent of an average commercial 

fishing trawl. 

Two vessels, working with UNH, 

would be involved in this research. The 

vessels would make alternating tows 

consisting of towing the raised footrope 

trawl and subsequently towing the same 

trawl with the footrope tied down to the 

sweep, as is standard practice. The 

researcher estimates that the two vessels 

would perform two 1-hour tows with 

the standard net and two 1-hour tows 

with the experimental net, daily, over 

25 fishing days, for a project total of 50 

standard tows and 50 experimental 

tows. Overall, the total expected catch 

from both the experimental and 

commercial trawls would be: 

SPECIES CATCH 

(LB) 

CATCH 

(KG) 

Atlantic Cod 5,000 2,268 

Atlantic Haddock 10,000 4,563 

American Plaice 2,500 1,134 

Yellowtail Flounder 250 113 

Winter Flounder 500 227 

Witch Flounder 1,250 567 

Hake 500 227 

Pollock 10,000 4,563 

The applicant may place requests for 

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 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 the public comment period. 

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

Dated: March 7, 2007. 

James P. Burgess, 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–4464 Filed 3–12–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[I.D. 030107C] 

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; 

Exempted Fishing Permits 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice; request for an exempted 

fishing permit; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt 

of a request for an exempted fishing 

permit (EFP) to collect fisheries data 

from approximately 13 pelagic longline 

(PLL) vessels fishing in the East Florida 

Coast and Charleston Bump closed 

areas. At this time, given the nearly 

rebuilt status of north Atlantic 

swordfish and numerous management 

measures regulating target and bycatch 

species in the PLL fishery, NMFS is 

considering issuing the proposed EFP to 

evaluate bycatch measures in these 

areas. The applicant states that these 

data would provide information on 

circle hook performance, target and 

bycatch species composition, and allow 

comparative analysis with historical 

pelagic longline logbook and observer 

program data. The applicant states that 

the goals of these fishing activities are 

to determine if implementation of new 

pelagic longline fishing practices justify 

the resumption of PLL fishing in the 

selected areas and to catch more of the 

United States swordfish quota. The 

proposed activities would occur in 

Federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean off 

Florida and South Carolina from the 

date of issuance through April 2008. 

NMFS invites comments from interested 

parties on this EFP request. 

DATES: Written comments on the 

application for an exempted fishing 

permit must be received by 5 p.m. on 

April 11, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

by any of the following methods: 

• Email: SF1.030107C@noaa.gov. 

Include in the subject line the following 

identifier: I.D. 030107C. 

• Mail: Michael Clark, Highly 

Migratory Species Management Division 

(F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West 

Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. 

Please mark the outside of the envelope 

‘‘Comments on EFP Application.’’

• Fax: (301)713–1917 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michael Clark, by phone: (301) 713–

2347; fax: (301)713–1917. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are 

requested and issued under the 

authority of the Atlantic Tunas 

Convention Act (ATCA) (16 U.S.C. 971 

et seq.) and the Magnuson Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (1601 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), which 

regulate fishing activities of tunas, 

swordfish, sharks, and billfish. 

Regulations at 50 CFR Section 635.32 

govern scientific research activity, 

exempted fishing, and exempted 

educational activity with respect to 

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 

(HMS). 

Blue Water Fishermen’s Association 

(applicant) has requested an EFP to 

collect fisheries data in Federal waters 

of the Charleston Bump and East Florida 


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11328 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 48 / Tuesday, March 13, 2007 / Notices 

Coast closed areas. The area requested 

for experimental fishing includes the 

waters approximately 40 nautical miles 

north of Fort Pierce, FL, beginning at 

28° N. latitude and seaward of the Gulf 

Stream then continuing north and east 

seaward of the 100–fathom contour to 

the northern and eastern boundaries of 

the Charleston Bump closed area. In the 

Florida East Coast closed area, specific 

fishing areas would include waters 

between 28° and 30° N. latitude, 

seaward of the axis of the Gulf Stream, 

out to the boundary of the U.S. 

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In the 

Charleston Bump Closed Area, fishing 

activities would take place seaward of 

the 100-fathom contour to the northern 

and eastern boundaries of that closure. 

Under this application, target species 

would include swordfish, yellowfin 

tuna, albacore tuna, bigeye tuna, 

dolphin fish, pelagic and coastal sharks, 

and wahoo. All targeted catch (tunas, 

swordfish, and sharks) that can be 

legally landed would be harvested and 

sold by the vessel owners. Incidental 

catch of bluefin tuna would be landed 

consistent with existing regulations. 

Any mortalities of Atlantic Tunas 

Convention Act (ATCA) regulated 

species (i.e., tuna, and swordfish) and 

sharks would be counted against the 

appropriate quotas. Non-target species 

and protected resources (e.g., billfish 

and sea turtles) would be tagged and 

released alive, if possible. 

NMFS is aware of interactions with 

leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles 

that have occurred with PLL gear in 

these closed areas due to the natural 

distribution of sea turtles. Sea turtles 

can be entangled and/or hooked by PLL 

gear. If the EFP is issued, all mortality 

and interactions with protected 

resources would be counted against the 

Incidental Take Statement (ITS) 

established by the 2004 Biological 

Opinion for the PLL fishery. 

The applicant specifies that all 

participating vessels would comply 

with the following standards: (1) Leaded 

swivels on every leader placed 2–3 

fathoms above the hook, (2) use of 18/ 

0 circle hooks (up to 10 degree offset) 

and squid or mackerel baits when 

targeting swordfish, (3) use of 16/0 nonoffset circle hooks with squid or whole 

finfish bait when targeting tunas, and (4) 

possession of all mandatory equipment 

for safe handling and release of sea 

turtles and other non-target catch. The 

applicant would adhere to all existing 

regulations concerning deployment of 

PLL gear. 

The applicant is proposing that all 

fishing activities be monitored by 

Federal fisheries observers to provide 

data on longline gear configuration, 

target and incidental catch, and sea 

turtle interactions. NMFS currently 

collects this information on selected 

PLL vessels by the PLL Observer 

Program (POP). The applicant is also 

proposing that observers record all of 

the animals caught on each set and the 

location and water temperature 

corresponding to where each section of 

gear is set and hauled. Individual length 

measurements for all catch would be 

recorded in addition to weight for those 

animals landed. If the EFP is issued, 

NMFS would require that all data be 

submitted via the POP, as well as 

interim and annual reports to the Highly 

Migratory Species (HMS) Management 

Division, as required under the EFP 

program. The applicant states that this 

data would allow for comparisons of 

catch rates for target and bycatch 

species with historical catch data from 

this area and time of year to assess the 

effectiveness of recent changes in the 

PLL fishery (e.g., bait and hook 

requirements and safe handling and 

release gear). 

The applicant states that these 

activities may provide additional 

information on the efficacy of bycatch 

reduction measures and resultant catch 

composition in closed areas. It would 

also provide the U.S. PLL fleet with 

additional opportunities to catch more 

of its swordfish quota. 

NMFS closed the East Florida Coast 

and Charleston Bump time/area closures 

to PLL gear to reduce bycatch of 

juvenile swordfish, billfish, and other 

HMS (e.g., sharks during closed 

seasons)(65 FR 47214, August 1, 2000). 

The Charleston Bump Closed Area is a 

seasonal closure from February through 

April every year, whereas the East 

Florida Coast Closed Area is closed 

year-round to PLL gear. 

The regulations that would prohibit 

the proposed activities include 

requirements for vessel reporting (50 

CFR 635.4) and fishing in a closed area 

(50 CFR 635.21(c)(2)). All other relevant 

regulations concerning HMS at 50 part 

635 would apply. 

NMFS is requesting public comment 

on this application for an EFP because 

the fishing activities are proposed to 

occur in closed areas, specifically the 

East Florida Coast and Charleston 

Bump. NMFS requested public 

comment on its intent to issue HMS 

exempted fishing, scientific research, 

public display and chartering permits 

(71 FR 68557, November 27, 2006). The 

Notice stated that if NMFS were to 

receive an application to conduct 

fishing activities in a closed area, the 

public would have the opportunity to 

comment on the issuance of an EFP for 

such activities prior to NMFS making a 

determination on whether or not to 

issue the EFP. 

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

U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 

Dated: March 8, 2207. 

Alan D. Risenhoover, 

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 

National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–4559 Filed 3–12–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[I.D. 121406C] 

Small Takes of Marine Mammals 

Incidental to Specified Activities; 

Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to 

Construction and Operation of an LNG 

Facility Off Massachusetts 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of receipt of application 

and proposed incidental take 

authorization; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: NMFS has received an 

application from Northeast Gateway 

Energy BridgeTM L.L.C. (Northeast 

Gateway) and Algonquin Gas 

Transmission, L.L.C. (Algonquin) for an 

Incidental Harassment Authorization 

(IHA) to take small numbers of marine 

mammals, by harassment, incidental to 

construction and operation of an 

offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) 

facility. Under the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is 

requesting comments on its proposal to 

issue an authorization to Northeast 

Gateway/Algonquin to incidentally take, 

by harassment, small numbers of several 

species of marine mammals for a period 

of 1 year. 

DATES: Comments and information must 

be received no later than April 12, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the 

application should be addressed to: 

Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, 

Conservation and Education Division, 

Office of Protected Resources, National 

Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 

20910–3225. The mailbox address for 

providing email comments is 

PR1.121406C@noaa.gov. Comments sent 

via e-mail, including all attachments, 

must not exceed a 10–megabyte file size. 

A copy of the application may be 

obtained by writing to this address or by 

telephoning the contact listed here and 

is also available at: http:// 


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