[Federal Register: December 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 234)]
[Notices]               
[Page 68332]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07de99-27]                         


[[Page 68332]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 071599E]

 
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; 
Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)

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

ACTION: Applications for EFPs; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On November 4, 1999, NMFS requested comments on applications 
for EFPs. If issued, these EFPs would authorize the retention of 
Atlantic tunas (other than bluefin tuna) by vessels participating in 
the coastal driftnet fishery for Atlantic bonito. Comments were 
requested by December 6, 1999. NMFS is extending the comment period 
until January 21, 2000, in response to a request from the public and to 
allow for maximum opportunity to provide comments before the fishery 
starts in the spring of 2000.

DATES: Written comments on NMFS' consideration to issue such EFPs must 
be received on or before January 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory 
Species Management Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910. Copies of the EFP applications and the 
regulations governing issuance of EFPs are available from this address 
upon request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 978-281-9260; fax: 
978-281-9340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 4, 1999, NMFS announced the 
receipt of applications for EFPs (64 FR 60173). If issued, these EFPs 
would authorize the retention of Atlantic tunas (other than bluefin 
tuna) by vessels participating in the coastal driftnet fishery for 
Atlantic bonito. NMFS anticipates the receipt of several more EFP 
applications for this same purpose. If EFPs are issued for the coastal 
driftnet fishery, NMFS would collect information on target catch and 
bycatch and assess the potential impacts of authorizing driftnet gear 
for certain Atlantic Highly Migratory Species fisheries. While this 
information is being collected, issuance of EFPs will reduce regulatory 
discards of Atlantic tunas. NMFS is seeking public comment on the 
potential impacts of issuing EFPs for the purpose of landing Atlantic 
tunas (other than bluefin tuna) incidentally caught in the coastal 
driftnet fishery. Background and rationale were provided with the 
document published on November 4, 1999 (64 FR 60173), and are not 
repeated here.

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

    Dated: December 1, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31671 Filed 12-6-99; 8:45 am]
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