99-7653. IFQ Halibut Fisheries Off Alaska; Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Application for an Experimental Fishing Permit

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 59 (Monday, March 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14885-14886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7653]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 031899A]


IFQ Halibut Fisheries Off Alaska; Fisheries of the Exclusive 
Economic Zone Off Alaska; Application for an Experimental Fishing 
Permit

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of an experimental fishing permit.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of an application from the 
Washington Sea Grant Program for an Experimental Fishing Permit (EFP). 
If awarded, this permit would be used to test the effectiveness of 
seabird avoidance measures in the hook-and-line groundfish fisheries of 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (BSAI) and the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA) and in the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Pacific halibut fishery 
off Alaska. It is intended to promote the objectives of the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council).

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EFP application are available by writing to 
Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim S. Rivera, 907-586-7424.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish 
of the GOA and the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery 
of the BSAI and the implementing regulations at 50 CFR 679.6 and 
600.745(b) authorize issuance of EFPs to allow fishing that would 
otherwise be prohibited. Procedures for

[[Page 14886]]

issuing EFPs are contained in the implementing regulations.
    NMFS received an application for an EFP from Edward F. Melvin, 
University of Washington, Washington Sea Grant Program, on February 23, 
1999. The purpose of the EFP is to conduct an experiment to assess 
alternative seabird bycatch avoidance measures for hook-and-line gear 
fisheries off Alaska. Results from the experiment could be used by NMFS 
to establish more effective regulatory measures to reduce seabird 
bycatch in these fisheries.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.6(c)(2), NMFS has determined that the 
proposal warrants further consideration and has initiated consultation 
with the Council. The Council will consider the EFP application during 
its April 19-23, 1999, meeting, which will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 
Anchorage, AK. The applicant has been invited to appear in support of 
the application.
    A copy of the application is available for review from the NMFS 
Regional Administrator (see ADDRESSES).

    16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: March 23, 1999.

Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7653 Filed 3-26-99; 8:45 am]
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