Notice2021-21982
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
Primary source
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Published
October 8, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. Matthew Ajermian of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute of Florida Atlantic University (FAU). If granted, the EFP would authorize the captain and crew of certain federally permitted charter vessels to collect limited numbers of snapper-grouper, coastal migratory pelagic, and dolphin and wahoo species in the waters of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the Florida east coast. The purpose of the EFP is to quantify shark depredation impacts in the recreational fisheries off the Atlantic using a citizen science approach.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56254-56256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21982]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB403]
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Exempted Fishing Permit
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing
permit; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. Matthew Ajermian of Harbor Branch
Oceanographic Institute of Florida Atlantic University (FAU). If
granted, the EFP would authorize the captain
[[Page 56255]]
and crew of certain federally permitted charter vessels to collect
limited numbers of snapper-grouper, coastal migratory pelagic, and
dolphin and wahoo species in the waters of the U.S. exclusive economic
zone (EEZ) off the Florida east coast. The purpose of the EFP is to
quantify shark depredation impacts in the recreational fisheries off
the Atlantic using a citizen science approach.
DATES: Written comments must be received no later than November 8,
2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application, identified by
``NOAA-NMFS-2021-0087, by either of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and
enter ``NOAA-NMFS-2021-0087'' in the Search box. Click the ``Comment''
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Karla Gore, Southeast Regional
Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
N/A in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
Electronic copies of the EFP application and related documents are
available from the website at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/south-atlantic-exempted-fishing-permits-efp">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/south-atlantic-exempted-fishing-permits-efp</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karla Gore, 727-824-5305; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#533832213f327d343c2136133d3c32327d343c25"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5cec4d7c9c48bc2cad7c0e5cbcac4c48bc2cad3">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.), and by regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning
exempted fishing.
Shark depredation is an emerging issue that is reportedly impacting
a variety of fisheries in the South Atlantic. The scope of these
impacts has not been quantified within the snapper-grouper, coastal
migratory pelagic, or dolphin and wahoo recreational fisheries. To gain
an improved understanding of these impacts, the applicant requests
authorization to collect recreationally harvested snapper-grouper,
coastal migratory pelagic, and dolphin and wahoo species with
indication of shark depredation. Evidence of shark depredation to these
landed fish would include fresh teeth marks and active bleeding;
partially removed trunk tissues (scales, skin and muscle); exposed
musculature and/or internal organs; or missing fins. Any such fish that
are identified as exhibiting shark depredation would be retained by the
fishermen, isolated from other recreational catch, and transferred to
the scientific team at FAU when the authorized charter vessels return
to port. Any such fish so retained would then be swabbed for DNA and
assessed to identify the shark species responsible for the depredation.
The applicant and representatives would conduct collections on four
federally permitted for-hire charter vessels in the snapper-grouper,
coastal migratory pelagic, or dolphin and wahoo fisheries. As a result
of project budget limitations and logistics, the applicant and
representatives cannot be present on the designated charter vessels for
every trip throughout the EFP timeframe and thus seek approval for the
charter vessel captains and crews to collect shark depredated fish
species opportunistically when the applicant or representatives would
not be present on the authorized charter vessels during their fishing
trips. These authorized charter vessels would include paying charter
passengers, and those passengers may be the individuals who actually
catch the fish with evidence of depredation. Any fish with shark
depredation caught by paying customers would be turned over to the
vessel crew to be subsequently provided to the scientific team at FAU
for genetic analysis. Four federally permitted for-hire charter vessel
captains have been identified to conduct EFP collection activities when
the applicant or representatives are not aboard the authorized charter
vessels.
Under the EFP, charter vessels would continue with routine fishing
operations using hook and line techniques (bottom fishing and trolling
using artificial and natural bait) in natural and hard bottom habitats
in Federal waters between Sebastian Inlet and Jupiter Inlet, Florida,
ranging from 3 to 30 nautical miles (5.6 to 55.6 km) offshore. NMFS
expects that the researchers would collect enough samples over the
course of 200 fishing days. Collections would only take place on the
approved project charter vessels.
If granted, this EFP would exempt the project's scientists and the
captains and crews of the authorized charter vessels from the snapper-
grouper seasonal closures and seasonal harvest limitations regulations
codified at 50 CFR 622.183, and 50 CFR 622.184; from the landing fish
intact regulations at 50 CFR 622.186 (snapper-grouper), 50 CFR 622.276
(dolphin and wahoo), and 50 CFR 622.381 (coastal migratory pelagic);
from the recreational bag limit regulations codified at 50 CFR 622.187
(snapper-grouper), 50 CFR 622.277 (dolphin and wahoo), and 50 CFR
622.382 (coastal migratory pelagic); and from the size limit
regulations codified at 50 CFR 622.185 (snapper-grouper), 50 CFR
622.275 (dolphin and wahoo), and 50 CFR 622.380 (coastal migratory
pelagic). Charter customers aboard the authorized charter vessels would
be subject to all current Federal for-hire regulations during the
course of routine fishing operations. Only the captain and crew aboard
the authorized charter vessels would be permitted to retain species
with evidence of shark depredation that may be recreationally harvested
out of season, or out of the authorized recreational bag limits or size
limits. These shark depredated fish would be provided to the scientific
team at FAU at the end of the fishing trip.
The duration of any issued EFP would be from the date of issuance
of the EFP through August 1, 2023.
The authorized captain and crew of the charter vessels, during the
course of routine operations, would target snapper-grouper, dolphin and
wahoo, and coastal migratory pelagic species. Over the course of the
EFP, a maximum of 120 total snapper-grouper with evidence of shark
depredation would be retained under the EFP. Additionally, over the
course of the EFP, a maximum of 60 total dolphin and wahoo, combined,
with evidence of shark depredation; and up to 60 total coastal
migratory pelagic fish, combined (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and
cobia), with evidence of shark depredation would be retained.
Under the EFP, the selected and authorized charter vessel captains
and crew would retain carcasses of species caught with evidence of
shark depredation during the course of normal for-hire charter
operations. Shark depredated species carcasses caught opportunistically
may be retained under the EFP, even if seasonal closures, minimum size
limits, and bag limits are in effect.
[[Page 56256]]
NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration based on
a preliminary review. Possible conditions the agency may impose on this
permit, if it is granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition
on conducting sampling activities within marine protected areas, marine
sanctuaries, or special management zones, without additional
authorization, and requiring compliance with best practices in the
event of interactions with any protected species. NMFS may also require
annual reports summarizing the amount of shark-depredated carcasses
harvested during the period of effectiveness of any issued EFP. NMFS
requires that all federally permitted charter vessels participating
under this EFP are compliant with all legal requirements, including the
Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program. Additionally, NMFS
would require any sea turtles taken incidentally during the course of
the activities to be handled with due care to prevent injury to live
specimens, observed for activity, and returned to the water.
A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NMFS' review
of public comments received on the application, consultations with the
affected state, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the
U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that it is consistent with all
applicable law.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 4, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-21982 Filed 10-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 8, 2021.
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