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

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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