[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 13394] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-7157] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 030598B] Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Swordfish Fisheries; Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Applications for EFPs; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces a pilot program in which swordfish vessel owners can apply for an EFP if they have a vessel monitoring system (VMS) on board. If granted, these EFPs would authorize delayed offloading of Atlantic swordfish after the closure of the directed North Atlantic swordfish fishery, expected mid-April 1998. DATES: Written comments on this program must be received on or before April 3, 1998. Applications for EFPs must be received at least 7 days prior to the North Atlantic swordfish fishery closure date (to be announced in the Federal Register). ADDRESSES: Send comments to Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Informational materials concerning this pilot program and copies of the regulations to which exempted fishing permits are subject may also be requested from this address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Stevenson, 301-713-2347; fax: 301-713-1917. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These EFPs are authorized by the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745 concerning scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activity. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is providing all Atlantic swordfish permit holders the option of participating in a pilot program that would allow offloading following closures of the directed fishery in the North Atlantic Ocean. A letter was sent on January 23, 1998, to all swordfish permit holders announcing this pilot program and inviting interested persons to contact NMFS for further information. Permit holders who wish to take part in this voluntary program must purchase, install, and properly operate a Standard-C VMS on the vessel for which the special permit is issued following conditions prescribed by NMFS. Based on a very limited response to this program to date, NMFS expects that this program will minimally affect the North Atlantic swordfish stock. The extra days of fishing that will result from this program, which allows EFP holders to fish up until the time of the closure and then offload at any time after, will be considered in estimating the closure date. A final decision on issuance of EFPs will depend on the submission of all required information and on NMFS' review of public comments received on this notice and of any consultations with any appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, state, or Federal agencies. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 13, 1998. Bruce Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-7157 Filed 3-18-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F