Federal Register #2026-06440

NOAA Seeks Comments on Exempted Fishing Permit for Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program

This opportunity involves a proposed Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) under the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Greater Atlantic Region. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Sustainable Fisheries - Applicant: Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance (CCCFA) - Products/Services Requested: - Authorization for federally permitted fishing vessels to conduct research fishing activities using monkfish RSA days-at-sea (DAS) - Up to 216 unused 2023-awarded RSA DAS for FY2026 - Approximately 240 2024-awarded RSA DAS for FY2027 - Maximum annual harvest of 2,037,000 lb (923,968 kg) monkfish whole weight - Use of sink gillnet gear across all regulated mesh areas - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Vessels are exempted from federal monkfish trip limits while on RSA DAS - Research aims to develop standardized catch per unit effort (CPUE) indices for monkfish gillnet and multispecies trawl fisheries, supporting stock assessment - Activities are limited to all regulated mesh areas under federal management - No specific OEMs or commercial product vendors are mentioned; the opportunity is focused on regulatory exemptions for research fishing activities.

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has preliminarily determined that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application by the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance (CCCFA) warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside standard fishery regulations during fishing years 2026 and 2027 using monkfish research set-aside days-at-sea (DAS). This permit supports research activities aimed at developing standardized catch per unit effort indices for the commercial monkfish gillnet fishery. Public comments on the application are invited until April 17, 2026.

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