Federal Register #2026-07086

NOAA Solicits Comments on Exempted Fishing Permit for Massachusetts Lobster and Jonah Crab Research

This opportunity involves a research-focused Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application under consideration by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Department of Commerce. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Sustainable Fisheries - Project Overview: - Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) seeks an EFP for a 2026 Ventless Trap Survey - Research will collect fishery-independent data on lobster and Jonah crab growth and abundance in Massachusetts state waters (Statistical Areas 514 and 538) - Products/Services Requested: - Lobster traps (vented and ventless), used by 5 vessels over 70 trips each - Estimated total: 80 traps (16 per trip, 5 vessels, 70 trips) - Fishery-independent research survey services - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Exemptions from federal lobster and Jonah crab fishing regulations (gear specs, trap limits, trap tags, carapace size, v-notch, berried female possession) - All gear must comply with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and federal protected-species regulations - No catch from experimental traps will be landed for sale; all samples are for research only - Place of Performance: - Massachusetts State waters, specifically statistical areas 514 and 538 - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named; lobster traps are the primary equipment required

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has preliminarily determined that an application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) submitted by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) contains all required information and merits further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside standard fishery regulations to support exempted fishing activities for research purposes, including the use of ventless traps and exemptions from trap limits and size restrictions. This notice invites public comments on the proposed EFP application, which aims to collect fishery-independent data on lobster and Jonah crab growth and abundance within Massachusetts state waters.

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