Federal Register #0648-XF618

Proposed Exempted Fishing Permit for 2026 Massachusetts Ventless Trap Survey

This opportunity involves a proposed Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application for a scientific survey in Massachusetts State waters: - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Project Overview: - Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) seeks approval for a 2026 Ventless Trap Survey - Survey will use 5 vessels to conduct 70 trips, deploying lobster traps to collect fishery-independent data on lobster and Jonah crab populations - Survey area: Massachusetts State waters, specifically Statistical Areas 514 and 538 - Products/Equipment: - 16 lobster traps to be used for the survey - Unique Requirements: - Exemptions from certain lobster and crab fishing regulations are requested to enable scientific data collection - Focus is on research and data collection, not commercial harvest - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named in the request - No procurement of goods or services is solicited; this is a regulatory and research permit action

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a Hatchery and Genetics Management Plan (HGMP) for seven hatchery programs rearing and releasing various salmon and steelhead species in the Skokomish River basin. The plan, operated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in collaboration with the Skokomish Indian Tribe and Tacoma Power Utility, aims to support the survival and recovery of threatened salmonid species without adversely affecting their critical habitat. The notice reopens the public comment period to allow input on the Proposed Evaluation and Pending Determination Documents (PEPD) related to the hatchery program and HGMP enforcement.

View original listing