Federal Register #RTID 0648-XF672

NOAA Solicits Comments on Exempted Fishing Permit for Bait Skate Research in LAGC Scallop Fishery

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking public comments on an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application to support research on bait skate utilization in the LAGC Atlantic sea scallop fishery. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Greater Atlantic Region - Project Overview: - EFP would allow up to 12 federally permitted Limited Access General Category (LAGC) scallop vessels to possess and land bait skate (whole skates less than 23 inches) while dredging in designated management and exemption areas - Current regulations prohibit possession of fish other than scallops and monkfish; this permit provides a temporary exemption for research - Research aims to quantify bait skate bycatch and evaluate practical utilization pathways, including sale or retention for use in lobster and crab fisheries - Participation and Limits: - Up to 12 vessels may participate - Maximum of 1,200 trips under the EFP - Trip limit of 1,419 lbs of whole skate per vessel per trip - Potential for up to 1,702,800 lbs (772 metric tons) of bait skate landings - All vessels must hold valid federal skate permits and comply with existing quota and trip limit regulations - Products/Services Requested: - No specific OEMs or commercial products are involved; this is a regulatory exemption for research activities - Service: Research participation by LAGC scallop vessels in bait skate bycatch quantification and utilization study - Notable Requirements: - Vessels must operate in specified federal fishery management areas: Northern Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, Southern New England, and Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area - All activities must comply with federal permit and quota requirements - Locations: - Research and fishing activities in federal fishery management areas (Northern Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, Southern New England, Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area) - Oversight and administration by NOAA/NMFS Greater Atlantic Region

Description

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. This notice requests comments on the application for the EFP, which aims to evaluate the feasibility of converting bait skate discards to landings in the Limited Access General Category (LAGC) Atlantic sea scallop fishery. Comments must be received by May 21, 2026.

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