Federal Register #RTID 0648-XF925

NOAA Seeks Comments on Exempted Fishing Permit for Mixed Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Research

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA within the Department of Commerce, is seeking public input on an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application for a research project involving mixed surfclam and ocean quahog catches. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NOAA, Department of Commerce - OEMs and Vendors: - Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. (applicant and research operator) - Products/Services Requested: - Industry-funded research services to develop protocols for estimating discards and catch composition in mixed surfclam and ocean quahog fishing trips - Use of up to 15 federally permitted fishing vessels - Up to 1,200 research trips using dredge gear in Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic waters - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Exemption from federal regulations prohibiting mixed landings of surfclams and ocean quahogs - Detailed data collection, reporting, and collaboration with scientists and processors - Focus on developing best practices for discard estimation and catch composition accounting - Research to be conducted over a one-year period - No specific product part numbers or commercial equipment purchases are involved; the opportunity is focused on research services and regulatory exemptions.

Description

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has preliminarily determined that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application from Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. contains all required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside standard fishery regulations to support exempted fishing activities. The project aims to conduct industry-funded research to develop best practices and protocols for estimating discards and catch composition of surfclams and ocean quahogs in mixed-catch trips in Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic waters. Up to 15 vessels would participate, conducting up to 1,200 trips over a one-year period starting September 1, 2026.

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