Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-15915
Request for Comments on Exempted Fishing Permit Application for Surfclams and Ocean Quahogs Research
Buyer
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce Department
Posted
August 05, 2026
Respond By
August 20, 2026
Identifier
2026-15915
NAICS
541720
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under NOAA and the Department of Commerce, is seeking public input on an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application from Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NOAA, Department of Commerce - Applicant/Vendor: - Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. - Project Overview: - Up to 15 federally permitted vessels to conduct research in Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic regions - Research titled 'SCOQ mixing Amendment Accounting Protocols Study' - Up to 1,200 trips, each up to 2 days, using dredge gear (up to 25 tows per trip) - Products/Services Requested: - Industry-funded research services to develop protocols for estimating discards of non-target clam species and mixed catch volumes - Data collection and reporting by captains, processors, and scientists - Data analysis and comparison by Rutgers University - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Exemption from federal regulations prohibiting retention and landing of both surfclams and ocean quahogs on the same trip - Use of Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) cage tags - Detailed reporting protocols for mixed-catch trips - Results to be reported to Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, NEFSC assessment scientists, and GARFO - No specific OEMs or commercial product vendors are mentioned; the focus is on research services and data protocols.
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 fishery regulations to support exempted fishing activities. This notice requests public comments on the application, which aims to collect data to develop protocols for estimating discards and mixing of surfclams and ocean quahogs during fishing trips.