Federal Register #RTID 0648-XF961

Request for Comments on Exempted Fishing Permit for Maine Lobster Fishery

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is requesting public comments on an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application for the Maine lobster fishery. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Office of Sustainable Fisheries - No specific Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or commercial vendors are mentioned. - Products/Services Requested: - Up to 50 federally permitted vessels to participate in exempted fishing activities - Use of lobster traps (up to 50) - Temporary removal of one endline from traps to reduce North Atlantic Right Whale entanglement risk - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Exemption from gear marking regulations (trawls with more than three traps, only one surface marking) - Mandatory speed limits when whales are present - Reporting of whale sightings and weekly gear loss - Compliance with buffer zones around surfacing whales - Temporary waiver of trip reporting requirements - Project aims to test dynamic management strategies for whale protection - Permit period covers approximately five months; extensions or modifications may be requested - No specific products, part numbers, or OEMs are listed; the focus is on operational exemptions and research activities.

Description

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has preliminarily determined that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application from the Maine Department of Marine Resources 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 proposed by ME DMR. This notification is published to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on the proposed EFP application.

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