Federal Register #2026-20874

NOAA Seeks Comments on Proposed Great South Channel Surfclam Research Permit

NOAA is seeking public input on a proposed surfclam research permit, not soliciting a purchase of products or contracted services. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of Commerce; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, Sustainable Fisheries. - Applicant and named organizations: Reds Best, LLC is the applicant. The application also names National Band and Tag Company in connection with adapting tags for the study. - Proposed study: Assess surfclam productivity, resource distribution, yield, revenue, and economic effects in the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area research areas—Rose and Crown and Davis Bank East—compared with nearby open waters. - Study scale and methods: 1–4 federally permitted vessels; up to 200 trips in research areas and approximately 200 control trips; hydraulic clam dredges, commercial fishing, and standardized survey tows. - Requested operating flexibility: Exemptions related to bottom-tending mobile gear, offloading surfclams or ocean quahogs without cages, and cage-tag requirements. The application also proposes alternative landing containers, including 16-bushel fish vats or 1.5-bushel totes, with alternative tags, including 16-bushel tags. - Data and reporting: Collect and analyze catch, yield, revenue, spatial distribution, clam size, and fleet-level economic-impact data; provide interim reports every 90 days and a final report within 30 days after the permit expires. - Procurement status: No products are being purchased, and no commercial procurement contract is requested.

Description

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking comments on an application for an Exempted Fishing Permit submitted by Reds Best, LLC. If approved, the permit would allow participating federally permitted fishing vessels to conduct surfclam fishing activities outside certain federal regulations in the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area and nearby control areas. The proposed study would assess fishing productivity, surfclam distribution, and the economic effects of the area’s restrictions, and requests exemptions involving fishing gear, offloading, and cage-tag requirements. Comments are due October 28, 2026.

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