Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit

الملخص

NMFS announces receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). This EFP application applies to limited entry groundfish vessels that are used to fish for flatfish in Federal waters south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. If awarded, this EFP would allow qualifying vessels to use a flatfish-selective small footrope trawl net to catch and retain groundfish in the trawl rockfish conservation area (RCA) and to retain groundfish species in excess of cumulative trip limits. Participating vessels would be required to use and carry state- sponsored samplers. This EFP proposal is intended to promote the objectives of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) by providing data that can be used to enhance management of the groundfish fishery.