Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs)

Resumo

NMFS announces the receipt of applications for EFPs. If issued, these EFPs would authorize the retention of Atlantic tunas (other than bluefin tuna) by vessels participating in the coastal driftnet fishery for Atlantic bonito. NMFS anticipates the receipt of several more EFP applications for this same purpose. If EFPs are issued for the coastal driftnet fishery, NMFS would collect information on target catch and bycatch and assess the potential impacts of authorizing driftnet gear for certain Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries. While this information is being collected, issuance of EFPs will reduce regulatory discards of Atlantic tunas.