AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of application for experimental fishing permit; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

NMFS announces that the Hawaii Longline Association (HLA) has applied for an experimental fishing permit (EFP) to test tori lines (bird scaring devices) in the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery for swordfish. The intent of the EFP is to test new ways to discourage seabird interactions that also increase operational flexibility.

DATES:

NMFS must receive comments by January 14, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2021-0128, by either of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2021-0128 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.

• Mail: Send written comments to Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information ( e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive informationStart Printed Page 71235submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

You may review the EFP application at www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lynn Rassel, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, tel (808) 725-5184.

Click here for complete FR notice.