(a) NMFS may allow such exempted fishing in the fishery management area as may be recommended by the Council, the Federal Government, state government, or treaty Indian tribes having usual and accustomed fishing grounds in the fishery management area.

(b) NMFS will not allow any exempted fishery recommended by the Council unless NMFS determines that the purpose, design, and administration of the exempted fishery are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Council's fishery management plan, the national standards (section 301(a) of the Magnuson Act), and other applicable law.

(c) Each vessel participating in any exempted fishery recommended by the Council and allowed by NMFS is subject to all provisions of this subpart, except those portions which relate to the purpose and nature of the exempted fishery. These exceptions will be specified in a permit issued by the Regional Administrator to each vessel participating in the exempted fishery and that permit must be carried aboard each participating vessel.

[61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 78 FR 10559, Feb. 14, 2013]