Endangered Species; File No. 18688, 74711-74712 [2014-29346]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices these passive deterrence devices provides for human safety and does not increase the risk of death or serious injury of marine mammals. Such measures have been most commonly deployed for deterring pinnipeds and could include rigid fencing and other fixed barriers such as gates and fence skirting, closely spaced posts, and visual deterrents (e.g., flags, pinwheels, flashing lights). For small cetaceans, modifying fishing behavior to prevent interactions is another option. For example a fishing vessel could minimize the number of turns made while trawling and reduce tow times at night. Active Deterrents ‘‘Active’’ deterrence measures introduce a stimulus into a marine mammal’s environment to dissuade an animal from interacting with property, people, or fishing gear or catch or stopping a dangerous or damaging interaction. Examples of active measures include underwater acoustic devices (e.g., pingers, seal scarers, noisemakers such as horns or whistles) that generate sounds known to be annoying but not harmful to marine mammals, physical contact such as prodding a marine mammal with blunt poles, pushing or herding an animal, and spraying water at an animal, as well as, for seals and sea lions, some light explosives to induce a startle response. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Request for Public Comment Pursuant to MMPA section 101(a)(4)(B), NMFS intends to develop national guidelines for deterring marine mammals under NOAA’s jurisdiction (see www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/ mammals). NMFS is soliciting public input on which deterrents the public would like NMFS to evaluate and consider for approval through these national guidelines. For each device or technique submitted for consideration, NMFS requests any available information on the specifications for each deterrent, which marine mammal species or species group would be deterred, how a deterrent would be deployed, and any other implementation considerations. NMFS would also appreciate any details, if known, on the nature of the interaction for which deterrence measures are being sought or already employed. NMFS is not requesting that individuals undertake new research to inform this process. Further, please note that some devices or techniques may not be appropriate for use on certain species or in certain areas and may be subject to prohibition or permitting VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:38 Dec 15, 2014 Jkt 235001 requirements under federal, state, or local ordinances. For each deterrent device or technique submitted, please include information on the following: • The intended species and/or species group (i.e., large cetaceans, small cetaceans, or pinnipeds) that could be deterred by a particular device or technique. • Details on the nature of the interaction that warrants deterrence, including, if known, the associated marine mammal behavior (e.g., depredation of bait or catch, bycatch, begging, damage to fishing gear or property) and location of the interaction (e.g., at sea, on land, on a dock, on private property). • A description of the device or technique, including all available manufacturer specifications of the device and photographs or graphics, if possible. For example, for acoustic deterrent or harassment devices, please include source level (e.g., decibel level (dB)), reference pressure (e.g., peak, root mean square (RMS)), frequency levels (in Hertz or kilohertz), pulse rates and duration, battery requirements, and recommended spacing. For example, one type of acoustic harassment device, a 10 kHz pinger, emits sound at 132 dB (± 4 dB) re 1 micropascal at 1 m, lasting 300 milliseconds (± 15 milliseconds), and repeating every 4 seconds (± 0.2 seconds). • Reports, literature, or data from any field trials or pilot studies evaluating the device or technique, including any observed death or serious injury that resulted from using the device or technique. • Any other information relative to the potential risk that a specific device or technique may have in causing the death or serious injury of a marine mammal. • The manner in which the device or technique would be deployed. Specifically, details on how the deterrent would be attached to fishing gear (e.g., number of devices, distance between deterrents, etc.), launched at some distance, deployed on a dock or vessel, etc. For example, for acoustic pingers deployed to deter harbor porpoises from gillnets, a 10 kHz pinger would be attached at each end of a gillnet string and at the bridle of every net within a string of nets (every 300 ft (91.44 m)). For a physical barrier on private property intended to prevent pinnipeds from gaining access, the barrier should be made of galvanized metal to withstand the marine environment and block haul-out attempts, and the rungs should be PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 74711 spaced no more than 18 inches (45.72 cm) apart. • Potential effects on other marine mammals, ESA-listed species, or the environment in the area where a deterrent would be used. • Any other implementation considerations that NMFS should consider. In summary, NMFS is soliciting input on which deterrents the public would like NMFS to evaluate and consider for approval through the development of national guidelines for safely deterring marine mammals. NMFS will consider these suggested deterrents and others, as appropriate, for inclusion in the guidelines and will subsequently publish any such guidelines developed as a part of this process in the Federal Register for public notice and comment, as required by MMPA section 101(a)(4)(B). Dated: December 11, 2014. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–29394 Filed 12–15–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD505 Endangered Species; File No. 18688 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814 [Responsible Party: Michael Tosatto], has applied in due form for a permit to take hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before January 15, 2015. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review by selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Comment’’ from the Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species (APPS) home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 18688 from the list of available applications. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1 74712 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 241 / Tuesday, December 16, 2014 / Notices These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov (include the File No. in the subject line of the email), by facsimile to (301) 713– 0376, or at the address listed above. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ADDRESSES: Amy Hapeman or Courtney Smith, (301) 427–8401. The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). On September 22, 2014 notice (79 FR 56573) was published that the applicant requests a five-year research permit to conduct research on sea turtles bycaught in three longline fisheries in the Pacific Ocean around Hawaii and American Samoa to assess sea turtle post-hooking survival, movements, and ecology in pelagic habitats. NMFS is currently processing this request. The applicant is requesting to revise the number of turtles that could be taken for research in the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery. Each species’ take numbers would be reduced except for leatherback sea turtles which would increase from 13 to 24 turtles annually. This change is needed to keep the requested research take activities consistent with a new 2014 Biological Opinion which changed the number of sea turtles that may be incidental bycaught in this commercial fishery. All other aspects of the application would remain the same. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: December 8, 2014. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–29346 Filed 12–15–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:38 Dec 15, 2014 Jkt 235001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD075 [Endangered Species; File No. 18136] Issuance of Permit National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Issuance of permit. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Larry Wood, LDWood BioConsulting, Inc., 425 Kennedy Street, Jupiter, FL 33468 has been issued a permit to take hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) for purposes of scientific research. SUMMARY: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Brendan Hurley, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 17. 2014, notice was published in the Federal Register (79 FR 3181) that a request for a scientific research permit to take hawksbill sea turtles had been submitted by the above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). Mr. Wood has been issued a research permit to continue to describe the abundance and movements of an aggregation of hawksbill sea turtles found on the barrier reefs of southeast Florida. Up to 50 sea turtles may be approached during dives for observation and photographs annually. Up to 25 additional animals may be hand captured, measured, flipper and passive integrated transponder tagged, photographed, tissue sampled, and released annually. In addition, up to six sub-adult and six adult hawksbills may be captured for the above procedures and fitted with a satellite transmitter prior to their release. The permit is valid through September 30, 2019. Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 such permit (1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered or threatened species, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: December 5, 2014. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–29347 Filed 12–15–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Intent To Renew Collection 3038–0023, Commodity Pool Operators and Commodity Trading Advisors: Amendments to Compliance Obligations Commodity Futures Trading Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘CFTC’’) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (‘‘PRA’’), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment. This notice solicits comments on the continued registration requirements relating to commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 17, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ‘‘Commodity Pool Operators and Commodity Trading Advisors: Amendments to Compliance Obligations’’ by any of the following methods: • The Agency’s Web site, at https:// comments.cftc.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments through the Web site. • Mail: Christopher Kirkpatrick, Secretary of the Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as Mail, above. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16DEN1.SGM 16DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 241 (Tuesday, December 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74711-74712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29346]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD505


Endangered Species; File No. 18688

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS Pacific Islands Regional 
Office, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814 
[Responsible Party: Michael Tosatto], has applied in due form for a 
permit to take hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley 
(Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys imbricata), 
loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles for 
purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 18688 from the list of available applications.

[[Page 74712]]

    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division by email to 
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov (include the File No. in the subject line of 
the email), by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or at the address listed 
above.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the 
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Courtney Smith, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, 
importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 
parts 222-226).
    On September 22, 2014 notice (79 FR 56573) was published that the 
applicant requests a five-year research permit to conduct research on 
sea turtles bycaught in three longline fisheries in the Pacific Ocean 
around Hawaii and American Samoa to assess sea turtle post-hooking 
survival, movements, and ecology in pelagic habitats. NMFS is currently 
processing this request. The applicant is requesting to revise the 
number of turtles that could be taken for research in the Hawaii deep-
set longline fishery. Each species' take numbers would be reduced 
except for leatherback sea turtles which would increase from 13 to 24 
turtles annually. This change is needed to keep the requested research 
take activities consistent with a new 2014 Biological Opinion which 
changed the number of sea turtles that may be incidental bycaught in 
this commercial fishery. All other aspects of the application would 
remain the same.

    Dated: December 8, 2014.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-29346 Filed 12-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.