Marine Mammals; File No. 20043, 4858-4859 [2017-00802]

Download as PDF 4858 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 17, 2017 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES dusky, silky, and night sharks. Many of the proposed terms and conditions are structured to maximize the survival of these shark species and to increase the Agency’s understanding of these data poor stocks. The proposed terms and conditions include: • During the proposed research project, 33 percent of sets occurring in both portions of the EFC PLL Closed Area and in open areas would be observed by NMFS-trained NOVA Southeastern University students or NMFS-approved observers. • NMFS would review 100 percent of electronic monitoring data for sets occurring in both portions of the EFC PLL Closed Area and in open areas. • After three dusky sharks are discarded dead by a vessel participating in the EFP, that vessel would be required to reduce the soak time of the gear to no longer than 10 hours when conducting fishing operations under the EFP. If, after reducing the soak time to no longer than 10 hours, an additional three dusky sharks are discarded dead, then that vessel would no longer be authorized to fish in the EFC PLL Closed Area under this EFP, if issued, for the remainder of the 12-month project period, unless otherwise permitted by NMFS. • All live sharks caught but not being retained must be safely sampled (e.g., fin clip) and photographed without removing the shark from the water. All fin clips and photographs would be sent to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) for identification purposes. • All sharks that are dead at haul back, including prohibited species, and all sharks being retained for sale must be biologically sampled (e.g., vertebra and reproductive organs removed) to facilitate species identification and collection of life history information. All biological samples would be sent to the SEFSC. • Sets inside and outside of the closed areas would be equipped with hook timers, in accordance with protocols established by NMFS, to determine when animals were captured and when mortality occurs. Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment NMFS is also announcing the availability of a draft EA that analyzes the potential impacts to the human environment of granting this EFP application for experimental PLL fishing within northern portions of the EFC PLL Closed Area and one area outside the Closed Area, as the request is described above. Among other analyzed impacts, the draft EA projects the annual catches VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 of all HMS species, as well as some nonHMS species interactions, from the EFC PLL Closed Area and open areas that could be expected to occur if this EFP is approved. Additionally, the draft EA describes NMFS’ rationale for the preferred alternative and other alternatives under consideration for this research. The draft EA may be found on the HMS Management Division’s Web site at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/ hms/compliance/efp/. Comments on the draft EA may be submitted via the methods outlined in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 10, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–00791 Filed 1–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF153 Marine Mammals; File No. 20043 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Whitlow Au, Ph.D., University of Hawaii, P.O. Box 1346, Kaneohe, HI 96744, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals in Hawaii. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before February 16, 2017. 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. 20043 from the list of available applications. 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, at the address listed above. Comments may SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the email comment. 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: Sara Young or Carrie Hubard, (301) 427– 8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), 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 222–226). The applicant requests a five-year permit to investigate the population dynamics and behavior of cetaceans around Hawaii and the Pacific, to study: (1) The behavior and use of the acoustic environment by large whales, and (2) the effects of noise on behavior of cetaceans around Hawaii. The applicant proposes to use genetic sampling, suction-cup acoustic recording tags, high frequency pinger tags, biopsy sampling, darted satellite tags, acoustic recording, underwater video recording, behavioral observation, photoidentification, and acoustic playbacks. Target species would be: Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), killer whale (Orcinus orca), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima), pygmy sperm whale (K. breviceps), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata), melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), short-beaked common dolphin (D. delphis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphin (S. longirostris), pantropical spotted dolphin (S. attenuata), bottlenose dolphin (Turisiops truncatus), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis). In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM 17JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 17, 2017 / Notices determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: January 11, 2017. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–00802 Filed 1–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF117 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings and Hearings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of opportunities to submit public comments. AGENCY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) has announced its annual preseason management process for the 2017 ocean salmon fisheries. This notice informs the public of opportunities to provide comments on the 2017 ocean salmon management measures. DATES: Written comments on the salmon management alternatives adopted by the Pacific Council at its March 2017 meeting, and described in Preseason Report II, received electronically or in hard copy by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, March 31, 2017, will be considered in the Pacific Council’s final recommendation for the 2017 management measures. ADDRESSES: Documents will be available from Mr. Herb Pollard, Chair, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384, and posted on the Pacific Council Web site at https:// www.pcouncil.org. You may submit comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS– 2016–0160, by any one of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20160160, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Mr. Herb Pollard, Chair, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. • Fax: 503–820–2299, Attn: Ms. Robin Ehlke. • Comments can also be submitted via email to PFMC.comments@noaa.gov. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual may not be considered by NMFS or the Pacific Council. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on https:// www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS and the Pacific Council will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Robin Ehlke, Pacific Council, telephone: 503–820–2280. For information on submitting comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal, contact Peggy Mundy, NMFS West Coast Region, telephone: 206–526–4323; email: peggy.mundy@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Pacific Council has published its annual notice of availability of reports, public meetings, and hearings for the 2017 ocean salmon fisheries (81 FR 95568, December 28, 2016). The Pacific Council will adopt alternatives for 2017 ocean salmon fisheries at its meeting, March 7–14, 2017, at the Hilton in Vancouver, WA. Details of this meeting are available on the Pacific Council’s Web site (https:// www.pcouncil.org) and will be published in the Federal Register in February 2017. On March 22, 2017, ‘‘Preseason Report II—Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2017 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations’’ is scheduled to be posted on the Pacific Council Web site at https:// www.pcouncil.org. The report will include a description of the salmon management alternatives and a summary of their biological and economic impacts. Public hearings will be held to receive comments on the proposed ocean salmon fishery management alternatives adopted by the Pacific Council. Written comments received at the public hearings and a PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4859 summary of oral comments at the hearings will be provided to the Pacific Council at its April meeting. All public hearings begin at 7 p.m. at the following locations: • March 27, 2017: Chateau Westport, Beach Room, 710 West Hancock, Westport, WA 98595, telephone 360– 268–9101. • March 27, 2017: Red Lion Hotel, South Umpqua Room, 1313 North Bayshore Drive, Coos Bay, OR 97420, telephone 541–267–4141. • March 28, 2017: City of Fort Bragg. Town Hall, 363 North Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, telephone: (707) 961– 2823. Comments on the alternatives the Pacific Council adopts at its March 2017 meeting, and described in Preseason Report II, may be submitted in writing or electronically as described under ADDRESSES, or verbally or in writing at any of the public hearings held on March 27–28, 2017, or at the Pacific Council’s meeting, April 6–12, 2017, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, in Sacramento, CA. Details of these meetings will be available on the Pacific Council’s Web site (https:// www.pcouncil.org) and will be published in the Federal Register. Written and electronically submitted comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, March 31, 2017, in order to be included in the briefing book for the April Council meeting where they will be considered in the adoption of the Pacific Council’s final recommendation for the 2017 salmon fishery management measures. All comments received accordingly will be reviewed and considered by the Pacific Council and NMFS. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 10, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–00801 Filed 1–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Atlantic Sea Scallops Amendment 10 Data Collection National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM 17JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4858-4859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00802]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF153


Marine Mammals; File No. 20043

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Whitlow Au, Ph.D., University of 
Hawaii, P.O. Box 1346, Kaneohe, HI 96744, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on marine mammals in Hawaii.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before February 16, 2017.

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. 20043 from the list of available applications.
    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, at the address listed above. 
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by 
email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    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: Sara Young or Carrie Hubard, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), 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 222-226).
    The applicant requests a five-year permit to investigate the 
population dynamics and behavior of cetaceans around Hawaii and the 
Pacific, to study: (1) The behavior and use of the acoustic environment 
by large whales, and (2) the effects of noise on behavior of cetaceans 
around Hawaii. The applicant proposes to use genetic sampling, suction-
cup acoustic recording tags, high frequency pinger tags, biopsy 
sampling, darted satellite tags, acoustic recording, underwater video 
recording, behavioral observation, photo-identification, and acoustic 
playbacks. Target species would be: Blainville's beaked whale 
(Mesoplodon densirostris), Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), 
killer whale (Orcinus orca), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), 
dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima), pygmy sperm whale (K. breviceps), 
short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), false killer 
whale (Pseudorca crassidens), pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata), 
melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), short-beaked common dolphin 
(D. delphis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphin 
(S. longirostris), pantropical spotted dolphin (S. attenuata), 
bottlenose dolphin (Turisiops truncatus), Risso's dolphin (Grampus 
griseus), Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and 
rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis).
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial

[[Page 4859]]

determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically 
excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: January 11, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-00802 Filed 1-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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