Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Scientific Research Permit, 26351-26353 [E6-6767]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 86 / Thursday, May 4, 2006 / Notices
mstockstill on PROD1PC68 with NOTICES
Sarasota, FL. An expert panel reviewed
this stock structure in 2000 and
recommended retaining the current
stock structure until there is scientific
support for changing it.
Comment 79: At least one false killer
whale, Gulf of Mexico stock, was killed
as a result of human interactions (the
1999 stranding) within the 1999–2003
period evaluated in the report, resulting
in at least 0.2 takes/year. If that
observed rate is adjusted to account for
the likelihood that stranding records
underestimate actual takes, the rate
could exceed 10 percent of PBR (0.61).
Therefore, it seems inappropriate to
conclude that false killer whale takes
are approaching the ZMRG.
Response: NMFS agrees that
incidental mortality of this stock may be
underestimated and that the conclusion
may be incorrect. NMFS and the
appropriate SRG jointly evaluate SARs
prior to release for public review and
comment and did so in this case. NMFS
and the SRG will evaluate the
appropriateness of the conclusion at the
next meeting (currently scheduled in
January 2007), and, if necessary, NMFS
would alter the conclusion in the next
revision of the affected SAR.
Comment 80: The reports for beaked
whale stocks in the Gulf of Mexico
should be revised to clarify the
relationship of the various population
estimates, particularly the estimate for
unidentified Ziphiids. For example, it
seems that the total abundance of all
beaked whales would be the sum of the
estimates for Cuvier’s beaked whales
(95), Mesoplodon sp. (106), and
unidentified Ziphiids (146), or 347 total
beaked whales. Similarly, the total
abundance of Cuvier’s beaked whales
could be as large as the sum of the
estimates for Cuvier’s beaked whales.
The reader can infer the relationships,
but minor text edits would provide
clarity.
Response: The Gulf of Mexico SARs
will be modified in the 2006 SAR for
consistency with the Atlantic U.S. coast
SARs, to include combined estimates of
undifferentiated beaked whales.
Comment 81: For pygmy Sperm
whale, Northern Gulf of Mexico stock,
the report should indicate whether any
stranding showed evidence of human
interactions.
Response: The report has been revised
to include the number of strandings
with evidence of human interaction.
Comments on Pacific Regional Reports
California Harbor Seal
Comment 82: Correction factors for
harbor seal haulout behavior should be
standardized throughout NMFS. The
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15:45 May 03, 2006
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Commission also mentioned the
desirability of having satellite or VHF
radio tagged seal studies used to
determine haulout correction factors for
aerial surveys.
Response: Correction factors for
California harbor seal counts were
specifically developed for surveys
where counts are made during the peak
molt season. In other regions, harbor
seal counts are made during peak
pupping season, and the correction
factors used for those counts reflect the
specific count methodology used. The
time series of California harbor seal
counts reflects counts during peak molt
and remain consistent with past years
for the purpose of not introducing bias
into the trend data. Correction factors
based on VHF radio tagging are being
developed by Dr. Jim Harvey at Moss
Landing Marine Laboratories in
California. Some of the data used in
these correction factors were collected
in tandem with harbor seal aerial
surveys conducted by NMFS in 2004.
Comment 83: Figure 3, which shows
annual net productivity and a nonsignificant regression on these data
since 1982, should be removed.
Response: NMFS will keep the figure
in the current SAR for this stock, as the
data, though not significant, are still
important in demonstrating how annual
variability in net production can vary
widely even for a well-studied stock.
Comment 84: It was not clear if the
seal shootings mentioned in the draft
SAR were seals that were shot at sea and
drifted to shore or whether they were
shot while ashore. Such shooting is
evidence for the need of increased
enforcement.
Response: It is difficult to determine
the geographic origin of shootings in
harbor seals (or other marine mammals),
as carcasses are often decomposed, and
it is unclear how long a carcass may
have been on the beach. NMFS agrees
that increased enforcement would
benefit the conservation of marine
mammals and other living marine
resources. When additional resources
are available, NMFS will expand
enforcement efforts along with other
aspects of marine mammal
conservation.
Comment 85: Observers should be
placed in the ‘‘large mesh drift gillnet
fishery’’ that takes harbor seals.
Response: The comment actually
refers to the small mesh set gillnet
fishery for halibut and angel shark.
NMFS agrees that having regular
observer coverage in many fisheries
would enhance the ability to assess the
status of marine mammals (see response
to Comment 9 regarding a requirements
plan for protected species stock
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26351
assessment); when resources are
available to support such observers,
NMFS will place them in the fishery.
Comment 86: The report for Southern
Resident Killer Whales should include
information about the population
viability analyses that were conducted
to support the proposal to list the stock
as threatened.
Response: The analyses are described
in full in the reports of the status
reviews for this stock of killer whales
(one in 2002 and a second in 2004);
these reports are cited in the SAR. The
purpose of the SAR is to present a brief
summary of the status of the stock with
emphasis on abundance, trend, humancaused mortality and serious injury, and
status. Each report contains an extensive
list of literature cited to guide interested
readers to the details supporting the text
in the SAR. In this case, interested
readers may read the status review for
a discussion of the analyses used in
assessing the ‘‘species’’ status under the
ESA. The reports of the status reviews
are available on the Internet at the
following address: https://
www.nwr.noaa.gov, under the tabs,
‘‘Marine Mammals’’ and ‘‘Killer
Whales’’.
Dated: April 28, 2006.
Donna Wieting,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–6766 Filed 5–3–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 033006B]
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
Scientific Research Permit
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for a scientific
research permit; request for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt
of a request for a scientific research
permit (SRP) to survey and determine
abundance and distribution of pelagic
sharks, inject pelagic sharks with
tetracycline for age validation studies,
track the survival and movement of
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) with
conventional and satellite pop-up tags
in the Atlantic Ocean, and collect
biological samples. While this research
will occur in waters from the Gulf of
Maine to Delaware, NMFS invites
comments from interested parties on
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04MYN1
mstockstill on PROD1PC68 with NOTICES
26352
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 86 / Thursday, May 4, 2006 / Notices
this SRP request with regards to tagging
and biological sampling of HMS (sharks,
blue and white marlin, and bluefin and
yellowfin tuna) in the Northeastern
United States closed area.
DATES: Written comments on the
application for a scientific research
permit must be received by 5 p.m. on
May 18, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by any of the following methods:
• Email: SF1.033006B@noaa.gov.
Include in the subject line the following
identifier: I.D. 033006B.
• Mail: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Chief,
Highly Migratory Species Management
Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Please mark the outside of the envelope
‘‘Comments on SRP Application.’’
• Fax: (301)427–2590
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jackie Wilson, by phone: (404)806–
7622; fax: (404)806–9188.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scientific
Research Permits are requested and
issued under the authority of the
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16
U.S.C. 971 et seq.), which regulates
fishing activities of tunas, swordfish,
and billfish. Regulations at 635.32
govern scientific research activity,
exempted fishing, and exempted
educational activity with respect to
Atlantic HMS. Scientific research is
exempted from regulation under the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) (Magnuson-Stevens
Act), which regulates fishing activities
of sharks.
The Northeast Fisheries Science
Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, Rhode
Island has requested a SRP to conduct
a research in Federal waters between
Delaware and the Gulf of Maine (38°00′
N to 41°00′ N), including the
Northeastern U.S. closed area. Previous
shark surveys have occurred in this area
prior to the implementation of the
Northeastern U.S. closed area. This
research would include a survey and
tagging study of pelagic sharks,
including shortfin mako sharks, Isurus
oxyrinchus, common and bigeye
thresher sharks, Alopia vulpinus and A.
superciliosus, blue sharks, Prionace
glauca, and porbeagle sharks, Lamna
nasus, to obtain abundance and
distribution information on these
species. In addition, this research would
include injecting tagged sharks with
tetracycline for age validation studies.
Biological samples would be taken from
some species of sharks, including
samples for age studies, stomach
samples for food and feeding
information, and reproductive samples.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 May 03, 2006
Jkt 208001
The data collected should support
current research on thresher shark life
history and blue shark and shortfin
mako food habits.
The NEFSC would be conducting its
research at historical survey locations.
Prior research indicates that these
species follow temperature gradients
offshore from New Jersey and then move
northward towards the Gulf of Maine.
The survey would consist of a total of
20 sets over 11 days that proceed from
south to north placing sets at the shelf,
slope, northwall, and Gulfstream
stations at 50 mile intervals coincident
with oceanographic canyon stations that
were sampled in earlier cruises.
Approximately 10 sets will be placed
within the Northeastern U.S. closed
area. This research would also compare
previous catch data with catch rates of
these species using 9/0 (#40) Japanese
tuna hooks to catch rates using 16/0
non-offset circle hooks, and catch rates
and bait retention with 18/0 non-offset
barbless circle hooks.
While the NEFSC would be fishing
primarily for sharks, the researchers
would use Southeast Fisheries Science
Center tags to tag any live, incidentally
caught Atlantic blue marlin, Makaira
nigricans, and white marlin,
Tetrapturus albidus. In addition, in
collaboration with Dr. Molly Lutcavage
from the University of New Hampshire,
the NEFSC would deploy pop-up
satellite archival tags (PSATs) on any
live, incidentally caught bluefin tuna,
Thunnus thynnus, and yellowfin tuna,
Thunnus albacares. The timing of the
survey is seasonally early in terms of
billfish availability, and bycatch rates
are expected to be very low since
surface water temperatures will likely
be too cold for billfish and sea turtles on
the vast majority of the stations. While
bluefin tuna may be incidentally
captured if a survey station is located
within a warm core ring, the number
caught will probably be very low
because sets are shorter in duration, the
amount of gear set is about half the size
of a commercial set, and it is unlikely
that there would be more than two
stations within rings on this cruise. If
the researchers catch five bluefin tuna
and/or three loggerhead or leatherback
sea turtles on a given set, they will
retrieve the gear and move out of the
area. These oceanographic conditions
have been surveyed in the past, and this
sampling opportunity might allow for
critical PSAT deployments prior to the
inshore migrations of bluefin tuna.
These deployments would provide
critical data on bluefin tuna behavior
during the migratory transition from
offshore to inshore feeding grounds.
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For each fish caught and tagged, the
researchers would record species,
estimated length and weight, and GPS
location in addition to sea surface
temperature, and any other data
archived by the PSATs. These data
would be used for migration studies on
billfish, bluefin tuna, and yellowfin
tuna. For all incidental mortalities, data
would be collected, such as length,
weight, samples for isotope work,
otolith and aging samples, blood
samples, and gonad samples. However,
because the researchers would be
targeting shark species, few incidental
mortalities of other HMS are expected
from these surveys based on previous
survey results. Based on past data for
the month of June and the estimated
fishing effort for the 11 day cruise (20
total sets of 400 hooks per set for a total
of 8,000 hooks), the researchers
anticipate that they will catch 812 blue
sharks, Prionace glauca, 32 sandbar
sharks, Carcharhinus plumbeus, 12
shortfin mako sharks, Isurus oxyrhincus,
nine swordfish, Xiphias gladius, five
thresher sharks, Alopias vulpinus, two
dusky sharks, Carcharhinus obscurus,
one yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares,
one porbeagle shark, Lamna nasus, one
tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, one
bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, and one
hammerhead shark, Sphyrna spp.
The research would be conducted
from May 30, 2006, through June 9,
2006, throughout the area mentioned
above. Research would be conducted
onboard the National Oceanographic
Atmospheric Administration’s
(NOAA’s) Fisheries Research Vessel, the
Delaware II (R–445). Collection of HMS
would occur with traditional Yankee
pelagic longline gear consisting of a
gangion of approximately 6 feet (1.83 m)
of 0.125–inch (0.320 cm) diameter
stainless wire leader attached to 18 feet
(5.49 m) of 0.25–inch (0.640 cm)
diameter braided nylon line with a
stainless steel line clip at the nylon end.
Approximately 133, 16/0 non-offset
circle hooks would be alternated with
133, 9/0 (#40) Japanese tuna hooks, and
134, 18/0 non-offset barbless circle
hooks for a total of 400 hooks per set.
Hooks would be baited with mackerel.
The mainline would consist of 0.31 inch
diameter braided nylon or
monofilament with polyform floats with
five fathom droppers attached to the
floats would be used at 10 hook
intervals to support the longline, and
each end of the longline would be
marked with a both a polyform float and
a 20–foot (6.10 m) staff buoy with radar
reflectors, flashers (at night), and
weights for stability. The soak time
would vary, but would be no more than
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04MYN1
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 86 / Thursday, May 4, 2006 / Notices
a couple of hours to minimize
incidental mortalities of non-target
species.
Sea turtle handling and release
equipment and instructions will be
onboard the vessel at all times while
engaged in this research activity.
Additionally, the research team is
trained and experienced in sea turtle
handling and release techniques. Past
research has also associated sea turtle
interactions and other bycatch species
with certain oceanographic features,
such as warm core rings. Because the
goal of this research would be to tag and
collect information on the abundance
and distribution of sharks, the
researchers would limit their activity in
these areas to reduce potential
interactions with sea turtles and other
non-targeted species.
Based on NMFS’ initial review, NMFS
believes that this research would be
excluded from the requirement to
prepare either an Environmental
Assessment or Environmental Impact
Statement pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act because it is
of limited size and magnitude and is not
expected to have significant effects
individually or cumulatively on the
environment. As noted above, limited
numbers of incidental interactions and/
or mortalities are anticipated to occur
while conducting this research. While
scientific research is not regulated
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
NMFS would track and monitor all
sources of mortalities for sharks. Any
mortalities of ATCA regulated species
(i.e., billfish and tuna) would be
counted against the appropriate quotas,
and active measures will be taken to
minimize interactions and mortalities of
these non-target species. Further, all fish
tagged would be released alive, with
minimal or no post-release mortality
anticipated. However, if any HMS die
during the collection and/or tagging
process, age structures (otoliths),
stomachs, blood samples, samples for
isotope work, and reproductive tissues
would be sampled.
This research may benefit fishery
managers and scientists by providing
additional data on the importance of the
Northeastern U.S. closed area ecosystem
in the management and conservation of
HMS in the Atlantic Ocean.
The regulations that would prohibit
the proposed activities include
requirements for permits and fees (50
CFR 635.4), vessel reporting (50 CFR
635.4), size limits (50 CFR 635.20),
fishing in a closed area (50 CFR
635.21(c)(i)), hook requirements (50 CFR
635.21(c)(5)(iii)(C)), retention limits for
bluefin tuna (50 CFR 635.23),
commercial retention limits for sharks
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:45 May 03, 2006
Jkt 208001
and swordfish (50 CFR 635.24), catch
and release (50 CFR 635.26),
commercial quotas (50 CFR 635.27),
closures (50 CFR 635.28), possession at
sea and landing (50 CFR 635.30), and
VMS (50 CFR 635.69).
Authority: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.
and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 25, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–6767 Filed 5–3–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services; Overview
Information; Technology and Media
Services for Individuals With
Disabilities—Captioned and Described
Educational Media: Selection, Closed
Captioning, Video Description, and
Distribution; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2006
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number: 84.327N.
Dates: Applications Available: May 4,
2006.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: June 12, 2006.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: August 11, 2006.
Eligible Applicants: State educational
agencies (SEAs); local educational
agencies (LEAs); public charter schools
that are LEAs under State law;
institutions of higher education (IHEs);
other public agencies; private nonprofit
organizations; outlying areas; freely
associated States; Indian tribes or tribal
organizations; and for-profit
organizations.
Estimated Available Funds:
$1,500,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any
application that proposes a budget
exceeding $1,500,000 for a single budget
period of 12 months. The Assistant
Secretary for Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services may change the
maximum amount through a notice
published in the Federal Register.
Number of Awards: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of
this program is to: (1) Improve results
for children with disabilities by
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26353
promoting the development,
demonstration, and use of technology,
(2) support educational media services
activities designed to be of educational
value in the classroom setting to
children with disabilities, and (3)
provide support for captioning and
video description that is appropriate for
use in the classroom setting.
Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(iv) and (v), this priority is
from allowable activities specified in
the statute, or otherwise authorized in
the statute (see sections 674 and 681(d)
of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA)).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2006 this
priority is an absolute priority. Under 34
CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only
applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Technology and Media Services for
Individuals With Disabilities—
Captioned and Described Educational
Media: Selection, Closed Captioning,
Video Description, and Distribution
Priority
This priority supports one cooperative
agreement, for the selection, acquisition,
closed captioning, video description,
and distribution of free educational
media through such mechanisms as a
loan service. The educational media are
to be used in classroom settings by
students with hearing or vision
impairments and teachers and
paraprofessionals who are directly
involved in elementary or secondary
classroom activities for these students.
This priority would ensure that students
who have hearing or vision impairments
will benefit from the same educational
media used to enrich the educational
experiences of students who do not
have hearing or vision impairments.
The project must:
(a) Develop strategies and procedures
to be used in identifying program titles
that meet the needs of elementary and
secondary schools and submit lists of
these program titles to OSEP for
approval.
(b) Obtain media from producers and
distributors identified under paragraph
(a) for screening, evaluation, and, if
necessary, closed captioning and video
description. After screening and
evaluating these media, select those that
closely match the needs of elementary
and secondary schools, taking into
account the media most commonly used
in school districts across the nation.
(c) Make arrangements with producers
and distributors to purchase, distribute,
and if necessary, closed caption and
describe selected media, including
distribution in alternate formats. Closed
E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM
04MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26351-26353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6767]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 033006B]
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Scientific Research Permit
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for a scientific research permit; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of a request for a scientific
research permit (SRP) to survey and determine abundance and
distribution of pelagic sharks, inject pelagic sharks with tetracycline
for age validation studies, track the survival and movement of Highly
Migratory Species (HMS) with conventional and satellite pop-up tags in
the Atlantic Ocean, and collect biological samples. While this research
will occur in waters from the Gulf of Maine to Delaware, NMFS invites
comments from interested parties on
[[Page 26352]]
this SRP request with regards to tagging and biological sampling of HMS
(sharks, blue and white marlin, and bluefin and yellowfin tuna) in the
Northeastern United States closed area.
DATES: Written comments on the application for a scientific research
permit must be received by 5 p.m. on May 18, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Email: SF1.033006B@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line
the following identifier: I.D. 033006B.
Mail: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Chief, Highly Migratory
Species Management Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910. Please mark the outside of the envelope
``Comments on SRP Application.''
Fax: (301)427-2590
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Wilson, by phone: (404)806-
7622; fax: (404)806-9188.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scientific Research Permits are requested
and issued under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16
U.S.C. 971 et seq.), which regulates fishing activities of tunas,
swordfish, and billfish. Regulations at 635.32 govern scientific
research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activity
with respect to Atlantic HMS. Scientific research is exempted from
regulation under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) (Magnuson-Stevens Act), which
regulates fishing activities of sharks.
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett,
Rhode Island has requested a SRP to conduct a research in Federal
waters between Delaware and the Gulf of Maine (38[deg]00' N to
41[deg]00' N), including the Northeastern U.S. closed area. Previous
shark surveys have occurred in this area prior to the implementation of
the Northeastern U.S. closed area. This research would include a survey
and tagging study of pelagic sharks, including shortfin mako sharks,
Isurus oxyrinchus, common and bigeye thresher sharks, Alopia vulpinus
and A. superciliosus, blue sharks, Prionace glauca, and porbeagle
sharks, Lamna nasus, to obtain abundance and distribution information
on these species. In addition, this research would include injecting
tagged sharks with tetracycline for age validation studies. Biological
samples would be taken from some species of sharks, including samples
for age studies, stomach samples for food and feeding information, and
reproductive samples. The data collected should support current
research on thresher shark life history and blue shark and shortfin
mako food habits.
The NEFSC would be conducting its research at historical survey
locations. Prior research indicates that these species follow
temperature gradients offshore from New Jersey and then move northward
towards the Gulf of Maine. The survey would consist of a total of 20
sets over 11 days that proceed from south to north placing sets at the
shelf, slope, northwall, and Gulfstream stations at 50 mile intervals
coincident with oceanographic canyon stations that were sampled in
earlier cruises. Approximately 10 sets will be placed within the
Northeastern U.S. closed area. This research would also compare
previous catch data with catch rates of these species using 9/0
(40) Japanese tuna hooks to catch rates using 16/0 non-offset
circle hooks, and catch rates and bait retention with 18/0 non-offset
barbless circle hooks.
While the NEFSC would be fishing primarily for sharks, the
researchers would use Southeast Fisheries Science Center tags to tag
any live, incidentally caught Atlantic blue marlin, Makaira nigricans,
and white marlin, Tetrapturus albidus. In addition, in collaboration
with Dr. Molly Lutcavage from the University of New Hampshire, the
NEFSC would deploy pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) on any live,
incidentally caught bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, and yellowfin tuna,
Thunnus albacares. The timing of the survey is seasonally early in
terms of billfish availability, and bycatch rates are expected to be
very low since surface water temperatures will likely be too cold for
billfish and sea turtles on the vast majority of the stations. While
bluefin tuna may be incidentally captured if a survey station is
located within a warm core ring, the number caught will probably be
very low because sets are shorter in duration, the amount of gear set
is about half the size of a commercial set, and it is unlikely that
there would be more than two stations within rings on this cruise. If
the researchers catch five bluefin tuna and/or three loggerhead or
leatherback sea turtles on a given set, they will retrieve the gear and
move out of the area. These oceanographic conditions have been surveyed
in the past, and this sampling opportunity might allow for critical
PSAT deployments prior to the inshore migrations of bluefin tuna. These
deployments would provide critical data on bluefin tuna behavior during
the migratory transition from offshore to inshore feeding grounds.
For each fish caught and tagged, the researchers would record
species, estimated length and weight, and GPS location in addition to
sea surface temperature, and any other data archived by the PSATs.
These data would be used for migration studies on billfish, bluefin
tuna, and yellowfin tuna. For all incidental mortalities, data would be
collected, such as length, weight, samples for isotope work, otolith
and aging samples, blood samples, and gonad samples. However, because
the researchers would be targeting shark species, few incidental
mortalities of other HMS are expected from these surveys based on
previous survey results. Based on past data for the month of June and
the estimated fishing effort for the 11 day cruise (20 total sets of
400 hooks per set for a total of 8,000 hooks), the researchers
anticipate that they will catch 812 blue sharks, Prionace glauca, 32
sandbar sharks, Carcharhinus plumbeus, 12 shortfin mako sharks, Isurus
oxyrhincus, nine swordfish, Xiphias gladius, five thresher sharks,
Alopias vulpinus, two dusky sharks, Carcharhinus obscurus, one
yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, one porbeagle shark, Lamna nasus,
one tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, one bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus,
and one hammerhead shark, Sphyrna spp.
The research would be conducted from May 30, 2006, through June 9,
2006, throughout the area mentioned above. Research would be conducted
onboard the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration's
(NOAA's) Fisheries Research Vessel, the Delaware II (R-445). Collection
of HMS would occur with traditional Yankee pelagic longline gear
consisting of a gangion of approximately 6 feet (1.83 m) of 0.125-inch
(0.320 cm) diameter stainless wire leader attached to 18 feet (5.49 m)
of 0.25-inch (0.640 cm) diameter braided nylon line with a stainless
steel line clip at the nylon end. Approximately 133, 16/0 non-offset
circle hooks would be alternated with 133, 9/0 (40) Japanese
tuna hooks, and 134, 18/0 non-offset barbless circle hooks for a total
of 400 hooks per set. Hooks would be baited with mackerel. The mainline
would consist of 0.31 inch diameter braided nylon or monofilament with
polyform floats with five fathom droppers attached to the floats would
be used at 10 hook intervals to support the longline, and each end of
the longline would be marked with a both a polyform float and a 20-foot
(6.10 m) staff buoy with radar reflectors, flashers (at night), and
weights for stability. The soak time would vary, but would be no more
than
[[Page 26353]]
a couple of hours to minimize incidental mortalities of non-target
species.
Sea turtle handling and release equipment and instructions will be
onboard the vessel at all times while engaged in this research
activity. Additionally, the research team is trained and experienced in
sea turtle handling and release techniques. Past research has also
associated sea turtle interactions and other bycatch species with
certain oceanographic features, such as warm core rings. Because the
goal of this research would be to tag and collect information on the
abundance and distribution of sharks, the researchers would limit their
activity in these areas to reduce potential interactions with sea
turtles and other non-targeted species.
Based on NMFS' initial review, NMFS believes that this research
would be excluded from the requirement to prepare either an
Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to
the National Environmental Policy Act because it is of limited size and
magnitude and is not expected to have significant effects individually
or cumulatively on the environment. As noted above, limited numbers of
incidental interactions and/or mortalities are anticipated to occur
while conducting this research. While scientific research is not
regulated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS would track and monitor
all sources of mortalities for sharks. Any mortalities of ATCA
regulated species (i.e., billfish and tuna) would be counted against
the appropriate quotas, and active measures will be taken to minimize
interactions and mortalities of these non-target species. Further, all
fish tagged would be released alive, with minimal or no post-release
mortality anticipated. However, if any HMS die during the collection
and/or tagging process, age structures (otoliths), stomachs, blood
samples, samples for isotope work, and reproductive tissues would be
sampled.
This research may benefit fishery managers and scientists by
providing additional data on the importance of the Northeastern U.S.
closed area ecosystem in the management and conservation of HMS in the
Atlantic Ocean.
The regulations that would prohibit the proposed activities include
requirements for permits and fees (50 CFR 635.4), vessel reporting (50
CFR 635.4), size limits (50 CFR 635.20), fishing in a closed area (50
CFR 635.21(c)(i)), hook requirements (50 CFR 635.21(c)(5)(iii)(C)),
retention limits for bluefin tuna (50 CFR 635.23), commercial retention
limits for sharks and swordfish (50 CFR 635.24), catch and release (50
CFR 635.26), commercial quotas (50 CFR 635.27), closures (50 CFR
635.28), possession at sea and landing (50 CFR 635.30), and VMS (50 CFR
635.69).
Authority: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 1801
et seq.
Dated: April 25, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-6767 Filed 5-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
