Marine Mammals; File No. 945-1776, 30387-30388 [E6-8174]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices Addendum I to Amendment 6 is overfished or that overfishing is occurring, it may recommend further management measures for the EEZ. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Delay in the Development of an EIS In September 2004, ASMFC’s Striped Bass Technical Committee prepared its 2004 Stock Assessment Report for use by the Striped Bass Management Board (Board), which included data through 2003. That assessment contradicted previous assessments, which had indicated that the striped bass population was not overfished and continued to grow in abundance. Instead, the results of the modeling portion of the 2004 assessment indicated that the stock was overfished and that spawning stock biomass had been reduced to below target levels. However, the members of the Technical Committee did not feel the assessment provided an accurate representation of stock status, especially given that results of tagging study analyses did not show a similar increase in fishing mortality. The Technical Committee was concerned with any conclusions that might be derived from these estimated and recommended the 2004 assessment results not be used for management decisions until both the modeling software and the input data sets were reevaluated during the 2005 assessment process. The results from the 2004 stock assessment have not been used by ASMFC for management decisions. With the great uncertainty in estimates of spawning stock biomass, and fishing mortality rates during 2003, as presented in the 2004 stock assessment, NMFS decided to delay the completion of the EIS to be able to incorporate the 2005 stock assessment in the EIS. During 2005, the Technical Committee and Stock Assessment Subcommittee reviewed model inputs and the model itself to determine if the results from the 2004 assessment truly reflected status of the population or were an artifact of data or model errors. They concluded that a number of the indices used in the 2004 effort were not consistent with what was observed in the population as a whole, or were contradictory to the majority of other reliable time series. Those indices were removed from subsequent model runs. The Technical Committee believes the current assessment reflects the true status of the population (within reasonable ranges of certainty). Both the 2004 and 2005 Striped Bass Stock Assessments are available on ASMFC’s website under Interstate Fisheries Management-striped bass at https:// www.asmfc.org. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:12 May 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 30387 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE During the development of Amendment 6, there were concerns over the impacts of bycatch mortality on the overall population. To address these concerns, ASMFC is currently developing Addendum 1 to Amendment 6 to increase the accuracy of data on striped bass bycatch in all sectors of the striped bass fishery. Addendum I will outline mandatory data collection and bycatch mortality studies for the commercial, recreational, and for-hire fisheries for striped bass. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Further Public Participation Due to the significant time that has passed since the nine initial scoping hearings were held in NovemberDecember 2003, NMFS is seeking additional scoping on its preliminary draft analyses of Federal management options to open the EEZ to the harvest of Atlantic Striped Bass. See ADDRESSES for information on how to obtain a copy of the draft document and where to send comments. At this time, a preferred option has not been identified. Options being considered in this draft document include: (1) open the entire EEZ, implement a 28–inch (71.1–cm) minimum size limit, and allow states to adopt more restrictive regulations for fishermen and vessels licensed in their state (ASMFC recommendation); (2) open the entire EEZ, implement a 28– inch (71.1–cm) minimum size limit, allow states to adopt more restrictive regulations for fishermen and vessels licensed in their state, implement a recreational bag limit of 2 fish per day, require circle hooks for all commercial and recreational hook and line fishing using bait, and commercial trip limits and bycatch trip limit options; (3) open the entire EEZ, implement a 28–inch (71.1–cm) minimum size limit, allow states to adopt more restrictive regulations for fishermen and vessels licensed in their state, allow hook and line gear only, implement a recreational bag limit of 2 fish per day, require circle hooks for all commercial and recreational hook and line fishing using bait, and implement a commercial trip limit of 30 fish per trip or day whichever is greater; and (4) status quo - maintain moratorium in the EEZ. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5151 et seq. Dated: May 23, 2006. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06–4894 Filed 5–23–06; 2:25 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [I.D. 051206A] Marine Mammals; File No. 945-1776 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (Christine M. Gabriele, Principal Investigator) P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826, (File No. 945-1776) has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research. ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521; and Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907)586–7221; fax (907)586–7249. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Amy Hapeman, (301)713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 17, 2005, notice was published in the Federal Register (70 FR 8076) that a request for a scientific research permit to take marine mammals had been submitted by the above-named organization. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), 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 parts 222–226). Permit No. 945–1776 authorizes Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve to conduct population studies on numerous cetacean species with a particular emphasis on humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Takes will occur by close approach via vessel survey for photo-identification, behavioral observation, passive acoustic recording, collection of sloughed skin and feces, prey sampling, and incidental harassment. The permit is valid for five years. E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1 30388 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment was prepared analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement. Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit: (1) was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: May 23, 2006. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–8174 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration [Docket No. 060519136-6136-01] The Continued Transition of the Technical Coordination and Management of the Internet Domain Name and Addressing System National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce ACTION: Notice of Inquiry, Notice of Public Meeting jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) seeks comment on the continuation of the transition of the technical coordination and management of the Internet domain name and addressing system (Internet DNS) to the private sector. In June 1998, the Department issued a statement of policy on the privatization of the Internet DNS, which among other things articulated four primary functions for global Internet DNS coordination and management, the need to have these functions performed by the private sector and four principles to guide the transition to private sector management of the Internet DNS. On June 30, 2005, NTIA released the U.S. Principles on the Internet’s Domain Name and Addressing System further elaborating on these issues. The Department of Commerce seeks comment regarding the progress of this transition and announces a public meeting to be held VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:12 May 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 on July 26, 2006, to discuss issues associated with this transition. DATES: Comments are due on or before July 7, 2006. The public meeting will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 26, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by U.S. mail to Fiona Alexander, Office of International Affairs, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 4701, Washington, DC 20230. Paper submissions should include a three and one-half inch computer diskette in HTML, ASCII, Word or WordPerfect format (please specify version). Diskettes should be labeled with the name and organizational affiliation of the filer, and the name of the word processing program used to create the document. Alternatively, comments may be submitted electronically to DNSTransition@ntia.doc.gov. Comments provided via electronic mail should also be submitted in one of the formats specified above. All comments will be posted to NTIA’s Web site at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/ domainname/dnstransition.html. The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Auditorium, Washington, DC (Entrance to the Department of Commerce is on 14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW.). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this Notice or the Public Meeting, contact: Fiona Alexander, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 4701, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–1866; or e-mail: falexander@ntia.doc.gov. Please direct media inquiries to the Office of Public Affairs, NTIA, at (202) 482–7002. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: A July 1, 1997, Executive Memorandum directed the Secretary of Commerce to privatize the Internet domain name and addressing system (Internet DNS) in a manner that increases competition and facilitates international participation in its management.1 In order to fulfill this Presidential directive, the Department of Commerce, in June 1998, issued a statement of policy on the privatization of the Internet DNS, known as the DNS White Paper.2 This document 1 Memorandum on Electronic Commerce, 2 Pub. Papers 898 (July 1, 1997). 2 Management of Internet Names and Addresses, 63 Fed. Reg. 31,741 (June 10, 1998). PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 articulated four primary functions for global Internet DNS coordination and management: 1. To set policy for and direct the allocation of IP number blocks; 2. To oversee the operation of the Internet root server system; 3. To oversee policy for determining the circumstances under which new top level domains (TLDs) would be added to the root server system; and 4. To coordinate the assignment of other technical protocol parameters as needed to maintain universal connectivity on the Internet. In the DNS White Paper, the Department of Commerce concluded that these functions were relevant to the state of the Internet DNS and should be primarily performed through private sector management. To this end, the Department of Commerce stated that it was prepared to enter into agreement with a new not-for-profit corporation formed by private sector Internet stakeholders. Private sector interests formed the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for this purpose.3 In the fall of 1998, the Department of Commerce entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICANN, a California non-profit corporation, to transition technical Internet DNS coordination and management functions to the private sector.4 The MOU contains a series of core tasks for ICANN, which include establishing appropriate relationships with the organizations that form the technical underpinnings of the Internet DNS, as well as date-specific milestones designed to help ICANN reach full corporate maturity. It has been amended six times5, most recently in September 2003 and will expire on September 30, 2006.6 On June 30, 2005, NTIA released the U.S. Principles on the Internet’s Domain Name and Addressing System, which provides in general: the United States Government intends to preserve the security and stability of the Internet 3 For more information on the private sector proposals received see https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ ntiahome/domainname/background.htm. 4 Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (November 25, 1998), available at https:// www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/icannmemorandum.htm. 5 All MOU Amendments are available online at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/ icann.htm. 6 Memorandum of Understanding Between U.S. Department of Commerce and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, Amendment 6, available at https:// www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/ agreements/amendment6l09162003.htm. E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30387-30388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8174]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 051206A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 945-1776

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve (Christine M. Gabriele, Principal Investigator) P.O. Box 140, 
Gustavus, AK 99826, (File No. 945-1776) has been issued a permit to 
conduct scientific research.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521; and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Amy Hapeman, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 17, 2005, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (70 FR 8076) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take marine mammals had been submitted by the above-
named organization. The requested permit has been issued under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), 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 parts 222-226).
    Permit No. 945-1776 authorizes Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve to conduct population studies on numerous cetacean species 
with a particular emphasis on humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), minke 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Takes 
will occur by close approach via vessel survey for photo-
identification, behavioral observation, passive acoustic recording, 
collection of sloughed skin and feces, prey sampling, and incidental 
harassment. The permit is valid for five years.

[[Page 30388]]

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment was prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of 
No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not 
necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement.
    Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: May 23, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-8174 Filed 5-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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