Marine Mammals; File No. 10080, 72996-72997 [E7-24942]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 26, 2007 / Notices
salmon bycatch rates. The ICA utilizes
a system of base bycatch rates,
assignment of vessels to tiers based on
bycatch rates relative to the base rate, a
system of closures for vessels in certain
tiers, and monitoring and enforcement
through private contractual
arrangements.
Amendment 84 was adopted by the
Council because it was perceived to be
relatively simple to implement, with the
potential to reduce salmon bycatch
rates. Meanwhile, the Council also
initiated analysis on this proposed
action to further address salmon bycatch
issues, and provide additional
management measures should ICA
members choose not to participate in
the ICA in the future.
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Proposed Action
The proposed action is to replace the
current Chinook and Chum Salmon
Savings Areas in the BSAI with new
regulatory closures, salmon bycatch
limits, or a combination of both based
on current salmon bycatch information.
These management measures could
incorporate current or new bycatch
reduction methods. The purpose of the
proposed action is to minimize nonChinook and Chinook salmon bycatch to
the extent practicable. The proposed
action is necessary to maintain a healthy
marine ecosystem, ensure long-term
conservation and abundance of salmon,
provide maximum benefit to fishermen
and communities that depend on these
resources, and comply with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Alternative Management Measures
NMFS, in consultation with the
Council, will evaluate a range of
alternative management measures for
the BSAI groundfish fisheries. The
Council’s Salmon Bycatch Workgroup is
reviewing the latest scientific
information regarding the impacts of
salmon interactions with groundfish
fisheries and developing alternative
salmon bycatch reduction measures.
Alternatives may be formulated based
on the elements identified here, and
those developed through the public
scoping and Council processes. Possible
alternatives could be constructed from
one or more of the following measures:
1.Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) limit
Establish a PSC limit for non-Chinook
and Chinook salmon bycatch in the
CDQ and non-CDQ pollock fisheries.
PSC limits could be allocated among
pollock fishery sectors or fishery
cooperatives. Fishery participants
would be required to stop fishing when
a PSC limit is reached.
2.Fixed closures Establish one or more
salmon savings area closures based on
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current salmon bycatch information.
These closures would occur on an
annual or seasonal basis regardless of
salmon bycatch amounts at the time of
the closure.
3.Triggered closures Establish one or
more salmon savings area closures
based on current salmon bycatch
information. These closures would
occur based on criteria evaluated in the
EIS. Criteria could include a threshold
salmon bycatch number or rate.
4.PSC accounting period Revise the
current PSC accounting period to
coincide with the salmon biological year
to provide additional protections to
salmon in the BSAI. Accounting would
begin annually in the ‘‘B’’ season, and
continue through the following ‘‘A’’
season.
Additionally, the Council may
incorporate the current or a new version
of the salmon bycatch reduction ICA
into one or more alternatives.
Preliminary Identification of Issues
A principal objective of the scoping
and public input process is to identify
potentially significant impacts to the
human environment that should be
analyzed in the EIS. The analysis will
evaluate the impacts of the alternatives
for all resources, species, and issues that
may be directly or indirectly affected by
salmon bycatch in the BSAI pollock
fisheries. The following components of
the biological and physical environment
may be evaluated: (1) target and nontarget fish stocks, forage fish, and
prohibited species, including salmon
species; (2) species listed under the ESA
and their critical habitat; (3) seabirds;
(4) marine mammals; and (5) the
ecosystem.
Social and economic impacts also
would be considered in terms of the
effects that changes to salmon bycatch
management measures would have on
the following groups of individuals: (1)
those who participate in harvesting
pollock; (2) those who process and
market pollock and pollock products;
(3) those who consume pollock
products; (4) those who rely on living
marine resources caught in the
management area, particularly salmon;
(5) those who benefit from commercial,
subsistence, and recreational salmon
fisheries; and (6) fishing communities.
Public Involvement
Scoping is an early and open process
for determining the scope of issues to be
addressed in an EIS and for identifying
the significant issues related to the
proposed action. A principal objective
of the scoping and public involvement
process is to identify a range of
reasonable of management alternatives
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that, with adequate analysis, will
delineate critical issues and provide a
clear basis for distinguishing among
those alternatives and selecting a
preferred alternative. Through this
notice, NMFS is notifying the public
that an EIS and decision-making process
for this proposed action have been
initiated so that interested or affected
people may participate and contribute
to the final decision.
NMFS is seeking written public
comments on the scope of issues,
including potential impacts, and
alternatives that should be considered
in revising salmon bycatch management
measures. Written comments will be
accepted at the address above (see
ADDRESSES). Written comments should
be as specific as possible to be the most
helpful. Written comments received
during the scoping process, including
the names and addresses of those
submitting them, will be considered
part of the public record of this proposal
and will be available for public
inspection.
The public is invited to participate
and provide input at Council and
Salmon Bycatch Workgroup meetings
where the latest scientific information
regarding salmon bycatch in the BSAI
groundfish fisheries is reviewed and
alternative salmon bycatch reduction
measures are developed and evaluated.
Notice of future Council and Salmon
Bycatch Workgroup meetings will be
published in the Federal Register and
on the Internet at https://www.fakr.gov.
Please visit this website for more
information on this EIS and for
guidance on submitting effective public
comments.
Dated: December 18, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–24953 Filed 12–21–07; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XD61
Marine Mammals; File No. 10080
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr.
Kathryn A. Ono, Department of
Biological Sciences, University of New
England, Biddeford, ME, has been
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 26, 2007 / Notices
issued a permit to conduct research on
marine mammals.
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
Northeast Region, NMFS, One
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930–2298; phone (978)281–9300; fax
(978)281–9394.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tammy Adams or Jaclyn Daly,
(301)713–2289.
On
October 26, 2007, notice was published
in the Federal Register (72 FR 60822)
that a request for a permit to conduct
scientific research on harbor seals
(Phoca vitulina concolor) and grey seals
(Halichoerus grypus) in the Gulf of
Maine had been submitted by the abovenamed individual. 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.), and the regulations governing the
taking and importing of marine
mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The permit authorizes capture,
sampling, and marking activities related
to: (1) assessing the state of harbor seal
population health; (2) determining
movement and diving patterns of
weaned harbor seal pups; (3) comparing
disease loads, survival, and behavior of
rehabilitated harbor seal pups with wild
pups; and (4) assessing behavior,
population dynamics, and health of grey
seals. The permit expires on December
31, 2012.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final
determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically
excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: December 18, 2007.
Patrick Opay,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and
Education Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–24942 Filed 12–21–07; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XE37
Marine Mammals; File No. 473–1700
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application
for amendment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Janice Straley, University of Alaska,
1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, Alaska 99835,
has requested an amendment to
scientific research Permit No. 473–
1700–01.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail
comments must be received on or before
January 25, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The amendment request
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.
Written comments or requests for a
public hearing on this request should be
submitted to the Chief, Permits,
Conservation and Education Division,
F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those
individuals requesting a hearing should
set forth the specific reasons why a
hearing on this particular amendment
request would be appropriate.
Comments may also be submitted by
facsimile at (301)427–2521, provided
the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy
submitted by mail and postmarked no
later than the closing date of the
comment period.
Comments may also be submitted by
e-mail. The mailbox address for
providing e-mail comments is
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include
in the subject line of the e-mail
comment the following document
identifier: File No. 473–1700.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jaclyn Daly or Amy Sloan, (301)713–
2289.
The
subject amendment to Permit No. 473–
1700–01 is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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72997
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 (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).
Permit No. 473–1700 was issued to
the applicant on June 20, 2004 (69 FR
44514). A minor amendment (No. 473–
1700–01) was issued on December 4,
2005 and remains valid through June 30,
2009. The current permit authorizes the
permit holder to conduct research on
humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae), gray whales
(Eschrichtius robustus) , minke whales
(Balaenoptera acustorostrata), sperm
whales (Physeter macrocephalus) , fin
whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and
killer whales (Orcinus orca). Incidental
harassment of harbor porpoise
(Phocoena phocoena), Dall’s porpoise
(P. dalli), Atlantic white-sided dolphins
(Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Steller
sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), harbor
seals (Phoca vitulina) and Northern fur
seals (Callorhinus ursinus) is also
authorized. Research methods include
photo-identification, passive acoustic
recording, behavioral observations,
suction-cup tagging (including
Crittercam), and biopsy. The permit
holder requests authorization to
increase the number of sperm whales
that may be suction-cup tagged to 50 (an
increase of 25 animals), attach satellite
tags to 20 sperm whales and 20 killer
whales, and modify operations of
fishing vessel methods which could
result in the taking of 40 sperm whales
by Level B harassment. All research
would be conducted in the Gulf of
Alaska. The permit amendment would
be effective until the permit expiration
date.
Concurrent with the publication of
this notice in the Federal Register,
NMFS is forwarding copies of this
application to the Marine Mammal
Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors.
Dated: December 18, 2007.
Patrick Opay,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and
Education Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–24944 Filed 12–21–07; 8:45 am]
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72996-72997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24942]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD61
Marine Mammals; File No. 10080
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Kathryn A. Ono, Department of
Biological Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, has been
[[Page 72997]]
issued a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
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
Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978)281-9394.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Jaclyn Daly, (301)713-
2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 26, 2007, notice was published in
the Federal Register (72 FR 60822) that a request for a permit to
conduct scientific research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor)
and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Gulf of Maine had been
submitted by the above-named individual. 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.), and the regulations governing the
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The permit authorizes capture, sampling, and marking activities
related to: (1) assessing the state of harbor seal population health;
(2) determining movement and diving patterns of weaned harbor seal
pups; (3) comparing disease loads, survival, and behavior of
rehabilitated harbor seal pups with wild pups; and (4) assessing
behavior, population dynamics, and health of grey seals. The permit
expires on December 31, 2012.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
Dated: December 18, 2007.
Patrick Opay,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24942 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
