New and Revised Conservation and Management Measures and Resolutions for Antarctic Marine Living Resources Under the Auspices of CCAMLR, 14964-14968 [E8-5680]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 55 / Thursday, March 20, 2008 / Notices
applicants may also be required to assist
NOAA in the drafting of an
environmental assessment if NOAA
determines an assessment is necessary
and that one does not already exist for
the activities proposed in the
application. Applicants will also be
required to cooperate with NOAA in
identifying and implementing feasible
measures to reduce or avoid any
identified adverse environmental
impacts of their proposal. The selecting
official may decide, at the time of
proposal review, to recommend funding
a project in phases to enable an
applicant to provide information needed
for an environmental assessment,
feasibility analysis or similar activity if
a NEPA determination cannot be made
for all activities in a particular
application. The selecting official may
also impose special award conditions
that limit the use of funds for activities
that have outstanding environmental
compliance requirements. Special
award conditions may also be imposed,
for example, to ensure that grantees
consider and plan for the safety of
volunteers, and provide appropriate
credit for NOAA and other contributors.
Activities that address marine debris,
particularly removal actions, can be
dangerous and may require additional
safety consideration. The applicant may
be requested to submit safety
information for activities being
considered, to ensure full review and
understanding. The selecting official
may also impose special award
conditions that limit the use of funds for
activities that have outstanding safety
issues.
Section 12. Funding Ranges
The funding opportunities, number of
awards, and funding ranges to be made
in future years will depend on the
amount of funds appropriated to the
MDP annually by Congress. Such
information will be published in the
NOFA and FFO for each funding
opportunity.
Statutory Authority
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Marine Debris Research, Prevention,
and Reduction Act (33 U.S.C. 1951 et
seq.)
Dated: March 7, 2008.
William Corso,
Deputy Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. E8–5442 Filed 3–19–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–JE–M
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XG45
New England Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery
Management Council’s (Council) Vessel
Monitoring System (VMS)/Enforcement
Committee will meet to consider actions
affecting New England fisheries in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 9 a.m.
ADDRESSES:
Meeting address: The meeting will be
held at the Starboard Galley Restaurant,
55 Water Street, Newburyport, MA;
(978)462–1326.
Council address: New England
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul
J. Howard, Executive Director, New
England Fishery Management Council;
telephone: (978)465–0492.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The items
of discussion in the committee’s agenda
are as follows:
Agenda for Thursday, April 3, 2008
1. The VMS/Enforcement Committee
will discuss the running clock;
discussion points include a 24 hour
limit, safety improvements, enforced
with VMS, call-in, Interactive Voice
Response, radioing U.S. Coast Guard,
and others.
2. They will also discuss Sector
monitoring and enforcement; how many
landings there are (proposed and
actual), percentage of vessels checked at
the dock by Office of Law Enforcement/
States (proposed and actual), weighmaster minimum requirements,
enforcement of independent monitoring,
changes required in enforcement
priorities and practices, and others.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in this agenda may come
before this group for discussion, those
issues may not be the subject of formal
action during this meeting. Action will
be restricted to those issues specifically
identified in this notice and any issues
arising after publication of this notice
that require emergency action under
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
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Act, provided the public has been
notified of the Council’s intent to take
final action to address the emergency.
Special Accommodations
This meeting is physically accessible
to people withdisabilities. Requests for
sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to Paul
J. Howard (see ADDRESSES) at least 5
days prior to the meeting date.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 17, 2008.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–5633 Filed 3–19–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XE04
New and Revised Conservation and
Management Measures and
Resolutions for Antarctic Marine Living
Resources Under the Auspices of
CCAMLR
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public that
the United States has accepted
conservation and management measures
and a resolution pertaining to fishing in
Antarctic waters managed by the
Commission for the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources
(Commission or CCAMLR). The
Commission adopted these measures at
its twenty-sixth meeting in Hobart,
Tasmania, October 22 to November 2,
2007. The measures have been agreed
upon by the Member countries of
CCAMLR, including the United States,
in accordance with Article IX of the
Convention for the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (the
Convention). The measures include:
measures previously adopted by the
Commission and remaining in force;
measures adopted for the 2007/2008
fishing season to restrict overall catches,
research catch and bycatch of certain
species of finfish, squid, krill and crabs;
restrict fishing in certain areas; restrict
use of certain fishing gear; specify
implementation and inspection
obligations supporting the Catch
Documentation Scheme of Contracting
Parties; and promote compliance with
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CCAMLR measures by non-Contracting
Party vessels. The full text of all the
measures adopted by CCAMLR can also
be found on CCAMLR’s website
—www.ccamlr.org.
This final notice is effective on
March 20, 2008.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Gorrell, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, Room 13463, 1315 East-West
Highway, SSMC3, NMFS, Silver Spring,
MD 20910; tel: 301–713–2341; fax 301–
713–1193; e-mail
Robert.Gorrell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to 50 CFR 300.111, NMFS
and the U.S. Department of State (DOS)
published in the Federal Register on
December 21, 2007 (72 FR 72826) the
full text of the new and revised
conservation and management measures
adopted by CCAMLR at its 2007
meeting. NMFS did not republish those
conservation and management measures
that were adopted at a previous
CCAMLR meeting and that did not
change.
NMFS invited the public to comment
on these conservation measures and
received two such comments.
Comment 1
One commenter suggested a cessation
to the harvesting of krill in all oceans by
all countries. The commenter stated that
krill are the foundation forage for
several important food chains, including
finfish, cetaceans, and ultimately
humans, and that if humans collectively
weaken food chain foundations, humans
do harm to their long-term commercial
fish harvests and especially to the
continued long-term prosperity of the
oceans.
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Response
NMFS recognizes the importance of
krill in the ocean’s food chains and has
taken action in CCAMLR to support the
adoption of a precautionary approach to
setting catch limits on the large
concentrations of krill in the CCAMLR
Convention Area. The United States has
agreed to a catch limit in CCAMLR that
is well below the harvestable biomass.
Total international harvests in the krill
fishery in the past have been at a low
percentage relative to the CCAMLR
catch limits. Beyond working in
international fora such as CCAMLR, the
United States cannot control foreign
harvests of krill in all oceans by all
countries.
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Comment 2
Another commenter, the Humane
Society International (HIS) and the
Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS), supports immediate ratification
and enactment of the protection
measures agreed to at last November’s
CCAMLR meeting. This commenter also
urged the United States and other
member countries to begin to identify
and address the following areas that the
commenter believes are in need of
improvement: (1) climate change; (2) ice
strengthening of fishing vessels; (3)
banning use of heavy gas oils in
Antarctic waters; (4) trade controls in
support of containing IUU fishing; (5)
choosing an ecosystem-based
management consistent framework for
setting krill catch limits for small scale
management units; and (6) International
Whaling Commission/CCAMLR
workshop on whale research. The HIS
and HSUS elaborated on their
suggestions and urgings for the United
States in each of these six areas.
Response
Beyond the comment by the HIS and
HSUS that they had no objection to the
measures that were published in the
preliminary notice by NMFS and DOS,
they raised other issues that were
outside the scope of the measures and
resolution adopted at the 2007 CCAMLR
meeting and presented in this notice.
Nonetheless, those issues (e.g., climate
change, trade measures, and krill
harvesting for small scale management
units) are being discussed and debated
by member nations to CCAMLR
including the United States, and by the
CCAMLR Scientific Committee.
Therefore, it is quite possible that these
discussions could lead to conservation
measures in the future that CCAMLR
would adopt and that would address
concerns voiced by HIS and HSUS.
After considering public comment
under 50 CFR 300.111, NMFS notifies
the public that the United States accepts
the conservation measures adopted at
CCAMLR’s twenty-sixth meeting, and
considers the measures in effect with
respect to the United States. For the full
text of the measures adopted, see 72 FR
72826, December 21, 2007. NMFS
provides the following summary of
these conservation measures and a
resolution as a courtesy to the public.
Revised Measures
The Commission revised the
following compliance measures:
licensing and inspection obligations of
Contracting Parties with regard to their
flag vessels operating in the Convention
Area were revised to require -- adequate
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communication equipment and trained
operators on board; sufficient
immersion survival suits for all on
board; adequate arrangements to handle
medical emergencies; reserves of food,
fresh water, fuel and spare parts for
critical equipment; and an approved
Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency
Plan outlining marine pollution
mitigation arrangements in the event of
a fuel or waste spill 1,2,3 (CM 10–02);
and automated satellite-linked Vessel
Monitoring Systems (VMS)
requirements to eliminate the exception
for vessels participating in the krill
fishery (CM 10–04).
The Commission revised general
fisheries matters to require: notifications
of intent to participate in a fishery for
krill, Euphausia superba, including
notification of intent to participate in a
fishery for krill (CM 21–03); data
reporting system for Euphausia superba
fisheries (CM 23–06); and minimization
of the incidental mortality of seabirds in
the course of longline fishing or longline
fishing research in the Convention
Area1,2,3 by giving Spanish longline
system vessel operators the choice of
either using traditional weights under
the current two mass/spacing regimes or
using steel weights under a mass
spacing regime and by specifying the
mass and spacing of weights (CM 25–
02).
The Commission revised fishery
regulations for krill by: setting
precautionary catch limits on
Euphausia superba in Statistical
Subareas 48.1, 48.2, 48.3, and 48.4 so
that the total combined catch in these
subareas is limited to 620,000 tonnes
(trigger level) in any fishing season until
the Commission has defined an
allocation of the total catch limit of 3.47
million tones between smaller
management units (CM 51–01); and
setting precautionary catch limitation
on Euphausia superba in Statistical
Division 58.4.2 at 2.645 million tonnes
total catch, which may be subdivided
into 1.448 million tonnes west of 55
degrees E. and 1.080 million tonnes east
of 55 degrees E., however, until the
Commission has defined an allocation
of this total catch limit between smaller
management units, the total catch in
Division 58.4.2 is limited to 260,000
tonnes west of 55 degrees E. and
192,000 tonnes east of 55 degrees E. in
any fishing season (CM 51–03). The
Commission carried over from last year
the precautionary catch limit on
Euphausia superba in Statistical
Division 58.4.1 of 440,000 tonnes total
catch, which is subdivided into 277,000
tonnes west of 115 degrees E. and
163,000 tonnes east of 115 degrees E.
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CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring
Program
The Commission rescinded the Seal
Islands as CCAMR Ecosystem
Monitoring Program Protected Sites.
Prohibitions on Directed Fishing
The Commission retained the
continuing prohibitions for directed
fishing for finfish in Statistical Subareas
48.1 and 48.2; for Notothenia rossii in
Statistical Subareas 48.1, 48.2 and 48.3;
for Gobionotothen gibberifrons,
Chaenocephalus aceratus,
Pseudochaenicthys georgianus,
Lepidonotothen squamifrons and
Patagonotothen guntheri in Statistical
Subareas 48.3; for Lepidonotothen
squamifrons in Statistical Division
58.4.4; for Dissostichus species in
Statistical Division 58.4.4 outside areas
of national jurisdiction; for Dissostichus
eleginoides in Statistical Subarea 58.6;
for Dissostichus eleginoides in
Statistical Subarea 58.7; for Dissostichus
eleginoides in Statistical Division 58.5.1
outside areas of national jurisdiction; for
Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical
Division 58.5.2 east of 79°20’E and
outside of the EEZ to the west of
79°20’E; for Dissostichus species in
Statistical Subarea 88.2 north of 65° S;
for Dissostichus species in Statistical
Subarea 88.3; and for Electrona
carlsbergi in Statistical Subarea 48.3.
The Commission adopted a new
general measure (CM 32–09) that
prohibited directed fishing for
Dissostichus species in Statistical
Subarea 48.5, except in accordance with
specific conservation measures, during
the 2007/2008 fishing season.
General Fisheries Matters and Fishery
Regulations
The Commission adopted a new
general measure (CM 31–02) for the
closure of all fisheries1,2,3. This new
conservation measure requires all
vessels to remove their fishing gear from
the water by the notified closure date
and time, and upon receipt of such
notification, no further longlines may be
set within 24 hours of the notified
closure date and time. All vessels
should depart the closed fishery as soon
as all fishing gear has been removed
from the water, and if gear cannot be
removed by the notified closure date
then the Flag State, Secretariat, and
Members must be notified.
The Commission adopted a new
measure 1,2,3 (CM 22–06) that restricts
bottom fishing in the Convention Area
south of 60°S; and to the rest of the
Convention Area with the exception of
subareas and divisions where an
established fishery was in place in
2006/2007 with a catch limit greater
than zero. The purpose is to prevent
significant adverse impacts
on‘‘vulnerable marine ecosystems’’
(VME) (including seamounts,
hydrothermal vents, cold water corals
and sponge fields). Under this measure,
until November 2008, bottom fishing
activities shall be limited to those areas
for which bottom fishing activities were
approved by the Commission in the
2006/2007 fishing season. Contracting
Parties whose vessels wish to engage in
any bottom fishing activities, beginning
1 December 2008, must follow the
procedures proscribed by the
Commission to assess the impacts of
bottom fishing on VMEs. The CCAMLR
Scientific Committee will conduct an
assessment to determine if the bottom
fishing would contribute to having
significant adverse impacts on VMEs
and to ensure that individual bottom
fishing activities are managed to prevent
such impacts or are not authorized to
proceed.
Where evidence of a VME is
encountered in the course of bottom
fishing operations, Contracting Parties
are to report the encounter to the
Secretariat so that appropriate
conservation measures can be adopted
relevant to the site. The Commission
agreed to adopt initial conservation
measures in 2008 to be applied when
evidence of a VME is encountered in the
course of fishing operations.
All Contracting Parties whose vessels
participate in bottom fisheries must
ensure that their vessels are: properly
equipped; carry at least one CCAMLRdesignated scientific observer; submit
data pursuant to data collection plans
for bottom fisheries to be developed by
the Scientific Committee; and submit
relevant data to CCAMLR and the
Scientific Committee for review. The
new bottom fishing measure also
addresses data collection and sharing,
including digital maps of VMEs in the
Convention Area, and scientific research
activities. Beginning in 2009 and
biennially thereafter, the Commission
agreed to examine the effectiveness of
relevant conservation measures in
protecting VMEs from significant
adverse impacts, based upon advice
from the Scientific Committee.
Bycatch
The Commission agreed to extend the
existing bycatch limits in Statistical
Division 58.5.2 into the 2007/2008
season. The Commission also agreed to
extend the existing bycatch limits and
move-on rules for exploratory fisheries
into the 2007/2008 season.
The Commission adopted a new
measure (CM 33–02) that there be no
directed fishing for any species other
than Dissostichus eleginoides and
Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical
Division 58.5.2 in the 2007/2008 fishing
season. The measure for Statistical
Division 58.5.2 also limited bycatch of
Channichthys rhinoceratus to 150
tonnes, bycatch of Lepidonotothen
squamifrons to 80 tonnes, bycatch of
Macrourus spp. to 360 tonnes, and the
bycatch of skates and rays to 120 tonnes.
The bycatch of any other fish species
and for which there is no other catch
limit in force, may not exceed 50 tonnes
in Statistical Division 58.5.2. The
measure also set minimum distances
separating fishing locations or trawl
paths if specified bycatch limits of
certain species were exceeded.The
Commission adopted a new
measure1,2,3 (CM 33–03) that applies to
new and exploratory fisheries in all
areas containing small-scale research
units (SSRUs) in the 2007/2008 season,
except where specific bycatch limits
apply. The catch limits for all bycatch
species are:
TABLE 1: BYCATCH CATCH LIMITS FOR NEW AND EXPLORATORY FISHERIES IN 2007/2008
Bycatch catch limit
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Statistical Subarea/ Division
Region
Dissostichus spp.
catch limit (tonnes
per region)
Skates and rays
(tonnes per region)
Macrourus spp.
(tonnes per region)
Other species
(tonnes per SSRU)
48.6
North of 60°S
200
50
32
20
South of 60°S
200
50
32
20
Whole division
600
50
96
20
58.4.1
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TABLE 1: BYCATCH CATCH LIMITS FOR NEW AND EXPLORATORY FISHERIES IN 2007/2008—Continued
Bycatch catch limit
Statistical Subarea/ Division
Region
Dissostichus spp.
catch limit (tonnes
per region)
Skates and rays
(tonnes per region)
Macrourus spp.
(tonnes per region)
Other species
(tonnes per SSRU)
58.4.2
Whole division
780
50
124
20
58.4.3
Whole division
250
50
26
20
58.4.3b
North of 60°S
150
50
80
20
88.1
Whole subarea
2,660
133
426
20
88.2
South of 60°S
547
50
88
20
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Within these catch limits, the total
catch of bycatch species in any SSRU or
combination of SSRUs as defined in
relevant conservation measures shall
not exceed the following limits: skates
and rays 5% of the catch limit of
Dissostichus spp. or 50 tonnes
whichever is greater; Macrourus spp.
16% of the catch limit for Dissostichus
spp. or 20 tonnes, whichever is greater,
and all other species combined 20
tonnes. Unless otherwise requested by
scientific observers, vessels, where
possible, should release skates and rays
alive from the line by cutting snoods,
and when practical removing the hooks.
The measures would require a vessel to
cease fishing and move on to other
fishing grounds if harvests reached a
certain target level.
any SSRU is likely to reach the specified
catch limit, and of the closure of that
SSRU when that limit is reached; (7) the
total number and weight of Dissostichus
eleginoides and Dissostichus mawsoni
discarded must be reported; (8) each
vessel must have one scientific observer
appointed in accordance with the
CCAMLR Scheme of International
Scientific Observation, and where
possible one additional scientific
observer, on board throughout all
fishing activities within the fishing
season; (9) a Data Collection Plan,
Research Plan, and Tagging Program,
together with specific provisions for
each exploratory fishery must be
implemented; and (10) notification
provisions for Members who are not
going to participate in the fishery.
New and Exploratory Fishing
The Commission adopted new general
measures 1,2,3 (CM 41–01) for
exploratory fisheries using trawl or
longline methods, except for such
fisheries where the Commission has
given specific exemptions, for
Dissostichus spp. in the Convention
Area in the 2007/2008 season, which
include: (1) fishing in any small-scale
research unit (SSRU) must cease when
the reported catch reaches the specified
catch limit and that SSRU will be closed
to fishing for the remainder of the
season; (2) how the precise geographic
positions of a haul in trawl fisheries will
be determined; (3) how the precise
geographic position of a haul/set in
longline fisheries will be determined;
(4) the vessel will be deemed to be
fishing in any SSRU from the beginning
of the setting process until the
completion of the hauling of all lines;
(5) catch and effort information for each
species by SSRU must be reported using
CCAMLR’s Five-day Catch and Effort
Reporting System; (6) the Secretarial
will notify Contracting Parties
participating in these fisheries when the
total catch for Dissostichus eleginoides
and Dissostichus mawsoni combined in
Dissostichus Species
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The Commission set (new CM 41–02)
a combined catch limit of 3,920 tonnes
for the longline and pot fisheries for
Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical
Subarea 48.3 in each of the fishing
seasons 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. The
catch limit is further subdivided: (1)
Management Area A (West Shag Rocks
area): 0 tonnes; (2) Management Area B
(Shag Rocks area): 1,176 tonnes in each
season; and (3) Management Area C
(South Georgia area): 2,744 tonnes in
each season. The Commission also set
bycatch limits on other species.
The Commission authorized
exploratory fisheries for Dissostichus
spp. for the 2007/2008 fishing season as
follows: (1) longline fishing in
Statistical Subarea 48.6 by no more than
one vessel per country at any time by
Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand,
and South Africa and the total catch for
Dissostichus spp. is limited to 200
tonnes north of 60 degrees S. and 200
tonnes south of 60 degrees S. (new CM
41–04); (2) longline fishing in Statistical
Division 58.4.1 by Australia (one
vessel), Japan (one vessel), Republic of
Korea (five vessels), Namibia (two
vessels), New Zealand (three vessels),
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Spain (one vessel), Ukraine (one vessel),
and Uruguay (one vessel) and the total
catch for Dissostichus spp. is limited to
600 tonnes of which no more than 200
tonnes may be taken in any one of the
eight SSRUs (new CM 41–11); (3)
longline fishing in Statistical Division
58.4.2 by Australia (one vessel), Japan
(one vessel); Republic of Korea (five
vessels), Namibia (two vessels), New
Zealand (two vessels), South Africa (one
vessel), Spain (one vessel), Ukraine (one
vessel), and Uruguay (one vessel) and
the total catch for Dissostichus spp. is
limited to 780 tonnes of which no more
than 260 tonnes may be taken in any
one of the five SSRUs (new CM 41–05);
(4) longline fishing in Statistical
Division 58.4.3a (the Elan Bank) outside
areas under national jurisdiction to no
more than one vessel per country at any
time by Uruguay and the total catch for
Dissostichus spp. is limited to 250
tonnes in areas outside of national
jurisdiction (new CM 41–06); (5)
longline fishing in Statistical Division
58.4.3b (the BANZARE Bank) outside
areas of national jurisdiction is limited
to no more than one vessel per country
at any time by Australia, Japan,
Republic of Korea, Namibia, Spain and
Uruguay and the total catch for
Dissostichus spp. is limited to 150
tonnes in SSRU A and 50 tonnes for the
scientific research survey in SSRUs A
and B (new CM 41–07); (6) fishing for
Dissostichus eleginoides with trawls,
pots, or longlines in Statistical Division
58.5.2 is limited to 2,500 tonnes west of
79 degrees 20 minutes E. (new CM 41–
08); (7) longline fishing in Statistical
Subarea 88.1 by Argentina (two vessels),
Republic of Korea (five vessels),
Namibia (one vessel), New Zealand
(four vessels), Russia (two vessels),
South Africa (one vessel), Spain (one
vessel), United Kingdom (three vessels),
and Uruguay (two vessels) and the total
catch of Dissostichus spp. is limited to
2,700 tonnes of which 40 tonnes is set
aside for research fishing and the
remaining 2,660 tonnes is divided 313
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tonnes total for SSRUs B,C, and G and
1,698 tonnes total for SSRUs H, I, and
K, and 495 tonnes for SSRU J, and 154
tonnes for SSRU L (new CM 41–09); and
(8) longline fishing in Statistical
Subarea 88.2 by Argentina (two vessels),
New Zealand (four vessels), Russia (two
vessels), South Africa (one vessel),
Spain (one vessel), United Kingdom
(three vessels), and Uruguay (two
vessels) and the total catch of
Dissostichus spp. South of 65 degrees S.
is limited to 567 tonnes of which 20
tonnes is set aside for research fishing
and the remaining 547 tonnes is divided
206 tonnes total for SSRUs C, D, F, and
G and 341 tonnes for SSRU E (new CM
41–10).
Icefish
The Commission adopted area
specific conservation measures for
Champsocephalus gunnari for the 2007/
2008 season and set the overall catch
limit for the C. gunnari trawl fishery in
Statistical Subarea 48.3 at 2,462 tonnes
(new CM 42–01). The use of bottom
trawls in the directed fishery was
prohibited and fishing for C. gunnari
within 12 nautical miles of the coast of
South Georgia during March 1 to May
31 was prohibited.
The Commission set the catch limit
for the C. gunnari trawl fishery within
defined areas of Division 58.5.2 for the
2007/2008 season at 220 tonnes and
implemented a ten-day catch and effort
reporting system for the fishery (new
CM 42–02).
Crab
The Commission set the total
allowable catch level for the pot fishery
for crab in Statistical Subarea 48.3 for
the 2007/2008 fishing season at 1,600
tonnes and continued to limit
participation to one vessel per member
country (new CM 52–01).
The Commission established an
experimental harvest regime for vessels
participating in the crab fishery in
Statistical Subarea 48.3 in the 2007/
2008 fishing season (new CM 52–02).
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Squid
The Commission set the total
allowable catch limit for the exploratory
jig fishery for Martialia hyadesi in
Statistical Subarea 48.3 for the 2007/
2008 fishing season at 2,500 tonnes and
required each vessel participating in
this exploratory fishery to collect data in
accordance with a specified Data
Collection Plan (new CM 61–01).
Krill
The Commission carried forward the
precautionary catch limits for krill in
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:44 Mar 19, 2008
Jkt 214001
Statistical Area 58.4.1 at 440,000 tonnes
as indicated above.
Resolution:
The Commission adopted Resolution
26/XXVI (International Polar Year/
Census of Antarctic Marine Life) urging
Contracting Parties to support and
where possible contribute to the
International Polar Year activities in the
CCAMLR Convention Area, including
the Census of Antarctic Marine Life.
1 Except for waters adjacent to the
Kerguelen Islands
2 Except for waters adjacent to the
Crozet Islands
3 Except for waters adjacent to the
Prince Edward Islands
For further information, see the
CCAMLR web site at www.ccamlr.org
under Publications for the Schedule of
Conservation Measures in Force (2007/
2008), or contactthe Commission at the
CCAMLR Secretariat, P.O. Box 213,
North Hobart, Tasmania 7002, Australia.
Tel: (61) 3–6210–1111).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.
Dated: March 14, 2008.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–5680 Filed 3–19–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Renewal of Department of Defense
Federal Advisory Committees
DoD.
Renewal of Federal Advisory
Committee.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act of
1972, (5 U.S.C. appendix, as amended),
the Government in the Sunshine Act of
1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and
41 CFR 102–3.65, the Department of
Defense gives notice that it is renewing
the charter for the Defense Science
Board (hereafter referred to as the
Board).
The Board is a discretionary federal
advisory committee established by the
Secretary of Defense to provide the
Department of Defense independent
advice and recommendations on
scientific, technical, manufacturing,
acquisition process, and other matters of
special interest to the Department of
Defense.
The Board is not established to advise
on individual DoD procurements, but
instead shall be concerned with the
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
pressing and complex technology
problems facing the Department of
Defense in such areas as research,
engineering, and manufacturing, and
will ensure the identification of new
technologies and new applications of
technology in those areas to strengthen
national security. No matter shall be
assigned to the Board for its
consideration that would require any
Board Member to participate personally
and substantially in the conduct of any
specific procurement or place him or
her in the position of acting as a
‘‘procurement official,’’ as that term is
defined pursuant to law.
The Board shall be composed of
approximately 35 members and
approximately six Senior Fellow
members, who are eminent authorities
in the fields of scientific, technical,
manufacturing, acquisition process, and
other matters of special interest to the
Department of Defense.
The Board members shall be
appointed by the Secretary of Defense,
and their appointments will be renewed
on an annual basis. Those members,
who are not full-time federal officers or
employees, shall serve as Special
Government Employees under the
authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109.
The Secretary of Defense, based upon
the recommendation of the Under
Secretary of Defense (Acquisition,
Technology and Logistics), shall appoint
the Board’s Chairperson. The Under
Secretary of Defense (Acquisition,
Technology and Logistics) shall appoint
the Vice Chairperson. The Board
Chairman and Vice Chairman will be
appointed for two-year terms and may
be reappointed for additional terms.
Members may be appointed for terms
ranging from one to four years. Such
appointments will normally be
staggered among the Board membership
to ensure an orderly turnover in the
Board’s overall composition on a
periodic basis. With the exception of
travel and per diem for official travel,
they shall normally serve without
compensation, unless otherwise
authorized by the appointing authority.
The Secretary of Defense may invite
other distinguished Government officers
to serve as non-voting Observers of the
Board, and these appointments shall not
count toward the Board’s total
membership.
The Under Secretary of Defense
(Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics)
may appoint consultants, with special
expertise, to assist the Board on an ad
hoc basis. All consultants shall serve as
Special Government Employees under
the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. In
addition, the Under Secretary of Defense
(Acquisition, Technology and Logistics)
E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM
20MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 55 (Thursday, March 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14964-14968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5680]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE04
New and Revised Conservation and Management Measures and
Resolutions for Antarctic Marine Living Resources Under the Auspices of
CCAMLR
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public that the United States has accepted
conservation and management measures and a resolution pertaining to
fishing in Antarctic waters managed by the Commission for the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (Commission or
CCAMLR). The Commission adopted these measures at its twenty-sixth
meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, October 22 to November 2, 2007. The
measures have been agreed upon by the Member countries of CCAMLR,
including the United States, in accordance with Article IX of the
Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
(the Convention). The measures include: measures previously adopted by
the Commission and remaining in force; measures adopted for the 2007/
2008 fishing season to restrict overall catches, research catch and
bycatch of certain species of finfish, squid, krill and crabs; restrict
fishing in certain areas; restrict use of certain fishing gear; specify
implementation and inspection obligations supporting the Catch
Documentation Scheme of Contracting Parties; and promote compliance
with
[[Page 14965]]
CCAMLR measures by non-Contracting Party vessels. The full text of all
the measures adopted by CCAMLR can also be found on CCAMLR's website --
www.ccamlr.org.
DATES: This final notice is effective on March 20, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Gorrell, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, Room 13463, 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3, NMFS, Silver
Spring, MD 20910; tel: 301-713-2341; fax 301-713-1193; e-mail
Robert.Gorrell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Pursuant to 50 CFR 300.111, NMFS and the U.S. Department of State
(DOS) published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2007 (72 FR
72826) the full text of the new and revised conservation and management
measures adopted by CCAMLR at its 2007 meeting. NMFS did not republish
those conservation and management measures that were adopted at a
previous CCAMLR meeting and that did not change.
NMFS invited the public to comment on these conservation measures
and received two such comments.
Comment 1
One commenter suggested a cessation to the harvesting of krill in
all oceans by all countries. The commenter stated that krill are the
foundation forage for several important food chains, including finfish,
cetaceans, and ultimately humans, and that if humans collectively
weaken food chain foundations, humans do harm to their long-term
commercial fish harvests and especially to the continued long-term
prosperity of the oceans.
Response
NMFS recognizes the importance of krill in the ocean's food chains
and has taken action in CCAMLR to support the adoption of a
precautionary approach to setting catch limits on the large
concentrations of krill in the CCAMLR Convention Area. The United
States has agreed to a catch limit in CCAMLR that is well below the
harvestable biomass. Total international harvests in the krill fishery
in the past have been at a low percentage relative to the CCAMLR catch
limits. Beyond working in international fora such as CCAMLR, the United
States cannot control foreign harvests of krill in all oceans by all
countries.
Comment 2
Another commenter, the Humane Society International (HIS) and the
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), supports immediate
ratification and enactment of the protection measures agreed to at last
November's CCAMLR meeting. This commenter also urged the United States
and other member countries to begin to identify and address the
following areas that the commenter believes are in need of improvement:
(1) climate change; (2) ice strengthening of fishing vessels; (3)
banning use of heavy gas oils in Antarctic waters; (4) trade controls
in support of containing IUU fishing; (5) choosing an ecosystem-based
management consistent framework for setting krill catch limits for
small scale management units; and (6) International Whaling Commission/
CCAMLR workshop on whale research. The HIS and HSUS elaborated on their
suggestions and urgings for the United States in each of these six
areas.
Response
Beyond the comment by the HIS and HSUS that they had no objection
to the measures that were published in the preliminary notice by NMFS
and DOS, they raised other issues that were outside the scope of the
measures and resolution adopted at the 2007 CCAMLR meeting and
presented in this notice. Nonetheless, those issues (e.g., climate
change, trade measures, and krill harvesting for small scale management
units) are being discussed and debated by member nations to CCAMLR
including the United States, and by the CCAMLR Scientific Committee.
Therefore, it is quite possible that these discussions could lead to
conservation measures in the future that CCAMLR would adopt and that
would address concerns voiced by HIS and HSUS.
After considering public comment under 50 CFR 300.111, NMFS
notifies the public that the United States accepts the conservation
measures adopted at CCAMLR's twenty-sixth meeting, and considers the
measures in effect with respect to the United States. For the full text
of the measures adopted, see 72 FR 72826, December 21, 2007. NMFS
provides the following summary of these conservation measures and a
resolution as a courtesy to the public.
Revised Measures
The Commission revised the following compliance measures: licensing
and inspection obligations of Contracting Parties with regard to their
flag vessels operating in the Convention Area were revised to require -
- adequate communication equipment and trained operators on board;
sufficient immersion survival suits for all on board; adequate
arrangements to handle medical emergencies; reserves of food, fresh
water, fuel and spare parts for critical equipment; and an approved
Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan outlining marine pollution
mitigation arrangements in the event of a fuel or waste spill 1,2,3 (CM
10-02); and automated satellite-linked Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS)
requirements to eliminate the exception for vessels participating in
the krill fishery (CM 10-04).
The Commission revised general fisheries matters to require:
notifications of intent to participate in a fishery for krill,
Euphausia superba, including notification of intent to participate in a
fishery for krill (CM 21-03); data reporting system for Euphausia
superba fisheries (CM 23-06); and minimization of the incidental
mortality of seabirds in the course of longline fishing or longline
fishing research in the Convention Area1,2,3 by giving Spanish longline
system vessel operators the choice of either using traditional weights
under the current two mass/spacing regimes or using steel weights under
a mass spacing regime and by specifying the mass and spacing of weights
(CM 25-02).
The Commission revised fishery regulations for krill by: setting
precautionary catch limits on Euphausia superba in Statistical Subareas
48.1, 48.2, 48.3, and 48.4 so that the total combined catch in these
subareas is limited to 620,000 tonnes (trigger level) in any fishing
season until the Commission has defined an allocation of the total
catch limit of 3.47 million tones between smaller management units (CM
51-01); and setting precautionary catch limitation on Euphausia superba
in Statistical Division 58.4.2 at 2.645 million tonnes total catch,
which may be subdivided into 1.448 million tonnes west of 55 degrees E.
and 1.080 million tonnes east of 55 degrees E., however, until the
Commission has defined an allocation of this total catch limit between
smaller management units, the total catch in Division 58.4.2 is limited
to 260,000 tonnes west of 55 degrees E. and 192,000 tonnes east of 55
degrees E. in any fishing season (CM 51-03). The Commission carried
over from last year the precautionary catch limit on Euphausia superba
in Statistical Division 58.4.1 of 440,000 tonnes total catch, which is
subdivided into 277,000 tonnes west of 115 degrees E. and 163,000
tonnes east of 115 degrees E.
[[Page 14966]]
CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Program
The Commission rescinded the Seal Islands as CCAMR Ecosystem
Monitoring Program Protected Sites.
Prohibitions on Directed Fishing
The Commission retained the continuing prohibitions for directed
fishing for finfish in Statistical Subareas 48.1 and 48.2; for
Notothenia rossii in Statistical Subareas 48.1, 48.2 and 48.3; for
Gobionotothen gibberifrons, Chaenocephalus aceratus, Pseudochaenicthys
georgianus, Lepidonotothen squamifrons and Patagonotothen guntheri in
Statistical Subareas 48.3; for Lepidonotothen squamifrons in
Statistical Division 58.4.4; for Dissostichus species in Statistical
Division 58.4.4 outside areas of national jurisdiction; for
Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical Subarea 58.6; for Dissostichus
eleginoides in Statistical Subarea 58.7; for Dissostichus eleginoides
in Statistical Division 58.5.1 outside areas of national jurisdiction;
for Dissostichus eleginoides in Statistical Division 58.5.2 east of
79[deg]20'E and outside of the EEZ to the west of 79[deg]20'E; for
Dissostichus species in Statistical Subarea 88.2 north of 65[deg] S;
for Dissostichus species in Statistical Subarea 88.3; and for Electrona
carlsbergi in Statistical Subarea 48.3.
The Commission adopted a new general measure (CM 32-09) that
prohibited directed fishing for Dissostichus species in Statistical
Subarea 48.5, except in accordance with specific conservation measures,
during the 2007/2008 fishing season.
General Fisheries Matters and Fishery Regulations
The Commission adopted a new general measure (CM 31-02) for the
closure of all fisheries\1,2,3\. This new conservation measure requires
all vessels to remove their fishing gear from the water by the notified
closure date and time, and upon receipt of such notification, no
further longlines may be set within 24 hours of the notified closure
date and time. All vessels should depart the closed fishery as soon as
all fishing gear has been removed from the water, and if gear cannot be
removed by the notified closure date then the Flag State, Secretariat,
and Members must be notified.
The Commission adopted a new measure \1,2,3\ (CM 22-06) that
restricts bottom fishing in the Convention Area south of 60[deg]S; and
to the rest of the Convention Area with the exception of subareas and
divisions where an established fishery was in place in 2006/2007 with a
catch limit greater than zero. The purpose is to prevent significant
adverse impacts on``vulnerable marine ecosystems'' (VME) (including
seamounts, hydrothermal vents, cold water corals and sponge fields).
Under this measure, until November 2008, bottom fishing activities
shall be limited to those areas for which bottom fishing activities
were approved by the Commission in the 2006/2007 fishing season.
Contracting Parties whose vessels wish to engage in any bottom fishing
activities, beginning 1 December 2008, must follow the procedures
proscribed by the Commission to assess the impacts of bottom fishing on
VMEs. The CCAMLR Scientific Committee will conduct an assessment to
determine if the bottom fishing would contribute to having significant
adverse impacts on VMEs and to ensure that individual bottom fishing
activities are managed to prevent such impacts or are not authorized to
proceed.
Where evidence of a VME is encountered in the course of bottom
fishing operations, Contracting Parties are to report the encounter to
the Secretariat so that appropriate conservation measures can be
adopted relevant to the site. The Commission agreed to adopt initial
conservation measures in 2008 to be applied when evidence of a VME is
encountered in the course of fishing operations.
All Contracting Parties whose vessels participate in bottom
fisheries must ensure that their vessels are: properly equipped; carry
at least one CCAMLR-designated scientific observer; submit data
pursuant to data collection plans for bottom fisheries to be developed
by the Scientific Committee; and submit relevant data to CCAMLR and the
Scientific Committee for review. The new bottom fishing measure also
addresses data collection and sharing, including digital maps of VMEs
in the Convention Area, and scientific research activities. Beginning
in 2009 and biennially thereafter, the Commission agreed to examine the
effectiveness of relevant conservation measures in protecting VMEs from
significant adverse impacts, based upon advice from the Scientific
Committee.
Bycatch
The Commission agreed to extend the existing bycatch limits in
Statistical Division 58.5.2 into the 2007/2008 season. The Commission
also agreed to extend the existing bycatch limits and move-on rules for
exploratory fisheries into the 2007/2008 season.
The Commission adopted a new measure (CM 33-02) that there be no
directed fishing for any species other than Dissostichus eleginoides
and Champsocephalus gunnari in Statistical Division 58.5.2 in the 2007/
2008 fishing season. The measure for Statistical Division 58.5.2 also
limited bycatch of Channichthys rhinoceratus to 150 tonnes, bycatch of
Lepidonotothen squamifrons to 80 tonnes, bycatch of Macrourus spp. to
360 tonnes, and the bycatch of skates and rays to 120 tonnes. The
bycatch of any other fish species and for which there is no other catch
limit in force, may not exceed 50 tonnes in Statistical Division
58.5.2. The measure also set minimum distances separating fishing
locations or trawl paths if specified bycatch limits of certain species
were exceeded.The Commission adopted a new measure1,2,3 (CM 33-03) that
applies to new and exploratory fisheries in all areas containing small-
scale research units (SSRUs) in the 2007/2008 season, except where
specific bycatch limits apply. The catch limits for all bycatch species
are:
Table 1: Bycatch Catch Limits for New and Exploratory Fisheries in 2007/2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bycatch catch limit
Dissostichus spp. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Statistical Subarea/ Division Region catch limit (tonnes Skates and rays Macrourus spp. Other species (tonnes
per region) (tonnes per region) (tonnes per region) per SSRU)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48.6 North of 60[deg]S 200 50 32 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South of 60[deg]S 200 50 32 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58.4.1 Whole division 600 50 96 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 14967]]
58.4.2 Whole division 780 50 124 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58.4.3 Whole division 250 50 26 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58.4.3b North of 60[deg]S 150 50 80 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
88.1 Whole subarea 2,660 133 426 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
88.2 South of 60[deg]S 547 50 88 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within these catch limits, the total catch of bycatch species in
any SSRU or combination of SSRUs as defined in relevant conservation
measures shall not exceed the following limits: skates and rays 5% of
the catch limit of Dissostichus spp. or 50 tonnes whichever is greater;
Macrourus spp. 16% of the catch limit for Dissostichus spp. or 20
tonnes, whichever is greater, and all other species combined 20 tonnes.
Unless otherwise requested by scientific observers, vessels, where
possible, should release skates and rays alive from the line by cutting
snoods, and when practical removing the hooks. The measures would
require a vessel to cease fishing and move on to other fishing grounds
if harvests reached a certain target level.
New and Exploratory Fishing
The Commission adopted new general measures 1,2,3 (CM 41-01) for
exploratory fisheries using trawl or longline methods, except for such
fisheries where the Commission has given specific exemptions, for
Dissostichus spp. in the Convention Area in the 2007/2008 season, which
include: (1) fishing in any small-scale research unit (SSRU) must cease
when the reported catch reaches the specified catch limit and that SSRU
will be closed to fishing for the remainder of the season; (2) how the
precise geographic positions of a haul in trawl fisheries will be
determined; (3) how the precise geographic position of a haul/set in
longline fisheries will be determined; (4) the vessel will be deemed to
be fishing in any SSRU from the beginning of the setting process until
the completion of the hauling of all lines; (5) catch and effort
information for each species by SSRU must be reported using CCAMLR's
Five-day Catch and Effort Reporting System; (6) the Secretarial will
notify Contracting Parties participating in these fisheries when the
total catch for Dissostichus eleginoides and Dissostichus mawsoni
combined in any SSRU is likely to reach the specified catch limit, and
of the closure of that SSRU when that limit is reached; (7) the total
number and weight of Dissostichus eleginoides and Dissostichus mawsoni
discarded must be reported; (8) each vessel must have one scientific
observer appointed in accordance with the CCAMLR Scheme of
International Scientific Observation, and where possible one additional
scientific observer, on board throughout all fishing activities within
the fishing season; (9) a Data Collection Plan, Research Plan, and
Tagging Program, together with specific provisions for each exploratory
fishery must be implemented; and (10) notification provisions for
Members who are not going to participate in the fishery.
Dissostichus Species
The Commission set (new CM 41-02) a combined catch limit of 3,920
tonnes for the longline and pot fisheries for Dissostichus eleginoides
in Statistical Subarea 48.3 in each of the fishing seasons 2007/2008
and 2008/2009. The catch limit is further subdivided: (1) Management
Area A (West Shag Rocks area): 0 tonnes; (2) Management Area B (Shag
Rocks area): 1,176 tonnes in each season; and (3) Management Area C
(South Georgia area): 2,744 tonnes in each season. The Commission also
set bycatch limits on other species.
The Commission authorized exploratory fisheries for Dissostichus
spp. for the 2007/2008 fishing season as follows: (1) longline fishing
in Statistical Subarea 48.6 by no more than one vessel per country at
any time by Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and South Africa and
the total catch for Dissostichus spp. is limited to 200 tonnes north of
60 degrees S. and 200 tonnes south of 60 degrees S. (new CM 41-04); (2)
longline fishing in Statistical Division 58.4.1 by Australia (one
vessel), Japan (one vessel), Republic of Korea (five vessels), Namibia
(two vessels), New Zealand (three vessels), Spain (one vessel), Ukraine
(one vessel), and Uruguay (one vessel) and the total catch for
Dissostichus spp. is limited to 600 tonnes of which no more than 200
tonnes may be taken in any one of the eight SSRUs (new CM 41-11); (3)
longline fishing in Statistical Division 58.4.2 by Australia (one
vessel), Japan (one vessel); Republic of Korea (five vessels), Namibia
(two vessels), New Zealand (two vessels), South Africa (one vessel),
Spain (one vessel), Ukraine (one vessel), and Uruguay (one vessel) and
the total catch for Dissostichus spp. is limited to 780 tonnes of which
no more than 260 tonnes may be taken in any one of the five SSRUs (new
CM 41-05); (4) longline fishing in Statistical Division 58.4.3a (the
Elan Bank) outside areas under national jurisdiction to no more than
one vessel per country at any time by Uruguay and the total catch for
Dissostichus spp. is limited to 250 tonnes in areas outside of national
jurisdiction (new CM 41-06); (5) longline fishing in Statistical
Division 58.4.3b (the BANZARE Bank) outside areas of national
jurisdiction is limited to no more than one vessel per country at any
time by Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Namibia, Spain and Uruguay
and the total catch for Dissostichus spp. is limited to 150 tonnes in
SSRU A and 50 tonnes for the scientific research survey in SSRUs A and
B (new CM 41-07); (6) fishing for Dissostichus eleginoides with trawls,
pots, or longlines in Statistical Division 58.5.2 is limited to 2,500
tonnes west of 79 degrees 20 minutes E. (new CM 41-08); (7) longline
fishing in Statistical Subarea 88.1 by Argentina (two vessels),
Republic of Korea (five vessels), Namibia (one vessel), New Zealand
(four vessels), Russia (two vessels), South Africa (one vessel), Spain
(one vessel), United Kingdom (three vessels), and Uruguay (two vessels)
and the total catch of Dissostichus spp. is limited to 2,700 tonnes of
which 40 tonnes is set aside for research fishing and the remaining
2,660 tonnes is divided 313
[[Page 14968]]
tonnes total for SSRUs B,C, and G and 1,698 tonnes total for SSRUs H,
I, and K, and 495 tonnes for SSRU J, and 154 tonnes for SSRU L (new CM
41-09); and (8) longline fishing in Statistical Subarea 88.2 by
Argentina (two vessels), New Zealand (four vessels), Russia (two
vessels), South Africa (one vessel), Spain (one vessel), United Kingdom
(three vessels), and Uruguay (two vessels) and the total catch of
Dissostichus spp. South of 65 degrees S. is limited to 567 tonnes of
which 20 tonnes is set aside for research fishing and the remaining 547
tonnes is divided 206 tonnes total for SSRUs C, D, F, and G and 341
tonnes for SSRU E (new CM 41-10).
Icefish
The Commission adopted area specific conservation measures for
Champsocephalus gunnari for the 2007/2008 season and set the overall
catch limit for the C. gunnari trawl fishery in Statistical Subarea
48.3 at 2,462 tonnes (new CM 42-01). The use of bottom trawls in the
directed fishery was prohibited and fishing for C. gunnari within 12
nautical miles of the coast of South Georgia during March 1 to May 31
was prohibited.
The Commission set the catch limit for the C. gunnari trawl fishery
within defined areas of Division 58.5.2 for the 2007/2008 season at 220
tonnes and implemented a ten-day catch and effort reporting system for
the fishery (new CM 42-02).
Crab
The Commission set the total allowable catch level for the pot
fishery for crab in Statistical Subarea 48.3 for the 2007/2008 fishing
season at 1,600 tonnes and continued to limit participation to one
vessel per member country (new CM 52-01).
The Commission established an experimental harvest regime for
vessels participating in the crab fishery in Statistical Subarea 48.3
in the 2007/2008 fishing season (new CM 52-02).
Squid
The Commission set the total allowable catch limit for the
exploratory jig fishery for Martialia hyadesi in Statistical Subarea
48.3 for the 2007/2008 fishing season at 2,500 tonnes and required each
vessel participating in this exploratory fishery to collect data in
accordance with a specified Data Collection Plan (new CM 61-01).
Krill
The Commission carried forward the precautionary catch limits for
krill in Statistical Area 58.4.1 at 440,000 tonnes as indicated above.
Resolution:
The Commission adopted Resolution 26/XXVI (International Polar
Year/Census of Antarctic Marine Life) urging Contracting Parties to
support and where possible contribute to the International Polar Year
activities in the CCAMLR Convention Area, including the Census of
Antarctic Marine Life.
\1\ Except for waters adjacent to the Kerguelen Islands
\2\ Except for waters adjacent to the Crozet Islands
\3\ Except for waters adjacent to the Prince Edward Islands
For further information, see the CCAMLR web site at www.ccamlr.org
under Publications for the Schedule of Conservation Measures in Force
(2007/2008), or contactthe Commission at the CCAMLR Secretariat, P.O.
Box 213, North Hobart, Tasmania 7002, Australia. Tel: (61) 3-6210-
1111).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.
Dated: March 14, 2008.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-5680 Filed 3-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
