Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper and Grouper Off the Southern Atlantic States, 29483-29484 [E8-11421]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 21, 2008 / Notices
Notice of initiation of a 5-year
review; request for information.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: We, the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce a
5-year review of the U.S. DPS of
Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata)
under the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (ESA). A 5-year review is a
periodic process conducted to ensure
that the listing classification of a species
is accurate. A 5-year review is based on
the best scientific and commercial data
available at the time of the review;
therefore, we are requesting submission
of any such information on the
smalltooth sawfish that has become
available since its original listing as an
endangered species on April 1, 2003.
Based on the results of this 5-year
review, we will make the requisite
findings under the ESA.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to
conduct this review, we must receive
your information no later than July 21,
2008. However, we will continue to
accept new information about any listed
species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Please submit information
to Shelley Norton, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 263 13th Avenue
South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Information received in response to this
notice and review will be available for
public inspection, by appointment,
during normal business hours, at the
above address. Information may also be
submitted by e-mail to:
shelley.norton@noaa.gov. Include in the
subject line of the e-mail the following
identifier: Smalltooth sawfish
information for 5-year review.
Information may also be submitted via
facsimile (fax) to 727–824–5309.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shelley Norton at the above address, or
at 727–824–5312.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
ESA, a list of endangered and
threatened wildlife and plant species
must be maintained. The list is
published at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals)
and 17.12 (for plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A)
of the ESA requires that we conduct a
review of listed species at least once
every five years. On the basis of such
reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we
determine whether or not any species
should be removed from the List
(delisted), or reclassified from
endangered to threatened or from
threatened to endangered. Delisting a
species must be supported by the best
scientific and commercial data available
and only considered if such data
substantiates that the species is neither
endangered nor threatened for one or
more of the following reasons: (1) the
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15:18 May 20, 2008
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species is considered extinct; (2) the
species is considered to be recovered;
and/or (3) the original data available
when the species was listed, or the
interpretation of such data, were in
error. Any change in Federal
classification would require a separate
rulemaking process. The regulations in
50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish
a notice in the Federal Register
announcing those species currently
under active review. This notice
announces our active review of the
smalltooth sawfish, currently listed as
endangered.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the 5-year review is
complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial data
available, we are soliciting new
information from the public, concerned
governmental agencies, Tribes, the
scientific community, industry,
environmental entities, and any other
interested parties concerning the status
of the smalltooth sawfish.
The 5-year review considers the best
scientific and commercial data available
and all new information that has
become available since the listing
determination or most recent status
review. Categories of requested
information include: (A) species biology
including, but not limited to, population
trends, distribution, abundance,
demographics, and genetics; (B) habitat
conditions including, but not limited to,
amount, distribution, and suitability; (C)
conservation measures that have been
implemented that benefit the species;
(D) status and trends of threats; and (E)
other new information, data, or
corrections including, but not limited
to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes,
identification of erroneous information
contained in the List, and improved
analytical methods.
If you wish to provide information for
this 5-year review, you may submit your
information and materials to Shelley
Norton (see ADDRESSES section). Our
practice is to make submissions of
information, including names and home
addresses of respondents, available for
public review during regular business
hours. Respondents may request that we
withhold a respondent’s identity as
allowable by law. If you wish us to
withhold your name or address, you
must state this request prominently at
the beginning of your submission. We
will not, however, consider anonymous
submissions. To the extent consistent
with applicable law, we will make all
submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
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29483
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
Information and materials received will
be available for public inspection, by
appointment, during normal business
hours (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: May 16, 2008.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–11422 Filed 5–20–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XH96
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper
and Grouper Off the Southern Atlantic
States
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
application for an exempted fishing
permit; request for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt
of an application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) from the Gulf and
South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation,
Inc.. If granted, the EFP would authorize
the applicants, with certain conditions,
to collect limited numbers of undersized
and out-of-season snapper and grouper
in South Atlantic Federal waters. This
study is intended to characterize catch
and discard mortality within the South
Atlantic commercial hook and line
snapper-grouper fishery.
DATES: Comments must be received no
later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on June
20, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on the application by any of the
following methods:
• E-mail: Steve.Branstetter@noaa.gov.
Include in the subject line of the e-mail
comment the following document
identifier: ‘‘FNDlEFP’’.
• Mail: Steve Branstetter, Southeast
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
• Fax: 727–824–5308.
The application and related
documents are available for review
upon written request to any of the above
addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Branstetter, 727–824–5305; fax:
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29484
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 21, 2008 / Notices
727–824–5308; e-mail:
Steve.Branstetter@noaa.gov.
The EFP is
requested under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and regulations at
50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted
fishing.
The described research is part of a
Cooperative Research Program Grant.
The Cooperative Research Program is a
means of involving commercial and
recreational fishermen in the collection
of fundamental fisheries information.
Resource collection efforts support the
development and evaluation of fisheries
management and regulatory options.
The proposed collection for scientific
research involves activities otherwise
prohibited by regulations implementing
the Fishery Management Plan for the
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South
Atlantic Region. The applicants require
authorization to possess undersized and
out-of-season snapper and grouper for
scientific research activities during the
period July 1, 2008, through September
30, 2009. Specimens would be collected
from Federal waters off the east coast of
Florida and Federal waters off the coasts
of Georgia, South Carolina, and North
Carolina. Sampling would occur during
normal fishing operations of the
commercial snapper-grouper vertical
hook-and-line fishery. Sampling would
occur year-round, collecting up to 500
fish during the course of the sampling.
Data collections for this study would
support improved information about the
catch, bycatch, discards, and discard
mortality for species in the snappergrouper complex. These data would
provide insight on a stock’s resilience to
fishing, and would help refine estimates
of long-term biological productivity of
the stocks. Currently, these data are
unavailable, and it is anticipated project
results would yield valuable data within
this fishery.
NMFS finds this application warrants
further consideration. Based on a
preliminary review, NMFS intends to
issue an EFP. Possible conditions the
agency may impose on this permit, if it
is indeed granted, include but are not
limited to, a prohibition of conducting
research within marine protected areas,
marine sanctuaries, or special
management zones, without additional
authorization. Additionally, NMFS may
prohibit the possession of Nassau or
goliath grouper, and require any sea
turtles taken incidentally during the
course of fishing or scientific research
activities to be be handled with due care
to prevent injury to live specimens,
observed for activity, and returned to
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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15:18 May 20, 2008
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the water. A final decision on issuance
of the EFP will depend on a NMFS
review of public comments received on
the application, consultations with the
affected states, the South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, and the
U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination
that it is consistent with all applicable
laws.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 15, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–11421 Filed 5–20–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
[Docket Number: 080513656–8657–01]
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research; NOAA Science Advisory
Board’s Ecosystem Sciences and
Management Working Group
Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research (OAR), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of
Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice of solicitation for
members of the NOAA Science
Advisory Board’s Ecosystem Sciences
and Management Working Group.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Under Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
requested the NOAA Science Advisory
Board (SAB) to establish a standing
working group to provide scientific
advice and broad direction on NOAA’s
ecosystem related programs in the
context of both national and
international activities. The Ecosystem
Sciences and Management Working
Group (ESMWG) will focus on research,
monitoring, and management
components of NOAA’s ecosystem
portfolio, as well as the underlying
observations and data management
issues. The ESMWG will assist in
establishing plans, assessing progress,
and reviewing priorities on a continuing
basis. The ESMWG will be composed of
10–12 scientists and leaders in the
following disciplines as related to
ecosystem sciences and management:
social science, oceanography, living
marine resources, sampling and remote
sensing, and modeling. The SAB is
requesting nominations for membership
in the ESMWG.
DATES: Nominations must be received
July 21, 2008.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Nominations should be
submitted electronically to
noaa.sab.ecosystem@noaa.gov, or
mailed to: NOAA Science Advisory
Board (SAB) c/o Dr. Cynthia Decker,
1315 East-West Highway-R/SAB, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20910.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr.
Cynthia Decker, 301–734–1156.
The
complete Terms of Reference of this
working group can be found on the
NOAA Science Advisory Board Web
site: https://www.sab.noaa.gov/
working_groups/standing/docs/2008/
ESMWG_TOR_FINAL.pdf.
At this time, the SAB is soliciting for
up to twelve members in the following
disciplines related to ecosystem
sciences and management: social
science, oceanography, living marine
resources, sampling and remote sensing,
and modeling. Members should have a
credible science background, and an
operational knowledge of federal
agencies and interactions with state and
local partners. Members will be
appointed for three-year terms on a
rolling and randomized basis with the
opportunity for one additional term.
The Working Group will convene 2–3
times per year.
The intent is to select the membership
of the group from the suggested
candidates; however, the SAB retains
the prerogative to name members to the
working group who were not nominated
if it deems this necessary to achieve the
desired balance. Once selected, the SAB
will post the review panel members’
names at https://www.sab.noaa.gov.
Nominations:
Anyone is eligible to nominate
members of the working group. Selfnominations will be accepted.
Nominations should provide: (1) The
nominee’s full name, title, institutional
affiliation, and contact information; (2)
the nominee’s area(s) of expertise; and
(3) a concise Curriculum Vitae (CV) or
resume that covers education,
experience, relevant publications and
summarizes how this expertise
addresses the ESMWG terms of
reference.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: May 16, 2008.
Mark E. Brown,
Chief Financial Officer, Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E8–11415 Filed 5–20–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P
E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM
21MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29483-29484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11421]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XH96
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Snapper and Grouper Off the Southern Atlantic States
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing
permit; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) from the Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries
Foundation, Inc.. If granted, the EFP would authorize the applicants,
with certain conditions, to collect limited numbers of undersized and
out-of-season snapper and grouper in South Atlantic Federal waters.
This study is intended to characterize catch and discard mortality
within the South Atlantic commercial hook and line snapper-grouper
fishery.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time,
on June 20, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by any of the
following methods:
E-mail: Steve.Branstetter@noaa.gov. Include in the subject
line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: ``FND--
EFP''.
Mail: Steve Branstetter, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS,
263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Fax: 727-824-5308.
The application and related documents are available for review upon
written request to any of the above addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Branstetter, 727-824-5305; fax:
[[Page 29484]]
727-824-5308; e-mail: Steve.Branstetter@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted
fishing.
The described research is part of a Cooperative Research Program
Grant. The Cooperative Research Program is a means of involving
commercial and recreational fishermen in the collection of fundamental
fisheries information. Resource collection efforts support the
development and evaluation of fisheries management and regulatory
options.
The proposed collection for scientific research involves activities
otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management
Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. The
applicants require authorization to possess undersized and out-of-
season snapper and grouper for scientific research activities during
the period July 1, 2008, through September 30, 2009. Specimens would be
collected from Federal waters off the east coast of Florida and Federal
waters off the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Sampling would occur during normal fishing operations of the commercial
snapper-grouper vertical hook-and-line fishery. Sampling would occur
year-round, collecting up to 500 fish during the course of the
sampling. Data collections for this study would support improved
information about the catch, bycatch, discards, and discard mortality
for species in the snapper-grouper complex. These data would provide
insight on a stock's resilience to fishing, and would help refine
estimates of long-term biological productivity of the stocks.
Currently, these data are unavailable, and it is anticipated project
results would yield valuable data within this fishery.
NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration. Based
on a preliminary review, NMFS intends to issue an EFP. Possible
conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is indeed
granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of conducting
research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, or special
management zones, without additional authorization. Additionally, NMFS
may prohibit the possession of Nassau or goliath grouper, and require
any sea turtles taken incidentally during the course of fishing or
scientific research activities to be be handled with due care to
prevent injury to live specimens, observed for activity, and returned
to the water. A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on a
NMFS review of public comments received on the application,
consultations with the affected states, the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that
it is consistent with all applicable laws.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 15, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11421 Filed 5-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
