Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting, 60713 [E8-24228]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 199 / Tuesday, October 14, 2008 / Notices provided the reports to the Service. Specify the corresponding time frame. Response: The Service has updated the stock assessment report to reflect the requested changes. However, the information provided by the NMFS did not include a time frame; therefore, a time frame has not been included in the updated stock assessment report. Comment 5: Given the apparent lack of voluntary reports of sea otter takes and the unreliability of voluntary reporting schemes in general, remove the word ‘‘more’’ from the sentence on page 5 that states ‘‘* * * the information provided by the NMFS is not sufficient to provide a more accurate estimate of annual mortality * * *.’’ Further, a statement should be made that a useful estimate of fishing mortality will require instituting observer coverage to obtain data on fishery efforts. Response: We have revised the final stock assessment report to reflect this comment. The fishery observer programs are conducted by the NMFS of the Department of Commerce, and, therefore, institution of observer coverage in fisheries must be directed to them. We have forwarded this suggestion to them (see response to comment 6). Comment 6: The stock assessment report concludes that available information is not adequate to make a reliable assessment of incidental take levels. Therefore, the Service should consult with NMFS, Tribal authorities, and other relevant groups to arrange for the placement of observers aboard trap and gillnet fishing vessels that may incidentally take sea otters. Response: The fishery observer programs are under the administration of the NMFS in accordance with section 118 of the MMPA. With the exception of the Puget Sound Region salmon drift gillnet, all commercial fisheries in the State of Washington that have the potential to take sea otters are classified as Category III in NMFS’ List of Fisheries. Category III fisheries are not required to accommodate observers. Further, under this program, fishery interactions are self-reporting or, in some cases, identified as excluded, e.g., treaty Tribal fishing. It is the position of the Service that the incidental take of sea otters by treaty Tribal fishing activities must be authorized under the MMPA. Nonetheless, obtaining incidental take information is a challenge. However, the Service will continue to work with the NMFS, Tribal authorities, and others to the extent practicable under these conditions to obtain better data. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:37 Oct 10, 2008 Jkt 217001 Comment 7: Illegal taking of sea otters is being perpetrated by ‘‘fish profiteers’’ and the Service is not taking appropriate action. Response: The stock assessment report presents all of the human-caused mortality of sea otters that has been made known to the Service. Reference Not Cited in the Notice of Availability of Draft Revised SAR: Jameson, R.J. and S. Jeffries. 2008. Results of the 2007 Survey of the Reintroduced Sea Otter Population in Washington State. Unpublished Report. 7pp. Copies may be obtained from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Authority: The authority for this action is the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361–1407). Dated: October 2, 2008. Kenneth Stansell, Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E8–24195 Filed 10–10–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 60713 at (703) 358–2018, or by e-mail at Joe_Starinchak@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), this notice announces meetings of the ANS Task Force. The ANS Task Force was established by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. Topics the ANS Task Force plans to cover during the meeting include: Regional Panel issues and recommendations, Committee recommendations, and consideration for approval of state ANS management plans. The agenda and other related meeting information are on the ANS Task Force Web site at: https:// anstaskforce.gov/meetings.php. Dated: September 22, 2008. Gary Frazer, Co-Chair, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Assistant Director—Fisheries & Habitat Conservation. [FR Doc. E8–24228 Filed 10–10–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [FWS–R9–FHC–2008–N0265; 94240–1341– 0000–N3–N5] Bureau of Land Management Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting topics are identified in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. DATES: The ANS Task Force will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, and Wednesday, October 29, 2008. ADDRESSES: The ANS Task Force meeting will take place at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Room 200, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203; (703) 358–1843. You may inspect minutes of the meeting at the office of the Chief, Division of Fish and Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. You may also view the minutes on the ANS Task Force Web site at: https:// anstaskforce.gov/meetings.php. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Starinchak, Branch of Invasive Species, PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [F–14876–M, F–14876–N; AK–964–1410– KC–P] Alaska Native Claims Selection Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. AGENCY: SUMMARY: As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., Successor in Interest to Kivalina Sinuakmeut Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Kivalina, Alaska, and are located in: Kateel River Meridian, Alaska T. 29 N., R. 24 W., Secs. 3 to 10, inclusive; Secs. 13 to 23, inclusive; Secs. 28 to 33, inclusive. Containing approximately 14,663 acres. The subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. when the surface estate is conveyed to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., Successor in Interest to Kivalina Sinuakmeut Corporation. Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Arctic Sounder. E:\FR\FM\14OCN1.SGM 14OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 60713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R9-FHC-2008-N0265; 94240-1341-0000-N3-N5]


Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance 
Species (ANS) Task Force. The meeting is open to the public. The 
meeting topics are identified in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

DATES: The ANS Task Force will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 
October 28, and Wednesday, October 29, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The ANS Task Force meeting will take place at the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Room 200, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 
22203; (703) 358-1843. You may inspect minutes of the meeting at the 
office of the Chief, Division of Fish and Wildlife Management and 
Habitat Restoration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax 
Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, during regular business hours, Monday 
through Friday. You may also view the minutes on the ANS Task Force Web 
site at: https://anstaskforce.gov/meetings.php.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Starinchak, Branch of Invasive 
Species, at (703) 358-2018, or by e-mail at Joe_Starinchak@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), this notice announces meetings 
of the ANS Task Force. The ANS Task Force was established by the 
Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990.
    Topics the ANS Task Force plans to cover during the meeting 
include: Regional Panel issues and recommendations, Committee 
recommendations, and consideration for approval of state ANS management 
plans. The agenda and other related meeting information are on the ANS 
Task Force Web site at: https://anstaskforce.gov/meetings.php.

    Dated: September 22, 2008.
Gary Frazer,
Co-Chair, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Assistant Director--
Fisheries & Habitat Conservation.
[FR Doc. E8-24228 Filed 10-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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