Marine Mammals; File No. 13614, 61397-61398 [E8-24596]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 201 / Thursday, October 16, 2008 / Notices
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
Fishermen’s Association. If granted, the
EFP would authorize the applicants,
with certain conditions, to collect
limited numbers of undersized and out–
of–season reef fish in Gulf of Mexico
Federal waters. It would also allow a
limited number of red snapper to be
collected outside the Gulf of Mexico
Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program.
This study is intended to provide
detailed information and disposition of
reef fish discards by the eastern Gulf of
Mexico commercial reef fish fishery.
DATES: Comments must be received no
later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on
November 17, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on the application by any of the
following methods:
• E–mail: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
Include in the subject line of the e–mail
comment the following document
identifier: ‘‘GFAlEFP’’.
• Mail: Peter Hood, 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:
Peter Hood, 727–824–5305; fax: 727–
824–5308; e–mail:
Peter.Hood@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
(Cooperative Agreement No.
NA08NMF4540401). 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
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of
Mexico. The applicants require
authorization to harvest and possess
undersized and out–of–season snapper
and grouper for scientific research
activities during a 1-year period
beginning late in 2008. It would also
allow the applicants to land red snapper
outside of the current IFQ program over
this same time period. Specimens
would be collected from Federal waters
off the west coast of Florida, in three
geographical areas: NMFS’ Gulf of
Mexico statistical grids 2–4, 5–7, and 8–
10. Sampling would occur during
normal fishing operations of the
commercial reef fish longline and
vertical hook–and–line fishery. The
applicant intends to use 10 longline and
10 vertical hook–and–line gear vessels
to randomly collect up to 300 reef fish
from each of the three geographical
areas. The applicant also intends to
retain 100 percent of the catch during
two fishing trips within each of three
geographical areas. Fish from these
portions of the study will be provided
to NMFS personnel for length and life
history information to better
characterize the discards in the
commercial fishery. Finally, the
applicants will use logbooks and video
monitors to test methods for real–time
catch reporting and at–sea observation.
Data collections for this study would
support improved information about the
catch, bycatch, discards, and discard
mortality for reef fish species.
Accurate estimates of bycatch and the
level of discards is a persistent problem
for assessing Gulf of Mexico reef fish
stocks. Using fisheries dependant data
accompanied by independent video
monitoring would help establish
reliability of current bycatch
information and provide a higher level
of confidence from various constituents
interested in this fishery. Additionally,
this information would assist fishery
managers in developing more effective
regulations to reduce bycatch and
discard mortality.
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 handled with due care to
prevent injury to live specimens,
observed for activity, and returned to
the water. A final decision on issuance
61397
of the EFP will depend on a NMFS
review of public comments received on
the application, consultations with the
affected states, the Gulf of Mexico
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: October 9, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–24541 Filed 10–15–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XL19
Marine Mammals; File No. 13614
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Sea World, Inc., 9205 South Park Circle,
Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819, has
applied in due form for a permit to
import one pilot whale (Globicephala
melas) for the purposes of public
display.
DATES: Written or telefaxed comments
must be received on or before November
17, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The application and related
documents are available for review
upon written request or by appointment
in the following offices:
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
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West
Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach,
CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001;
fax (562)980–4018.
Written comments or requests for a
public hearing on this application
should be mailed 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 request would
be appropriate.
Comments may also be submitted by
facsimile at (301)427–2521, provided
the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy
61398
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 201 / Thursday, October 16, 2008 / Notices
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. 13614.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Skidmore or Kristy Beard,
(301)713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permit is requested 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 applicant requests authorization
to import one male pilot whale from the
´
Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zoologico de
Lisboa), Estrada de Benfica, 158 - 160,
1549 - 004, Lisboa, Portugal to Sea
World of California. The applicant
requests this import for the purpose of
public display. The receiving facility,
Sea World of California, 1720 South
Shores Road, San Diego, CA 92109–
7995 is: (1) open to the public on
regularly scheduled basis with access
that is not limited or restricted other
than by charging for an admission fee;
(2) offers an educational program based
on professionally accepted standards of
the AZA and the Alliance for Marine
Mammal Parks and Aquariums; and (3)
holds an Exhibitor’s License, number
93–C–0069, issued by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture under the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 - 59).
In addition to determining whether
the applicant meets the three public
display criteria, NMFS must determine
whether the applicant has demonstrated
that the proposed activity is humane
and does not represent any unnecessary
risks to the health and welfare of marine
mammals; that the proposed activity by
itself, or in combination with other
activities, will not likely have a
significant adverse impact on the
species or stock; and that the applicant’s
expertise, facilities and resources are
adequate to accomplish successfully the
objectives and activities stated in the
application.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically
excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
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: October 10, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–24596 Filed 10–15–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XL21
Marine Mammals; File No. 633–1763
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
the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) has
requested an amendment to scientific
research Permit No. 633–1763.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e–mail
comments must be received on or before
November 17, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The application and related
documents are available for review by
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
Comment’’ from the Features box on the
Applications and Permits for Protected
Species (APPS) home page, https://
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/index.cfm, and
then selecting File No. 633–1763 from
the list of available applications. These
documents are also available 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.
Northeast Region, NMFS, One
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930–2298; phone (978)281–9300; fax
(978)281–9394; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, Florida
33701; phone (727)824–5312; fax
(727)824–5309.
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. 633–1763.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristy Beard or Kate Swails, (301)713–
2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject amendment to Permit No. 633–
1763, issued on April 21, 2005 (70 FR
22299) is requested under the authority
of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et
seq.), the regulations governing the
taking and importing of marine
mammals (50 CFR part 216), and the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Permit No. 633–1763 authorizes the
permit holder to harass North Atlantic
right whales (Eubalaena glacialis)
during close approaches for aerial and
vessel surveys with associated photo–
identification and behavioral
observations in the Gulf of Maine, Cape
Cod Bay, Great South Channel, and
Georgia Bight, and the collection and
export of sloughed right whale skin. The
original application submitted by CCS
included a request to collect biopsy
samples from North Atlantic right
whales. At the time of permit issuance,
takes for biopsy samples were not
authorized. NMFS is now reviewing the
biopsy sample portion of the request as
an amendment to Permit No. 633–1763.
CCS requests authorization to biopsy
sample up to 30 North Atlantic right
whales annually during close vessel
approaches for photo-identification and
behavioral observation; authorization is
requested to biopsy up to 10 of these
right whales two times to contribute to
individual whale’s health assessments.
This work would continue long-term
population monitoring to determine
status and trends of this species in the
North Atlantic. The amendment would
be valid until the permit expires on May
1, 2010.
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.
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 201 (Thursday, October 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61397-61398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24596]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XL19
Marine Mammals; File No. 13614
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Sea World, Inc., 9205 South Park
Circle, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819, has applied in due form for a
permit to import one pilot whale (Globicephala melas) for the purposes
of public display.
DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before
November 17, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for
review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
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
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this
application should be mailed 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 request would be appropriate.
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427-2521,
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy
[[Page 61398]]
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. 13614.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore or Kristy Beard,
(301)713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested 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 applicant requests authorization to import one male pilot whale
from the Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zool[oacute]gico de Lisboa), Estrada de
Benfica, 158 - 160, 1549 - 004, Lisboa, Portugal to Sea World of
California. The applicant requests this import for the purpose of
public display. The receiving facility, Sea World of California, 1720
South Shores Road, San Diego, CA 92109-7995 is: (1) open to the public
on regularly scheduled basis with access that is not limited or
restricted other than by charging for an admission fee; (2) offers an
educational program based on professionally accepted standards of the
AZA and the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums; and (3)
holds an Exhibitor's License, number 93-C-0069, issued by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 -
59).
In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three
public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicant has
demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not
represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine
mammals; that the proposed activity by itself, or in combination with
other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on
the species or stock; and that the applicant's expertise, facilities
and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives
and activities stated in the application.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
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: October 10, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-24596 Filed 10-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S