Pacific Halibut Fishery; Guideline Harvest Levels for the Charter Vessel Fishery for Halibut, 8232-8233 [E9-3922]

Download as PDF 8232 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 24, 2009 / Notices March 18, 6:30 p.m ....................... Rogers City, MI ............................. March 19, 6:30 p.m ....................... March 20, 2 p.m ............................ Harrisville, MI ............................... Lansing, MI ................................... March 24, 6:30 p.m ....................... Alpena, MI .................................... Dated: February 17, 2009. Daniel J. Basta, Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. [FR Doc. E9–3720 Filed 2–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–NK–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE37 Marine Mammals; File No. 473–1700–02 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Janice Straley, University of Alaska, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835, has been issued an amendment to Permit No. 473–1700–01 to conduct research on marine mammals. ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521; and Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone (907)586–7221; fax (907)586–7249. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Daly or Amy Sloan, (301)713– 2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 26, 2007, notice was published in the Federal Register (72 FR 72997) that a request for a scientific research permit amendment to take sperm whales and killer whales had been submitted by the above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:23 Feb 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 Presque Isle District Library, 181 East Erie Street, Rogers City, MI 49779. Harrisville Courthouse, 106 North 5th Street, Harrisville, MI 48740. Michigan Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI 48909. Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 West Fletcher Street, Alpena, MI 49707. the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). The researchers previous permit, 473– 1700–01, authorized research on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) , minke whales (Balaenoptera acustorostrata), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) , fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Incidental harassment of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall’s porpoise (P. dalli), Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) is also authorized. Research methods include photo-identification, passive acoustic recording, behavioral observations, suction-cup tagging (including Crittercam), and biopsy. The permit amendment includes those activities and the following: an increase in the number of sperm whales that may be suction-cup tagged to 50 (an increase of 25 animals); attachment of satellite tags to 20 sperm whales and 20 killer whales; and modification to operations of fishing vessel methods, which could result in the taking of 40 sperm whales by Level B harassment, annually. All research will be conducted in the Gulf of Alaska. The permit amendment also extends the expiration date by one year, to June 30, 2010. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a supplemental environmental assessment was prepared analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement. Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit: (1) was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: February 18, 2009. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–3923 Filed 2–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XN28 Pacific Halibut Fishery; Guideline Harvest Levels for the Charter Vessel Fishery for Halibut AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of guideline harvest level. SUMMARY: NMFS provides notice of Pacific halibut guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for the guided sport charter vessel fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory areas 2C and 3A. The GHLs are benchmark harvest levels for participants in the charter vessel fishery for halibut in each area. This notice is necessary to meet the management and regulatory requirements for the GHLs and to inform the public about the 2009 GHLs for the charter halibut fishery. DATES: The GHLs are effective beginning February 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009. This period is specified by the IPHC as the sport fishing season in all waters of Alaska. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Murphy, (907) 586–7228, or email at peggy.murphy@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS implemented a final rule to establish GHLs in IPHC regulatory areas 2C and 3A for the harvest of Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) by the charter vessel fishery on August 8, 2003 (68 FR 47256). A correcting amendment was published May 28, 2008 (73 FR 30504) to correct the GHL table at 50 CFR 300.65(c)(1) that lists GHLs corresponding to different levels of the total constant exploitation yield (CEY) because of non–substantive errors in E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 24, 2009 / Notices conversions from pounds to metric tons, and rounding errors for some metric equivalents. The GHLs are intended to serve as benchmark harvest levels for participants in the charter vessel halibut fishery. This announcement is consistent with 50 CFR 300.65(c)(2), which requires that GHLs for IPHC regulatory areas 2C and 3A be specified by NMFS and announced by publication in the Federal Register no later than 30 days after receiving information from the IPHC. The IPHC annually establishes the total CEY for halibut in IPHC regulatory areas 2C and 3A. Regulations at § 300.65(c)(1) establish the GHLs based on the total CEY that is established annually by the IPHC. The total CEY established by the IPHC for 2009 is 5,570,000 lb (2,526.5 mt) in Area 2C and 28,010,000 lb (12,705.2 mt) in Area 3A. The corresponding GHLs are 788,000 lb (357.4 mt) in Area 2C, and 3,650,000 lb (1,655.6 mt) in Area 3A. The GHL in Area 2C has been reduced from the 2008 level of 931,000 lb (422.3 mt). The GHL for Area 3A did not change. This is a notice of the GHLs in Areas 2C and 3A for 2009 and does not require any regulatory action by NMFS. If a GHL is exceeded in 2009, NMFS will notify the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) in writing within 30 days of receipt of that information. The Council has proposed management actions to reduce the harvest of Pacific halibut in the Area 2C guided charter vessel fishery to the GHL (73 FR 78276, December 22, 2008). The Secretary of Commerce may issue a final rule after consideration of the 2009 GHL and public comments on the proposed rule. Classification This notice does not require any additional regulatory action by NMFS and does not impose any additional restrictions on harvests by the charter fishery. If a GHL is exceeded in any year, the Council would be notified, but would not be required to take action. This process of notification is intended to provide the Council with information about the level of Pacific halibut harvest by the charter vessel fishery in a given year and could prompt future action. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq. Dated: February 17, 2009. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–3922 Filed 2–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:23 Feb 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Notice: Broadband Grant Programs Meetings AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce ACTION: Notice of meetings. SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will begin holding meetings with interested parties on Monday, March 2, 2009, in connection with the broadband grant programs described in the Broadband Data Services Improvement Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (collectively, ‘‘Broadband Grant Programs’’). All interested parties are invited to schedule a meeting. DATES: Meetings will be scheduled beginning March 2, 2009, and will continue until further notice. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. (Please enter at 14th Street.) Room numbers will be provided to interested parties when meetings are scheduled. The disability accessible entrance is located at the 14th Street Aquarium Entrance. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To schedule a meeting, contact Barbara Brown at (202) 482–4374 or bbrown@ntia.doc.gov. NTIA is scheduling meetings to afford interested parties the opportunity to discuss implementation of the Broadband Grant Programs as described in the Broadband Data Services Improvement Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Broadband Data Services Improvement Act was enacted in October 2008 and directs the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to eligible entities on a competitive basis to assess, identify and track broadband service deployment in each State. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was enacted in February 2009 and directs NTIA to establish the ‘‘Broadband Technology Opportunities Program’’ to make grants available on a competitive basis to accelerate and expand broadband deployment. Information about the Broadband Grant Programs will be made available at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ broadbandgrants. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8233 Each meeting will be considered an ex parte presentation, and the substance of the meeting will be placed on the public record. No later than two (2) days after a meeting, an interested party must submit a memorandum to NTIA which summarizes the substance of the meeting. Any written presentations provided at the meeting will also be placed on the public record. NTIA reserves the right to hold individual or group meetings, depending on the number of meeting requests received. Group meetings may be transcribed and/ or streamed to the Web and placed on the public record. Attendance at the meetings is limited to space available. Meetings will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals requesting accommodations, such as sign language interpretation or other ancillary aids, are asked to indicate this to Barbara Brown at least two (2) days prior to each meeting. Interested parties will have an opportunity to ask questions at the meetings. Individuals who would like to submit questions in writing should email their questions to Barbara Brown at BBrown@ntia.doc.gov at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Dated: February 19, 2009. Kathy D. Smith, Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information Administration. [FR Doc. E9–3897 Filed 2–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–60–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Online Safety and Technology Working Group AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is clarifying a notice published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2008 seeking nominations of individuals to represent the business community, public interest groups, and other appropriate groups interested in serving on the NTIA Online Safety and Technology Working Group (OSTWG). The 30 member limit applies only to private sector members of the OSTWG. The OSTWG membership will also include a certain number of Federal Government representatives as required by the Act. This notice does not reopen nominations for the OSTWG. E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8232-8233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3922]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XN28


Pacific Halibut Fishery; Guideline Harvest Levels for the Charter 
Vessel Fishery for Halibut

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of guideline harvest level.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS provides notice of Pacific halibut guideline harvest 
levels (GHLs) for the guided sport charter vessel fishery in the 
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory areas 2C and 
3A. The GHLs are benchmark harvest levels for participants in the 
charter vessel fishery for halibut in each area. This notice is 
necessary to meet the management and regulatory requirements for the 
GHLs and to inform the public about the 2009 GHLs for the charter 
halibut fishery.

DATES: The GHLs are effective beginning February 1, 2009, through 
December 31, 2009. This period is specified by the IPHC as the sport 
fishing season in all waters of Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Murphy, (907) 586-7228, or email 
at peggy.murphy@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS implemented a final rule to establish 
GHLs in IPHC regulatory areas 2C and 3A for the harvest of Pacific 
halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) by the charter vessel fishery on 
August 8, 2003 (68 FR 47256). A correcting amendment was published May 
28, 2008 (73 FR 30504) to correct the GHL table at 50 CFR 300.65(c)(1) 
that lists GHLs corresponding to different levels of the total constant 
exploitation yield (CEY) because of non-substantive errors in

[[Page 8233]]

conversions from pounds to metric tons, and rounding errors for some 
metric equivalents. The GHLs are intended to serve as benchmark harvest 
levels for participants in the charter vessel halibut fishery.
    This announcement is consistent with 50 CFR 300.65(c)(2), which 
requires that GHLs for IPHC regulatory areas 2C and 3A be specified by 
NMFS and announced by publication in the Federal Register no later than 
30 days after receiving information from the IPHC. The IPHC annually 
establishes the total CEY for halibut in IPHC regulatory areas 2C and 
3A. Regulations at Sec.  300.65(c)(1) establish the GHLs based on the 
total CEY that is established annually by the IPHC. The total CEY 
established by the IPHC for 2009 is 5,570,000 lb (2,526.5 mt) in Area 
2C and 28,010,000 lb (12,705.2 mt) in Area 3A. The corresponding GHLs 
are 788,000 lb (357.4 mt) in Area 2C, and 3,650,000 lb (1,655.6 mt) in 
Area 3A. The GHL in Area 2C has been reduced from the 2008 level of 
931,000 lb (422.3 mt). The GHL for Area 3A did not change.
    This is a notice of the GHLs in Areas 2C and 3A for 2009 and does 
not require any regulatory action by NMFS. If a GHL is exceeded in 
2009, NMFS will notify the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) in writing within 30 days of receipt of that information. The 
Council has proposed management actions to reduce the harvest of 
Pacific halibut in the Area 2C guided charter vessel fishery to the GHL 
(73 FR 78276, December 22, 2008). The Secretary of Commerce may issue a 
final rule after consideration of the 2009 GHL and public comments on 
the proposed rule.

Classification

    This notice does not require any additional regulatory action by 
NMFS and does not impose any additional restrictions on harvests by the 
charter fishery. If a GHL is exceeded in any year, the Council would be 
notified, but would not be required to take action. This process of 
notification is intended to provide the Council with information about 
the level of Pacific halibut harvest by the charter vessel fishery in a 
given year and could prompt future action.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.

    Dated: February 17, 2009.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3922 Filed 2-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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