Marine Mammals; File Nos. 14210 and 782-1719, 27020-27021 [E9-13176]

Download as PDF 27020 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 107 / Friday, June 5, 2009 / Notices intent to take final action to address the emergency. SEDAR 19 Workshop Schedule: June 22–26, 2009; SEDAR 19 Data Workshop June 22, 2009: 1 p.m.- 8 p.m.; June 23– 25, 2009: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; June 26, 2009: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. An assessment data set and associated documentation will be developed during the Data Workshop. Participants will evaluate all available data and select appropriate sources for providing information on life history characteristics, catch statistics, discard estimates, length and age composition, and fishery dependent and fishery independent measures of stock abundance. October 5–9, 2009; SEDAR 19 Assessment Workshop erowe on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES January 25–29, 2010; SEDAR 19 Review Workshop January 25, 2010: 1 p.m.- 8 p.m.; January 26–28, 2010: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; January 29, 2010: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. The Review Workshop is an independent peer review of the assessment developed during the Data and Assessment Workshops. Workshop Panelists will review the assessment and document their comments and recommendations in a Consensus Summary. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before these groups for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions 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 Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s 14:06 Jun 04, 2009 Jkt 217001 Dated: June 2, 2009. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–13127 Filed 6–4–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE October 5, 2009: 1 p.m.- 8 p.m.; October 6–8, 2009: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; October 9, 2009: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Using datasets provided by the Data Workshop, participants will develop population models to evaluate stock status, estimate population benchmarks and Sustainable Fisheries Act criteria, and project future conditions. Participants will recommend the most appropriate methods and configurations for determining stock status and estimating population parameters. Participants will prepare a workshop report, compare and contrast various assessment approaches, and determine whether the assessments are adequate for submission to the review panel. VerDate Nov<24>2008 Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 10 business days prior to each workshop. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XP63 Marine Mammals; File Nos. 14210 and 782–1719 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit and permit amendment. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that LGL Alaska Research Associates (Dr. Tamara McGuire, Principal Investigator), 1101 E. 76th Ave. Suite B, Anchorage, Alaska 99518 (File No. 14210), and the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (Dr. Phillip J. Clapham, Principal Investigator), 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., Seattle, Washington 98115 6349 (File No. 782 1719) have been issued a permit and a permit amendment, respectively, to conduct research on the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas). ADDRESSES: The permits 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: Kristy Beard or Amy Hapeman, (301)713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 10, 2009, notice was published PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 in the Federal Register (74 FR 6578) that a request for a scientific research permit and permit amendment to take Cook Inlet beluga whales had been submitted by the above-named organizations. The requested permit and permit amendment have 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 the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). Permit No. 14210, issued to LGL Alaska Research Associates, authorizes harassment of up to 54 beluga whales three times annually in Cook Inlet, Alaska for vessel-based photoidentification annually between May and October. The permit expires on May 30, 2014. Permit No. 782–1719–08 authorizes NMML to take species of cetaceans under NMFS jurisdiction during stock assessment activities throughout U.S. territorial waters and the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. The permit authorizes Level B harassment during close approach for aerial surveys, vessel-based surveys, observations, and photo-identification and Level A harassment during biopsy sampling and attachment of scientific instruments. This permit amendment authorizes harassment of up to 585 Cook Inlet belugas 20 times annually during aerial surveys, and will be effective until the permit expires on June 30, 2009. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an 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 and permit amendment, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permits: (1) were applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 107 / Friday, June 5, 2009 / Notices Dated: June 1, 2009. Tammy C. Adams, Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–13176 Filed 6–4–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XP66 New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a four-day Council meeting, on June 22–25, 2009, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). DATES: The meeting will begin on Monday, June 22, beginning at 1 p.m., and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 23–25, beginning at 8 a.m. each day. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, ME 04101; telephone: (207) 775–2311; fax: (207) 761–8244. 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: erowe on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Monday, June 22, 2009 Following introductions and any announcements, the Council will receive a series of brief reports from the Council Chairman and Executive Director, the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Administrator, Northeast Fisheries Science Center and MidAtlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, NOAA General Counsel, representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, as well as NOAA Enforcement and the Council’s Enforcement Committee Chairman. These reports will be followed by a review of any experimental fishery permit applications that have been received since the last Council meeting. The Council will also receive a report VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:06 Jun 04, 2009 Jkt 217001 from its Habitat Committee, with a focus on reviewing a model used to assess the adverse impacts of fishing on essential fish habitat and for the development of alternatives to minimize those effects. The committee also will present a letter for Council approval to be forwarded offshore energy proponents in MA about the potential adverse impacts of an offshore wind farm project on essential fish habitat. The day will conclude with a report from the Interspecies Committee about future work products and the presentation of a white paper on the use of Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs) in New England Council Fishery Management Plans (FMPs). Tuesday, June 23, 2009 As the first agenda item of the day, the Chairman of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will review the committee’s recommendations to the Council on Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and ACLs to be used in the Monkfish FMP, and for proposed methods to be used for the calculations of ABC in the Herring and Groundfish FMPs. The remainder of the day will be spent on approving alternatives for inclusion in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that will accompany Amendment 4 to the Council’s Herring FMP. Measures under consideration include, in addition to ACLs and AMs, a comprehensive catch monitoring program, measures to address river herring bycatch, possible criteria for midwater trawl vessel access to areas closed for the conservation of species in the groundfish stock complex and measures that would address interactions with the mackerel fishery. The Council also will discuss the timeline for completion of the amendment as well as a fishery specifications package. The day will conclude with a briefing by NMFS staff concerning an agency proposal to require the use of Turtle Excluder Devices in trawl gear, including several that are used in New England fisheries. Wednesday, June 24, 2009 The entire third day of the Council meeting will be set aside for Council approval of Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) FMP. Prior to discussion and decisionmaking, there will be a review of the public comments received regarding the proposed action and reports from the Council’s Groundfish and Recreational Advisory Panels. Amendment 16 addresses several new requirements included in the reauthorized MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSRA), continues the PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27021 stock rebuilding programs adopted in previous Council actions and may institute significant changes to the existing groundfish management program, including the implementation of ‘‘sectors’’, a catch share-based system. Thursday, June 25, 2009 The morning will begin with the completion of any issues related to Council approval of Amendment 16 to the Groundfish FMP. A report by the Research Steering Committee Chairman will follow and will include recommendations developed concerning the allocation of cooperative research funds recently announced by NOAA’s leadership. The Council will then hold an open comment period during which any interested party may address the Council about fishery managementrelated issues that are otherwise not listed on the agenda. By late morning or early afternoon, the Monkfish Committee will review and ask for approval of alternatives to be included in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that will accompany Amendment 5 to the Monkfish FMP. Amendment 5 will implement management reference points to bring the FMP into compliance with the MSRA. Amendment 5 will also implement management measures (days-at-sea and trip limits) for 2011–13 to update current measures, and also modify other elements of the management system, such as, but not limited to gear restrictions, minimum fish size, vessel monitoring systems, measures to reduce discards, or any other component of the current plan. Although other non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subjects of formal action during this meeting. Council action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Act, provided that 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 with disabilities. 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. E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 107 (Friday, June 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27020-27021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13176]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XP63


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 14210 and 782-1719

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

ACTION:  Notice; issuance of permit and permit amendment.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that LGL Alaska Research Associates 
(Dr. Tamara McGuire, Principal Investigator), 1101 E. 76th Ave. Suite 
B, Anchorage, Alaska 99518 (File No. 14210), and the National Marine 
Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (Dr. Phillip 
J. Clapham, Principal Investigator), 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., Seattle, 
Washington 98115 6349 (File No. 782 1719) have been issued a permit and 
a permit amendment, respectively, to conduct research on the Cook Inlet 
stock of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).

ADDRESSES:  The permits 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:  Kristy Beard or Amy Hapeman, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 10, 2009, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (74 FR 6578) that a request for a scientific 
research permit and permit amendment to take Cook Inlet beluga whales 
had been submitted by the above-named organizations. The requested 
permit and permit amendment have 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 
the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened 
species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    Permit No. 14210, issued to LGL Alaska Research Associates, 
authorizes harassment of up to 54 beluga whales three times annually in 
Cook Inlet, Alaska for vessel-based photo-identification annually 
between May and October. The permit expires on May 30, 2014.
    Permit No. 782-1719-08 authorizes NMML to take species of cetaceans 
under NMFS jurisdiction during stock assessment activities throughout 
U.S. territorial waters and the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean, 
Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. The permit authorizes Level B 
harassment during close approach for aerial surveys, vessel-based 
surveys, observations, and photo-identification and Level A harassment 
during biopsy sampling and attachment of scientific instruments. This 
permit amendment authorizes harassment of up to 585 Cook Inlet belugas 
20 times annually during aerial surveys, and will be effective until 
the permit expires on June 30, 2009.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an 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 and permit amendment, as required by the 
ESA, was based on a finding that such permits: (1) were applied for in 
good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered 
species; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set 
forth in section 2 of the ESA.


[[Page 27021]]


    Dated: June 1, 2009.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-13176 Filed 6-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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