Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Announcement of Billfish and Swordfish Catch Card Pilot Program for Puerto Rico, 7155-7156 [2011-2899]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 9, 2011 / Notices Business visas may be required. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such visas are not included in the participation fee. However, the U.S. Department of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the procedures required to obtain necessary business visas. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Conditions for Participation An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on the company’s products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation. If the U.S. Department of Commerce receives an incomplete application, the Department may reject the application, request additional information, or take the lack of information into account when evaluating the applications. Each applicant must also: Certify that the products and services it seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United States or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one percent U.S. content. In cases where the U.S. content does not exceed fifty percent, especially where the applicant intends to pursue investment and major project opportunities, the following factors, often associated with U.S. ownership, may be considered in determining whether the applicant’s participation in the business development mission is in the U.S. national interest: U.S. materials and equipment content; U.S. labor content; Repatriation of profits to the U.S. economy; and/or Potential for follow-on business that would benefit the U.S. economy; Certify that the products and services that it wishes to export through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export controls and regulations; Certify that it has identified to the Department of Commerce for its evaluation any business pending before the Department of Commerce that may present the appearance of a conflict of interest; Certify that it has identified any pending litigation (including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that involves the Department of Commerce; and Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates (1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in connection with a company’s/participant’s involvement in this mission, and (2) maintain and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:08 Feb 08, 2011 Jkt 223001 enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of foreign officials. Selection Criteria for Participation Selection will be based on the following criteria in decreasing order of importance: Consistency of a company’s products or services with the scope and desired outcome of the mission’s goals; Suitability of a company’s products or services to the Qatari and U.A.E. markets and the likelihood of a participating company’s increased exports to or business interests in these markets as a result of this mission; Demonstrated export experience in Qatar, the U.A.E., or other foreign markets; Current or pending major project participation; and Rank/ seniority of the designated company representative. Additional factors, such as diversity of company size, type, location, and demographics, may also be considered during the review process. Referrals from political organizations and any documents, including the application, containing references to partisan political activities (including political contributions) will be removed from an applicant’s submission and not considered during the selection process. Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce Department trade mission calendar—https://www.trade.gov/trademissions/—and other Internet Web sites, press releases to general and trade media, direct mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows. The Commerce Department’s Office of Business Liaison and the International Trade Administration will explore and welcome outreach assistance from other interested organizations, including other U.S. government agencies. Recruitment for the mission will begin on/or about January 24, 2011. Applications can be completed on-line at the Qatar and U.A.E. Business Development Mission Web site at https://www.trade.gov/QatarUAE Mission2011 or can be obtained by contacting the U.S. Department of Commerce from Larry Brill, U.S. Commercial Service (202–482–1856/ Lawrence.Brill@trade.gov). The application deadline is Friday, March 18, 2011, unless extended by the Department of Commerce. Completed PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7155 applications should be submitted to the Office of Business Liaison. Applications received after Friday, March 18, 2011, will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit. Information can also be obtained by contacting the mission contacts listed below. Contacts The Office of Business Liaison, Office of the Secretary, Phone: (202) 482–1360/ Fax: (202) 482–4054, E-mail: BusinessLiaison@doc.gov. U.S. Commercial Service Domestic Contact Mr. Larry Brill, Phone: (202) 482–1856/ Fax: (202) 482–2331, E-mail: Lawrence.Brill@trade.gov. U.S. Commercial Service Qatar Contact Mr. Dao Le, U.S. Commercial Service, Doha, Qatar, Tel: 011–974–488–4101/ Fax: 011–974–488–4163, E-mail: Dao.Le@trade.gov. U.S. Commercial Service U.A.E. Contact Ms. Laurie Farris, U.S. Commercial Service, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Phone: 011–971–2–414–2665/Fax: 011–971– 2–414–2228, E-mail: Laurie.Farris@trade.gov. Larry Brill, Global Trade Programs, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service. [FR Doc. 2011–2802 Filed 2–8–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–FP–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA200 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Announcement of Billfish and Swordfish Catch Card Pilot Program for Puerto Rico National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; Announcement of Billfish and Swordfish Catch Card Pilot Program for Puerto Rico. AGENCY: Accurate information is vital to NMFS’ efforts to manage highly migratory species (HMS). In an effort to improve the accuracy of recreational billfish and swordfish landings data, NMFS will pilot test a new catch card program in Puerto Rico in 2011. Recreational HMS Angling category, HMS Charter Headboat category, and General category (participating in a SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\09FEN1.SGM 09FEN1 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 7156 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 9, 2011 / Notices tournament) permit holders will be asked to affix a landings tag to all billfish and swordfish prior to removal from the vessel. Tags will be readily available at most fishing locations where billfish and swordfish are landed. In exchange for the tag, HMS recreational permit holders will be asked to fill out a catch card documenting their landing. If the pilot catch card program is successful, NMFS may consider long-term implementation in place of the current reporting system. DATES: The voluntary HMS catch card pilot program will begin in Puerto Rico in March 2011. ADDRESSES: Questions or comments can be submitted to Ron Salz, NMFS Office of Science and Technology, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Salz by phone at (301) 713–2328 or by e-mail at ron.salz@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Accurate information is vital to NMFS’ efforts to manage highly migratory species (HMS). The collection of catch and effort information for Atlantic HMS fulfills U.S. obligations to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and provides the basis for stock assessments and management of these valuable species in U.S. territorial waters and international waters. In an effort to improve the accuracy of recreational billfish and swordfish landings data as part of the Marine Recreational Information Program, NMFS will pilot test a new catch card program in Puerto Rico in 2011. The program will be implemented by the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Sea Grant Program. Recreational HMS Angling category, HMS Charter Headboat category, and General category (participating in a tournament) permit holders will be asked to affix a landings tag to all billfish and swordfish prior to removal from the vessel. Tags will be readily available at most fishing locations where billfish and swordfish are landed. In exchange for the tag, HMS recreational permit holders will be asked to fill out a catch card documenting their landing. The success of this voluntary pilot program and the value of the information obtained will depend entirely on recreational fishing industry support or ‘‘buy-in.’’ Through educational outreach, HMS recreational permit holders will be encouraged to participate and provide their landings information. Marinas, tackle shops and other private businesses will be asked to serve as catch card reporting stations to assist in this effort. If the pilot catch VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:08 Feb 08, 2011 Jkt 223001 card program is successful, NMFS may consider long-term implementation in place of the current reporting system. The current mandatory reporting system and regulatory requirements will remain in effect, and anglers who report their billfish and swordfish landings through the voluntary catch card pilot program must also report their nontournament landings through the online web-reporting portal at https:// www.hmspermits.gov or by phone at 1– 800–894–5528. Non-tournament landings reports are not considered complete unless a landings-specific confirmation number has been issued by NMFS. Dated: February 4, 2011. Margo Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–2899 Filed 2–8–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XZ83 Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Construction of the East Span of the San FranciscoOakland Bay Bridge National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of issuance of an incidental harassment authorization. AGENCY: In accordance with provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) has been issued to the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to take small numbers of California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and gray whales, by harassment, incidental to construction of a replacement bridge for the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SF–OBB) in California. DATES: This authorization is effective from February 7, 2011, until February 6, 2012. ADDRESSES: A copy of the application, IHA, and/or a list of references used in this document may be obtained by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Guan, NMFS, (301) 713–2289, ext 137, or Monica DeAngelis, NMFS, (562) 980–3232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, the taking is limited to harassment, notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Permission shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for certain subsistence uses and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting of such taking are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘* * * an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited process by which citizens of the United States can apply for an authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment. Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B harassment]. Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45day time limit for NMFS review of an application followed by a 30-day public notice and comment period on any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of small numbers of marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the comment period, NMFS E:\FR\FM\09FEN1.SGM 09FEN1

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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7155-7156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2899]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA200


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Announcement of Billfish and 
Swordfish Catch Card Pilot Program for Puerto Rico

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

ACTION: Notice; Announcement of Billfish and Swordfish Catch Card Pilot 
Program for Puerto Rico.

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

SUMMARY: Accurate information is vital to NMFS' efforts to manage 
highly migratory species (HMS). In an effort to improve the accuracy of 
recreational billfish and swordfish landings data, NMFS will pilot test 
a new catch card program in Puerto Rico in 2011. Recreational HMS 
Angling category, HMS Charter Headboat category, and General category 
(participating in a

[[Page 7156]]

tournament) permit holders will be asked to affix a landings tag to all 
billfish and swordfish prior to removal from the vessel. Tags will be 
readily available at most fishing locations where billfish and 
swordfish are landed. In exchange for the tag, HMS recreational permit 
holders will be asked to fill out a catch card documenting their 
landing. If the pilot catch card program is successful, NMFS may 
consider long-term implementation in place of the current reporting 
system.

DATES: The voluntary HMS catch card pilot program will begin in Puerto 
Rico in March 2011.

ADDRESSES: Questions or comments can be submitted to Ron Salz, NMFS 
Office of Science and Technology, 1315 East West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Salz by phone at (301) 713-2328 or 
by e-mail at ron.salz@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Accurate information is vital to NMFS' 
efforts to manage highly migratory species (HMS). The collection of 
catch and effort information for Atlantic HMS fulfills U.S. obligations 
to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 
(ICCAT) and provides the basis for stock assessments and management of 
these valuable species in U.S. territorial waters and international 
waters.
    In an effort to improve the accuracy of recreational billfish and 
swordfish landings data as part of the Marine Recreational Information 
Program, NMFS will pilot test a new catch card program in Puerto Rico 
in 2011. The program will be implemented by the University of Puerto 
Rico at Mayaguez Sea Grant Program. Recreational HMS Angling category, 
HMS Charter Headboat category, and General category (participating in a 
tournament) permit holders will be asked to affix a landings tag to all 
billfish and swordfish prior to removal from the vessel. Tags will be 
readily available at most fishing locations where billfish and 
swordfish are landed. In exchange for the tag, HMS recreational permit 
holders will be asked to fill out a catch card documenting their 
landing. The success of this voluntary pilot program and the value of 
the information obtained will depend entirely on recreational fishing 
industry support or ``buy-in.'' Through educational outreach, HMS 
recreational permit holders will be encouraged to participate and 
provide their landings information. Marinas, tackle shops and other 
private businesses will be asked to serve as catch card reporting 
stations to assist in this effort. If the pilot catch card program is 
successful, NMFS may consider long-term implementation in place of the 
current reporting system.
    The current mandatory reporting system and regulatory requirements 
will remain in effect, and anglers who report their billfish and 
swordfish landings through the voluntary catch card pilot program must 
also report their non-tournament landings through the online web-
reporting portal at https://www.hmspermits.gov or by phone at 1-800-894-
5528. Non-tournament landings reports are not considered complete 
unless a landings-specific confirmation number has been issued by NMFS.

    Dated: February 4, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-2899 Filed 2-8-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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