Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops, 11762-11764 [2011-4798]

Download as PDF 11762 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 42 / Thursday, March 3, 2011 / Notices themselves. Similarly, to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in the same file as the submission itself, not as separate files. Dated: February 28, 2011. Michelle O’Neill, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. [FR Doc. 2011–4862 Filed 3–2–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DA–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA160 Marine Mammals; File No. 15330; Correction National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application; correction. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Robin Baird, PhD, Cascadia Research, 2181⁄2 W. 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, has applied in due form for a permit to take marine mammals in the Pacific Ocean for the purposes of scientific research. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before March 28, 2011. 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, and then selecting File No. 15530 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address listed below. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the email comment. Comments may also be submitted by email. 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. 15330. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:47 Mar 02, 2011 Jkt 223001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Morse or Carrie Hubard, (301) 713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 25, 2011, notice was published in the Federal Register (76 FR 10560) that a request for a scientific research permit had been submitted by the above-named applicant. The file number for the application in the title and email comment address is corrected in this document. All other information to the notice has been unchanged. Please refer to the February 25, 2011 notice for a summary of the application. Documents may be reviewed in the following locations: 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; Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115–0700; phone (206)526–6150; fax (206)526–6426; Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone (907)586–7221; fax (907)586–7249; Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001; fax (562)980–4018; and Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814–4700; phone (808)973–2935; fax (808)973–2941. Dated: February 25, 2011. Tammy C. Adams, Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–4811 Filed 3–2–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA213 Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public workshops. AGENCY: Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in April, May, and June of 2011. Certain SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2011. DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held April 7, April 14, May 5, June 2, and June 16, 2011. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held on April 20, April 27, May 18, May 25, June 15, and June 29, 2011. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details. ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held in Kenner, LA; Port Orange, FL (2); Foxborough, MA: and Manahawkin, NJ. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in Kitty Hawk, NC; Kenner, LA; Charleston, SC; Boston, MA; Corpus Christi, TX; and Port St. Lucie, FL. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details on workshop locations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Pearson by phone: (727) 824–5399, or by fax: (727) 824–5398. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The workshop schedules, registration information, and a list of frequently asked questions regarding these workshops are posted on the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ workshops/. Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark dealers have been prohibited from receiving, purchasing, trading, or bartering for Atlantic sharks unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate is on the premises of each business listed under the shark dealer permit which first receives Atlantic sharks (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). Dealers who attend and successfully complete a workshop are issued a certificate for each place of business that is permitted to receive sharks. These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. Approximately 55 free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops have been conducted since January 2007. Currently permitted dealers may send a proxy to an Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop. However, if a E:\FR\FM\03MRN1.SGM 03MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 42 / Thursday, March 3, 2011 / Notices dealer opts to send a proxy, the dealer must designate a proxy for each place of business covered by the dealer’s permit which first receives Atlantic sharks. Only one certificate will be issued to each proxy. A proxy must be a person who is currently employed by a place of business covered by the dealer’s permit; is a primary participant in the identification, weighing, and/or first receipt of fish as they are offloaded from a vessel; and who fills out dealer reports. Atlantic shark dealers are prohibited from renewing a Federal shark dealer permit unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate for each business location which first receives Atlantic sharks has been submitted with the permit renewal application. Additionally, trucks or other conveyances which are extensions of a dealer’s place of business must possess a copy of a valid dealer or proxy Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate. Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations 1. April 7, 2011, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., La Quinta Inn, 2610 Williams Boulevard, Kenner, LA 70062. 2. April 14, 2011, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., La Quinta Inn, 1791 Dunlawton Avenue, Port Orange, FL 32127. 3. May 5, 2011, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., Comfort Inn, 4 Fisher Street, Foxborough, MA 02035. 4. June 2, 2011, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., Holiday Inn, 151 Route 72 East, Manahawkin, NJ 08050. 5. June 16, 2011, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., La Quinta Inn, 1791 Dunlawton Avenue, Port Orange, FL 32127. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Registration To register for a scheduled Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop, please contact Eric Sander at esander@peoplepc.com or at (386) 852– 8588. Registration Materials To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct permits, participants will need to bring specific items to the workshop: • Atlantic shark dealer permit holders must bring proof that the attendee is an owner or agent of the business (such as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable permit, and proof of identification. • Atlantic shark dealer proxies must bring documentation from the permitted dealer acknowledging that the proxy is attending the workshop on behalf of the permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a specific business location, a copy of the appropriate valid permit, and proof of identification. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:47 Mar 02, 2011 Jkt 223001 Workshop Objectives The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops are designed to reduce the number of unknown and improperly identified sharks reported in the dealer reporting form and increase the accuracy of species-specific dealerreported information. Reducing the number of unknown and improperly identified sharks will improve quota monitoring and the data used in stock assessments. These workshops will train shark dealer permit holders or their proxies to properly identify Atlantic shark carcasses. Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops Since January 1, 2007, shark limitedaccess and swordfish limited-access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear have been required to submit a copy of their Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop certificate in order to renew either permit (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. As such, vessel owners who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel owners whose certificate(s) will expire prior to the next permit renewal, must attend a workshop to fish with, or renew, their swordfish and shark limited-access permits. Additionally, new shark and swordfish limited-access permit applicants who intend to fish with longline or gillnet gear must attend a Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and submit a copy of their workshop certificate before either of the permits will be issued. Approximately 106 free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops have been conducted since 2006. In addition to certifying vessel owners, at least one operator on board vessels issued a limited-access swordfish or shark permit that uses longline or gillnet gear is required to attend a Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and receive a certificate. Vessels that have been issued a limitedaccess swordfish or shark permit and that use longline or gillnet gear may not fish unless both the vessel owner and operator have valid workshop certificates onboard at all times. The certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. As such, vessel operators who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel operators whose certificate(s) will expire prior to their next fishing trip, must attend a workshop to operate a PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 11763 vessel with swordfish and shark limited-access permits that uses with longline or gillnet gear. Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations 1. April 20, 2011, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949. 2. April 27, 2011, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 901 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70062. 3. May 18, 2011, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407. 4. May 25, 2011, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 1 Hotel Drive, Boston, MA 02128. 5. June 15, 2011, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 5549 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78408. 6. June 29, 2011, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 10120 South Federal Highway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. Registration To register for a scheduled Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop, please contact Angler Conservation Education at (386) 682–0158. Registration Materials To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct permits, participants will need to bring specific items with them to the workshop: • Individual vessel owners must bring a copy of the appropriate swordfish and/or shark permit(s), a copy of the vessel registration or documentation, and proof of identification. • Representatives of a business owned or co-owned vessel must bring proof that the individual is an agent of the business (such as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable swordfish and/or shark permit(s), and proof of identification. • Vessel operators must bring proof of identification. Workshop Objectives The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops are designed to teach longline and gillnet fishermen the required techniques for the safe handling and release of entangled and/or hooked protected species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, and smalltooth sawfish. In an effort to improve reporting, the proper identification of protected species will also be taught at these workshops. Additionally, individuals attending these workshops will gain a better understanding of the requirements for participating in these fisheries. The overall goal of these workshops is to provide participants E:\FR\FM\03MRN1.SGM 03MRN1 11764 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 42 / Thursday, March 3, 2011 / Notices with the skills needed to reduce the mortality of protected species, which may prevent additional regulations on these fisheries in the future. Dated: February 25, 2011. Margo Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–4798 Filed 3–2–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR 404.7. Dated: February 24, 2011. D.J. Werner, Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. Sunshine Act Meeting Notice Wednesday, March 9, 2011; 10 a.m.–11 a.m. PLACE: Hearing Room 420, Bethesda Towers, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland. STATUS: Closed to the Public. MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: TIME AND DATE: [FR Doc. 2011–4834 Filed 3–2–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P Compliance Status Report The Commission staff will brief the Commission on the status of compliance matters. For a recorded message containing the latest agenda information, call (301) 504–7948. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Todd A. Stevenson, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 504–7923. Dated: March 1, 2011. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–4991 Filed 3–1–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6355–01–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Availability of GovernmentOwned Inventions; Available for Licensing Department of the Navy, DoD. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The inventions listed below are assigned to the United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. U.S. Patent No. 7,048,854: Apparatus for the removal of heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions, Navy Case No. 97424//U.S. Patent No. 7,105,094: Method for the removal of heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions, Navy Case No. 97617. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the inventions cited should be directed to srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:47 Mar 02, 2011 Jkt 223001 Andrew Drucker, Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center, Code EV12, 1100 23rd Ave., Port Hueneme, CA 93043–4370 and must include the Navy Case number. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Drucker supporting the Head of Technology Transfer Office, Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center, Code EV12, 1100 23rd Ave., Port Hueneme, CA 93043–4370, telephone 805–982–1108, Fax 805–982–4832, Email: andrew.drucker@navy.mil. DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD Sunshine Act Notice Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: Pursuant to the provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b, and as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 2286b, notice is hereby given of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s public hearing and meeting described below. Interested persons or groups may present comments, technical information, or data concerning safety issues related to the matters to be considered. TIME AND DATE OF MEETING: 9 a.m., March 31, 2011. PLACE: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Public Hearing Room, 625 Indiana Avenue, NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20004–2901. Additionally, as a part of the Board’s EGovernment initiative, the meeting will be presented live through Internet video streaming. A link to the presentation will be available on the Board’s Web site (https://www.dnfsb.gov). STATUS: Open. While the Government in the Sunshine Act does not require that the scheduled discussion be conducted in a meeting, the Board has determined that an open meeting in this specific case furthers the public interests underlying both the Sunshine Act and the Board’s enabling legislation. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: This is the third in a series of public meetings to examine the Department of Energy’s (DOE) implementation of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Recommendation 2004–1, Oversight of Complex, High-Hazard Nuclear Operations. The Board is reviewing DOE’s and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) safety management and oversight of the contracts and contractors they rely upon to accomplish the mission assigned to DOE and NNSA under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, at defense nuclear facilities. We will focus on what impact DOE’s and NNSA’s new initiatives, including changes to DOE directives, contractor oversight, and governance, may have upon assuring adequate protection of the health and safety of the public and workers at DOE’s and NNSA’s defense nuclear facilities. We are conducting this series of public meetings to collect information needed to understand and address any health or safety concerns that may require Board action. In the March 31, 2011, meeting the Board will explore in more depth Federal safety management and oversight policies being developed and administered by DOE and NNSA for defense nuclear facilities. DOE and NNSA senior leaders will articulate their views on the role of line and independent oversight to safely accomplish their work at defense nuclear facilities. The Board will examine DOE’s and NNSA’s evolving approach to federal oversight and its relationship to contractor assurance systems as well as the effect of changes to DOE directives. The public hearing portion of this proceeding is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 2286b. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Brian Grosner, General Manager, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004–2901, (800) 788– 4016. This is a toll-free number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public participation in the hearing is invited. Requests to speak may be submitted in writing or by telephone. The Board asks that commentators describe the nature and scope of their oral presentations. Those who contact the Board prior to close of business on March 30, 2011, will be scheduled for time slots, beginning at approximately 12 p.m. The Board will post a schedule for those speakers who have contacted the Board before the hearing at the entrance to the Public Hearing Room. Anyone who wishes to comment or provide technical information or data may do so in writing, either in lieu of, or in addition to, making an oral presentation. The Board Members may question presenters to the extent deemed appropriate. Documents will be accepted at the E:\FR\FM\03MRN1.SGM 03MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11762-11764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4798]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA213


Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and 
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops

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

ACTION: Notice of public workshops.

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

SUMMARY: Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected 
Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be 
held in April, May, and June of 2011. Certain fishermen and shark 
dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory 
requirements and maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic 
Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted 
Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, 
and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and 
operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, 
and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access 
permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2011.

DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held April 
7, April 14, May 5, June 2, and June 16, 2011.
    The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification 
Workshops will be held on April 20, April 27, May 18, May 25, June 15, 
and June 29, 2011.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details.

ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held in 
Kenner, LA; Port Orange, FL (2); Foxborough, MA: and Manahawkin, NJ.
    The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification 
Workshops will be held in Kitty Hawk, NC; Kenner, LA; Charleston, SC; 
Boston, MA; Corpus Christi, TX; and Port St. Lucie, FL.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details on workshop 
locations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Pearson by phone: (727) 
824-5399, or by fax: (727) 824-5398.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The workshop schedules, registration 
information, and a list of frequently asked questions regarding these 
workshops are posted on the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/workshops/.

Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops

    Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark dealers have been prohibited 
from receiving, purchasing, trading, or bartering for Atlantic sharks 
unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate is on 
the premises of each business listed under the shark dealer permit 
which first receives Atlantic sharks (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). 
Dealers who attend and successfully complete a workshop are issued a 
certificate for each place of business that is permitted to receive 
sharks. These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. Approximately 55 
free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops have been conducted since 
January 2007.
    Currently permitted dealers may send a proxy to an Atlantic Shark 
Identification Workshop. However, if a

[[Page 11763]]

dealer opts to send a proxy, the dealer must designate a proxy for each 
place of business covered by the dealer's permit which first receives 
Atlantic sharks. Only one certificate will be issued to each proxy. A 
proxy must be a person who is currently employed by a place of business 
covered by the dealer's permit; is a primary participant in the 
identification, weighing, and/or first receipt of fish as they are 
offloaded from a vessel; and who fills out dealer reports. Atlantic 
shark dealers are prohibited from renewing a Federal shark dealer 
permit unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop 
certificate for each business location which first receives Atlantic 
sharks has been submitted with the permit renewal application. 
Additionally, trucks or other conveyances which are extensions of a 
dealer's place of business must possess a copy of a valid dealer or 
proxy Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate.

Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations

    1. April 7, 2011, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., La Quinta Inn, 2610 Williams 
Boulevard, Kenner, LA 70062.
    2. April 14, 2011, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., La Quinta Inn, 1791 Dunlawton 
Avenue, Port Orange, FL 32127.
    3. May 5, 2011, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., Comfort Inn, 4 Fisher Street, 
Foxborough, MA 02035.
    4. June 2, 2011, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn, 151 Route 72 East, 
Manahawkin, NJ 08050.
    5. June 16, 2011, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., La Quinta Inn, 1791 Dunlawton 
Avenue, Port Orange, FL 32127.

Registration

    To register for a scheduled Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop, 
please contact Eric Sander at esander@peoplepc.com or at (386) 852-
8588.

Registration Materials

    To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct 
permits, participants will need to bring specific items to the 
workshop:
     Atlantic shark dealer permit holders must bring proof that 
the attendee is an owner or agent of the business (such as articles of 
incorporation), a copy of the applicable permit, and proof of 
identification.
     Atlantic shark dealer proxies must bring documentation 
from the permitted dealer acknowledging that the proxy is attending the 
workshop on behalf of the permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a 
specific business location, a copy of the appropriate valid permit, and 
proof of identification.

Workshop Objectives

    The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops are designed to reduce 
the number of unknown and improperly identified sharks reported in the 
dealer reporting form and increase the accuracy of species-specific 
dealer-reported information. Reducing the number of unknown and 
improperly identified sharks will improve quota monitoring and the data 
used in stock assessments. These workshops will train shark dealer 
permit holders or their proxies to properly identify Atlantic shark 
carcasses.

Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops

    Since January 1, 2007, shark limited-access and swordfish limited-
access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear have been 
required to submit a copy of their Protected Species Safe Handling, 
Release, and Identification Workshop certificate in order to renew 
either permit (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). These certificate(s) are 
valid for 3 years. As such, vessel owners who have not already attended 
a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel owners whose 
certificate(s) will expire prior to the next permit renewal, must 
attend a workshop to fish with, or renew, their swordfish and shark 
limited-access permits. Additionally, new shark and swordfish limited-
access permit applicants who intend to fish with longline or gillnet 
gear must attend a Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and 
Identification Workshop and submit a copy of their workshop certificate 
before either of the permits will be issued. Approximately 106 free 
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops 
have been conducted since 2006.
    In addition to certifying vessel owners, at least one operator on 
board vessels issued a limited-access swordfish or shark permit that 
uses longline or gillnet gear is required to attend a Protected Species 
Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and receive a 
certificate. Vessels that have been issued a limited-access swordfish 
or shark permit and that use longline or gillnet gear may not fish 
unless both the vessel owner and operator have valid workshop 
certificates onboard at all times. The certificate(s) are valid for 3 
years. As such, vessel operators who have not already attended a 
workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel operators whose 
certificate(s) will expire prior to their next fishing trip, must 
attend a workshop to operate a vessel with swordfish and shark limited-
access permits that uses with longline or gillnet gear.

Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations

    1. April 20, 2011, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 North 
Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
    2. April 27, 2011, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 901 Airline Drive, 
Kenner, LA 70062.
    3. May 18, 2011, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah 
Highway, Charleston, SC 29407.
    4. May 25, 2011, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 1 Hotel Drive, 
Boston, MA 02128.
    5. June 15, 2011, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 5549 Leopard Street, 
Corpus Christi, TX 78408.
    6. June 29, 2011, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 10120 South Federal 
Highway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952.

Registration

    To register for a scheduled Protected Species Safe Handling, 
Release, and Identification Workshop, please contact Angler 
Conservation Education at (386) 682-0158.

Registration Materials

    To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct 
permits, participants will need to bring specific items with them to 
the workshop:
     Individual vessel owners must bring a copy of the 
appropriate swordfish and/or shark permit(s), a copy of the vessel 
registration or documentation, and proof of identification.
     Representatives of a business owned or co-owned vessel 
must bring proof that the individual is an agent of the business (such 
as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable swordfish and/
or shark permit(s), and proof of identification.
     Vessel operators must bring proof of identification.

Workshop Objectives

    The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification 
Workshops are designed to teach longline and gillnet fishermen the 
required techniques for the safe handling and release of entangled and/
or hooked protected species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, and 
smalltooth sawfish. In an effort to improve reporting, the proper 
identification of protected species will also be taught at these 
workshops. Additionally, individuals attending these workshops will 
gain a better understanding of the requirements for participating in 
these fisheries. The overall goal of these workshops is to provide 
participants

[[Page 11764]]

with the skills needed to reduce the mortality of protected species, 
which may prevent additional regulations on these fisheries in the 
future.

    Dated: February 25, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-4798 Filed 3-2-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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