Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 19748-19749 [2011-8451]

Download as PDF 19748 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 68 / Friday, April 8, 2011 / Notices of all issues raised in these reviews and the corresponding recommendations in this public memorandum which is on file in the Central Records Unit, room 7046 of the main Department of Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memo can be accessed directly on the Web at https:// ia.ita.doc.gov/frn. The paper copy and electronic version of the Issues and Decision Memo are identical in content. Final Results of Reviews srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES The Department determines that revocation of the antidumping duty orders on solid urea from Russia and Ukraine would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the following weighted-average percentage margins: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA312 Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) Weightedapplication contains all of the required average Company information and warrants further margin (percent) consideration. This EFP application would exempt commercial fishing Soyuzpromexport .................. (SPE) 68.26 vessels from the following Federal Phillipp Brothers, Ltd., and American lobster regulations: (1) Gear Phillipp Brothers, Inc. specifications (including escape vents, (Phibro) ............................. 53.23 ghost panel and maximum trap size; (2) All Others .............................. 64.93 trap limits; and (3) trap tags to allow 11 Federally permitted vessels to utilize a Notification Regarding APO combined total of 35 modified lobster traps to catch juvenile lobsters, (30–50 This notice serves as a reminder to mm carapace length), throughout lobster parties subject to administrative management area 3 (Area 3), in an protective order (APO) of their attempt to understand patterns of larval responsibility concerning the dispersal and settlement. This proposed disposition of proprietary information project would be conducted by the disclosed under APO in accordance Atlantic Offshore Lobster Association with 19 CFR 351.305(a). Timely written (AOLA) in conjunction with scientists notification of the destruction of APO and the fishing industry. materials or conversion to judicial Regulations under the Magnusonprotective order is hereby requested. Stevens Fishery Conservation and Failure to comply with the regulations Management Act require publication of and terms of an APO is a violation this notification to provide interested which is subject to sanction. parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs. The Department is issuing and DATES: Comments must be received on publishing the final results and notice or before April 25, 2011. in accordance with sections 751(c), 752(c), and 777(i)(1) of the Act. ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice may be submitted by e-mail. The Dated: March 31, 2011. mailbox address for providing e-mail Ronald K. Lorentzen, comments is NERO.EFP@noaa.gov. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments Administration. on AOLA Lobster EFP.’’ Written [FR Doc. 2011–8446 Filed 4–7–11; 8:45 am] comments should be sent to Patricia A. BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on AOLA Lobster EFP.’’ • Fax: (978) 281–9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ´ Carol She, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978– 282–8464, Carol.She@noaa.gov. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:45 Apr 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 AOLA submitted a complete application for an EFP on March 11, 2011, to conduct commercial fishing activities that the regulations would otherwise restrict. This EFP application would exempt commercial fishing vessels from the following Federal regulations: gear specifications (including escape vents, ghost panel and maximum trap size) specified under 50 CFR 697.21(c)(4), 697.21(d) and 697.21(e)(2)(ii); trap limits specified under § 697.19(b)(5); and trap tags specified under § 697.19(f). The EFP would authorize 11 Federally permitted vessels to be exempted from parts of the Federal lobster regulations to allow the participating vessels to fish modified lobster traps, exceed trap limits, and deploy the modified traps without trap tags in an attempt to formalize the anecdotal presence of young lobsters. Some lobster scientists believe that larvae will only survive in the inshore fishery due to the depths and available light, and that there are no small lobsters offshore; however, data resulting from this project are intended to determine whether there are new lobster nursery grounds offshore. This project, including the lobster handling protocols, was initially developed in consultation with University of New Hampshire scientists. To the greatest extent practicable, these handling protocols are designed to avoid unnecessary adverse environmental impact on lobsters involved in this project, while achieving the data collection objectives of this project. AOLA will work in conjunction with scientists and the fishing industry to build and test various trap modifications to determine the optimal design for use in offshore waters. The modified gear may exceed the Federal maximum trap size restrictions, include smaller wire mesh sizes, modified entrance heads/rings, closed or modified escape vents, and cobble acting as shelter material. The deployment of the experimental traps throughout lobster management area 3 (Area 3) statistical areas 464, 522, 561, 562, 525, 526, 533, 537, 613, 616, and 622, would begin in April 2011 and extend through August 2012. AOLA would submit progress reports in December 2011 and September 2012, since the project would exceed 1 year. Participating vessels would include between one and three experimental lobster traps as part of a commercial lobster trap trawl deployed under routine industry conditions. Modified traps would remain in the water for up to 6 consecutive months (182 days), being hauled approximately weekly SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 68 / Friday, April 8, 2011 / Notices following the normal fishing schedule of the participating vessels. The gear would be compliant with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan; therefore, impacts to protected resources would be negligible. Subsequently, AOLA will provide data necessary to assist in better future management of the lobster fishery. The activities occurring in Area 3 statistical areas are not anticipated to have any more environmental impacts than those already occurring as part of a commercial lobster trap trawl deployed under usual industry conditions. Impacts to the lobster resource would be negligible. Given the small mesh and entrance heads, the modified gear is not expected to catch legal lobsters. Any sublegal lobsters caught would briefly be retained onboard only for the purposes of recording their size, sex, and presence of shell disease, before being promptly released back into the ocean. There should be minimal impact to bycatch species due to the use of small mesh and small entrance heads and, in addition, all bycatch species hauled from modified gear would be returned promptly to the ocean. Likewise, there would not be significant impacts on benthic habitats. As the gear would be compliant with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and would be deployed under usual industry conditions, impacts to protected resources would be negligible. If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Dated: April 4, 2011. Margo Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–8451 Filed 4–7–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:41 Apr 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA290 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Extension of Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that two requests for extensions to exempted fishing permits (EFPs) contain all of the required information and warrant further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator previously made a determination that the activities authorized under the initial EFPs, issued on June 17, 2010, are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to grant extensions to the original EFPs. The EFP extensions would enable vessels to harvest monkfish granted through the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, and grants exemptions from the monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) possession limit in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA). The EFP issued to the gillnet tie-down study also exempts vessels from the monkfish minimum fish size limits for research purposes only. NMFS is soliciting comment from interested parties on these EFP extension requests. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 25, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • E-mail: nero.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments on GMRI Monkfish RSA EFP Extensions.’’ • Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on GMRI Monkfish RSA EFP Extensions.’’ • Fax: (978) 281–9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Berthiaume, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9177. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19749 On February 22, 2011, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) requested an extension to EFPs issued to GMRI in support of two projects funded under the 2010 Monkfish RSA Program. The EFPs authorize vessels to conduct compensation fishing in the SFMA using 2010 monkfish RSA DAS and to temporarily retain undersize monkfish for data collection purposes. The applicant requests an extension because the participating vessels were unable to use all of their allocated RSA DAS awarded to GMRI for the 2010 fishing year (FY). GMRI states the vessels were unable to use all of their RSA DAS because the EFPs were not issued until June 17, 2010, and the fishermen thereby missed the peak of the spring fishing season. Additionally, the fall monkfish fishery was less productive than expected because of skate bycatch issues. As a result, fishermen used fewer 2010 monkfish RSA DAS than expected. In addition to compensation fishing, research would be ongoing and, therefore, the previously authorized exemption from monkfish minimum size limits for the gillnet tie-down project would be extended as well. The scope and scale of the original exemptions will not change. Regulations at 50 CFR 648.92(c)(i)(v) allow unused monkfish RSA DAS to carry-over into the following FY. The tagging project was awarded 313 monkfish DAS under the 2010 Monkfish RSA Program, with a total landings cap of 1,126,800 lb (511,108 kg) of whole monkfish. Compensation fishing would be extended through the 2011 FY until the cumulative monkfish RSA landings for this project in FYs 2010 and 2011 reach 1,126,800 lb (511,108 kg) of whole monkfish (equivalent), or until the awarded 2010 DAS have been fully utilized, whichever occurs first. The tiedown project was awarded 162 monkfish DAS under the 2010 Monkfish RSA Program, with a total landings cap of 583,200 lb (264,535 kg) of whole monkfish. Compensation fishing would be extended through the 2011 FY until the cumulative monkfish RSA landings for this project in FYs 2010 and 2011 reach 583,200 lb (264,535 kg) of whole monkfish (equivalent), or until the awarded 2010 DAS have been fully utilized, whichever occurs first. This would extend the expiration date of the EFPs from April 30, 2011, to April 30, 2012. No further extensions to these EFPs would be made. Additionally, NMFS is considering imposing a cap on monkfish DAS possession limit exemptions for vessels operating under the monkfish RSA program due to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19748-19749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8451]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA312


Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; 
General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted 
Fishing Permits

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), 
has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit 
(EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants 
further consideration. This EFP application would exempt commercial 
fishing vessels from the following Federal American lobster 
regulations: (1) Gear specifications (including escape vents, ghost 
panel and maximum trap size; (2) trap limits; and (3) trap tags to 
allow 11 Federally permitted vessels to utilize a combined total of 35 
modified lobster traps to catch juvenile lobsters, (30-50 mm carapace 
length), throughout lobster management area 3 (Area 3), in an attempt 
to understand patterns of larval dispersal and settlement. This 
proposed project would be conducted by the Atlantic Offshore Lobster 
Association (AOLA) in conjunction with scientists and the fishing 
industry.
    Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for 
proposed EFPs.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 25, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice may be submitted by e-mail. The 
mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is NERO.EFP@noaa.gov. 
Include in the subject line ``Comments on AOLA Lobster EFP.'' Written 
comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, 
NMFS, NE Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on AOLA Lobster 
EFP.''
     Fax: (978) 281-9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Sh[eacute], Fishery Policy 
Analyst, 978-282-8464, Carol.She@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AOLA submitted a complete application for an 
EFP on March 11, 2011, to conduct commercial fishing activities that 
the regulations would otherwise restrict. This EFP application would 
exempt commercial fishing vessels from the following Federal 
regulations: gear specifications (including escape vents, ghost panel 
and maximum trap size) specified under 50 CFR 697.21(c)(4), 697.21(d) 
and 697.21(e)(2)(ii); trap limits specified under Sec.  697.19(b)(5); 
and trap tags specified under Sec.  697.19(f). The EFP would authorize 
11 Federally permitted vessels to be exempted from parts of the Federal 
lobster regulations to allow the participating vessels to fish modified 
lobster traps, exceed trap limits, and deploy the modified traps 
without trap tags in an attempt to formalize the anecdotal presence of 
young lobsters. Some lobster scientists believe that larvae will only 
survive in the inshore fishery due to the depths and available light, 
and that there are no small lobsters offshore; however, data resulting 
from this project are intended to determine whether there are new 
lobster nursery grounds offshore.
    This project, including the lobster handling protocols, was 
initially developed in consultation with University of New Hampshire 
scientists. To the greatest extent practicable, these handling 
protocols are designed to avoid unnecessary adverse environmental 
impact on lobsters involved in this project, while achieving the data 
collection objectives of this project. AOLA will work in conjunction 
with scientists and the fishing industry to build and test various trap 
modifications to determine the optimal design for use in offshore 
waters. The modified gear may exceed the Federal maximum trap size 
restrictions, include smaller wire mesh sizes, modified entrance heads/
rings, closed or modified escape vents, and cobble acting as shelter 
material. The deployment of the experimental traps throughout lobster 
management area 3 (Area 3) statistical areas 464, 522, 561, 562, 525, 
526, 533, 537, 613, 616, and 622, would begin in April 2011 and extend 
through August 2012. AOLA would submit progress reports in December 
2011 and September 2012, since the project would exceed 1 year. 
Participating vessels would include between one and three experimental 
lobster traps as part of a commercial lobster trap trawl deployed under 
routine industry conditions. Modified traps would remain in the water 
for up to 6 consecutive months (182 days), being hauled approximately 
weekly

[[Page 19749]]

following the normal fishing schedule of the participating vessels. The 
gear would be compliant with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction 
Plan; therefore, impacts to protected resources would be negligible. 
Subsequently, AOLA will provide data necessary to assist in better 
future management of the lobster fishery.
    The activities occurring in Area 3 statistical areas are not 
anticipated to have any more environmental impacts than those already 
occurring as part of a commercial lobster trap trawl deployed under 
usual industry conditions. Impacts to the lobster resource would be 
negligible. Given the small mesh and entrance heads, the modified gear 
is not expected to catch legal lobsters. Any sublegal lobsters caught 
would briefly be retained onboard only for the purposes of recording 
their size, sex, and presence of shell disease, before being promptly 
released back into the ocean. There should be minimal impact to bycatch 
species due to the use of small mesh and small entrance heads and, in 
addition, all bycatch species hauled from modified gear would be 
returned promptly to the ocean. Likewise, there would not be 
significant impacts on benthic habitats. As the gear would be compliant 
with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and would be deployed 
under usual industry conditions, impacts to protected resources would 
be negligible.
    If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and 
extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and 
extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed 
essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have 
minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially 
approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope 
of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: April 4, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8451 Filed 4-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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