Endangered Species; File No. 13330-01, 45517-45518 [2011-19258]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 146 / Friday, July 29, 2011 / Notices 1:30 p.m.–2 p.m.—The Outreach and Education Committee will discuss recommendations. 2 p.m.–5 p.m.—Sustainable Fisheries/ Ecosystem Committee will review and discuss the Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical committee report; receive a presentation on Allocation by Buzz Thompson; and discuss final action on the Generic Annual Catch Limits/ Accountability Measures Amendment. 5 p.m.–5:15 p.m.—Closed Session— Full Council will meet to receive a litigation briefing. Recess— Tuesday, August 16, 2011 8:30 a.m.–12 noon and 1:30 p.m.–5 p.m.—Reef Fish Management Committee will meet to discuss final action on Regulatory Amendment for Red Grouper Total Allowable Catch & Bag Limit and Amendment 32—Gag Rebuilding & Gag Annual Catch limit; review a Draft Regulatory Amendment for Fall Red Snapper Season; receive a presentation on Red Snapper Economics by Wade Griffin; discuss a Draft of Amendment 35—Greater Amberjack; and review the Ad Hoc Red Snapper Individual Fishing Quota 5-Year Review and Commercial Reef Fish Individual Fishing Quota Advisory Panel Reports. Recess— mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Wednesday, August 17, 2011 8:30 a.m.–9 a.m.—Closed Session— The Advisory Panel Selection Committee/Full Council will meet to appoint an Ad Hoc Headboat Advisory Panel and to appoint retiring Council Members to Advisory Panels. 9 a.m.–9:30 a.m.—Closed Session— The Budget/Personnel Committee/Full Council will meet to discuss employment matters. 9:30 a.m.–10 a.m.—The Budget/ Personnel Committee will review and discuss the Quarterly Budget. 10 a.m.–11 a.m.—The Mackerel Management Committee will discuss the final action on Amendment 18 to the coastal migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan. 11 a.m.–11:30 a.m.—The Joint Mackerel, Reef Fish and Red Drum Management Committees will review the proposed Rule Implementing the Aquaculture Fishery Management Plan. 1 p.m.–2 p.m.—The Artificial Reef Committee will receive a presentation from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE); discuss Oil Rig Removals; Review and discuss the status of Artificial Reefs in Fishery Management. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Jul 28, 2011 Jkt 223001 2 p.m.–3 p.m.—The Data Collection Committee will receive a presentation on the I-Snapper Program; Discuss creating an Ad Hoc Advisory Panel to Collect Private Recreational Angler Data. 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m.—The Administrative Policy Committee will review and discuss the Council Strategic Plan; SEDAR Guidelines; and Ad Hoc Advisory Panel Membership. Recess— Immediately following the Committee Recess will be the Informal Question & Answer Session on Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Issues. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come before the Council and Committees for discussion, in accordance with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the Council and Committees will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agendas 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 intent to take action to address the emergency. The established times for addressing items on the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items. In order to further allow for such adjustments and completion of all items on the agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to the date/time established in this notice. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Council (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 working days prior to the meeting. Dated: July 26, 2011. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–19253 Filed 7–28–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45517 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA605 Endangered Species; File No. 13330– 01 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Issuance of permit modification. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS Southeast Fisheries Center (SEFSC) (hereinafter ‘‘Permit Holder’’); 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL 33149 [Responsible Party: Bonnie Ponwith, PhD], has been issued a permit modification to take smalltooth sawfish in Florida waters for purposes of scientific research. ADDRESSES: The permit modification and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: • Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376; and • Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701; phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727) 824–5309. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Malcolm Mohead or Colette Cairns, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 17, 2011, notice was published in the Federal Register (76 FR 14650) that a scientific research permit modification to take smalltooth sawfish had been submitted by the above-named organization. The requested permit modification has been issued under the authority of 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). The primary objective of the permit modification will remain unchanged from the original permit: to collect data on the biology, distribution and abundance of the endangered smalltooth sawfish to facilitate recovery of the species. Sampling with the goal of taking 45 smalltooth sawfish per year is currently authorized by longline, gillnet, seine net, drum (set) lines, or rod and reel throughout Florida’s coastal waters, but primarily in the region of the Florida coast from Naples to Key West, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29JYN1.SGM 29JYN1 45518 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 146 / Friday, July 29, 2011 / Notices encompassing the Ten Thousand Islands. All captured sawfish are also authorized to be handled, measured, tagged, sampled, and released alive. Tagging methods include rototags (fin dart tags, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags, acoustic tags (transmitters), Pop-Up Archival transmitting (PAT) tags, and Smart Position Only Transmitting (SPOT) tags. Sampling methods also include taking a small genetic tissue fin clip and blood sample. Additionally, dead sawfish acquired through strandings or through law enforcement confiscations are sampled for scientific purposes. However, to increase tag retention and provide less invasive tagging techniques, the applicant has now been authorized to replace plastic rototags used to secure VEMCO acoustic transmitters with neoprene clasp tags; and nylon umbrella darts used to secure PAT tags will be replaced with dorsal fin harnesses. Additionally, SPOT tags will now be excluded as a tagging method. Better data collection using these modified tagging methods could provide increased insight into habitat usage pattern and accomplish actions items identified in the recovery plan for the species. Issuance of this permit modification, 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 or threatened species, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: July 26, 2011. P. Michael Paine, Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–19258 Filed 7–28–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES RIN 0648–XA507 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Low-Energy Marine Geophysical Survey in the Western Tropical Pacific Ocean, November to December, 2011 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Jul 28, 2011 Jkt 223001 Notice; proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization; request for comments. ACTION: NMFS has received an application from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting a low-energy marine geophysical (i.e., seismic) survey in the western tropical Pacific Ocean, November to December, 2011. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to SIO to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, 19 species of marine mammals during the specified activity. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than August 29, 2011. SUMMARY: Comments on the application should be addressed to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is ITP.Goldstein@noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for e-mail comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ permits/incidental.htm#applications without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. A copy of the application containing a list of the references used in this document may be obtained by writing to the above address, telephoning the contact listed here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) or visiting the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has prepared a draft ‘‘Environmental Assessment of a Marine Geophysical Survey by the R/V Thompson in the western tropical Pacific Ocean November–December 2011 (EA).’’ The draft EA incorporates an ‘‘Environmental Assessment of a Low-Energy Marine Geophysical Survey by the R/V Thompson in the Western Tropical Pacific Ocean, November– December 2011,’’ prepared by LGL Ltd., ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Environmental Research Associates (LGL), on behalf of NSF and SIO, which is also available at the same Internet address. Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Goldstein or Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 301–427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371 (a)(5)(D)) directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to authorize, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals of a species or population stock, by United States citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Authorization for the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals 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 subsistence uses (where relevant). The authorization must set forth the permissible methods of taking, other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species or stock and its habitat, and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings. 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. Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA establishes a 45-day 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 public comment period, NMFS must either issue or deny the authorization. E:\FR\FM\29JYN1.SGM 29JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 146 (Friday, July 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45517-45518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19258]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA605


Endangered Species; File No. 13330-01

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

ACTION: Issuance of permit modification.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS Southeast Fisheries Center 
(SEFSC) (hereinafter ``Permit Holder''); 75 Virginia Beach Drive, 
Miami, FL 33149 [Responsible Party: Bonnie Ponwith, PhD], has been 
issued a permit modification to take smalltooth sawfish in Florida 
waters for purposes of scientific research.

ADDRESSES: The permit modification and related documents are available 
for review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
offices:
     Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; and
     Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint 
Petersburg, Florida 33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Malcolm Mohead or Colette Cairns, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 17, 2011, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (76 FR 14650) that a scientific research permit 
modification to take smalltooth sawfish had been submitted by the 
above-named organization. The requested permit modification has been 
issued under the authority of 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).
    The primary objective of the permit modification will remain 
unchanged from the original permit: to collect data on the biology, 
distribution and abundance of the endangered smalltooth sawfish to 
facilitate recovery of the species. Sampling with the goal of taking 45 
smalltooth sawfish per year is currently authorized by longline, 
gillnet, seine net, drum (set) lines, or rod and reel throughout 
Florida's coastal waters, but primarily in the region of the Florida 
coast from Naples to Key West,

[[Page 45518]]

encompassing the Ten Thousand Islands. All captured sawfish are also 
authorized to be handled, measured, tagged, sampled, and released 
alive. Tagging methods include rototags (fin dart tags, Passive 
Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags, acoustic tags (transmitters), Pop-Up 
Archival transmitting (PAT) tags, and Smart Position Only Transmitting 
(SPOT) tags. Sampling methods also include taking a small genetic 
tissue fin clip and blood sample. Additionally, dead sawfish acquired 
through strandings or through law enforcement confiscations are sampled 
for scientific purposes.
    However, to increase tag retention and provide less invasive 
tagging techniques, the applicant has now been authorized to replace 
plastic rototags used to secure VEMCO acoustic transmitters with 
neoprene clasp tags; and nylon umbrella darts used to secure PAT tags 
will be replaced with dorsal fin harnesses. Additionally, SPOT tags 
will now be excluded as a tagging method. Better data collection using 
these modified tagging methods could provide increased insight into 
habitat usage pattern and accomplish actions items identified in the 
recovery plan for the species.
    Issuance of this permit modification, 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 or 
threatened species, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and 
policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: July 26, 2011.
P. Michael Paine,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-19258 Filed 7-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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