Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Exempted Fishing Permit, 38585-38586 [2012-15892]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2012 / Notices
provide goods and services related to
shale oil development into the nascent
industry.
Many oil exploration licenses are set
to expire in 2012 and 2013. Exploration
companies are limited to how many
licenses they can hold in Israel, and
given the success of several exploration
projects, there are opportunities for U.S.
companies to enter Israel’s oil
exploration market.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David McCormack, International Trade
Specialist, Phone: 202.482.2833, Email:
david.mccormack@trade.gov.
Elnora Moye,
Trade Missions Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2012–15785 Filed 6–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–FP–M
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act), as amended in
1996, provides for the nomination for
members of Fishery Management
Councils by state governors and Indian
treaty tribes, for the designation of a
principal state fishery official who will
perform duties under the MagnusonStevens Act, and for a request by a state
for reinstatement of state authority over
a managed fishery. Nominees for
council membership must provide the
governor or tribe with background
documentation, which is then submitted
to NOAA with the nomination. The
information submitted with these
actions will be used to ensure that the
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act are being met.
II. Method of Collection
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Proposed Information Collection;
Comment Request; Designation of
Fishery Management Council Members
and Application for Reinstatement of
State Authority
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of
Commerce, as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to
take this opportunity to comment on
continuing information collections, as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995.
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted on or before August 27, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer,
Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
instrument and instructions should be
directed to William Chappell, (301)
427–8505 or
William.Chappell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
I. Abstract
This request is for an extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
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16:35 Jun 27, 2012
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State governors and Indian treaty
tribes submit written nominations to the
Secretary of Commerce, together with
recommendations and statements of
candidates’ qualifications. Designations
of state officials and requests for
reinstatement of state authority are also
made in writing in response to
regulations. No forms are used.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648–0314.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Regular submission
(extension of a currently approved
collection).
Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal
government.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
275.
Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour
to designate a principal state fishery
official(s), 80 hours for a nomination for
a Council appointment, 16 hours for
background documentation for
nominees, and 1 hour for a request to
reinstate state authority.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 4,607.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Public: $795.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the
proposed collection of information; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the
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38585
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB
approval of this information collection;
they also will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: June 22, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–15810 Filed 6–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC070
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico;
Exempted Fishing Permit
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
application for an exempted fishing
permit; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces the receipt
of an application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. Chris
Koenig (Florida State University) and
Dr. Chris Stallings (University of South
Florida). If granted, the EFP would
authorize the applicants to use trained
for-hire fishermen to be able to
temporarily possess goliath grouper for
non-lethal sampling during the course
of their normal fishing activities. This
non-lethal sampling would include
measuring, tagging, and removing a
portion of the goliath grouper dorsal fin
rays before releasing the live fish. The
intent of this study is to provide
regional age structure of recovering
goliath grouper populations for fish
stock assessments.
DATES: Comments must be received no
later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on July
13, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on the application by any of the
following methods:
• Email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
Include in the subject line of the email
comment the following document
identifier: ‘‘FSU_EFP’’.
• Mail: Peter Hood, Southeast
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
SUMMARY:
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srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
38586
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2012 / Notices
The application and related
documents are available for review
upon written request to any of the above
addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hood, 727–824–5305; email:
Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is
requested under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and regulations at
50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted
fishing.
The described research is part of a life
history study of goliath grouper and
includes a regional age structure study.
This research is funded by NOAA
through the Marine Fisheries Initiative
(cooperative agreement number
NA11NMF4330123). The research is
intended to involve federally permitted
for-hire fishermen in the collection of
biological information on goliath
grouper. The proposed collection for
scientific research involves activities
that could otherwise be prohibited by
regulations at 50 CFR part 622, as they
pertain to reef fish managed by the Gulf
of Mexico Fishery Management Council
and to snapper-grouper managed by the
South Atlantic Fishery Management
Councils (Councils). Specific, otherwise
prohibited, Federal regulations that the
EFP would authorize include
regulations at § 622.32(b)(2)(ii) and
(b)(3)(ii) (Prohibited and limited harvest
species) and § 622.39(b)(ii) and (d)(ii)(D)
(Bag and possession limits).
The applicant requests authorization
through the EFP to allow for-hire
fishermen to temporarily possess goliath
grouper for non-lethal sampling during
the course of their normal fishing
activities in the Federal waters off
Florida. The sampling would occur both
state and Federal waters off Florida in
both the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the
South Atlantic. For sampling in Florida
state waters, the applicants have
received a permit to non-lethally sample
goliath grouper from the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
To participate in this study, for-hire
fishermen would be trained by the
applicants on how to sample goliath
grouper with minimal harm to the fish.
Sampling includes measuring, tagging,
and removing a portion of the dorsal fin
rays before releasing the live fish. The
EFP would apply to specifically
designated fishers in Gulf Federal
waters who would be required to
possess a valid Federal Gulf reef fish
charter vessel/headboat permit and to
designated fishers in South Atlantic
Federal waters who would be required
to possess a valid South Atlantic
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16:35 Jun 27, 2012
Jkt 226001
snapper-grouper charter vessel/headboat
permit.
The goal of the research is to provide
better life history information for the
next stock assessment. Because the
possession of goliath grouper is
prohibited in Federal waters, obtaining
biological samples through dockside
sampling cannot be done. The EFP, if
approved, would authorize the sampling
of no more than 1,000 goliath grouper
from both state and Federal waters from
the date of issuance of the EFP through
August 28, 2014. These fish would be
released alive immediately after
sampling. The condition (alive or dead)
of the released fish would be assessed
after release from the vessel by the crew.
The EFP would no longer be valid if
there is a mortality of 10 or more fish
as a result of the activities taken through
this EFP.
NMFS finds this application warrants
further consideration. Possible
conditions the agency may impose on
this permit, if it is indeed granted,
include but are not limited to, a
prohibition of conducting research
within marine protected areas, marine
sanctuaries, or special management
zones, without additional authorization.
A report on the research would be due
at the end of the collection period, to be
submitted to NMFS and reviewed by the
councils.
A final decision on issuance of the
EFP will depend on NMFS’ review of
public comments received on the
application, consultations with
appropriate fishery management
agencies of the affected states, the
Councils, and the U.S. Coast Guard, as
well as a determination that it is
consistent with all applicable laws.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 25, 2012.
Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–15892 Filed 6–27–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Fisheries of the South Atlantic and
Gulf of Mexico; South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council; Public Meetings
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting and
workshop.
AGENCY:
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Frm 00018
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
The South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council (SAFMC) will
hold a meeting of its Scientific and
Statistical Committee (SSC) to review
and discuss Amendment 9 to the
Shrimp Fishery Management Plan
(FMP), and a workshop of the SSC to
consider modifications to the
Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC)
control rule. The meeting and workshop
will be held in North Charleston, SC.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
DATES: The meeting and workshop will
be held August 1–3, 2012. See
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES: The meeting and workshop
will be held at the Crowne Plaza, 4831
Tanger Outlet Boulevard, North
Charleston, SC 29418; telephone: (843)
744–4422.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim
Iverson, Public Information Officer,
4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North
Charleston, SC 29405; telephone: (843)
571–4366; email:
Kim.Iverson@safmc.net.
SUMMARY:
Under the
Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorized Act,
the SSC is the body responsible for
reviewing the Council’s scientific
materials. During the SSC meeting, the
SSC will discuss Amendment 9 to the
Shrimp FMP for the South Atlantic
Region. The amendment will modify the
process for a state to request a
concurrent closure of the penaeid
shrimp fisheries in the adjacent federal
waters during severe winter weather,
and revise the overfished status
determination criteria for the pink
shrimp stock.
During the SSC workshop, the
committee will discuss the ABC control
rule, with emphasis on methods for
deriving ABC for stocks that have
reliable catch data only. The SSC will
review catch and biological data for
unassessed stocks and recommend
modifications to the ABC control rule to
improve the use of such information
when providing ABC recommendations.
The SSC will not make ABC
recommendations during the workshop.
SSC Meeting Schedule:
August 1, 2012, 1 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
SSC Workshop Schedule:
August 1, 2012, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.
August 2, 2012, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
August 3, 2012, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in this agenda may come
before this group for discussion, those
issues may not be the subject of formal
action during these meetings. Action
will be restricted to those issues
specifically listed in this notice and any
issues arising after publication of this
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38585-38586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15892]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XC070
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Exempted Fishing Permit
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing
permit; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. Chris Koenig (Florida State University)
and Dr. Chris Stallings (University of South Florida). If granted, the
EFP would authorize the applicants to use trained for-hire fishermen to
be able to temporarily possess goliath grouper for non-lethal sampling
during the course of their normal fishing activities. This non-lethal
sampling would include measuring, tagging, and removing a portion of
the goliath grouper dorsal fin rays before releasing the live fish. The
intent of this study is to provide regional age structure of recovering
goliath grouper populations for fish stock assessments.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on
July 13, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by any of the
following methods:
Email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of
the email comment the following document identifier: ``FSU--EFP''.
Mail: Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263
13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
[[Page 38586]]
The application and related documents are available for review upon
written request to any of the above addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, 727-824-5305; email:
Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted
fishing.
The described research is part of a life history study of goliath
grouper and includes a regional age structure study. This research is
funded by NOAA through the Marine Fisheries Initiative (cooperative
agreement number NA11NMF4330123). The research is intended to involve
federally permitted for-hire fishermen in the collection of biological
information on goliath grouper. The proposed collection for scientific
research involves activities that could otherwise be prohibited by
regulations at 50 CFR part 622, as they pertain to reef fish managed by
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and to snapper-grouper
managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils).
Specific, otherwise prohibited, Federal regulations that the EFP would
authorize include regulations at Sec. 622.32(b)(2)(ii) and (b)(3)(ii)
(Prohibited and limited harvest species) and Sec. 622.39(b)(ii) and
(d)(ii)(D) (Bag and possession limits).
The applicant requests authorization through the EFP to allow for-
hire fishermen to temporarily possess goliath grouper for non-lethal
sampling during the course of their normal fishing activities in the
Federal waters off Florida. The sampling would occur both state and
Federal waters off Florida in both the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the
South Atlantic. For sampling in Florida state waters, the applicants
have received a permit to non-lethally sample goliath grouper from the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. To participate in
this study, for-hire fishermen would be trained by the applicants on
how to sample goliath grouper with minimal harm to the fish. Sampling
includes measuring, tagging, and removing a portion of the dorsal fin
rays before releasing the live fish. The EFP would apply to
specifically designated fishers in Gulf Federal waters who would be
required to possess a valid Federal Gulf reef fish charter vessel/
headboat permit and to designated fishers in South Atlantic Federal
waters who would be required to possess a valid South Atlantic snapper-
grouper charter vessel/headboat permit.
The goal of the research is to provide better life history
information for the next stock assessment. Because the possession of
goliath grouper is prohibited in Federal waters, obtaining biological
samples through dockside sampling cannot be done. The EFP, if approved,
would authorize the sampling of no more than 1,000 goliath grouper from
both state and Federal waters from the date of issuance of the EFP
through August 28, 2014. These fish would be released alive immediately
after sampling. The condition (alive or dead) of the released fish
would be assessed after release from the vessel by the crew. The EFP
would no longer be valid if there is a mortality of 10 or more fish as
a result of the activities taken through this EFP.
NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration.
Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is
indeed granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of
conducting research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries,
or special management zones, without additional authorization. A report
on the research would be due at the end of the collection period, to be
submitted to NMFS and reviewed by the councils.
A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NMFS' review
of public comments received on the application, consultations with
appropriate fishery management agencies of the affected states, the
Councils, and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as a determination that it
is consistent with all applicable laws.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 25, 2012.
Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15892 Filed 6-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
