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]

Download as PDF 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:35 Jun 27, 2012 Jkt 226001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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: E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 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: PO 00000 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 28JNN1

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]


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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
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