Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 57557-57558 [2012-23003]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 18, 2012 / Notices The objective of these surveys is to assess the level of awareness on issues related to regulations preventing feeding/harassment of wild bottlenose dolphins, which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In particular, the surveys are designed to determine what commercial businesses and the general public know about specific regulations prohibiting feeding and harassment of bottlenose dolphins, and how they gained their knowledge and/or perceptions on the topic. The first survey was conducted in Panama City, Florida, where numerous incidences of dolphin harassment and feeding are continually documented.Revision: The intent is to use this survey in one to two other geographic areas of the southeast region that are also ‘‘hot-spots’’ for dolphin harassment and feeding activities to gain a similar understanding and ensure outreach messages are appropriate for intended audiences. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will request information from local residents, tourists, and commercial businesses through a one-time survey in the geographic location(s) identified in the revision supporting statement. This information, upon receipt, will be used to develop effective and better-targeted outreach efforts in order to enhance bottlenose dolphin conservation in the southeast United States. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations; individuals or households. Frequency: One time. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. OMB Desk Officer: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0336, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at JJessup@doc.gov). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov. Dated: September 13, 2012. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2012–22944 Filed 9–17–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Sep 17, 2012 Jkt 226001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC169 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit 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) application submitted by the Nature Conservancy contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would exempt participating vessels from minimum fish size and possession limits of Atlantic halibut. Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on EFP applications. DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 3, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: nero.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments on Nature Conservancy EFP.’’ • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Nature Conservancy EFP.’’ • Fax: (978) 281–9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Alger, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978–675–2153, Brett.Alger@noaa.gov. SUMMARY: The Nature Conservancy submitted a complete application for an EFP on August 6, 2012, to enable data collection activities that the regulations on commercial fishing would otherwise restrict. The EFP would exempt four federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from minimum halibut size and possession limits (41 inches and 1 halibut per trip) for the purpose of tagging and releasing Atlantic halibut during commercial fishing operations SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57557 while operating under a project managed by the Nature Conservancy and the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association. The comanaged project is attempting to reduce halibut assessment uncertainties such as catchability in fishery-independent surveys, stock structure, and regional growth rates. Fishing operations would occur within the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank Regulated Mesh Areas. Vessels would use approximately 900 hooks per set, make an average trip of 6 to 12 sets per day, with an average soak time of 3 to 4 hr per set. Each vessel would record halibut size, time and location of capture, whether it was retained or released, gear used, depth fished, bait type, and condition upon release. Fish would be tagged with a wire ‘‘spaghetti’’ tag, each marked with a unique number and recorded; all participants would complete a training program in the tagging and release of halibut. Participating vessels would expect to encounter a mix of groundfish species, skates, dogfish, and other noncommercial fish species as they target primarily haddock and cod. Any undersized Atlantic halibut caught would be tagged and released. In addition, all other undersized and noncommercial fish would be handled per normal fishing operations and returned to sea as quickly as possible. There would be no landing of non-compliant fish on board the vessels. All catch of stocks allocated to Sectors by vessels on a Sector trip would be deducted from the Sector’s Annual Catch Entitlement for each Northeast multispecies stock, including halibut. Because the current commercial catch rates of halibut are relatively low, tagging would be done opportunistically, and there is no target number of halibut to tag for the project. The participating vessels would be required to comply with all other applicable requirements and restrictions specified at 50 CFR part 648, unless specifically exempted in this EFP. 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 impact 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. E:\FR\FM\18SEN1.SGM 18SEN1 57558 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 18, 2012 / Notices Dated: September 13, 2012. Lindsay Fullenkamp, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–23003 Filed 9–17–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC243 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold a working meeting, which is open to the public. DATES: The GMT meeting will be held Tuesday, October 2, 2012 from 1 p.m. until business for the day is completed. The GMT meeting will reconvene Wednesday, October 3 through Thursday, October 4 from 8:30 a.m. until business for each day has been completed. SUMMARY: The meeting will be held at the Pacific Council Office, Large Conference Room, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220– 1384; telephone: (503) 820–2280. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John DeVore, Staff Officer, Pacific Council; telephone: (503) 820–2280. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose of the GMT working meeting is to develop recommendations on how to best integrate the use of descending devices to recompress rockfish encountered in west coast recreational fisheries. Further, the GMT will discuss potential survival estimates for cowcod and yelloweye rockfish that are descended. The GMT may also address other assignments relating to groundfish management. No management actions will be decided by the GMT. The GMT’s task will be to develop recommendations for consideration by the Council at its November meeting in Orange County, CA. Although non-emergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda may mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Sep 17, 2012 Jkt 226001 come before the GMT for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal GMT action during this meeting. GMT action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the GMT’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at (503) 820–2280 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: September 13, 2012. William D. Chappell, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–23002 Filed 9–17–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P U.S.C. App. (1982), notice is hereby given of the meeting of ACCRES. ACCRES was established by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) on May 21, 2002, to advise the Secretary through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on long-range and short-range strategies for the licensing of commercial remote sensing satellite systems. Matters To Be Considered The meeting will be open to the public pursuant to Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, as amended by Section 5(c) of the Government in Sunshine Act, Public Law 94–409 and in accordance with Section 552b(c)(1) of Title 5, United States Code. All other portions of the meeting will be open to the public. The Committee will receive a presentation on updates of NOAA’s licensing activities. The committee will also receive public comments on its activities. Special Accommodations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Notice of Public Meeting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES) will meet September 24, 2012. DATES: The meeting is scheduled as follows: September 24, 2012, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. The meeting will be open to the public. SUMMARY: The meeting will be held in the Building SSMC–4 auditorium of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Silver Spring, MD 20910. The NOAA auditorium is located at 1301 East West Highway (SSMC–4 1301 auditorium on the right), Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tahara Dawkins, NOAA/NESDIS/ CRSRA, 1335 East West Highway, Room 8260, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; telephone (301) 713–3385, fax (301) 713–1249, email Tahara.Dawkins@noaa.gov, or Richard James at telephone (301) 713–0572, email Richard.James@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As required by section 10(a) (2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be directed to ACCRES, NOAA/ NESDIS/CRSRA, 1335 East West Highway, Room 8260, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Additional Information and Public Comments Any member of the public wishing further information concerning the meeting or who wishes to submit oral or written comments should contact Tahara Dawkins, Designated Federal Officer for ACCRES, NOAA/NESDIS/ CRSRA, 1335 East West Highway, Room 8260, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Copies of the draft meeting agenda can be obtained from Richard James at (301) 713–0572, fax (301) 713–1249, or email richard.james@noaa.gov. The ACCRES expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previouslysubmitted oral or written statements. In general, each individual or group making an oral presentation may be limited to a total time of five minutes. Written comments (please provide at least 15 copies) received in the NOAA/ NESDIS/CRSRA on or before September 19, 2012, will be provided to Committee members in advance of the meeting. Comments received too close to the meeting date will normally be provided to Committee members at the meeting. E:\FR\FM\18SEN1.SGM 18SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57557-57558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23003]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC169


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit

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 submitted by the Nature Conservancy contains all of 
the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP 
would exempt participating vessels from minimum fish size and 
possession limits of Atlantic halibut.
    Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on EFP applications.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: nero.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on Nature Conservancy EFP.''
     Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, NE 
Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark 
the outside of the envelope ``Comments on Nature Conservancy EFP.''
     Fax: (978) 281-9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Alger, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, 978-675-2153, Brett.Alger@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Nature Conservancy submitted a complete 
application for an EFP on August 6, 2012, to enable data collection 
activities that the regulations on commercial fishing would otherwise 
restrict. The EFP would exempt four federally permitted commercial 
fishing vessels from minimum halibut size and possession limits (41 
inches and 1 halibut per trip) for the purpose of tagging and releasing 
Atlantic halibut during commercial fishing operations while operating 
under a project managed by the Nature Conservancy and the Cape Cod 
Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association. The co-managed project is 
attempting to reduce halibut assessment uncertainties such as 
catchability in fishery-independent surveys, stock structure, and 
regional growth rates.
    Fishing operations would occur within the Gulf of Maine and Georges 
Bank Regulated Mesh Areas. Vessels would use approximately 900 hooks 
per set, make an average trip of 6 to 12 sets per day, with an average 
soak time of 3 to 4 hr per set. Each vessel would record halibut size, 
time and location of capture, whether it was retained or released, gear 
used, depth fished, bait type, and condition upon release. Fish would 
be tagged with a wire ``spaghetti'' tag, each marked with a unique 
number and recorded; all participants would complete a training program 
in the tagging and release of halibut.
    Participating vessels would expect to encounter a mix of groundfish 
species, skates, dogfish, and other non-commercial fish species as they 
target primarily haddock and cod. Any undersized Atlantic halibut 
caught would be tagged and released. In addition, all other undersized 
and non-commercial fish would be handled per normal fishing operations 
and returned to sea as quickly as possible. There would be no landing 
of non-compliant fish on board the vessels. All catch of stocks 
allocated to Sectors by vessels on a Sector trip would be deducted from 
the Sector's Annual Catch Entitlement for each Northeast multispecies 
stock, including halibut. Because the current commercial catch rates of 
halibut are relatively low, tagging would be done opportunistically, 
and there is no target number of halibut to tag for the project. The 
participating vessels would be required to comply with all other 
applicable requirements and restrictions specified at 50 CFR part 648, 
unless specifically exempted in this EFP.
    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 impact 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.


[[Page 57558]]


    Dated: September 13, 2012.
Lindsay Fullenkamp,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23003 Filed 9-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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