Appointments to a Recreational Fisheries Working Group by the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, 73433-73434 [2012-29758]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 237 / Monday, December 10, 2012 / Notices
effort, and socioeconomic
characteristics of fishers using this
mode of fishing on St. Croix. Collection
B will be a survey of boat-based, noncommercial fishers on St. Croix to
document levels of catch and effort for
this mode of fishing.
The data gathered will be used to
describe recreational and subsistence
sectors in St. Croix, and evaluate the
socio-economic impacts of federal
regulatory actions.
In addition, the information will be
used to strengthen and improve fishery
management decision-making, satisfy
legal mandates under Executive Order
12866, the Magnuson Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, the Endangered Species
Act, and the National Environmental
Policy Act, and other pertinent statues.
II. Method of Collection
Collection A, which will take place
over a 12-month period, will be
comprised of two data collection
activities: (1) A survey of shore-based
fishers, and (2) counts of shore-based
fishers. Collection B, which will take
place over a 24-month period, will
include two data collection activities:
(1) A survey of fishers at boat ramps
and, (2) a count of boat trailers or
vehicles at launch sites where surveys
are administered.
OMB Control Number: None.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Regular submission
(request for a new information
collection).
Affected Public: Individuals or
households.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
5,400.
Estimated Time per Response:
Collection A survey, 10 minutes;
Collection B survey, 5 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 484 (Collection A, 67; Collection
B, 417).
Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting
costs.
IV. Request for Comments
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with
Dated: December 4, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–29703 Filed 12–7–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC358
Appointments to a Recreational
Fisheries Working Group by the Marine
Fisheries Advisory Committee
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.
AGENCY:
Nominations are being
solicited for appointment to a
Recreational Fisheries Working Group
of the Marine Fisheries Advisory
Committee (MAFAC). The members will
be appointed by MAFAC in consultation
with NOAA and will serve for an initial
term of up to two years, with the option
to apply to be re-appointed. The term
would begin in February or March 2013.
Nominees should possess demonstrable
expertise in the management or business
of recreational fishing and/or fisheries
science; a well-informed background in
recreational fisheries issues; an
operational knowledge of federal
agencies and interactions with the
Fishery Management Councils and/or
regional and state partners; and be able
to fulfill the time commitments required
for up to two annual meetings.
DATES: Applications must be received
on or before January 9, 2013, via mail
or email.
ADDRESSES: Applications should be sent
to Danielle Rioux, Recreational
Fisheries Policy Specialist, NMFS SF–
13336, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910 or
Danielle.Rioux@noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Danielle Rioux, Recreational Fisheries
SUMMARY:
III. Data
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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the
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.
18:30 Dec 07, 2012
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
73433
Policy Specialist; (301) 427–8516;
email: Danielle.Rioux@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MAFAC is
the only Federal advisory committee
with the responsibility to advise the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) on
all matters concerning living marine
resources that are the responsibility of
the Department of Commerce. MAFAC
established a Recreational Fisheries
Working Group (RFWG) in 2010, to
assist it in the development of
recommendations to the Secretary on
regulations, policies and programs
critical to the mission and goals of the
NMFS. The RFWG is composed of
people with a specific interest and
qualification related to NOAA’s
recreation-related activities. Beginning
in 2013, half of the RFWG appointments
will expire every year, and applications/
nominations will be solicited each year
to fill these seats. The RFWG is
expected to have no more than 25
members to be selected from a balance
of the diverse national and regional
recreational fisheries sector and
community perspectives. With this
solicitation NOAA will fill 6 currently
empty seats, as well as any vacancies
that develop during the reappointment
process.
MAFAC established the RFWG to
advise MAFAC on issues of importance
to the recreational fishing community,
including, but not limited to: (1) Review
and possible revision of the NOAA
National and Regional Recreational
Fisheries Action Agendas, (2) planning
for a second National Saltwater
Recreational Fisheries Summit, and
such other recreational fisheries issues
and activities identified as appropriate
by MAFAC.
The RGWG members cannot be
employed by NOAA or a member of a
Regional Fishery Management Council
or have been registered as a lobbyist
with the Secretary of the Senate and the
Clerk of the House of Representatives
within two years of the date of
appointment. Membership is voluntary,
and except for reimbursable travel and
related expenses, service is without pay.
Each submission should provide the
nominee’s name and affiliation (i.e.
private angler, charterboat, trade
association, etc.) and contact
information including address, phone
number, fax number, and email address
(if available); and should describe the
nominee’s qualifying experience in the
following areas:
1. Expertise in the management or
business of recreational fishing, and/or
fisheries science;
2. Informed background in
recreational fisheries issues; and
E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM
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73434
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 237 / Monday, December 10, 2012 / Notices
3. Operational knowledge of federal
agencies and interactions with the
Fishery Management Councils and/or
regional and state partners.
Letters of support will be accepted,
and may be submitted with the
application or separately. Applications
and letters of support should be sent to
(see ADDRESSES) and must be received
by (see DATES). The full text of the
MAFAC Charter and its current
membership can be viewed at the NMFS
Web page at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/
mafac/.
Dated: December 5, 2012.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, performing the
functions and duties of the Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries.
[FR Doc. 2012–29758 Filed 12–7–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC374
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to
Specified Activities; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to Seismic Survey
in Cook Inlet, AK
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental
harassment authorization; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS received an
application from Apache Alaska
Corporation (Apache) for an Incidental
Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take
marine mammals, by harassment,
incidental to a proposed 3D seismic
survey in Cook Inlet, Alaska, between
January 2013 and January 2014.
Pursuant to the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS requests
comments on its proposal to issue an
IHA to Apache to take, by Level B
harassment only, five species of marine
mammals during the specified activity.
DATES: Comments and information must
be received no later than January 9,
2013.
SUMMARY:
Comments on the
application should be addressed to
Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and
Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The
mailbox address for providing email
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:30 Dec 07, 2012
Jkt 229001
comments is ITP.Hopper@noaa.gov.
NMFS is not responsible for email
comments sent to addresses other than
the one provided here. Comments sent
via email, including all attachments,
must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size.
Instructions: 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 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.
An electronic copy of the application
used in this document may be obtained
by writing to the address specified
above, telephoning the contact listed
below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT), or visiting the Internet at:
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/
incidental.htm. Documents cited in this
notice may also be viewed, by
appointment, during regular business
hours, at the aforementioned address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian D. Hopper, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
the Secretary of Commerce to allow,
upon request, the incidental, but not
intentional, taking of small numbers of
marine mammals by U.S. citizens who
engage in a specified activity (other than
commercial fishing) within a specified
geographical region if certain findings
are made and either regulations are
issued or, if the taking is limited to
harassment, a notice of a proposed
authorization is provided to the public
for review.
Authorization for incidental takings
shall be granted if NMFS finds that the
taking will have a negligible impact on
the species or stock(s), will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for
subsistence uses (where relevant), and if
the permissible methods of taking and
requirements pertaining to the
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of
such takings are set forth. 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
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
which citizens of the U.S. can apply for
an authorization to incidentally take
small numbers of marine mammals by
harassment. Section 101(a)(5)(D)
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 marine mammals. Within
45 days of the close of the comment
period, NMFS must either issue or deny
the authorization.
Except with respect to certain
activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: ‘‘any act of
pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i)
has the potential to injure a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has
the potential to disturb a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild by causing disruption of behavioral
patterns, including, but not limited to,
migration, breathing, nursing, breeding,
feeding, or sheltering [Level B
harassment].’’
Summary of Request
NMFS received an application on
June 15, 2012, from Apache for the
taking, by harassment, of marine
mammals incidental to a 3D seismic
survey program in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
This is the second IHA application
NMFS has received from Apache for
takes of marine mammals incidental to
conducting a seismic survey in Cook
Inlet. On April 30, 2012, NMFS issued
a one-year IHA to Apache for their first
season of seismic acquisition in Cook
Inlet (77 FR 27720). Except for the
location and the size of the survey area,
the activities proposed for the second
survey season are essentially the same
as those conducted during the first
season.
The proposed 3D seismic surveys
would employ the use of two source
vessels. Each source vessel would be
equipped with compressors and 2400
in3 air gun arrays, as well as additional
lower-powered and higher frequency
survey equipment for collecting
bathymetric and shallow sub-bottom
data. In addition, one source vessel
would be equipped with a 440 in3
shallow water air gun array, which it
can deploy at high tide in the intertidal
area in less than 1.8 m of water. The
proposed survey would take place in
Cook Inlet, and during the second
survey season Apache anticipates
completing ∼1,010 km2 of seismic
acquisition in an area that extends from
just south of Anchor Point along the east
coast extending up to Point Possession
and along the west coast from the
E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 237 (Monday, December 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73433-73434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29758]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XC358
Appointments to a Recreational Fisheries Working Group by the
Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Nominations are being solicited for appointment to a
Recreational Fisheries Working Group of the Marine Fisheries Advisory
Committee (MAFAC). The members will be appointed by MAFAC in
consultation with NOAA and will serve for an initial term of up to two
years, with the option to apply to be re-appointed. The term would
begin in February or March 2013. Nominees should possess demonstrable
expertise in the management or business of recreational fishing and/or
fisheries science; a well-informed background in recreational fisheries
issues; an operational knowledge of federal agencies and interactions
with the Fishery Management Councils and/or regional and state
partners; and be able to fulfill the time commitments required for up
to two annual meetings.
DATES: Applications must be received on or before January 9, 2013, via
mail or email.
ADDRESSES: Applications should be sent to Danielle Rioux, Recreational
Fisheries Policy Specialist, NMFS SF-13336, 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910 or Danielle.Rioux@noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Rioux, Recreational Fisheries
Policy Specialist; (301) 427-8516; email: Danielle.Rioux@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MAFAC is the only Federal advisory committee
with the responsibility to advise the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary)
on all matters concerning living marine resources that are the
responsibility of the Department of Commerce. MAFAC established a
Recreational Fisheries Working Group (RFWG) in 2010, to assist it in
the development of recommendations to the Secretary on regulations,
policies and programs critical to the mission and goals of the NMFS.
The RFWG is composed of people with a specific interest and
qualification related to NOAA's recreation-related activities.
Beginning in 2013, half of the RFWG appointments will expire every
year, and applications/nominations will be solicited each year to fill
these seats. The RFWG is expected to have no more than 25 members to be
selected from a balance of the diverse national and regional
recreational fisheries sector and community perspectives. With this
solicitation NOAA will fill 6 currently empty seats, as well as any
vacancies that develop during the reappointment process.
MAFAC established the RFWG to advise MAFAC on issues of importance
to the recreational fishing community, including, but not limited to:
(1) Review and possible revision of the NOAA National and Regional
Recreational Fisheries Action Agendas, (2) planning for a second
National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Summit, and such other
recreational fisheries issues and activities identified as appropriate
by MAFAC.
The RGWG members cannot be employed by NOAA or a member of a
Regional Fishery Management Council or have been registered as a
lobbyist with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of
Representatives within two years of the date of appointment. Membership
is voluntary, and except for reimbursable travel and related expenses,
service is without pay.
Each submission should provide the nominee's name and affiliation
(i.e. private angler, charterboat, trade association, etc.) and contact
information including address, phone number, fax number, and email
address (if available); and should describe the nominee's qualifying
experience in the following areas:
1. Expertise in the management or business of recreational fishing,
and/or fisheries science;
2. Informed background in recreational fisheries issues; and
[[Page 73434]]
3. Operational knowledge of federal agencies and interactions with
the Fishery Management Councils and/or regional and state partners.
Letters of support will be accepted, and may be submitted with the
application or separately. Applications and letters of support should
be sent to (see ADDRESSES) and must be received by (see DATES). The
full text of the MAFAC Charter and its current membership can be viewed
at the NMFS Web page at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/.
Dated: December 5, 2012.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, performing the
functions and duties of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.
[FR Doc. 2012-29758 Filed 12-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
