Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals, 6178-6179 [2014-02172]

Download as PDF 6178 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 22 / Monday, February 3, 2014 / Notices An affirmative finding will be terminated, in consultation with the Secretary of State, if the Assistant Administrator determines that the requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no longer being met or that a nation is consistently failing to take enforcement actions on violations, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the IDCP. As a part of the affirmative finding process set forth in 50 CFR 216.24(f), the Assistant Administrator considered documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Guatemala or obtained from the IATTC and has determined that Guatemala has met the requirements under the MMPA to receive an annual renewal of their affirmative finding. After consultation with the Department of State, the Assistant Administrator issued Guatemala’s affirmative finding annual renewal, allowing the continued importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by Guatemalanflag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Guatemalan jurisdiction through March 31, 2014. Dated: January 24, 2014. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, performing the functions and duties of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries. [FR Doc. 2014–02173 Filed 1–31–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD090 Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; affirmative finding annual renewal. AGENCY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has issued an affirmative finding annual renewal for the Government of Spain under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding annual renewal will allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:46 Jan 31, 2014 Jkt 232001 by Spanish-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Spanish jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding annual renewal was based on review of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Spain and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). DATES: The affirmative finding annual renewal is effective from April 1, 2013, through March 31, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. Phone: 562–980–3264 Email: justin.greenman@noaa.gov SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows the entry into the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine vessels in the ETP under certain conditions. If requested by the harvesting nation, the Assistant Administrator will determine whether to make an affirmative finding based upon documentary evidence provided by the government of the harvesting nation, the IATTC, or the Department of State. The affirmative finding process requires that the harvesting nation is meeting its obligations under the IDCP and obligations of membership in the IATTC. Every 5 years, the government of the harvesting nation must request a new affirmative finding and submit the required documentary evidence directly to the Assistant Administrator. On an annual basis, NMFS reviews the affirmative finding and determines whether the harvesting nation continues to meet the requirements. A nation may provide information related to compliance with IDCP and IATTC measures directly to NMFS on an annual basis or may authorize the IATTC to release the information to NMFS to annually renew an affirmative finding determination without an application from the harvesting nation. An affirmative finding will be terminated, in consultation with the Secretary of State, if the Assistant Administrator determines that the requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no longer being met or that a nation is consistently failing to take enforcement actions on violations, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the IDCP. As a part of the affirmative finding process set forth in 50 CFR 216.24(f), the Assistant Administrator considered documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Spain and obtained from the IATTC and has determined that PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Spain has met the MMPA’s requirements to receive an affirmative finding annual renewal. After consultation with the Department of State, the Assistant Administrator issued an affirmative finding annual renewal to Spain, allowing the continued importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by Spanish-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Spanish jurisdiction through March 31, 2014. Spain’s five-year affirmative finding will remain valid through March 31, 2015, subject to subsequent annual reviews by NMFS. Dated: January 24, 2014. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, performing the functions and duties of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries. [FR Doc. 2014–02181 Filed 1–31–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD088 Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; new 5-year affirmative finding. AGENCY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has issued a new 5-year affirmative finding for the Government of El Salvador under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Salvadoran-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Salvadoran jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding was based on review of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of El Salvador and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the U.S. Department of State. DATES: The new 5-year affirmative finding is effective from April 1, 2013, through March 31, 2018. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 22 / Monday, February 3, 2014 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. Phone: 562–980–3264 Email: justin.greenman@noaa.gov SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows the entry into the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine vessels in the ETP under certain conditions. If requested by the harvesting nation, the Assistant Administrator will determine whether to make an affirmative finding based upon documentary evidence provided by the government of the harvesting nation, the IATTC, or the Department of State. The affirmative finding process requires that the harvesting nation is meeting its obligations under the IDCP and obligations of membership in the IATTC. Every 5 years, the government of the harvesting nation must request an affirmative finding and submit the required documentary evidence directly to the Assistant Administrator. On an annual basis, NMFS reviews the affirmative finding and determine whether the harvesting nation continues to meet the requirements. A nation may provide information related to compliance with IDCP and IATTC measures directly to NMFS on an annual basis or may authorize the IATTC to release the information to NMFS to annually renew an affirmative finding determination without an application from the harvesting nation. An affirmative finding will be terminated, in consultation with the Secretary of State, if the Assistant Administrator determines that the requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no longer being met or that a nation is consistently failing to take enforcement actions on violations, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the IDCP. As a part of the affirmative finding process set forth in 50 CFR 216.24(f), the Assistant Administrator considered documentary evidence submitted by the Government of El Salvador or obtained from the IATTC and the Department of State and has determined that El Salvador has met the MMPA’s requirements to receive a new 5-year affirmative finding. After consultation with the Department of State, the Assistant Administrator issued El Salvador’s new 5-year affirmative finding, allowing the continued importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by Salvadoran-flag purse VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:46 Jan 31, 2014 Jkt 232001 seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Salvadoran jurisdiction. El Salvador’s affirmative finding will remain valid through March 31, 2018. Dated: January 24, 2014. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, performing the functions and duties of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries. [FR Doc. 2014–02172 Filed 1–31–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC350 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; St. George Reef Light Station Restoration and Maintenance at Northwest Seal Rock, Del Norte County, California National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental take authorization. AGENCY: In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that we, NMFS, have issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (Authorization) to the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society (Society) to take four species of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to conducting helicopter operations, and lighthouse renovation and light maintenance activities on the St. George Reef Light Station on Northwest Seal Rock (NWSR) offshore of Crescent City, California in the northeast Pacific Ocean, from the period of November 2013 through December 2013. SUMMARY: This authorization is effective from November 25, 2013, through December 31, 2013. ADDRESSES: A copy of the Authorization and application are available by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. An electronic 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 DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 6179 visiting the internet at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm#applications. Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannine Cody, NMFS, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427– 8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce 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: (1) We make certain findings; (2) the taking is limited to harassment; and (3) we provide a notice of a proposed authorization to the public for review. We shall allow authorization for the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals if we find 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 (i.e., mitigation); and requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such takings. We have 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 marine mammals by harassment. Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA establishes a 45-day time limit for our review of an application followed by a 30-day public notice and comment period on any proposed authorization for the incidental harassment of small numbers of marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the public comment period, we must either issue or deny the authorization and must publish a notice in the E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6178-6179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02172]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD088


Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals

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

ACTION: Notice; new 5-year affirmative finding.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant 
Administrator) has issued a new 5-year affirmative finding for the 
Government of El Salvador under the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA). This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna and 
yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean 
(ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program 
(IDCP) by Salvadoran-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels 
operating under Salvadoran jurisdiction to be imported into the United 
States. The affirmative finding was based on review of documentary 
evidence submitted by the Government of El Salvador and obtained from 
the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the U.S. 
Department of State.

DATES: The new 5-year affirmative finding is effective from April 1, 
2013, through March 31, 2018.

[[Page 6179]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 
90802. Phone: 562-980-3264 Email: justin.greenman@noaa.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows the 
entry into the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine 
vessels in the ETP under certain conditions. If requested by the 
harvesting nation, the Assistant Administrator will determine whether 
to make an affirmative finding based upon documentary evidence provided 
by the government of the harvesting nation, the IATTC, or the 
Department of State.
    The affirmative finding process requires that the harvesting nation 
is meeting its obligations under the IDCP and obligations of membership 
in the IATTC. Every 5 years, the government of the harvesting nation 
must request an affirmative finding and submit the required documentary 
evidence directly to the Assistant Administrator. On an annual basis, 
NMFS reviews the affirmative finding and determine whether the 
harvesting nation continues to meet the requirements. A nation may 
provide information related to compliance with IDCP and IATTC measures 
directly to NMFS on an annual basis or may authorize the IATTC to 
release the information to NMFS to annually renew an affirmative 
finding determination without an application from the harvesting 
nation.
    An affirmative finding will be terminated, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State, if the Assistant Administrator determines that the 
requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no longer being met or that a 
nation is consistently failing to take enforcement actions on 
violations, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the IDCP.
    As a part of the affirmative finding process set forth in 50 CFR 
216.24(f), the Assistant Administrator considered documentary evidence 
submitted by the Government of El Salvador or obtained from the IATTC 
and the Department of State and has determined that El Salvador has met 
the MMPA's requirements to receive a new 5-year affirmative finding.
    After consultation with the Department of State, the Assistant 
Administrator issued El Salvador's new 5-year affirmative finding, 
allowing the continued importation into the United States of yellowfin 
tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by 
Salvadoran-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating 
under Salvadoran jurisdiction. El Salvador's affirmative finding will 
remain valid through March 31, 2018.

    Dated: January 24, 2014.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, performing the 
functions and duties of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.
[FR Doc. 2014-02172 Filed 1-31-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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