Criteria To Assist the Assistant Administrator in Determining if an Observer Program is Qualified and Authorized, 10101-10102 [2014-03945]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 36 / Monday, February 24, 2014 / Notices Submit applications to Ingrid V. Mitchem, Director, Industry Trade Advisory Center, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4043, Washington, DC 20230. Additional requirements exist for nominations of consultants and legal advisors. The specific requirements will vary depending on the nature of the entity or organization and interests to be represented. Interested consultants and legal advisors should contact the Industry Trade Advisory Center or consult the International Trade Administration Web site at: www.trade.gov/itac for additional information on the submission requirements. Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria will be considered for membership based on the following criteria: Ability to represent the sponsoring U.S. entity’s or U.S. organization’s and the entity’s or organization’s subsector’s (if applicable) interests on trade matters; ability to carry out the objectives of the particular ITAC (including knowledge and expertise of the industry and of trade matters relevant to the work of the ITAC); and ensuring that the ITAC is balanced in terms of points of view, demographics, geography, and entity or organization size. This notice is issued pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C., app. 2), 19 U.S.C. 2155, and 41 CFR part 102–3 relating to advisory committees. Dated: February 12, 2014. Elizabeth Emanuel, Deputy Director, Office Advisory Committees. [FR Doc. 2014–03493 Filed 2–21–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Reporting Requirements for the Ocean Salmon Fishery Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:16 Feb 21, 2014 Jkt 232001 I. Abstract This request is for an extension of a currently approved information collection. Based on the management regime specified each year, designated regulatory areas in the commercial ocean salmon fishery off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California may be managed by numerical quotas. To accurately assess catches relative to quota attainment during the fishing season, catch data by regulatory area must be collected in a timely manner. Requirements to land salmon within specific time frames and in specific areas may be implemented in the preseason regulations to aid in timely and accurate catch accounting for a regulatory area. State landing systems normally gather the data at the time of landing. If unsafe weather conditions or mechanical problems prevent compliance with landing requirements, fishermen need an alternative to allow for a safe response. Fishermen would be exempt from landing requirements if the appropriate notifications are made to provide the name of the vessel, the port where delivery will be made, the approximate amount of salmon (by species) on board, and the estimated time of arrival. II. Method of Collection Notifications are made by at-sea radio or cellular phone transmissions. III. Data 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 SUMMARY: proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 25, 2014. 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 Peggy Mundy, (206) 526– 4323 or peggy.mundy@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 0648–0433. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved collection). Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 40. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10101 Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting costs. 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 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: February 18, 2014. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–03779 Filed 2–21–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD121 Criteria To Assist the Assistant Administrator in Determining if an Observer Program is Qualified and Authorized National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS requests comments on criteria to determine if observers participating in observer programs are qualified and authorized to certify that no dolphins were killed or seriously injured in the sets or other gear deployments in which the tuna were caught and, if applicable, that no purse seine net was intentionally deployed on or used to encircle dolphins during the fishing trip in which the tuna were caught. The criteria are intended to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 10102 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 36 / Monday, February 24, 2014 / Notices assist the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries when making a determination of whether an observer program is ‘‘qualified and authorized’’ for purposes of the dolphin-safe labeling program under the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 26, 2014. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods: • Email to the following address: nmfs.observer.criteria@noaa.gov. • Mail or hand deliver to Bill Jacobson, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, California 90802. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Public Comment on Observer Criteria.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Jacobson by phone at (562) 980–4035. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 9, 2013, NMFS published a final rule under the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act titled ‘‘Enhanced Document Requirements to Support Use of the Dolphin Safe Label on Tuna Products’’ (78 FR 40997) that amended regulations at 50 CFR part 216, subpart H. Sections 216.91(a)(2)(iii)(B) and (a)(4)(ii) authorize the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries to determine if observers participating in observer programs using any gear type in any ocean are qualified and authorized to certify that no dolphins were killed or seriously injured in the sets or other gear deployments in which the tuna were caught and, if applicable, that no purse seine net was intentionally deployed on or used to encircle dolphins during the fishing trip in which the tuna were caught. That determination triggers a requirement that when an observer from the qualified and authorized program is on board a vessel that harvests tuna during a fishing trip, such tuna would require a certification executed by the observer or by an authorized representative of the nation participating in the observer program in order to be used in tuna products labeled ‘‘dolphin safe.’’ This certification would be in addition to the requirement that tuna used in tuna products labeled ‘‘dolphin safe,’’ be accompanied by a written statement executed by the Captain of the harvesting vessel (codified in § 216.91(a)(2)(ii), (a)(2)(iii)(A) and (a)(4)(i)). NMFS anticipates that qualified observers will have undergone training programs that include such topics as recognizing an intentional set, dolphin species identification, recognizing dolphin mortality and how to collect the information needed for determining a VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:16 Feb 21, 2014 Jkt 232001 serious injury. NMFS acknowledges that these skills are complex. NMFS will determine an observer program is ‘‘qualified and authorized’’ based on a rigorous scrutiny of the observer program’s training programs and a finding that the observers or a designated program representative is capable of making the requisite determinations. Using the criteria, the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries will determine which observer programs are qualified and authorized and will announce such determinations in the Federal Register and also on the NMFS West Coast Region Web site at https:// www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov. Only tuna used in tuna products labeled dolphin-safe and harvested on fishing trips that began after the date of a determination would be subject to the new requirement for an observer certification, and only for fishing trips on which an observer is on board the vessel. In this notice, NMFS requests public input on criteria to assist the Assistant Administrator in making a determination of whether an observer program is ‘‘qualified and authorized.’’ After consideration of public comments, NMFS will publish the final criteria in the Federal Register. Dated: February 18, 2014. Rodney R. McInnis, Acting Director, Office of International Affairs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–03945 Filed 2–21–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD142 Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Issuance of four scientific research and enhancement permits. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued Permit 17913 to Stillwater Sciences, Permit 17551 and Permit 18181 to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and Permit 1415 to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). SUMMARY: The approved application for each permit is available on the ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Applications and Permits for Protected Species (APPS), https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov Web site by searching the permit number within the Search Database page. The applications, issued permits and supporting documents are also available upon written request or by appointment: NMFS West Coast Region, 650 Capitol Mall, Room 5–100, Sacramento, CA 95814 ph: (916) 930–3600, fax: (916) 930–3629. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Cranford at (916) 930–3706, or email: Amanda.Cranford@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority The issuance of permits and permit modifications, as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531–1543) (ESA), is based on a finding that such permits/modifications: (1) Are applied for in good faith; (2) Would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species which are the subject of the permits; and (3) Are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Authority to take listed species is subject to the conditions set forth in the permits. Permits and modifications are issued in accordance with and are subject to the ESA and NMFS regulations (50 CFR parts 222–226) governing listed fish and wildlife permits. Species Covered in This Notice This notice is relevant to federally endangered Sacramento River (SR) winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhyncus tshawytscha), threatened Central Valley (CV) spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), threatened California Central Valley (CCV) steelhead (O. mykiss), and threatened southern distinct population segment (SDPS) of North American green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris). Permits Issued Permit 17913 A notice of the receipt of an application for a scientific research and enhancement permit (17913) was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2013 (78 FR 18963). Permit 17913 was issued to Stillwater Sciences on September 6, 2013 and expires on December 31, 2018. Permit 17913 is for two studies to be carried out in the Tuolumne River between river mile (RM) 52.5 and RM 0, and in the San Joaquin River between RM 79 (Gardner Cove) and RM 90 (Laird Park). The Tuolumne River fisheries monitoring project will evaluate and E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10101-10102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03945]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD121


Criteria To Assist the Assistant Administrator in Determining if 
an Observer Program is Qualified and Authorized

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS requests comments on criteria to determine if observers 
participating in observer programs are qualified and authorized to 
certify that no dolphins were killed or seriously injured in the sets 
or other gear deployments in which the tuna were caught and, if 
applicable, that no purse seine net was intentionally deployed on or 
used to encircle dolphins during the fishing trip in which the tuna 
were caught. The criteria are intended to

[[Page 10102]]

assist the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries when making a 
determination of whether an observer program is ``qualified and 
authorized'' for purposes of the dolphin-safe labeling program under 
the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 26, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent by any of the following 
methods:
     Email to the following address: 
nmfs.observer.criteria@noaa.gov.
     Mail or hand deliver to Bill Jacobson, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, 
California 90802. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Public Comment on 
Observer Criteria.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Jacobson by phone at (562) 980-
4035.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 9, 2013, NMFS published a final rule 
under the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act titled ``Enhanced 
Document Requirements to Support Use of the Dolphin Safe Label on Tuna 
Products'' (78 FR 40997) that amended regulations at 50 CFR part 216, 
subpart H. Sections 216.91(a)(2)(iii)(B) and (a)(4)(ii) authorize the 
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries to determine if observers 
participating in observer programs using any gear type in any ocean are 
qualified and authorized to certify that no dolphins were killed or 
seriously injured in the sets or other gear deployments in which the 
tuna were caught and, if applicable, that no purse seine net was 
intentionally deployed on or used to encircle dolphins during the 
fishing trip in which the tuna were caught. That determination triggers 
a requirement that when an observer from the qualified and authorized 
program is on board a vessel that harvests tuna during a fishing trip, 
such tuna would require a certification executed by the observer or by 
an authorized representative of the nation participating in the 
observer program in order to be used in tuna products labeled ``dolphin 
safe.'' This certification would be in addition to the requirement that 
tuna used in tuna products labeled ``dolphin safe,'' be accompanied by 
a written statement executed by the Captain of the harvesting vessel 
(codified in Sec.  216.91(a)(2)(ii), (a)(2)(iii)(A) and (a)(4)(i)).
    NMFS anticipates that qualified observers will have undergone 
training programs that include such topics as recognizing an 
intentional set, dolphin species identification, recognizing dolphin 
mortality and how to collect the information needed for determining a 
serious injury. NMFS acknowledges that these skills are complex. NMFS 
will determine an observer program is ``qualified and authorized'' 
based on a rigorous scrutiny of the observer program's training 
programs and a finding that the observers or a designated program 
representative is capable of making the requisite determinations.
    Using the criteria, the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries will 
determine which observer programs are qualified and authorized and will 
announce such determinations in the Federal Register and also on the 
NMFS West Coast Region Web site at https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov. Only tuna used in tuna products 
labeled dolphin-safe and harvested on fishing trips that began after 
the date of a determination would be subject to the new requirement for 
an observer certification, and only for fishing trips on which an 
observer is on board the vessel.
    In this notice, NMFS requests public input on criteria to assist 
the Assistant Administrator in making a determination of whether an 
observer program is ``qualified and authorized.'' After consideration 
of public comments, NMFS will publish the final criteria in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: February 18, 2014.
Rodney R. McInnis,
Acting Director, Office of International Affairs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-03945 Filed 2-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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