Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States, Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Off the Atlantic States, and Coral and Coral Reefs Fishery in the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit, 5737-5738 [2015-02041]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 22 / Tuesday, February 3, 2015 / Notices by the trade association or trade organization, the products and services the represented company seeks to export are either produced in the United States, or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have demonstrable U.S. content. In the case of an academic or research institution, the applicant must certify that as part of its activities at the event, it will represent the interests of constituents that meet the criteria above. Applicants from a company, organization or institution that is majority owned or controlled by a foreign government entity will not be considered for participation in the U.S. Industry Program. rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Selection Criteria Selection will be based on the following criteria: • Suitability of the company’s (or, in the case of another organization, represented companies’ or constituents’) products or services to each of the markets the company or organization has expressed an interest in exporting to as part of this trade mission. • The company’s (or, in the case of another organization, represented companies’ or constituents’) potential for business in each of the markets the company or organization has expressed an interest in exporting to as part of this trade mission, including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission. • Consistency of the applicant company’s (or, in the case of another organization, represented companies’ or constituents’) goals and objectives with the stated mission scope. Diversity of company size, sector or subsector, and location also may be considered in the review process. Referrals from political organizations and any documents containing references to partisan political activities (including political contributions) will be removed from an applicant’s submission and will not be considered. Timeframe for Recruitment and Participation Recruitment for participation in the U.S. Industry Program as a representative of the U.S. nuclear industry will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the DOC trade mission calendar, notices to industry trade associations and other multiplier groups. Recruitment will begin 2 weeks after publication in the Federal Register and conclude no later than June 26, 2015. The ITA will review applications and make selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:46 Feb 02, 2015 Jkt 235001 June 26, 2015, will be considered only if space and scheduling permit. Contacts Jonathan Chesebro, Industry & Analysis, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries, Washington, DC, Tel: (202) 482–1297, Email: jonathan.chesebro@ trade.gov Marta Haustein, Embassy of the United States of America, U.S. Commercial Service, Vienna, Austria, Tel: +43(0) 1 313 39 2205, Email: marta.haustein@ trade.gov Ryan Russell, U.S. Commercial Service, Pittsburgh, PA, Tel: (412) 644–2817, Email: Ryan.Russell@trade.gov Dated: January 22, 2015. Edward A. O’Malley, Director, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries. [FR Doc. 2015–02042 Filed 2–2–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD647 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States, Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Off the Atlantic States, and Coral and Coral Reefs Fishery in the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of receipt of two applications for exempted fishing permits; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS announces the receipt of two applications for exempted fishing permits (EFPs), one from Dr. Janelle Fleming, on behalf of the Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association (ECARA); and one from Dr. James Morris of the National Ocean Service (NOS). If granted, the EFPs would authorize the deployment of Maine lobster traps, crab pot Christmas trees, and horizontal structures (fish attracting devices) at several sites in the Federal waters off North Carolina to determine the efficacy of these gear types for attracting and collecting invasive lionfish. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 5, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the applications, identified by SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5737 ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2015–0018’’, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20150018, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Kate Michie, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Michie, 727–824–5305; email Kate.Michie@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 fishing activities proposed under each EFP are similar in nature; therefore, both EFP requests are being announced in a single Federal Register notice. However, NMFS will consider each application separately and make independent determinations about whether to issue each EFP. The EFP requests involve activities covered by regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plans (FMP) for federally managed fisheries of the South Atlantic Region, which prohibit the use of fish traps in the South Atlantic (50 CFR 622.9). The ECARA request authorization to deploy two sets of five Maine lobster traps with crab pot Christmas trees. The NOS applicant requests authorization to deploy one set of five Maine lobster traps with crab pot Christmas trees and horizontal structures. Crab pot Christmas trees are a vertical, pyramid-shaped structure with many branch-type projections. E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1 rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 5738 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 22 / Tuesday, February 3, 2015 / Notices Crab pot Christmas trees would be used as fish attracting devices in both projects. The horizontal structures are horizontal and concave structures elevated off the bottom with four legs similar to an upside down satellite dish or a small round table. This structure type has been documented to attract large aggregations of lionfish. In both projects, the Maine lobster traps and accompanying attracting devices would be set along artificial reef sites, natural reef sites, rocky reef bottom, and a flat sandy area in Federal waters off North Carolina. The ECARA applicant has requested the EFP be effective from the date of issuance through December 31, 2016, and the NOS applicant has requested the EFP be effective from the date of issuance through December 31, 2018. The purpose of these studies are to support continued research on traps that could be used for collecting invasive lionfish off eastern North Carolina artificial reefs, and to determine their efficacy as fish attracting devices. Additionally, the ECARA project intends to assess consumers’ preference for lionfish as an exotic food source in a restaurant setting to determine if Carteret County, NC, would support a consumer market for the species. In both studies, each string of five Maine lobster traps and crab pot Christmas trees/horizontal structures will be connected by a chain with no buoy lines to the surface, and deployed along designated hard bottom features with a distance of 30 ft (9.14 m) to 50 ft (15.24 m) between each trap. After deployment, divers will verify the position of the traps to ensure the traps are located between 20 ft (6.10 m) and 30 ft (9.14 m) from the designated bottom feature. Trap deployment would occur year-round along the North Carolina coast from 3 miles offshore, and up to 360 ft (109.68 m) in depth. The traps will be deployed for at least 48 hours and no longer than 3 weeks. After 48 hours, divers will count and identify the number of fish inside and around the traps, and record video prior to hauling the traps. Video images will be used to assess the success of the crab pot Christmas trees and horizontal structures as attracting devices for lionfish, and other fish species. Under the ECARA project, fish captured in the Maine lobster traps will be quantified to the lowest possible taxon, measured, photographed/video documented, and released alive. Any egg bearing lobsters captured in a trap will be returned to the water and released alive. Captured lionfish will be counted, measured, and prepared for consumption at nearby restaurants. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:46 Feb 02, 2015 Jkt 235001 These lionfish will be offered, free of charge, to patrons as part of the consumer demand assessment portion of the research project. Under the NOS project, fish caught in the Maine lobster traps will be removed from the traps, returned to the water and released alive. NMFS finds these applications warrant further consideration based on a preliminary review. Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if they are granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of conducting research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, special management zones, or artificial reefs without additional authorization, and use of escape panels on the Maine lobster traps. Additionally, NMFS will require any sea turtles taken incidentally during the course of fishing or scientific research activities to be handled with due care to prevent injury to live specimens, observed for activity, and returned to the water. A final decision on issuance of each of the EFPs will depend on NMFS’ review of public comments received on the application, consultations with the affected state, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that they are consistent with all applicable laws. Authority: 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq. Dated: January 29, 2015. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–02041 Filed 2–2–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD746 Council Coordination Committee Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: NMFS will host a meeting of the Council Coordination Committee (CCC), consisting of the Regional Fishery Management Council chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors on February 18–19, 2015. The intent of this meeting is to discuss issues of relevance to the Councils, including budget allocations for FY2015 and budget planning for FY2016 and beyond; FY2015 Priorities; an overview of the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Saltonstall-Kennedy FY14–15 grants process; the FY2015 legislative outlook; updates on Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) National Standard 1, the Presidential Task Force on combatting Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud, MSA operational guidelines, NMFS climate science strategy, and habitat conservation initiatives; updates on electronic monitoring implementation plans, the Fisheries Forum Information Network, the report on Science Center 2013 data program review and 2014 assessment program review; and Council workgroup updates, including stock rebuilding, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), allocation, and socioeconomic issues and other topics related to implementation of the MSA. DATES: The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, recess at 5:45 p.m. or when business is complete; and reconvene at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2015, and adjourn by 5 p.m. or when business is complete. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Capitol Hill, 550 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20024, telephone 202–479–4000, fax 202–288– 4627. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William D. Chappell: telephone 301– 427–8505 or email at William.Chappell@noaa.gov; or Brian Fredieu: telephone 301–427–8505 or email at Brian.Fredieu@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSRA) established the CCC by amending Section 302 (16 U.S.C. 1852) of the MSA. The committee consists of the chairs, vice chairs, and executive directors of each of the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils authorized by the MSA or other Council members or staff. NMFS will host this meeting and provide reports to the CCC for its information and discussion. All sessions are open to the public. Proposed Agenda Wednesday, February 18, 2015 9 a.m.—Morning Session Begins • Welcome/Introductions • NMFS Update • NMFS FY15 Priorities • Council Report Round Robin: Top three priorities for 2015 • Management and Budget update: FY2015—Status, Council funding; FY2016—Update Budget Outlook; Records Management • Overview of S/K FY14–15 Grant E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5737-5738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02041]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD647


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States, Dolphin and 
Wahoo Fishery Off the Atlantic States, and Coral and Coral Reefs 
Fishery in the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of two applications for exempted fishing 
permits; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of two applications for exempted 
fishing permits (EFPs), one from Dr. Janelle Fleming, on behalf of the 
Eastern Carolina Artificial Reef Association (ECARA); and one from Dr. 
James Morris of the National Ocean Service (NOS). If granted, the EFPs 
would authorize the deployment of Maine lobster traps, crab pot 
Christmas trees, and horizontal structures (fish attracting devices) at 
several sites in the Federal waters off North Carolina to determine the 
efficacy of these gear types for attracting and collecting invasive 
lionfish.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 5, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the applications, identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2015-0018'', by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0018, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Kate Michie, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Michie, 727-824-5305; email 
Kate.Michie@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 fishing activities proposed under each EFP are similar in 
nature; therefore, both EFP requests are being announced in a single 
Federal Register notice. However, NMFS will consider each application 
separately and make independent determinations about whether to issue 
each EFP. The EFP requests involve activities covered by regulations 
implementing the Fishery Management Plans (FMP) for federally managed 
fisheries of the South Atlantic Region, which prohibit the use of fish 
traps in the South Atlantic (50 CFR 622.9). The ECARA request 
authorization to deploy two sets of five Maine lobster traps with crab 
pot Christmas trees. The NOS applicant requests authorization to deploy 
one set of five Maine lobster traps with crab pot Christmas trees and 
horizontal structures. Crab pot Christmas trees are a vertical, 
pyramid-shaped structure with many branch-type projections.

[[Page 5738]]

Crab pot Christmas trees would be used as fish attracting devices in 
both projects. The horizontal structures are horizontal and concave 
structures elevated off the bottom with four legs similar to an upside 
down satellite dish or a small round table. This structure type has 
been documented to attract large aggregations of lionfish. In both 
projects, the Maine lobster traps and accompanying attracting devices 
would be set along artificial reef sites, natural reef sites, rocky 
reef bottom, and a flat sandy area in Federal waters off North 
Carolina.
    The ECARA applicant has requested the EFP be effective from the 
date of issuance through December 31, 2016, and the NOS applicant has 
requested the EFP be effective from the date of issuance through 
December 31, 2018.
    The purpose of these studies are to support continued research on 
traps that could be used for collecting invasive lionfish off eastern 
North Carolina artificial reefs, and to determine their efficacy as 
fish attracting devices. Additionally, the ECARA project intends to 
assess consumers' preference for lionfish as an exotic food source in a 
restaurant setting to determine if Carteret County, NC, would support a 
consumer market for the species.
    In both studies, each string of five Maine lobster traps and crab 
pot Christmas trees/horizontal structures will be connected by a chain 
with no buoy lines to the surface, and deployed along designated hard 
bottom features with a distance of 30 ft (9.14 m) to 50 ft (15.24 m) 
between each trap. After deployment, divers will verify the position of 
the traps to ensure the traps are located between 20 ft (6.10 m) and 30 
ft (9.14 m) from the designated bottom feature. Trap deployment would 
occur year-round along the North Carolina coast from 3 miles offshore, 
and up to 360 ft (109.68 m) in depth. The traps will be deployed for at 
least 48 hours and no longer than 3 weeks. After 48 hours, divers will 
count and identify the number of fish inside and around the traps, and 
record video prior to hauling the traps.
    Video images will be used to assess the success of the crab pot 
Christmas trees and horizontal structures as attracting devices for 
lionfish, and other fish species. Under the ECARA project, fish 
captured in the Maine lobster traps will be quantified to the lowest 
possible taxon, measured, photographed/video documented, and released 
alive. Any egg bearing lobsters captured in a trap will be returned to 
the water and released alive. Captured lionfish will be counted, 
measured, and prepared for consumption at nearby restaurants. These 
lionfish will be offered, free of charge, to patrons as part of the 
consumer demand assessment portion of the research project. Under the 
NOS project, fish caught in the Maine lobster traps will be removed 
from the traps, returned to the water and released alive.
    NMFS finds these applications warrant further consideration based 
on a preliminary review. Possible conditions the agency may impose on 
this permit, if they are granted, include but are not limited to, a 
prohibition of conducting research within marine protected areas, 
marine sanctuaries, special management zones, or artificial reefs 
without additional authorization, and use of escape panels on the Maine 
lobster traps. Additionally, NMFS will require any sea turtles taken 
incidentally during the course of fishing or scientific research 
activities to be handled with due care to prevent injury to live 
specimens, observed for activity, and returned to the water. A final 
decision on issuance of each of the EFPs will depend on NMFS' review of 
public comments received on the application, consultations with the 
affected state, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the 
U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that they are consistent with all 
applicable laws.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq.

    Dated: January 29, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-02041 Filed 2-2-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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