Stock Status Determination for Atlantic Highly Migratory Atlantic Smooth Dogfish Shark and the Gulf of Mexico Smoothhound Sharks Complex, 36974-36975 [2015-15809]
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36974
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 124 / Monday, June 29, 2015 / Notices
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (‘‘HTSUS’’).3
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Final Results of Review
Pursuant to section 752(c) of the Act,
we determine that revocation of the
antidumping duty order on barium
chloride from the PRC would be likely
to lead to continuation or recurrence of
dumping at weighted average margins
up to 155.50 percent.
Administrative Protective Order
This notice also serves as the only
reminder to parties subject to
administrative protective order (‘‘APO’’)
of their responsibility concerning the
return or destruction of proprietary
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accordance with 19 CFR 351.305.
Timely notification of the return of
destruction of APO materials or
conversion to judicial protective order is
hereby requested. Failure to comply
with the regulations and terms of an
APO is a violation which is subject to
sanction.
This sunset review and notice are in
accordance with sections 751(c), 752(c),
and 777(i)(1) of the Act.
Dated: June 23, 2015.
Paul Piquado,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2015–15903 Filed 6–26–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XD969
Stock Status Determination for Atlantic
Highly Migratory Atlantic Smooth
Dogfish Shark and the Gulf of Mexico
Smoothhound Sharks Complex
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This action serves as a notice
that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of
Commerce (Secretary), has determined
that the Atlantic smooth dogfish shark
(Mustelus canis) and the Gulf of Mexico
smoothhound shark complex, which is
comprised of Atlantic smooth dogfish,
Florida smoothhound (M. norrisi), and
Gulf smoothhound (M.
sinusmexicanus), are not overfished and
overfishing is not occurring.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
3 The scope reflects the HTSUS item number
currently in effect. The full scope of the order is
provided in the Decision Memorandum.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:13 Jun 26, 2015
Jkt 235001
Andrew Rubin or Karyl Brewster-Geisz
by phone at 301–427–8503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Atlantic smooth dogfish, Florida
smoothhound, and Gulf smoothhound
sharks are managed under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
NMFS manages all shark species, except
for spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias),
under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery
Management Plan (FMP) and its
amendments.
NMFS recently assessed the status of
these species for the first time using the
Southeast Data, Assessment, and
Review (SEDAR) process. The final
stock assessment (SEDAR 39) was
finalized and peer reviewed in March
2015.
Data from tagging and genetic
research in SEDAR 39 support the
existence of two distinct Atlantic and
Gulf of Mexico stocks of smooth dogfish
separated by peninsular Florida.
Therefore, smooth dogfish was treated
as two separate stocks, one in the
Atlantic region and one in the Gulf of
Mexico region.
Additionally, because smooth dogfish
are the only species of smoothhound
sharks occurring in the Atlantic region,
the scientists conducted a stock
assessment for only this species in the
Atlantic region. However, because all
three species occur in the Gulf of
Mexico, and given the difficulty with
distinguishing among and identifying
the individual species of smoothhound
sharks occurring in the Gulf of Mexico
region, the scientists treated all three
smoothhound species (smooth dogfish,
Florida smoothhound, and Gulf
smoothhound) as a single smoothhound
shark complex within the Gulf of
Mexico region.
All documents and information
regarding SEDAR 39 can be found on
the SEDAR Web page at https://
sedarweb.org/sedar-39.
Atlantic Region
For Atlantic smooth dogfish, the
scientists used a length-based agestructured stock assessment model. This
was the first HMS shark stock
assessment conducted within the
SEDAR process to utilize this type of
modeling framework. The Atlantic
smooth dogfish assessment
implemented spawning stock fecundity
(SSF), which was used as a proxy for
biomass, natural mortality (M),
steepness of the Beverton-Holt stockrecruitment relationship, and the
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
selectivity patterns using the same
methods as in previous HMS shark
assessment.
Two selectivity patterns were
explored for the main targeted gillnet
fishery (dome-shaped and asymptotic).
The use of these two selectivity patterns
resulted in two alternative base model
configurations being evaluated. Based
on diagnostic results, the scientists
recommended that the dome-shaped
functional form be selected as the base
model. The peer reviewers found this
base model to be an appropriate
methodology.
For this base model, the stock
assessment scientists explored seven
sensitivity scenarios. All seven model
runs found that SSF in 2012 (SSF2012),
was greater than SSFMSY (SSF2012/
SSFMSY ranged from 1.96 to 2.81 vs.
2.29 in the base model) and that F2012
was less than FMSY (F2012/FMSY ranged
from 0.61 to 0.99 vs. 0.79 in the base
model). Projection results for the base
model configuration indicated that
levels of fixed removals less than or
equal to 550 (1000s of sharks) resulted
in at least a 70 percent probability of
maintaining SSF above SSFMSY during
the years 2013–2022. Projections for the
seven sensitivity scenarios resulted in a
range of fixed removals from 350 to 850
(1000s of sharks) with at least a 70
percent probability of maintaining SSF
above SSFMSY during the years 2013–
2022.
The peer reviewers found it is likely
that the Atlantic smooth dogfish stock is
not overfished, and overfishing is not
occurring based on the base model and
range of associated sensitivities. The
peer reviewers indicated that the range
of sensitivities appropriately captured
the uncertainty regarding the states of
nature and the potential implications for
the reference points. However they
cautioned about inferences drawn about
stock status because of the level of
uncertainty associated with the stockrecruitment relationship and
uncertainty in the catches, and noted
that the fishing level for the most recent
year is close to FMSY for some
sensitivity runs. Overall, the peer
reviewers determined the stock
assessment to be based on the best
scientific information available. Based
on these results, NMFS determined that
the status of smooth dogfish is not
overfished and overfishing is not
occurring.
Gulf of Mexico Region
The model structure for the Gulf of
Mexico smoothhound shark complex
was different than the Atlantic stock of
smooth dogfish because of the need to
combine life history data for all three
E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM
29JNN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 124 / Monday, June 29, 2015 / Notices
species. The scientists combined this
data using a life table to calculate the
mid-point biological values between the
species. They then used a state-space
Bayesian surplus production model that
implemented a Schaefer production
model in a Bayesian framework. The
peer reviewers found this model to be
appropriate and robust. The reviewers
noted issues could occur if the biology
and population dynamics differed
significantly but they did not believe
this was an issue for the current
assessment.
In addition to the base model, the
assessment scientists ran a number of
sensitivities. All sensitivities found that
the number of sharks in 2012 (N2012),
which was the proxy used for biomass
for this model, was greater than NMSY
(N2012/NMSY ranged from 1.68 to 1.83 vs.
1.78 in the base model) and the
exploitation rate in 2012 (H2012), which
was the proxy used for fishing mortality
in this model, was less than HMSY
(H2012/HMSY ranged from 0.07 to 0.35 vs.
0.18 in the base model). Projections
under varying catch levels conducted
with the base model and sensitivities
reflecting plausible states of nature,
except the low catch scenario which
was not deemed plausible, indicated
that the 2012 catch could be increased
by a factor of 4 and still allow for less
than a 30 percent probability of the
stock being overfished during any of the
10 years in the projection horizon.
Similarly, the projected scenarios
indicated that the 2012 catch could be
increased by a factor of 2, 3, or 4 and
still allow for less than a 30 percent
probability of overfishing occurring
during any of the 10 years in the
projection horizon.
The peer reviewers found the Gulf of
Mexico smoothhound complex is most
likely neither overfished, nor
undergoing overfishing. The peer
reviewers noted that the reliability of
the stock status determination is
dependent on the accuracy of the
shrimp trawl bycatch estimates for these
species and suggested that NMFS
explore alternative catch streams to help
assess this uncertainty. Nonetheless, the
review panel believed that the model
and associated sensitivities captured the
main uncertainties associated with the
assessment. The review panel
considered the base model and
corresponding sensitivity runs the best
scientific information available. Based
on these results, NMFS determined that
the status of the Gulf of Mexico
smoothhound shark complex is not
overfished and overfishing is not
occurring.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:13 Jun 26, 2015
Jkt 235001
Dated: June 23, 2015.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–15809 Filed 6–26–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC632
Marine Mammals; File No. 14809
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for
permit amendment.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
Douglas Nowacek, Ph.D., Duke
University—Marine Laboratory, 135
Duke Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, NC
28516, has applied for an amendment to
Scientific Research Permit No. 14809–
01.
SUMMARY:
Written, telefaxed, or email
comments must be received on or before
July 29, 2015.
ADDRESSES: The application and related
documents are available for review by
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on
the Applications and Permits for
Protected Species home page, https://
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting
File No. 14809 Modification #5 from the
list of available applications.
These documents are also available
upon written request or by appointment
in the Permits and Conservation
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
(301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
Written comments on this application
should be submitted to the Chief,
Permits and Conservation Division, at
the address listed above. Comments may
also be submitted by facsimile to (301)
713–0376, or by email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
include the File No. in the subject line
of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public
hearing should submit a written request
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
Division at the address listed above. The
request should set forth the specific
reasons why a hearing on this
application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amy Hapeman or Courtney Smith, (301)
427–8401.
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
36975
The
subject amendment to Permit No.
14809–01 is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations
governing the taking and importing of
marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and
the regulations governing the taking,
importing, and exporting of endangered
and threatened species (50 CFR 222–
226).
Permit No. 14809, issued on March
24, 2014 (79 FR 18526), authorizes the
permit holder to conduct comparative
research on 34 species/stocks of
cetaceans in the North Atlantic, North
Pacific and Southern Oceans.
Authorized activities include suction
cup tagging, acoustic playbacks, passive
acoustics, biopsy sampling, photoidentification, behavioral observations,
and incidental harassment during vessel
surveys. The research objectives are to:
(1) Document baseline foraging and
social behavior of cetacean species
under different ecological conditions;
(2) place these behaviors in a
population-level context; and (3)
determine how these species respond to
various natural sound sources. The
permit is valid through March 31, 2019.
A minor amendment (–01) was issued
on December 4, 2014 to the permit to
authorize another type of suction cup
tag. The permit holder is requesting the
permit be amended to authorize the use
of dart/barb tags during authorized
tagging efforts on Cuvier’s beaked
whales (Ziphius cavirostris), shortfinned pilot whales (Globicephala
macrorhynchus), Risso’s dolphins
(Grampus griseus), Arnoux’s beaked
whales (Berardius arnuxii), Antarctic
minke whales (Balaenoptera
bonaerensis) and endangered humpback
whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
during vessel surveys. No other changes
to the permit are requested.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically
excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of
this notice in the Federal Register,
NMFS is forwarding copies of this
application to the Marine Mammal
Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM
29JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 124 (Monday, June 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36974-36975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15809]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD969
Stock Status Determination for Atlantic Highly Migratory Atlantic
Smooth Dogfish Shark and the Gulf of Mexico Smoothhound Sharks Complex
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that the Atlantic
smooth dogfish shark (Mustelus canis) and the Gulf of Mexico
smoothhound shark complex, which is comprised of Atlantic smooth
dogfish, Florida smoothhound (M. norrisi), and Gulf smoothhound (M.
sinusmexicanus), are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Rubin or Karyl Brewster-Geisz
by phone at 301-427-8503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Atlantic smooth dogfish, Florida smoothhound, and Gulf smoothhound
sharks are managed under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act. NMFS manages all shark species, except
for spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), under the 2006 Consolidated
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
and its amendments.
NMFS recently assessed the status of these species for the first
time using the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) process.
The final stock assessment (SEDAR 39) was finalized and peer reviewed
in March 2015.
Data from tagging and genetic research in SEDAR 39 support the
existence of two distinct Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico stocks of smooth
dogfish separated by peninsular Florida. Therefore, smooth dogfish was
treated as two separate stocks, one in the Atlantic region and one in
the Gulf of Mexico region.
Additionally, because smooth dogfish are the only species of
smoothhound sharks occurring in the Atlantic region, the scientists
conducted a stock assessment for only this species in the Atlantic
region. However, because all three species occur in the Gulf of Mexico,
and given the difficulty with distinguishing among and identifying the
individual species of smoothhound sharks occurring in the Gulf of
Mexico region, the scientists treated all three smoothhound species
(smooth dogfish, Florida smoothhound, and Gulf smoothhound) as a single
smoothhound shark complex within the Gulf of Mexico region.
All documents and information regarding SEDAR 39 can be found on
the SEDAR Web page at https://sedarweb.org/sedar-39.
Atlantic Region
For Atlantic smooth dogfish, the scientists used a length-based
age-structured stock assessment model. This was the first HMS shark
stock assessment conducted within the SEDAR process to utilize this
type of modeling framework. The Atlantic smooth dogfish assessment
implemented spawning stock fecundity (SSF), which was used as a proxy
for biomass, natural mortality (M), steepness of the Beverton-Holt
stock-recruitment relationship, and the selectivity patterns using the
same methods as in previous HMS shark assessment.
Two selectivity patterns were explored for the main targeted
gillnet fishery (dome-shaped and asymptotic). The use of these two
selectivity patterns resulted in two alternative base model
configurations being evaluated. Based on diagnostic results, the
scientists recommended that the dome-shaped functional form be selected
as the base model. The peer reviewers found this base model to be an
appropriate methodology.
For this base model, the stock assessment scientists explored seven
sensitivity scenarios. All seven model runs found that SSF in 2012
(SSF2012), was greater than SSFMSY
(SSF2012/SSFMSY ranged from 1.96 to 2.81 vs. 2.29
in the base model) and that F2012 was less than
FMSY (F2012/FMSY ranged from 0.61 to
0.99 vs. 0.79 in the base model). Projection results for the base model
configuration indicated that levels of fixed removals less than or
equal to 550 (1000s of sharks) resulted in at least a 70 percent
probability of maintaining SSF above SSFMSY during the years
2013-2022. Projections for the seven sensitivity scenarios resulted in
a range of fixed removals from 350 to 850 (1000s of sharks) with at
least a 70 percent probability of maintaining SSF above
SSFMSY during the years 2013-2022.
The peer reviewers found it is likely that the Atlantic smooth
dogfish stock is not overfished, and overfishing is not occurring based
on the base model and range of associated sensitivities. The peer
reviewers indicated that the range of sensitivities appropriately
captured the uncertainty regarding the states of nature and the
potential implications for the reference points. However they cautioned
about inferences drawn about stock status because of the level of
uncertainty associated with the stock-recruitment relationship and
uncertainty in the catches, and noted that the fishing level for the
most recent year is close to FMSY for some sensitivity runs. Overall,
the peer reviewers determined the stock assessment to be based on the
best scientific information available. Based on these results, NMFS
determined that the status of smooth dogfish is not overfished and
overfishing is not occurring.
Gulf of Mexico Region
The model structure for the Gulf of Mexico smoothhound shark
complex was different than the Atlantic stock of smooth dogfish because
of the need to combine life history data for all three
[[Page 36975]]
species. The scientists combined this data using a life table to
calculate the mid-point biological values between the species. They
then used a state-space Bayesian surplus production model that
implemented a Schaefer production model in a Bayesian framework. The
peer reviewers found this model to be appropriate and robust. The
reviewers noted issues could occur if the biology and population
dynamics differed significantly but they did not believe this was an
issue for the current assessment.
In addition to the base model, the assessment scientists ran a
number of sensitivities. All sensitivities found that the number of
sharks in 2012 (N2012), which was the proxy used for biomass
for this model, was greater than NMSY (N2012/
NMSY ranged from 1.68 to 1.83 vs. 1.78 in the base model)
and the exploitation rate in 2012 (H2012), which was the
proxy used for fishing mortality in this model, was less than
HMSY (H2012/HMSY ranged from 0.07 to
0.35 vs. 0.18 in the base model). Projections under varying catch
levels conducted with the base model and sensitivities reflecting
plausible states of nature, except the low catch scenario which was not
deemed plausible, indicated that the 2012 catch could be increased by a
factor of 4 and still allow for less than a 30 percent probability of
the stock being overfished during any of the 10 years in the projection
horizon. Similarly, the projected scenarios indicated that the 2012
catch could be increased by a factor of 2, 3, or 4 and still allow for
less than a 30 percent probability of overfishing occurring during any
of the 10 years in the projection horizon.
The peer reviewers found the Gulf of Mexico smoothhound complex is
most likely neither overfished, nor undergoing overfishing. The peer
reviewers noted that the reliability of the stock status determination
is dependent on the accuracy of the shrimp trawl bycatch estimates for
these species and suggested that NMFS explore alternative catch streams
to help assess this uncertainty. Nonetheless, the review panel believed
that the model and associated sensitivities captured the main
uncertainties associated with the assessment. The review panel
considered the base model and corresponding sensitivity runs the best
scientific information available. Based on these results, NMFS
determined that the status of the Gulf of Mexico smoothhound shark
complex is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring.
Dated: June 23, 2015.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-15809 Filed 6-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
