Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Access-Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS), 54534-54535 [2015-22707]

Download as PDF 54534 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 175 / Thursday, September 10, 2015 / Notices appropriate valid permit, and proof of identification. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Workshop Objectives The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops are designed to reduce the number of unknown and improperly identified sharks reported in the dealer reporting form and increase the accuracy of species-specific dealerreported information. Reducing the number of unknown and improperly identified sharks will improve quota monitoring and the data used in stock assessments. These workshops will train shark dealer permit holders or their proxies to properly identify Atlantic shark carcasses. Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops Since January 1, 2007, shark limitedaccess and swordfish limited-access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear have been required to submit a copy of their Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop certificate in order to renew either permit (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. As such, vessel owners who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel owners whose certificate(s) will expire prior to the next permit renewal, must attend a workshop to fish with, or renew, their swordfish and shark limited-access permits. Additionally, new shark and swordfish limited-access permit applicants who intend to fish with longline or gillnet gear must attend a Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and submit a copy of their workshop certificate before either of the permits will be issued. Approximately 214 free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops have been conducted since 2006. In addition to certifying vessel owners, at least one operator on board vessels issued a limited-access swordfish or shark permit that uses longline or gillnet gear is required to attend a Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and receive a certificate. Vessels that have been issued a limitedaccess swordfish or shark permit and that use longline or gillnet gear may not fish unless both the vessel owner and operator have valid workshop certificates onboard at all times. Vessel operators who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel operators whose certificate(s) will expire prior to their next fishing trip, must attend a VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:28 Sep 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 workshop to operate a vessel with swordfish and shark limited-access permits that uses longline or gillnet gear. Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations 1. October 7, 2015, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1101 North Highway 231, Panama City, FL 32405. 2. October 21, 2015, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1 Thurber Street, Warwick, RI 02886. 3. November 4, 2015, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 6745 Rock Spring Road, Wilmington, NC 28405. 4. November 18, 2015, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 210 Seminole Boulevard, Largo, FL 33770. 5. December 2, 2015, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 901 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70068. 6. December 16, 2015, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 3485 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Registration To register for a scheduled Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop, please contact Angler Conservation Education at (386) 682–0158. Registration Materials To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct permits, participants will need to bring the following specific items with them to the workshop: • Individual vessel owners must bring a copy of the appropriate swordfish and/or shark permit(s), a copy of the vessel registration or documentation, and proof of identification. • Representatives of a businessowned or co-owned vessel must bring proof that the individual is an agent of the business (such as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable swordfish and/or shark permit(s), and proof of identification. • Vessel operators must bring proof of identification. Workshop Objectives The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops are designed to teach longline and gillnet fishermen the required techniques for the safe handling and release of entangled and/or hooked protected species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, and smalltooth sawfish. In an effort to improve reporting, the proper identification of protected species will also be taught at these workshops. Additionally, PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 individuals attending these workshops will gain a better understanding of the requirements for participating in these fisheries. The overall goal of these workshops is to provide participants with the skills needed to reduce the mortality of protected species, which may prevent additional regulations on these fisheries in the future. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 4, 2015. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–22836 Filed 9–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Access-Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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 proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 9, 2015. 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(s) and instructions should be directed to Tom Sminkey, Ph.D., (301) 427–8177 or Tom.Sminkey@ NOAA.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Abstract This request is for extension of a currently approved information collection. Marine recreational anglers are surveyed to collect catch and effort data, fish biology data, and angler socioeconomic characteristics. These E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 175 / Thursday, September 10, 2015 / Notices data are required to carry out provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as amended, regarding conservation and management of fishery resources. Marine recreational fishing catch and effort data are collected through a combination of mail surveys, telephone surveys and on-site intercept surveys with recreational anglers. Amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) require the development of an improved data collection program for recreational fisheries. To partially meet these requirements, NOAA Fisheries designed and implemented a new Access-Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS) in 2013 to ensure better coverage and representation of recreational fishing activity. The APAIS intercepts marine recreational fishers at public-access sites in coastal counties from Maine to Louisiana, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, to obtain information about the justcompleted day’s fishing activity. Respondents are asked about the time and type of fishing, the angler’s avidity and residence location, and details of any catch of finfish. Species identification, number, and size are collected for any available landed catch. Data collected from the APAIS are used to estimate the catch per angler of recreational saltwater fishers. These APAIS estimates are combined with estimates derived from independent but complementary surveys of fishing effort, the Coastal Household Telephone Survey and the For-Hire Survey, to estimate total, state-level fishing catch, by species, and participation. These estimates are used in the development, implementation, and monitoring of fishery management programs by the NMFS, regional fishery management councils, interstate marine fisheries commissions, and state fishery agencies. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Method of Collection Information will be collected through onsite in-person interviews. III. Data OMB Number: 0648–0659. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved information collection). Affected Public: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000. Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes for intercepted anglers. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,333. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:28 Sep 09, 2015 Jkt 235001 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: September 3, 2015. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–22707 Filed 9–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD977 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Mukilteo Multimodal Project Tank Farm Pier Removal Project National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental harassment 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 (IHA) to the Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries System (WSF) to harass, by Level B harassment only, small numbers of eight marine mammal species incidental to construction work associated with the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal replacement project in Mukilteo, Snohomish County, Washington. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54535 This authorization is effective from September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Pauline, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Availability An electronic copy of WSF’s application and supporting documents, as well as a list of the references cited in this document, may be obtained by visiting the Internet at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental/construction.htm. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). 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 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 E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54534-54535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22707]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Access-Point 
Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS)

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: 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 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 9, 
2015.

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(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Tom Sminkey, Ph.D., (301) 427-8177 or 
Tom.Sminkey@NOAA.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Marine recreational anglers are surveyed to collect catch and 
effort data, fish biology data, and angler socioeconomic 
characteristics. These

[[Page 54535]]

data are required to carry out provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as 
amended, regarding conservation and management of fishery resources.
    Marine recreational fishing catch and effort data are collected 
through a combination of mail surveys, telephone surveys and on-site 
intercept surveys with recreational anglers. Amendments to the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) require 
the development of an improved data collection program for recreational 
fisheries. To partially meet these requirements, NOAA Fisheries 
designed and implemented a new Access-Point Angler Intercept Survey 
(APAIS) in 2013 to ensure better coverage and representation of 
recreational fishing activity.
    The APAIS intercepts marine recreational fishers at public-access 
sites in coastal counties from Maine to Louisiana, Hawaii, and Puerto 
Rico, to obtain information about the just-completed day's fishing 
activity. Respondents are asked about the time and type of fishing, the 
angler's avidity and residence location, and details of any catch of 
finfish. Species identification, number, and size are collected for any 
available landed catch. Data collected from the APAIS are used to 
estimate the catch per angler of recreational saltwater fishers. These 
APAIS estimates are combined with estimates derived from independent 
but complementary surveys of fishing effort, the Coastal Household 
Telephone Survey and the For-Hire Survey, to estimate total, state-
level fishing catch, by species, and participation. These estimates are 
used in the development, implementation, and monitoring of fishery 
management programs by the NMFS, regional fishery management councils, 
interstate marine fisheries commissions, and state fishery agencies.

II. Method of Collection

    Information will be collected through onsite in-person interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0648-0659.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes for intercepted anglers.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,333.
    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: September 3, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-22707 Filed 9-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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