Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Groundfish Tagging Program, 61378-61379 [2015-25848]

Download as PDF 61378 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 197 / Tuesday, October 13, 2015 / Notices maintenance and monitoring duties, while trying to minimize pinniped disturbance. It is critical for Point Blue to keep the California sea lions off of these structures to prevent severe damage and ensure the safety of island staff. However, to do so would be impossible for Point Blue and its partners without disturbing a larger number of California sea lions. Thus, NMFS proposes to modify the current Authorization to increase the number of take by Level B harassment only for California sea lions to a total of 44,871 for the duration of the current Authorization which expires on January 30, 2016. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Findings Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)—As required by the MMPA, for the original Authorization, NMFS determined that: (1) The required mitigation measures are sufficient to reduce the effects of the specified activities to the level of least practicable impact; (2) the authorized takes will have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species; (3) the authorized takes represent small numbers relative to the affected stock abundances; and (4) Point Blue’s activities will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on taking for subsistence purposes as no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals are implicated by this action. Negligible Impact: For reasons stated previously in the Federal Register notices for the proposed authorization (79 FR 76975, December 23, 2014) and the issued Authorization (80 FR 10066, February 25, 2015), NMFS anticipates that impacts to hauled-out California sea lions during Point Blue’s activities would be behavioral harassment of limited duration (i.e., less than one day) and limited intensity (i.e., temporary flushing at most). NMFS does not expect Point Blue’s specified activities to cause long-term behavioral disturbance, abandonment of the haul out area, or stampeding, and therefore injury or mortality to occur. With the exception of a proposed increase in the number of authorized takes for California sea lions, no other substantive changes have occurred in the interim. Based on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into consideration the implementation of the required monitoring and mitigation measures, NMFS preliminarily finds that the total marine mammal take from Point Blue’s survey activities will have a negligible impact VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:23 Oct 09, 2015 Jkt 238001 on the affected marine mammal species or stocks. Small Numbers: For reasons stated previously in the Federal Register notices for the proposed authorization (79 FR 76975, December 23, 2014) and the issued Authorization (80 FR 10066, February 25, 2015), NMFS estimates that four species of marine mammals could be potentially affected by Level B harassment over the course of the proposed Authorization. With the exception of a proposed increase in authorized take for California sea lions, no other substantive changes have occurred in the interim. For California sea lions, the proposed increase in take is small relative to the population size. The revised incidental harassment number represents approximately 15.1 percent of the U.S. stock of California sea lion. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)—In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NMFS prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing the potential effects to the human environment from the issuance of a proposed Authorization to Point Blue for their seabird research activities. In January 2014, NMFS issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the issuance of an Authorization for Point Blue’s research activities in accordance with section 6.01 of the NOAA Administrative Order 216–6 (Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, May 20, 1999). No substantive changes have occurred in the interim. Endangered Species Act (ESA)—No marine mammal species listed under the ESA occur in the action area. Therefore, NMFS has determined that a section 7 consultation under the ESA is not required. No substantive changes have occurred in the interim. Request for Public Comments NMFS invites comment on the proposed revised Incidental Harassment Authorization to Point Blue. Please include with your comments any supporting data or literature citations to help inform NMFS’ final decision on Point Blue’s request for a revised Authorization. Dated: October 7, 2015. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–25942 Filed 10–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Groundfish Tagging Program 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 December 14, 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 and instructions should be directed to John Clary, (206) 526–4039 or email john.c.clary@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Abstract This request is for extension of a currently approved information collection. The groundfish tagging program provides scientists with information necessary for effective conservation, management, and scientific understanding of the groundfish fishery off Alaska and the Northwest Pacific. The program area includes the Pacific Ocean off Alaska (the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, and the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska), California, Oregon, and Washington. Fish movement information from recovered tags is used in population dynamics models for stock assessment. There are two general categories of tags. Simple plastic tags (spaghetti tags) are external tags approximately two inches long, printed with code numbers. When a tag is returned, the tag number is correlated with databases of released, tagged fish to determine the net movement and growth rate of the tagged fish. Archival tags are microchips with sensors E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 197 / Tuesday, October 13, 2015 / Notices encased in plastic cylinders that record the depth, temperature or other data, which can be downloaded electronically from the recovered tags. The groundfish tagging and tag recovery program is part of the fishery resource assessment and data collection that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) conducts under the Magnuson-Stevens Act authority as codified in 16 U.S.C. 1801 (a)(8). Dated: October 6, 2015. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. II. Method of Collection RIN 0648–XE231 This is a volunteer program requiring the actual tag from the fish to be returned, along with recovery information. Reporting forms with preaddressed and postage-free envelopes are distributed to processors and catcher vessels. Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648–0276. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved collection). Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; State, local, or tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 265. Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes for returning a regular tag, and 20 minutes for returning an internal archival tag. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 59. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting costs. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:23 Oct 09, 2015 Jkt 238001 [FR Doc. 2015–25848 Filed 10–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: We, NMFS, announce that the Proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan for Oregon Coast Coho Salmon (Proposed Plan) is available for public review and comment. The Proposed Plan addresses the Oregon Coast Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) listed as threatened under the ESA. The geographic area covered by the Proposed Plan is the Pacific Ocean and freshwater habitat (rivers, streams and lakes) from the Necanicum River near Seaside, Oregon, on the northern end to the Sixes River near Port Orford, Oregon on the south. As required under the ESA, the Proposed Plan contains objective, measurable delisting criteria, site-specific management actions necessary to achieve the Proposed Plan’s goals, and estimates of the time and costs required to implement recovery actions. We are soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the Proposed Plan. DATES: We will consider and address, as appropriate, all substantive comments received during the comment period. Comments on the Proposed Plan must be received no later than 5 p.m. Pacific daylight time on December 14, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the Public Draft Recovery Plan by the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via: 2015CohoPlan.WCR@noaa.gov. Please include ‘‘Comments on Oregon Coast Coho Salmon Recovery Plan’’ in the subject line of the email. • Facsimile: (503) 872–2737. • Mail: Robert Walton, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1201 NE. Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61379 Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above methods to ensure comments are received, documented, and considered by NMFS. 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. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Electronic copies of the Proposed Plan are available on the NMFS Web site at: https:// www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/ protected_species/salmon_steelhead/ recovery_planning_and_ implementation/oregon_coast/oregon_ coast_recovery_plan.html. Persons wishing to obtain an electronic copy on CD ROM of the Proposed Plan may do so by calling Nancy Johnson at (503) 230–5442 or by emailing a request to nancy.johnson@noaa.gov with the subject line ‘‘CD ROM Request for Oregon Coast Coho Salmon Recovery Plan.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Walton, NMFS Oregon Coast Coho Salmon Recovery Coordinator, at (503) 231–2285, or rob.walton@ noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background We are responsible for developing and implementing recovery plans for Pacific salmon and steelhead listed under the ESA of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Recovery means that the listed species and their ecosystems are sufficiently restored, and their future secured, to the point that the protections of the ESA are no longer necessary. Section 4(f)(1) of the ESA requires that recovery plans include, to the maximum extent practicable: (1) Objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a determination that the species is no longer threatened or endangered; (2) site-specific management actions necessary to achieve the plan’s goals; and (3) estimates of the time required and costs to implement recovery actions. The ESA requires the development of recovery plans for each listed species unless such a plan would not promote its recovery. We believe it is essential to have local support of recovery plans by those whose activities directly affect the listed species and whose continued commitment and leadership will be needed to implement the necessary recovery actions. We therefore support and participate in locally led, collaborative efforts to develop recovery plans that involve state, tribal, and E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61378-61379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25848]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Groundfish 
Tagging Program

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 December 14, 
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 and instructions should 
be directed to John Clary, (206) 526-4039 or email 
john.c.clary@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection. The groundfish tagging program provides scientists with 
information necessary for effective conservation, management, and 
scientific understanding of the groundfish fishery off Alaska and the 
Northwest Pacific. The program area includes the Pacific Ocean off 
Alaska (the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, 
and the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska), California, Oregon, 
and Washington. Fish movement information from recovered tags is used 
in population dynamics models for stock assessment. There are two 
general categories of tags. Simple plastic tags (spaghetti tags) are 
external tags approximately two inches long, printed with code numbers. 
When a tag is returned, the tag number is correlated with databases of 
released, tagged fish to determine the net movement and growth rate of 
the tagged fish. Archival tags are microchips with sensors

[[Page 61379]]

encased in plastic cylinders that record the depth, temperature or 
other data, which can be downloaded electronically from the recovered 
tags. The groundfish tagging and tag recovery program is part of the 
fishery resource assessment and data collection that the National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) conducts under the Magnuson-Stevens Act 
authority as codified in 16 U.S.C. 1801 (a)(8).

II. Method of Collection

    This is a volunteer program requiring the actual tag from the fish 
to be returned, along with recovery information. Reporting forms with 
pre-addressed and postage-free envelopes are distributed to processors 
and catcher vessels.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0276.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; State, local, or 
tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 265.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes for returning a regular tag, 
and 20 minutes for returning an internal archival tag.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 59.
    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: October 6, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-25848 Filed 10-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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