Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; Horseshoe Crabs; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 2015; Reopening of Comment Period, 64397-64398 [2015-26897]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 205 / Friday, October 23, 2015 / Notices Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘DA15–063 CFF SNE Essential Fish Habitat Study EFP.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978–282–8456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA has awarded the Coonamesset Farm Foundation (CFF) a grant through the 2015 Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program, in support of a project titled ‘‘Investigating Offshore Essential Fish Habitat of Southern New England Winter Flounder.’’ To conduct this research, CFF submitted a complete application for an EFP on August 4, 2015. The applicant proposes to investigate questions associated with spawning winter flounder in Southern New England (SNE) by conducting multiple research activities, which include: 1. A paired scallop dredge survey to identify and monitor the distribution of winter flounder; 2. Test dredge gear twine top configurations and apron lengths to reduce finfish bycatch; 3. Attempt to observe winter flounder spawning behavior using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV); 4. Conduct a benthic habitat video survey; and 5. Sample for a winter flounder eggs using a plankton net. CFF is requesting exemptions that would allow commercial fishing vessels be exempt from the Atlantic sea scallop days-at-sea (DAS) allocations at 50 CFR 648.53(b); crew size restrictions at § 648.51(c); Atlantic sea scallop observer program requirements at § 648.11(g); and possession limits and minimum size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subsections B and D through O, for sampling purposes only. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Five vessels would conduct the dredge survey and gear testing on six 5day trips, for 30 total DAS. Each trip would complete approximately 60 dredge tows per trip for an overall total of 360 tows for the project. The project would also conduct a single video survey trip utilizing a benthic sled. Trips would take place in the open areas of SNE in December 2015–May 2016. All dredge tows would use two 15foot (4.57-m) Turtle Deflector Dredges (TDD) and be conducted in tandem for a duration of 30 minutes at a tow speed of approximately 4.8 knots. One dredge would be rigged with a 7-row apron and 60-mesh wide twine top while the other VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:05 Oct 22, 2015 Jkt 238001 dredge would be rigged with a 5-row apron and 45-mesh wide twine top. To examine factors that may influence flatfish bycatch rates such as habitat characteristics and fish behavior in response to the TDD, each dredge would have an underwater camera attached to the bale bar. When researchers identify large numbers of spawning winter flounder during the dredge survey, they would deploy the ROV to film spawning behavior interactions. For all tows, researchers would count and weigh sea scallop catch. Researchers would measure scallops from one randomly selected basket from each dredge in 5-mm increments to determine size selectivity. Researchers would sort finfish catch by species then count, weigh, and measure finfish catch in 1-mm increments. Researchers would also weigh, sex, and assess the reproductive stage of all winter flounder greater than 32 cm. The vessels would not retain catch for longer than needed to conduct sampling and vessels would not land any catch for sale. CFF researchers would accompany all trips, and be in charge of sampling activities. 64397 CFF has requested these exemptions to allow them to conduct experimental dredge towing without being charged DAS. Participating vessels need crew size waivers to accommodate science personnel and possession waivers will enable them to conduct finfish sampling activities. NMFS would waive observer notification requirements because the research activity is not representative of a commercial scallop fishing trip. If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 20, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–27003 Filed 10–22–15; 8:45 am] PROJECT CATCH ESTIMATES BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Species Scallops ........................ Yellowtail ....................... Winter Flounder ............ Windowpane Flounder .. Monkfish ....................... Barndoor Skate ............. NE Skate Complex ....... Other Fish ..................... lb kg 21,000 500 1,500 2,600 8,000 500 50,000 1,500 9,525 227 680 1,179 3,629 227 22,680 680 The project would also use a commercial vessel for a single dedicated video trip utilizing a benthic underwater survey sled. At each of the survey stations the benthic sled would be deployed and towed for 5–10 minutes at a speed of 1.5–2 knots. Researchers would attach a live feed video camera transmitting video back to the vessel, and two underwater cameras taking high definition still shots to the benthic sled. There would also be two low level lights attached to the benthic sled in order to illuminate the area for the cameras. The video footage and photos from the benthic sled survey would be compared to still shots take during the dredge surveys. Researchers would also attach a plankton net to the benthic sled. The plankton net would be 101.60 cm long with a 27.94 x 45.72-cm opening, and a mesh size of 0.05 cm. The plankton net would allow researchers to see if there are winter flounder eggs present at each of the survey stations. PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE230 Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; Horseshoe Crabs; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 2015; Reopening of Comment Period National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification of a proposal to conduct exempted fishing; reopening of comment period. AGENCY: This action reopens the comment period for an application for an exempted fishing permit for horseshoe crab that published on October 7, 2015. The original comment period closed 13 days later on October 19, 2015, which is two days shorter than the 15-day minimum comment time period required in our regulations. We are therefore reopening the comment period through October 27, 2015, to make-up for this shortfall and to provide additional opportunity for public comment. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1 64398 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 205 / Friday, October 23, 2015 / Notices DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 27, 2015. BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION Written comments should be sent to Alan Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Horseshoe Crab EFP Proposal.’’ Comments may also be sent via fax to (301) 713–0596. Comments on this notice may also be submitted by email to: nmfs.state-federal@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the email comment the following document identifier: ‘‘Horseshoe Crab EFP Proposal Comments.’’ [Docket No: CFPB–2015–0043] ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek Orner, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, (301) 427–8567. A notification of a proposal to conduct exempted fishing was published on October 7, 2015 (80 FR 60633) that would allow the harvest of up to 10,000 horseshoe crabs from the Carl N. Schuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve for biomedical purposes and require, as a condition of the exempted fishing permit (EFP), the collection of data related to the status of horseshoe crabs within the reserve. The Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, has made a preliminary determination that the subject EFP application submitted by Limuli Laboratories of Cape May Court House, NJ, contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The notification of EFP application published in the Federal Register with a 13-day comment period that closed on October 19, 2015. Due to a clerical oversight, NMFS provided the public with a 13-day comment period instead of the 15-day comment period required by our regulations at 50 CFR 600.745. As a result, NMFS is extending the comment period to allow for additional time for public comment for interested parties to provide comment on this activity. Thus, NMFS is reopening the comment period through October 27, 2015. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 19, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–26897 Filed 10–22–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:05 Oct 22, 2015 Jkt 238001 Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. ACTION: Notice and request for comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) is proposing to renew the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for an existing information collection titled, ‘‘Generic Information Collection Plan for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Bureau Service Delivery.’’ DATES: Written comments are encouraged and must be received on or before November 23, 2015 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection, OMB Control Number (see below), and docket number (see above), by any of the following methods: • Electronic: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • OMB: Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 or fax to (202) 395–5806. Mailed or faxed comments to OMB should be to the attention of the OMB Desk Officer for the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. In general, all comments received will become public records, including any personal information provided. Sensitive personal information, such as account numbers or social security numbers, should not be included. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Documentation prepared in support of this information collection request is available at www.reginfo.gov (this link active on the day following publication of this notice). Select ‘‘Information Collection Review,’’ under ‘‘Currently under review, use the dropdown menu ‘‘Select Agency’’ and select ‘‘Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’’ (recent submissions to OMB will be at the top of the list). The same documentation is also available at https:// www.regulations.gov. Requests for additional information should be directed to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DC 20552, (202) 435–9575, or email: PRA@cfpb.gov. Please do not submit comments to this email box. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: Generic Information Collection Plan for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Bureau Service Delivery. OMB Control Number: 3170–0024. Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Individual or Households; State, Local, or Tribal Governments; and Private Sector. Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,000. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,875. Abstract: This generic information collection plan provides for the collection of qualitative feedback from consumers, financial institutions, and stakeholders on a wide range of services the Bureau provides in an efficient, timely manner, in accordance with the Bureau’s commitment to improving service delivery. By qualitative feedback, the Bureau means information that provides useful insights on, for example, comprehension, usability, perceptions, and opinions, but are not statistical surveys that yield quantitative results that can be generalized to the population of study. The Bureau expects this feedback to include insights into consumer, financial institution, or stakeholder perceptions, experiences, and expectations, provide an early warning of issues with service, or focus attention on areas where communication, training or changes in operations might improve delivery of products or services. These collections will allow for ongoing, collaborative, and actionable communications between the Bureau and consumers, financial institutions, and stakeholders. It will also allow feedback to contribute directly to the improvement of program management. This submission is requesting OMB to renewal for additional three (3) years its approval of this generic information collection plan. Request for Comments: The Bureau issued a 60-day Federal Register notice on June 15, 2015 (80 FR 34148). Comments were solicited and continue to be invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the Bureau’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methods and the E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 205 (Friday, October 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64397-64398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26897]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE230


Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; 
Horseshoe Crabs; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 2015; 
Reopening of Comment Period

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

ACTION: Notification of a proposal to conduct exempted fishing; 
reopening of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: This action reopens the comment period for an application for 
an exempted fishing permit for horseshoe crab that published on October 
7, 2015. The original comment period closed 13 days later on October 
19, 2015, which is two days shorter than the 15-day minimum comment 
time period required in our regulations. We are therefore reopening the 
comment period through October 27, 2015, to make-up for this shortfall 
and to provide additional opportunity for public comment.

[[Page 64398]]


DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Alan Risenhoover, 
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Mark the outside of the 
envelope ``Comments on Horseshoe Crab EFP Proposal.''
    Comments may also be sent via fax to (301) 713-0596. Comments on 
this notice may also be submitted by email to: nmfs.state-federal@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the email comment the 
following document identifier: ``Horseshoe Crab EFP Proposal 
Comments.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek Orner, Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries, (301) 427-8567.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notification of a proposal to conduct 
exempted fishing was published on October 7, 2015 (80 FR 60633) that 
would allow the harvest of up to 10,000 horseshoe crabs from the Carl 
N. Schuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve for biomedical purposes and 
require, as a condition of the exempted fishing permit (EFP), the 
collection of data related to the status of horseshoe crabs within the 
reserve. The Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, has made a 
preliminary determination that the subject EFP application submitted by 
Limuli Laboratories of Cape May Court House, NJ, contains all the 
required information and warrants further consideration.
    The notification of EFP application published in the Federal 
Register with a 13-day comment period that closed on October 19, 2015. 
Due to a clerical oversight, NMFS provided the public with a 13-day 
comment period instead of the 15-day comment period required by our 
regulations at 50 CFR 600.745. As a result, NMFS is extending the 
comment period to allow for additional time for public comment for 
interested parties to provide comment on this activity. Thus, NMFS is 
reopening the comment period through October 27, 2015.

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

    Dated: October 19, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-26897 Filed 10-22-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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