Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 64396-64397 [2015-27003]

Download as PDF 64396 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 205 / Friday, October 23, 2015 / Notices or ‘‘Dolphin Wahoo Reg Amend 1’’ in the Subject Line of the email according to the comment being submitted. Public hearing comments for both Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 25 and Dolphin Wahoo Regulatory Amendment 1 will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on November 16, 2015. Copies of the public hearing documents for each amendment will be posted on the Council’s Web site at www.safmc.net when they become available. During the webinars, Council staff will present an overview of the amendment and will be available for informal discussions and to answer questions via webinar. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record to record their comments for consideration by the Council. Area Council representatives will be present at the local comment stations. Special Accommodations These hearings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) 3 days prior to the meeting. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 20, 2015. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–27006 Filed 10–22–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Fishery Management Council; Online Webinar National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of online webinar. AGENCY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council’s) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold an online webinar to review a revised west coast limited entry trawl individual fishing quota (IFQ) projection model developed by the Pacific Council’s Groundfish Management Team (GMT). The online SSC webinar is open to the public. DATES: The SSC webinar will commence at noon PST, Monday, November 9, 2015 and continue until 2 p.m. or as mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:05 Oct 22, 2015 Jkt 238001 necessary to complete business for the day. ADDRESSES: To attend the SSC webinar, please join online at https:// www.gotomeeting.com/online/webinar/ join-webinar and enter the webinar ID: 148–230–579, as well as your name and email address. Once you have joined the webinar, call the toll number 1 (914) 614–3221 and enter 117–723–807 when prompted for the audio access code. Then enter your audio phone pin (shown after joining the webinar). Participants are encouraged to use their telephone, as this is the best practice to avoid technical issues and excessive feedback (see https://www.pcouncil.org/ wp-content/uploads/PFMC_Audio_ Diagram_GoToMeeting.pdf for best practices). System requirements for PCbased attendees: Windows 7, Vista, or XP; for Mac-based attendees: Mac OS X 10.5 or newer; and for mobile attendees: iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet (see the GoToMeeting Webinar Apps). If you experience technical difficulties and would like assistance, please contact Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at (503) 820–2280, extension 425. A public listening station will also be provided at the Pacific Council office. Council address: Pacific Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John DeVore, Pacific Council; telephone: (503) 820–2413. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The specific objectives of the SSC webinar are to review revisions to the GMT’s west coast limited entry trawl IFQ projection model to ensure the changes recommended by the SSC’s Groundfish and Economics Subcommittees in June were implemented and the model behaves as expected. During the webinar, the SSC will consider endorsing the GMT’s IFQ model to inform management decisions. No management actions will be decided in this webinar. Public comments during the webinar will be received from attendees at the discretion of the SSC chair. Although non-emergency issues not identified in the webinar agenda may come before the webinar participants for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this webinar. Formal action at the webinar will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 has been notified of the webinar participants’ intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations The public listening station at the Pacific Council office is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at (503) 820–2280 at least 5 days prior to the webinar date. Dated: October 20, 2015. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–27007 Filed 10–22–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE270 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish outside of the limited access sea scallop regulations in support of study investigating coastal spawning of winter flounder in Southern New England. Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 9, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘DA15–063 CFF SNE Essential Fish Habitat Study EFP.’’ • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM 23OCN1 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

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 205 (Friday, October 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64396-64397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27003]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE270


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary 
determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all 
of the required information and warrants further consideration. This 
Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish 
outside of the limited access sea scallop regulations in support of 
study investigating coastal spawning of winter flounder in Southern New 
England.
    Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for 
proposed Exempted Fishing Permits.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line 
``DA15-063 CFF SNE Essential Fish Habitat Study EFP.''
     Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic

[[Page 64397]]

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 Sec.  
648.51(c); Atlantic sea scallop observer program requirements at Sec.  
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 5-day 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 15-foot (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 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.

                         Project Catch Estimates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Species                           lb        kg
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scallops............................................    21,000     9,525
Yellowtail..........................................       500       227
Winter Flounder.....................................     1,500       680
Windowpane Flounder.................................     2,600     1,179
Monkfish............................................     8,000     3,629
Barndoor Skate......................................       500       227
NE Skate Complex....................................    50,000    22,680
Other Fish..........................................     1,500       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.
    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]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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