Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit, 52829-52830 [2016-18999]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices
5. Performance measures for nationallevel cybersecurity policies; and related
near-term and long-term goals.
6. Complexity of cybersecurity
terminology and potential approaches to
resolve, including common lexicons.
Kevin Kimball,
NIST Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2016–18948 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XE759
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic;
Exempted Fishing Permit
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
application for an exempted fishing
permit; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces the receipt
of an application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. David Die
and Chiara Pacini at the University of
Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and
Atmospheric Science. If granted, the
EFP would authorize the collection of a
maximum of 400 juvenile snowy
grouper incidentally caught in
commercial spiny lobster traps in
Federal waters off the Florida Keys in
the South Atlantic during the 2016–
2017 and 2017–2018 commercial lobster
fishing seasons. The purpose of the EFP
would be to estimate and validate age
and growth rates for juvenile snowy
grouper in the South Atlantic.
DATES: Comments must be received no
later than September 9, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on the application by either of the
following methods:
• Email: mary.vara@noaa.gov.
Include in the subject line of the email
comment the following document
identifier: ‘‘University of Miami Snowy
Grouper EFP’’.
• Mail: Mary Vara, Southeast
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
The application and related
documents are available for review
upon written request to any of the above
addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Vara, 727–824–5305; email
mary.vara@noaa.gov.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:34 Aug 09, 2016
Jkt 238001
The EFP is
requested under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16
U.S.C 1801 et seq.), and regulations at
50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted
fishing.
The EFP request involves activities
covered by regulations implementing
the Fishery Management Plans (FMP)
for federally managed fisheries of the
South Atlantic Region. The proposed
collection for scientific research
involves activities that would otherwise
be prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR
part 622, as they pertain to South
Atlantic snapper-grouper managed by
the South Atlantic Fishery Management
Council (Council). The EFP would
exempt this research activity from
Federal regulations at § 622.170(a)(1)
(Permits and endorsements) and other
requirements applicable to snappergrouper permit holders; § 622.183(b)(8)
(Seasonal closures); § 622.187(b)(2)(ii)
(Bag and possession limits); and
§ 622.188(a), (b), and (c) (Required gear,
authorized gear, and unauthorized gear);
§ 622.193(b)(2) (Annual catch limits,
annual catch targets, and accountability
measures). The purpose of this study is
to estimate and validate age and growth
rates of juvenile snowy grouper to better
understand its early life history.
The applicant requests authorization
to collect juvenile snowy grouper
incidentally caught using standard
commercial spiny lobster traps in
Federal waters off the Florida Keys in
the South Atlantic, bounded by Bahia
Honda to the south and Upper
Matecumbe Key to the north.
As described in the application,
snowy grouper sampling would occur
during approximately 15 spiny lobster
trips completed during the 2016–2017
and 2017–2018 commercial spiny
lobster fishing seasons. These seasons
are from August 6, 2016, through March
31, 2017, and August 6, 2017, through
March 31, 2018. Approximately 200
spiny lobster traps would be deployed
or retrieved during each commercial
spiny lobster trip. A maximum of 200
incidentally caught snowy grouper
would be collected each year of the 2season project duration, for a maximum
quantity of 400 snowy grouper. The
project would end when either 400
snowy grouper are collected over the 2
spiny lobster seasons or by March 31,
2018, whichever occurs first.
Gear used for collecting the snowy
grouper would be legal commercial
spiny lobster traps constructed of wire
with wooden tops that are anchored
down with concrete slabs to prevent
them from moving during storm winds
and heavy currents. The traps are
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
52829
standard spiny lobster traps with
dimensions of 35.0 inches (88.9 cm)
long, 23.6 inches (59.9 cm) wide, and
23.6 inches (59.9 cm) high. The spiny
lobster traps being deployed would be a
mix of single traps and trawls (traps
tethered together). Each trawl would
have approximately 15–25 traps
connected together with approximately
50–75 yd (46–69 m) of rope between
each trap with buoys on each end. Each
trap or trawl would also have a vertical
line and a buoy attached, along with the
vessel identification and permit number
etched into the buoy. Single traps would
be set in sand in shallow waters less
than 75 ft (23 m), and trawls would be
set in sand in deeper waters between
100–300 ft (30–91 m). The exact depth
and location of the traps or trawls
would be recorded after each
deployment. Traps would be baited
with raw cowhide and dead fish, and
would be re-baited and checked
approximately every 2 weeks,
depending on weather.
The trap soak time would be
approximately 2 weeks. All traps would
be retrieved during daylight hours. On
retrieval, traps would be hauled slowly
to the surface to minimize the risk of
barotrauma. Each trap would then be
checked for the presence of snowy
grouper. If there are snowy grouper
present, the trap number, location,
depth, length, and date would be
documented. Snowy grouper that are
longer than 209 mm total length would
be released because this study would
focus on juvenile snowy grouper. Any
other fish collected in the spiny lobster
traps would be returned to the water.
Before release, fish showing evidence of
barotrauma, including snowy grouper
longer than 209 mm total length and any
other finfish bycatch, would be vented
before release. Release cages (or
descending devices) would be utilized
to aid in fish descent. Lawfully
harvested spiny lobster would be
retained by the permitted vessel.
A maximum of 20 of the 200 snowy
grouper collected each year of the
project would be kept alive in an
aerated tank and taken to the University
of Miami for further study (for a
maximum of 30 days) to validate daily
growth rings on otoliths (fish ear bones).
The remaining snowy grouper will not
be kept alive on the boat, but will be
taken to the lab where their otoliths
would be removed to estimate age and
growth rates. Gut contents from all
snowy grouper that are not kept alive for
further study would be removed for
future analysis. In addition, any bycatch
from the spiny lobster traps would be
documented before being returned to
the water. In this study, bycatch would
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
52830
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices
be any animals other than lawfully
harvested spiny lobster and snowy
grouper longer than 209 mm total
length.
The vessel to be used for the project
would be a commercial spiny lobster
fishing vessel with valid licenses and
permits to commercially harvest spiny
lobster in the Federal waters off Florida.
The EFP would not exempt the
applicant from the relevant state of
Florida regulations for spiny lobster
harvest or from the Federal spiny lobster
regulations specified at 50 CFR Subpart
R. At least one of the applicants would
be present during each of the sampling
trips. If the EFP is approved, all
collections of juvenile snowy grouper
would be conducted during the 2016–
2017 and 2017–2018 commercial spiny
lobster seasons. All snowy grouper
would be collected as part of the
vessel’s normal commercial spiny
lobster fishing trips.
NMFS finds this application warrants
further consideration. Based on a
preliminary review, NMFS intends to
issue an EFP. Possible conditions the
agency may impose on this permit, if it
is indeed granted, include but are not
limited to, a prohibition of conducting
research within marine protected areas,
marine sanctuaries, special management
zones, or artificial reefs without
additional authorization. Additionally,
NMFS may require special protections
for Endangered Species Act listed
species and their critical habitat. A final
decision on issuance of the EFP will
depend on NMFS’ review of public
comments received on the application,
consultations with the appropriate
fishery management agency of the
affected state, the Council, and the U.S.
Coast Guard, and a determination that it
is consistent with all applicable laws.
Authority: 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 5, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–18999 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:34 Aug 09, 2016
Jkt 238001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XE485
Notice of Availability of a Draft
Programmatic Environmental
Assessment for Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research Conducted and
Funded by the National Marine
Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries
Science Center
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft
Programmatic Environmental
Assessment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces the
availability of the ‘‘Draft Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for
Fisheries and Ecosystem Research
Conducted and Funded by the Alaska
Fisheries Science Center (AFSC).’’
Publication of this notice begins the
official public comment period for this
DPEA. The purpose of the DPEA is to
evaluate, in compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), the potential direct, indirect,
and cumulative impacts of conducting
and funding fisheries and ecosystem
research in the North Pacific Ocean and
the marine waters off of Alaska.
DATES: Comments must be received by
no later than September 9, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA
should be addressed to: DPEA
Comments, c/o AFSC Director’s Office,
7600 Sand Point Way NE., Building 4,
Seattle, WA 98115. Comments via email
may be sent to NMFS.AFSC.DPEA@
noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for
email comments sent to addresses other
than the one provided here. Comments
sent via email, including all
attachments, must not exceed a 10megabyte file size. A copy of the DPEA
may be obtained by writing to the
address specified above, telephoning the
contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the
internet at: https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/
dpea.html.
Documents cited in this notice may
also be viewed, by appointment, during
regular business hours, at the
aforementioned address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Daniel H. Ito, (206) 526–4232.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC)
is the research arm of National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the Alaska
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
region of the U.S. The AFSC conducts
research and provides scientific advice
to manage fisheries and conserve living
marine resources in the North Pacific
and marine waters off of Alaska. The
AFSC provides scientific data and
technical advice to a variety of
management organizations and
stakeholder groups, including the NMFS
Alaska Regional Office, North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (NPFMC),
State of Alaska, Alaska coastal
subsistence communities, and U.S.
representatives participating in
international fishery and marine
mammal negotiations, as well as the
fishing industry, environmental nongovernmental organizations and other
constituents.
NMFS has prepared the DPEA under
NEPA to evaluate several alternatives
for conducting and funding fisheries
and ecosystem research activities as the
primary Federal action. Additionally in
the DPEA, NMFS evaluates a related
action—also called a ‘‘connected
action’’ under 40 CFR 1508.25 of the
Council on Environmental Quality’s
regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)—which is the
proposed promulgation of regulations
and authorization of the take of marine
mammals incidental to fisheries
research under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA). Additionally,
because the proposed research activities
occur in areas inhabited by species of
marine mammals, birds, and fish listed
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) as threatened or endangered, this
DPEA evaluates activities that could
result in unintentional takes of ESAlisted marine species.
The following four alternatives are
currently evaluated in the DPEA:
(1) No-Action/Status Quo Alternative—
Conduct Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research with Scope and
Protocols Similar to Past Efforts
(2) Preferred Alternative—Conduct
Federal Fisheries and Ecosystem
Research (New Suite of Research)
with Mitigation for MMPA and ESA
Compliance
(3) Modified Research Alternative—
Conduct Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research (New Suite of
Research) with Additional Mitigation
(4) No Research Alternative—No
Fieldwork for Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research Conducted or
Funded by AFSC
The first three alternatives include a
program of fisheries and ecosystem
research projects conducted or funded
by the AFSC as the primary Federal
action. Because this primary action is
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52829-52830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18999]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE759
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing
permit; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. David Die and Chiara Pacini at the
University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric
Science. If granted, the EFP would authorize the collection of a
maximum of 400 juvenile snowy grouper incidentally caught in commercial
spiny lobster traps in Federal waters off the Florida Keys in the South
Atlantic during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 commercial lobster fishing
seasons. The purpose of the EFP would be to estimate and validate age
and growth rates for juvenile snowy grouper in the South Atlantic.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than September 9, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by either of the
following methods:
Email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of
the email comment the following document identifier: ``University of
Miami Snowy Grouper EFP''.
Mail: Mary Vara, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
The application and related documents are available for review upon
written request to any of the above addresses.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, 727-824-5305; email
mary.vara@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C
1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted
fishing.
The EFP request involves activities covered by regulations
implementing the Fishery Management Plans (FMP) for federally managed
fisheries of the South Atlantic Region. The proposed collection for
scientific research involves activities that would otherwise be
prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR part 622, as they pertain to South
Atlantic snapper-grouper managed by the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council (Council). The EFP would exempt this research
activity from Federal regulations at Sec. 622.170(a)(1) (Permits and
endorsements) and other requirements applicable to snapper-grouper
permit holders; Sec. 622.183(b)(8) (Seasonal closures); Sec.
622.187(b)(2)(ii) (Bag and possession limits); and Sec. 622.188(a),
(b), and (c) (Required gear, authorized gear, and unauthorized gear);
Sec. 622.193(b)(2) (Annual catch limits, annual catch targets, and
accountability measures). The purpose of this study is to estimate and
validate age and growth rates of juvenile snowy grouper to better
understand its early life history.
The applicant requests authorization to collect juvenile snowy
grouper incidentally caught using standard commercial spiny lobster
traps in Federal waters off the Florida Keys in the South Atlantic,
bounded by Bahia Honda to the south and Upper Matecumbe Key to the
north.
As described in the application, snowy grouper sampling would occur
during approximately 15 spiny lobster trips completed during the 2016-
2017 and 2017-2018 commercial spiny lobster fishing seasons. These
seasons are from August 6, 2016, through March 31, 2017, and August 6,
2017, through March 31, 2018. Approximately 200 spiny lobster traps
would be deployed or retrieved during each commercial spiny lobster
trip. A maximum of 200 incidentally caught snowy grouper would be
collected each year of the 2-season project duration, for a maximum
quantity of 400 snowy grouper. The project would end when either 400
snowy grouper are collected over the 2 spiny lobster seasons or by
March 31, 2018, whichever occurs first.
Gear used for collecting the snowy grouper would be legal
commercial spiny lobster traps constructed of wire with wooden tops
that are anchored down with concrete slabs to prevent them from moving
during storm winds and heavy currents. The traps are standard spiny
lobster traps with dimensions of 35.0 inches (88.9 cm) long, 23.6
inches (59.9 cm) wide, and 23.6 inches (59.9 cm) high. The spiny
lobster traps being deployed would be a mix of single traps and trawls
(traps tethered together). Each trawl would have approximately 15-25
traps connected together with approximately 50-75 yd (46-69 m) of rope
between each trap with buoys on each end. Each trap or trawl would also
have a vertical line and a buoy attached, along with the vessel
identification and permit number etched into the buoy. Single traps
would be set in sand in shallow waters less than 75 ft (23 m), and
trawls would be set in sand in deeper waters between 100-300 ft (30-91
m). The exact depth and location of the traps or trawls would be
recorded after each deployment. Traps would be baited with raw cowhide
and dead fish, and would be re-baited and checked approximately every 2
weeks, depending on weather.
The trap soak time would be approximately 2 weeks. All traps would
be retrieved during daylight hours. On retrieval, traps would be hauled
slowly to the surface to minimize the risk of barotrauma. Each trap
would then be checked for the presence of snowy grouper. If there are
snowy grouper present, the trap number, location, depth, length, and
date would be documented. Snowy grouper that are longer than 209 mm
total length would be released because this study would focus on
juvenile snowy grouper. Any other fish collected in the spiny lobster
traps would be returned to the water. Before release, fish showing
evidence of barotrauma, including snowy grouper longer than 209 mm
total length and any other finfish bycatch, would be vented before
release. Release cages (or descending devices) would be utilized to aid
in fish descent. Lawfully harvested spiny lobster would be retained by
the permitted vessel.
A maximum of 20 of the 200 snowy grouper collected each year of the
project would be kept alive in an aerated tank and taken to the
University of Miami for further study (for a maximum of 30 days) to
validate daily growth rings on otoliths (fish ear bones). The remaining
snowy grouper will not be kept alive on the boat, but will be taken to
the lab where their otoliths would be removed to estimate age and
growth rates. Gut contents from all snowy grouper that are not kept
alive for further study would be removed for future analysis. In
addition, any bycatch from the spiny lobster traps would be documented
before being returned to the water. In this study, bycatch would
[[Page 52830]]
be any animals other than lawfully harvested spiny lobster and snowy
grouper longer than 209 mm total length.
The vessel to be used for the project would be a commercial spiny
lobster fishing vessel with valid licenses and permits to commercially
harvest spiny lobster in the Federal waters off Florida. The EFP would
not exempt the applicant from the relevant state of Florida regulations
for spiny lobster harvest or from the Federal spiny lobster regulations
specified at 50 CFR Subpart R. At least one of the applicants would be
present during each of the sampling trips. If the EFP is approved, all
collections of juvenile snowy grouper would be conducted during the
2016-2017 and 2017-2018 commercial spiny lobster seasons. All snowy
grouper would be collected as part of the vessel's normal commercial
spiny lobster fishing trips.
NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration. Based
on a preliminary review, NMFS intends to issue an EFP. Possible
conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is indeed
granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of conducting
research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, special
management zones, or artificial reefs without additional authorization.
Additionally, NMFS may require special protections for Endangered
Species Act listed species and their critical habitat. A final decision
on issuance of the EFP will depend on NMFS' review of public comments
received on the application, consultations with the appropriate fishery
management agency of the affected state, the Council, and the U.S.
Coast Guard, and a determination that it is consistent with all
applicable laws.
Authority: 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 5, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18999 Filed 8-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
