Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops, 60677-60679 [2016-21194]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 171 / Friday, September 2, 2016 / Notices NOAA is soliciting nominations for members of the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB is the only Federal Advisory Committee with the responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator on long- and short-range strategies for research, education, and application of science to resource management and environmental assessment and prediction. The SAB consists of approximately fifteen members reflecting the full breadth of NOAA’s areas of responsibility and assists NOAA in maintaining a complete and accurate understanding of scientific issues critical to the agency’s missions. Composition and Points of View: The Board will consist of approximately fifteen members, including a Chair, designated by the Under Secretary in accordance with FACA requirements. Members will be appointed for threeyear terms, renewable once, and serve at the discretion of the Under Secretary. If a member resigns before the end of his or her first term, the vacancy appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term, and shall be renewable twice if the unexpired term is less than one year. Members will be appointed as special government employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethical standards applicable to SGEs. Members are reimbursed for actual and reasonable travel and per diem expenses incurred in performing such duties but will not be reimbursed for their time. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Board’s membership is required to be balanced in terms of viewpoints represented and the functions to be performed as well as the interests of geographic regions of the country and the diverse sectors of U.S. society. The SAB meets in person three times each year, exclusive of teleconferences or subcommittee, task force, and working group meetings. Board members must be willing to serve as liaisons to SAB working groups and/or participate in periodic reviews of the NOAA Cooperative Institutes and overarching reviews of NOAA’s research enterprise. Nominations: Interested persons may nominate themselves or third parties. Applications: An application is required to be considered for Board membership, regardless of whether a person is nominated by a third party or self-nominated. The application package must include: (1) The nominee’s full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact information; (2) the nominee’s area(s) of expertise; (3) a short mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:25 Sep 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 description of his/her qualifications relative to the kinds of advice being solicited by NOAA in this Notice; and (4) a current resume (maximum length four [4] pages). DATES: Nominations should be sent to the web address specified below and must be received by October 17, 2016. ADDRESSES: Applications should be submitted electronically to noaa.sab.newmembers@noaa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Cynthia Decker, Executive Director, Science Advisory Board, NOAA, Rm. 11230, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. (Phone: 301– 734–1156, Fax: 301–713–1459, Email: Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov); or visit the NOAA SAB Web site at https:// www.sab.noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At this time, individuals are sought with expertise in marine ecosystem science and ‘omics, formal and informal education, oceanography, risk management and resilience, and data science. Individuals with expertise in other NOAA mission areas are also welcomed to apply. Dated: August 26, 2016. Jason Donaldson, Chief Financial Officer, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2016–21078 Filed 9–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE790 Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public workshops. AGENCY: Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in October, November, and December of 2016. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and to maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Species Safe SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60677 Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2017 and will be announced in a future notice. DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held on October 13, November 10, and December 8, 2016. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held on October 20, October 26, November 4, November 7, December 7, and December 16, 2016. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details. ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held in Somerville, MA; Mount Pleasant, SC; and Clearwater, FL. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in Charleston, SC; Manahawkin, NJ; Kitty Hawk, NC; Panama City, FL; Key Largo, FL; and Ronkonkoma, NY. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details on workshop locations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Pearson by phone: (727) 824–5399, or by fax: (727) 824–5398. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The workshop schedules, registration information, and a list of frequently asked questions regarding these workshops are posted on the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ compliance/workshops/. Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark dealers have been prohibited from receiving, purchasing, trading, or bartering for Atlantic sharks unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate is on the premises of each business listed under the shark dealer permit that first receives Atlantic sharks (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). Dealers who attend and successfully complete a workshop are issued a certificate for each place of business that is permitted to receive sharks. These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. Approximately 124 free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops have been conducted since January 2007. Currently, permitted dealers may send a proxy to an Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop. However, if a dealer opts to send a proxy, the dealer must designate a proxy for each place of business covered by the dealer’s permit which first receives Atlantic sharks. E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM 02SEN1 60678 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 171 / Friday, September 2, 2016 / Notices Only one certificate will be issued to each proxy. A proxy must be a person who is currently employed by a place of business covered by the dealer’s permit; is a primary participant in the identification, weighing, and/or first receipt of fish as they are offloaded from a vessel; and who fills out dealer reports. Atlantic shark dealers are prohibited from renewing a Federal shark dealer permit unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate for each business location that first receives Atlantic sharks has been submitted with the permit renewal application. Additionally, trucks or other conveyances that are extensions of a dealer’s place of business must possess a copy of a valid dealer or proxy Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate. Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations 1. October 13, 2016, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., LaQuinta Inn, 23 Cummings Street, Somerville, MA 02145. 2. November 10, 2016, 12 p.m.–4 p.m. Hampton Inn, 1104 Isle of Palms Connector, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. 3. December 8, 2016, 12 p.m.–4 p.m. LaQuinta Inn, 5000 Lake Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760. Registration To register for a scheduled Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop, please contact Eric Sander at ericssharkguide@ yahoo.com or at (386) 852–8588. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Registration Materials To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct permits, participants will need to bring the following specific items to the workshop: • Atlantic shark dealer permit holders must bring proof that the attendee is an owner or agent of the business (such as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable permit, and proof of identification. • Atlantic shark dealer proxies must bring documentation from the permitted dealer acknowledging that the proxy is attending the workshop on behalf of the permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a specific business location, a copy of the appropriate valid permit, and proof of identification. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:25 Sep 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 238 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 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 20, 2016, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hampton Inn, 678 Citadel Haven Drive, Charleston, SC 29414. 2. October 26, 2016, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 151 Route 72 East, Manahawkin, NJ 08050. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3. November 4, 2016, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949. 4. November 7, 2016, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1101 US Highway 231, Panama City, FL 32405. 5. December 7, 2016, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037. 6. December 16, 2016, 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, 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. E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM 02SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 171 / Friday, September 2, 2016 / Notices Dated: August 30, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–21194 Filed 9–1–16; 8:45 am] Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 30, 2016. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [FR Doc. 2016–21190 Filed 9–1–16; 8:45 am] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration BILLING CODE 3510–22–P RIN 0648–XE857 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Ecosystem Based Fishery Management (EBFM) Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. DATES: This meeting will be held on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 10 a.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 01923; telephone: (978) 777–2500; fax: (978) 750–7991. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Agenda mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Standing and Mackerel SSC Session V. Updated OFL and ABC yield streams for Gulf migratory group king mackerel for 2017/2018 to 2019/ 2020 fishing seasons The committee will discuss and provide feedback on a Draft Operating Model for the Georges Bank Ecosystem Production Unit description prepared by the EBFM Plan Development Team. This operating model will provide the foundation for a Georges Bank Fishery Ecosystem Plan and Management Strategy Evaluation. The committee will also review and draft comments on a Draft NOAA Fisheries EBFM Policy and Roadmap. Other business will be discussed if time permits. Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Jkt 238001 Standing and Reef Fish SSC Session #1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration AGENCY: 18:25 Sep 01, 2016 minutes d. August 2, 2016 Standing and Reef Fish SSC Webinar IV. Selection of SSC representative at October 17–20, 2016 Council meeting DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting VerDate Sep<11>2014 60679 VI. Goliath Grouper benchmark assessment VII. Evaluation of candidate species for future data-poor assessments RIN 0648–XE852 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one and a half day meeting of its Standing, Reef Fish, Shrimp, Coastal Migratory Pelagics Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC). DATES: The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, and end at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2016. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Gulf Council’s Conference Room, and via Webinar. You may attend the meeting via Webinar by registering at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/816513104821884417. Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348–1630. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Atran, Senior Fishery Biologist, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; steven.atran@gulfcouncil.org, telephone: (813) 348–1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Agenda Tuesday, September 20, 2016 I. Introductions and Adoption of Agenda II. Election of Chair and Vice-chair III. Approval of minutes a. January 6–8, 2015 Standing, Reef Fish, and Mackerel SSC meeting b. June 1, 2016 Standing, Shrimp, and Socioeconomic SSC meeting c. Standing Reef Fish socioeconomic Shrimp and Spiny Lobster SSC meeting June 2016-verbatim PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Wednesday, September 21, 2016 Standing and Shrimp SSC Session VIII. Risk assessment for threshold permit numbers relative to sea turtle incidental take constraints Standing and Reef Fish SSC Session #2 a. Decision tools for gray triggerfish b. Commercial seasons and trip limits c. Recreational seasons, size limits, bag limits, and effort shifting IX. Evaluation of recreational red snapper split seasons X. Review of updated SEDAR schedule XI. Discussion on limit and target reference points and MSY proxies for reef fish a. Discussion of limit and target reference points b. Discussion of components of risk and uncertainty associated with the choice and estimation of reference points c. Discussion of the components of risk and uncertainty associated with choosing MSY proxies i. General discussion ii. Discussion specific to red snapper d. Ad Hoc Working Group on MSY proxies i. Charge to the working group ii. Recommendations for working group participants XII. Review of ABC Control Rule Alternatives a. Current ABC control rule b. Modified from the method described in Martel and Froese (2012) c. Fixed proportion of FMSY or MSY d. Bucket method for setting P* XIII. Dates for next SSC meeting XIV. Other Business —Meeting Adjourns— You may register for SSC Meeting: Standing, Reef Fish, Mackerel, and Shrimp on September 20 and 21, 2016 at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/816513104821884417. E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM 02SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 171 (Friday, September 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60677-60679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21194]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE790


Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and 
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops

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

ACTION: Notice of public workshops.

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

SUMMARY: Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected 
Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be 
held in October, November, and December of 2016. Certain fishermen and 
shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory 
requirements and to maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic 
Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted 
Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, 
and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel owners and 
operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, 
and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access 
permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted during 2017 and 
will be announced in a future notice.

DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held on 
October 13, November 10, and December 8, 2016.
    The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification 
Workshops will be held on October 20, October 26, November 4, November 
7, December 7, and December 16, 2016.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details.

ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held in 
Somerville, MA; Mount Pleasant, SC; and Clearwater, FL.
    The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification 
Workshops will be held in Charleston, SC; Manahawkin, NJ; Kitty Hawk, 
NC; Panama City, FL; Key Largo, FL; and Ronkonkoma, NY.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details on workshop 
locations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Pearson by phone: (727) 824-5399, 
or by fax: (727) 824-5398.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The workshop schedules, registration 
information, and a list of frequently asked questions regarding these 
workshops are posted on the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/compliance/workshops/.

Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops

    Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark dealers have been prohibited 
from receiving, purchasing, trading, or bartering for Atlantic sharks 
unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate is on 
the premises of each business listed under the shark dealer permit that 
first receives Atlantic sharks (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). Dealers 
who attend and successfully complete a workshop are issued a 
certificate for each place of business that is permitted to receive 
sharks. These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. Approximately 124 
free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops have been conducted since 
January 2007.
    Currently, permitted dealers may send a proxy to an Atlantic Shark 
Identification Workshop. However, if a dealer opts to send a proxy, the 
dealer must designate a proxy for each place of business covered by the 
dealer's permit which first receives Atlantic sharks.

[[Page 60678]]

Only one certificate will be issued to each proxy. A proxy must be a 
person who is currently employed by a place of business covered by the 
dealer's permit; is a primary participant in the identification, 
weighing, and/or first receipt of fish as they are offloaded from a 
vessel; and who fills out dealer reports. Atlantic shark dealers are 
prohibited from renewing a Federal shark dealer permit unless a valid 
Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate for each business 
location that first receives Atlantic sharks has been submitted with 
the permit renewal application. Additionally, trucks or other 
conveyances that are extensions of a dealer's place of business must 
possess a copy of a valid dealer or proxy Atlantic Shark Identification 
Workshop certificate.

Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations

    1. October 13, 2016, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., LaQuinta Inn, 23 Cummings 
Street, Somerville, MA 02145.
    2. November 10, 2016, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Hampton Inn, 1104 Isle of 
Palms Connector, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.
    3. December 8, 2016, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. LaQuinta Inn, 5000 Lake 
Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33760.

Registration

    To register for a scheduled Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop, 
please contact Eric Sander at ericssharkguide@yahoo.com or at (386) 
852-8588.

Registration Materials

    To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct 
permits, participants will need to bring the following specific items 
to the workshop:
     Atlantic shark dealer permit holders must bring proof that 
the attendee is an owner or agent of the business (such as articles of 
incorporation), a copy of the applicable permit, and proof of 
identification.
     Atlantic shark dealer proxies must bring documentation 
from the permitted dealer acknowledging that the proxy is attending the 
workshop on behalf of the permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a 
specific business location, a copy of the appropriate valid permit, and 
proof of identification.

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 
dealer-reported 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 limited-access 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 238 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 limited-access 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 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 20, 2016, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hampton Inn, 678 Citadel Haven 
Drive, Charleston, SC 29414.
    2. October 26, 2016, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 151 Route 72 East, 
Manahawkin, NJ 08050.
    3. November 4, 2016, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 North 
Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
    4. November 7, 2016, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1101 US 
Highway 231, Panama City, FL 32405.
    5. December 7, 2016, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 99701 Overseas 
Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037.
    6. December 16, 2016, 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 business-owned 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, 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.


[[Page 60679]]


    Dated: August 30, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21194 Filed 9-1-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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