Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition, 44993-44994 [2017-20686]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 27, 2017 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing
System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee
National Ocean Service,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of open meeting.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given of a
meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean
Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory
Committee (Committee) at Stennis
Space Center and Ocean Springs,
Mississippi.
DATES AND TIMES: The meeting will be
held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017,
from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday,
October 25, 2017 from 8:30 a.m.–5:30
p.m., and Thursday, October 25, 2017
from 8:30–2:45 p.m. These times and
the agenda topics described below are
subject to change. Refer to the Web page
listed below for the most up-to-date
agenda.
ADDRESSES: On Tuesday, October 24th
and Thursday, October 26th, the
meeting will be held in the Santa Rosa
Room, Building #11111, John C. Stennis
Space Center, MS 39529. On
Wednesday, October 25th, the meeting
will be held at Gulf Coast Research
Laboratory, University of Southern
Mississippi, 703 E Beach Dr., Ocean
Springs, MS 39564. Venues may be
subject to change. Refer to the Web page
listed below for the most up-to-date
information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl
C. Gouldman, Designated Federal
Official, U.S. IOOS Advisory
Committee, U.S. IOOS Program, 1315
East-West Highway, Station 2605, Silver
Spring, MD 20910; Phone 240–533–
9456; Fax 301–713–3281; Email
carl.gouldman@noaa.gov or visit the
U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee Web
site at https://ioos.noaa.gov/community/
u-s-ioos-advisory-committee/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Committee was established by the
NOAA Administrator as directed by
Section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal
and Ocean Observation System Act, part
of the Omnibus Public Land
Management Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–
11). The Committee advises the NOAA
Administrator and the Interagency
Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC)
on matters related to the responsibilities
and authorities set forth in section
12302 of the Integrated Coastal and
Ocean Observation System Act of 2009
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SUMMARY:
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and other appropriate matters as the
Under Secretary refers to the Committee
for review and advice. The Committee
will provide advice on:
(a) Administration, operation,
management, and maintenance of the
System;
(b) expansion and periodic
modernization and upgrade of
technology components of the System;
(c) identification of end-user
communities, their needs for
information provided by the System,
and the System’s effectiveness in
dissemination information to end-user
communities and to the general public;
and
(d) any other purpose identified by
the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere or the
Interagency Ocean Observation
Committee.
The meeting will be open to public
participation with a 15-minute public
comment period on October 24, 2017,
from 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., on October
25, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.,
and on October 26, 2017, from 2:30
p.m.–2:45 p.m. (check agenda on Web
site to confirm time.) The Committee
expects that public statements presented
at its meetings will not be repetitive of
previously submitted verbal or written
statements. In general, each individual
or group making a verbal presentation
will be limited to a total time of three
(3) minutes. Written comments should
be received by the Designated Federal
Official by October 20, 2017 to provide
sufficient time for Committee review.
Written comments received after
October 20th, will be distributed to the
Committee, but may not be reviewed
prior to the meeting date. Seats will be
available on a first-come, first-served
basis. Pre-registration is required for
those attending in person. Please send
your name as it appears on driver’s
license and the organization/company
affiliation you represent to Carl
Gouldman. This information must be
received by October 13, 2017.
Additionally, a webinar will be
provided. Sign-up information for the
webinar will be posted on the Web site.
Matters To Be Considered: The
meeting will focus on ongoing
committee priorities, including
discussions stakeholder needs specific
to the Gulf Coast region and developing
the next set of recommendations. The
latest version of the agenda will be
posted at https://ioos.noaa.gov/
community/u-s-ioos-advisorycommittee/.
Special Accomodations: These
meetings are physically accessible to
people with disabilities. Requests for
sign language interpretation or other
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44993
auxiliary aids should be directed to Carl
C. Gouldman, Designated Federal
Official at 240–533–9456 by October 13,
2017.
Dated: September 11, 2017.
Carl C. Gouldman,
Director, U.S. IOOS Program, National Ocean
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–20679 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XF607
Determination of Overfishing or an
Overfished Condition
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This action serves as a notice
that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of
Commerce (Secretary), has found that
the following stocks are, or remain,
subject to overfishing or overfished:
South Atlantic red grouper, Gulf of
Mexico greater amberjack, and
Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder.
NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary,
notifies the appropriate fishery
management council (Council)
whenever it determines that overfishing
is occurring, a stock is in an overfished
condition, or a stock is approaching an
overfished condition.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Regina Spallone, (301) 427–8568.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to section 304(e)(2) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on
behalf of the Secretary, must notify
Councils, and publish in the Federal
Register, whenever it determines that a
stock or stock complex is subject to
overfishing, overfished, or approaching
an overfished condition.
NMFS has determined that South
Atlantic red grouper is subject to
overfishing and overfished. This
determination is based on the most
recent stock assessment (SEDAR 53),
finalized in 2017, using data through
2015. This assessment supports a
finding of subject to overfishing because
the current estimate of fishing mortality
(F) is above the maximum fishing
mortality threshold (MFMT), and
overfished because the spawning stock
biomass estimate is less than the
SUMMARY:
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44994
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 27, 2017 / Notices
minimum stock size threshold (MSST).
NMFS informed the South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council that they
must take action to end overfishing
immediately on this stock and
implement conservation and
management measures to rebuild it.
NMFS has determined that the Gulf of
Mexico greater amberjack is subject to
overfishing. This determination is based
on the most recent assessment (SEDAR
33 Update), finalized in 2016, using data
through 2015. This assessment supports
a finding of subject to overfishing
because the current estimate of F is
above the MFMT. This stock remains
overfished because the spawning stock
biomass estimate is less than the MSST.
NMFS informed the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council that they
must take action to end overfishing
immediately on this stock and
implement conservation and
management measures to rebuild it.
NMFS has determined that
Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder is
still overfished and the overfishing
status is unknown. The assessment peer
review panel for this stock rejected the
most recent benchmark assessment,
finalized in 2017, using data through
2015. However, this stock is at historical
low levels and other signs of poor stock
condition support this stock remaining
listed as overfished. Lack of similar
reliable indicators for overfishing status
support changing the overfishing status
of this stock to unknown. NMFS has
notified the New England Fishery
Management Council that they must
implement conservation and
management measures to rebuild this
stock.
Dated: September 22, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–20686 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Proposed Information Collection;
Comment Request; Non-Commercial
Permit and Reporting Requirements in
the Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish
Fishery
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of
Commerce, as part of its continuing
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effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to
take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information
collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted on or before November 27,
2017.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
to Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer,
Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
Internet at pracomments@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
instrument and instructions should be
directed to Walter Ikehara, (808) 725–
5175 or Walter.Ikehara@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This request is for extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
Regulations at 50 CFR 665, Subpart C,
require that all participants (including
vessel owners, operators, and crew) in
the boat-based non-commercial
bottomfish fishery in the Exclusive
Economic Zone around the main
Hawaiian Islands obtain a federal
bottomfish permit. This collection of
information is needed for permit
issuance, to identify actual or potential
participants in the fishery, determine
qualifications for permits, and to help
measure the impacts of management
controls on the participants in the
fishery. The permit program is also an
effective tool in the enforcement of
fishery regulations and serves as a link
between the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) and fishermen.
Regulations at 50 CFR 665 require that
all vessel owners or operators in this
fishery submit a completed logbook
form at the completion of each fishing
trip. These logbook reporting sheets
document the species and amount of
species caught during the trip. The
reporting requirements are crucial to
ensure that NMFS and the Western
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) will be able to monitor the
fishery and have fishery-dependent
information to develop an Annual Catch
Limit for the fishery, evaluate the
effectiveness of management measures,
determine whether changes in fishery
management programs are necessary,
and estimate the impacts and
implications of alternative management
measures.
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II. Method of Collection
Respondents have a choice of either
electronic or paper forms. Methods of
submittal include email of electronic
forms, and mail and facsimile
transmission of paper forms.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648–0577.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Regular submission
(extension of a currently approved
collection).
Affected Public: Individuals or small
businesses.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
100.
Estimated Time per Response: 10
minutes per paper permit application; 5
minutes per online permit application;
2 hours per appeal of denied permit; 20
minutes per trip report logsheet.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 98.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Public: $3,850 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the
proposed collection of information; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB
approval of this information collection;
they also will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: September 22, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017–20711 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44993-44994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20686]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XF607
Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that the following stocks
are, or remain, subject to overfishing or overfished: South Atlantic
red grouper, Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack, and Northwestern
Atlantic witch flounder. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the
appropriate fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines
that overfishing is occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition,
or a stock is approaching an overfished condition.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 304(e)(2) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary,
must notify Councils, and publish in the Federal Register, whenever it
determines that a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing,
overfished, or approaching an overfished condition.
NMFS has determined that South Atlantic red grouper is subject to
overfishing and overfished. This determination is based on the most
recent stock assessment (SEDAR 53), finalized in 2017, using data
through 2015. This assessment supports a finding of subject to
overfishing because the current estimate of fishing mortality (F) is
above the maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT), and overfished
because the spawning stock biomass estimate is less than the
[[Page 44994]]
minimum stock size threshold (MSST). NMFS informed the South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council that they must take action to end
overfishing immediately on this stock and implement conservation and
management measures to rebuild it.
NMFS has determined that the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack is
subject to overfishing. This determination is based on the most recent
assessment (SEDAR 33 Update), finalized in 2016, using data through
2015. This assessment supports a finding of subject to overfishing
because the current estimate of F is above the MFMT. This stock remains
overfished because the spawning stock biomass estimate is less than the
MSST. NMFS informed the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that
they must take action to end overfishing immediately on this stock and
implement conservation and management measures to rebuild it.
NMFS has determined that Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder is
still overfished and the overfishing status is unknown. The assessment
peer review panel for this stock rejected the most recent benchmark
assessment, finalized in 2017, using data through 2015. However, this
stock is at historical low levels and other signs of poor stock
condition support this stock remaining listed as overfished. Lack of
similar reliable indicators for overfishing status support changing the
overfishing status of this stock to unknown. NMFS has notified the New
England Fishery Management Council that they must implement
conservation and management measures to rebuild this stock.
Dated: September 22, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20686 Filed 9-26-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P