Endangered Species; File No. 21467, 9297-9298 [2018-04361]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices such species or stocks for taking for subsistence purposes. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Environmental Policy Act To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216–6A, NMFS must review our proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an incidental harassment authorization) with respect to potential impacts on the human environment. This action is consistent with categories of activities identified in CE B4 of the Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative Order 216–6A, which do not individually or cumulatively have the potential for significant impacts on the quality of the human environment and for which we have not identified any extraordinary circumstances that would preclude this categorical exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS determined that the issuance of this Authorization was categorically excluded from further NEPA review. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal agency insure that any action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. No incidental take of ESA-listed species is authorized or expected to result from this activity. Therefore, NMFS has determined that consultation under Section 7 of the ESA is not required for this action. Authorization sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES NMFS has issued an IHA to the Navy for the harassment of small numbers of bottlenose dolphins incidental to the Bravo Wharf recapitalization project in NSM, Jacksonville, FL, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements. Dated: February 27, 2018. Donna Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–04381 Filed 3–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:25 Mar 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 RIN 0648–XG057 Endangered Species; File No. 21366 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Margaret Lamont, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey, 7320 NW 71st St., Gainesville, FL 32653, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. SUMMARY: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before April 4, 2018. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review by selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species (APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 21366 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Erin Markin, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9297 exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). Dr. Lamont proposes to study green, Kemp’s ridley, loggerhead, and hawksbill sea turtles in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The objectives of the work are to (1) assess spatial habitat use by sea turtles, (2) define vital rates for juvenile turtles, and (3) examine impacts of cold stunning on turtle ecology. Up to 60 loggerhead, 210 green, 200 Kemp’s ridley and 10 hawksbill sea turtles annually would be captured by hand, dip net, tangle net, or strike net. Upon capture, researchers would examine, temporarily mark, measure, and biologically sample sea turtles before release. A subset of turtles would also receive up to two transmitters prior to release and may be manually tracked after release. The permit would be valid for up to 10 years from the date of issuance. Dated: February 27, 2018. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–04360 Filed 3–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG037 Endangered Species; File No. 21467 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Karen Holloway-Adkins, Ph.D., East Coast Biologists, Inc., P.O. Box 37715, Indialantic, Florida 32903, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before April 4, 2018. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review by selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species (APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 21467 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM 05MRN1 9298 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2018 / Notices in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. Erin Markin or Amy Hapeman, (301) 427– 8401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). Karen Holloway-Adkins proposes to continue to characterize the population of green and loggerhead sea turtles in nearshore reefs in Brevard County, Florida to determine: (1) Spatial and temporal distribution, (2) mean size, (3) foraging habitats, (4) body conditions and fibropapillomatosis ratios, (5) genetic origin, and (6) home-range, site fidelity, and residency times. Up to 80 green and six loggerhead sea turtles would be captured by hand or using dip or tangle nets, annually. All captured green sea turtles would be measured, weighed, and photographed and released. Annually, up to 65 green sea turtles also would be tagged (passive integrated transponder [PIT] and flipper), and biologically sampled (blood and tissue) and a subset would receive a transmitter (drill carapace or epoxy attachment) or undergo lavage prior to release. Loggerhead sea turtles would be tagged (PIT and flipper), biologically sampled (blood and tissue), photographed, measured, and weighed prior to release. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: February 27, 2018. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–04361 Filed 3–2–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:25 Mar 02, 2018 Jkt 244001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF960 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 subject to overfishing, overfished, or approaching an overfished condition. Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish is now subject to overfishing. The southern Georges Bank/Mid-Atlantic stock of red hake and North Atlantic shortfin mako shark are now both subject to overfishing and overfished. The following Atlantic stocks are still overfished: Atlantic wolffish, ocean pout, the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic stock of winter flounder, the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock of windowpane flounder, and witch flounder. In addition, three stocks of yellowtail flounder (Georges Bank, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic), and two stocks of Atlantic cod (Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine) are all still subject to overfishing and overfished. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines that a stock is subject to overfishing, is in an overfished condition, or 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 Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish is now subject to overfishing. In years in which this stock is assessed, Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish is subject to overfishing if the fishing mortality rate (F) is greater than the maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT). In non-assessment years, the stock is subject to overfishing SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 if total landings exceed the overfishing limit (OFL). While the most recent stock assessment (from 2015, using data from 2013) supported a determination that the stock was not subject to overfishing, landings data from 2016, finalized in 2017, support a determination that gray triggerfish is subject to overfishing because total landings in 2016 were greater than the OFL. NMFS has informed the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that it must take action to end overfishing immediately on this stock. NMFS has determined that the Southern Georges Bank/Mid-Atlantic stock of red hake and North Atlantic shortfin mako shark are now both subject to overfishing and overfished. The Northeast Fisheries Science Center completed the most recent assessment of the Southern Georges Bank/MidAtlantic stock of red hake in 2017, using data through 2016. This assessment supports a determination that the stock is now subject to overfishing because the exploitation rate exceeds targets, and overfished because survey indices are below the minimum stock size threshold. NMFS has informed the New England Fishery Management Council (New England Council) that it must take action to end overfishing immediately on, and rebuild, this stock. The latest stock assessment for North Atlantic shortfin mako shark was finalized in 2017 by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna’s (ICCAT’s) Standing Committee for Research and Statistics, using data through 2015. This assessment supports a recommendation of subject to overfishing because fishing mortality exceeds targets and overfished because estimates of biomass in 2015 are less than the biomass targets. Under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, NMFS will implement new ICCAT management measures to address overfishing and begin rebuilding this stock. NMFS has also determined that the following Atlantic stocks are still overfished: Atlantic wolffish, ocean pout, the Southern New England/MidAtlantic stock of winter flounder, and the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock of windowpane flounder. Determinations are based on the most recent stock assessments, completed in 2017, using data through 2016, which indicate that biomass estimates remain below targets for these stocks. The status of Atlantic witch flounder could not be quantitatively determined and was qualitatively determined to be overfished based on poor stock condition. E:\FR\FM\05MRN1.SGM 05MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9297-9298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04361]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG037


Endangered Species; File No. 21467

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Karen Holloway-Adkins, Ph.D., East 
Coast Biologists, Inc., P.O. Box 37715, Indialantic, Florida 32903, has 
applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas) and 
loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 4, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
``Features'' box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 21467 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment

[[Page 9298]]

in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. 
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by 
email to [email protected]. Please include the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the 
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Markin or Amy Hapeman, (301) 427-
8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking, 
importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 
parts 222-226).
    Karen Holloway-Adkins proposes to continue to characterize the 
population of green and loggerhead sea turtles in nearshore reefs in 
Brevard County, Florida to determine: (1) Spatial and temporal 
distribution, (2) mean size, (3) foraging habitats, (4) body conditions 
and fibropapillomatosis ratios, (5) genetic origin, and (6) home-range, 
site fidelity, and residency times. Up to 80 green and six loggerhead 
sea turtles would be captured by hand or using dip or tangle nets, 
annually. All captured green sea turtles would be measured, weighed, 
and photographed and released. Annually, up to 65 green sea turtles 
also would be tagged (passive integrated transponder [PIT] and 
flipper), and biologically sampled (blood and tissue) and a subset 
would receive a transmitter (drill carapace or epoxy attachment) or 
undergo lavage prior to release. Loggerhead sea turtles would be tagged 
(PIT and flipper), biologically sampled (blood and tissue), 
photographed, measured, and weighed prior to release.

    Dated: February 27, 2018.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04361 Filed 3-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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