Initiation of 5-Year Review for the Endangered New York Bight, Chesapeake Bay, Carolina and South Atlantic Distinct Population Segments of Atlantic Sturgeon and the Threatened Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon, 11731-11732 [2018-05306]

Download as PDF daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2018 / Notices minimal environmental impact in a mixed trap trawl configuration in the first year of the project, then the applicant may also test the practicality of deploying trawls with only the purse trap type in the following year. The depth of trap deployments is expected to be between 150 to 300 ft (46 to 91 m). Trap soak time would range from 3 to 10 days depending on trap type and location. Setting and hauling of the traps is expected to occur during daylight hours. Bait would only be used in the modified spiny lobster traps and would include cowhide and fish heads. Vessels to be used in the proposed study would be three federally permitted commercial fishing vessels. Vessel crew would be responsible for collecting detailed records during the sampling trips. Data to be collected per trip would include: Gear configuration and fishing effort data (e.g., date and time of deployment and retrieval, latitude, longitude, and water depth of each deployed trawl, bait type used); soak time per area for each trawl; alternative weight and trawl configurations used in different sea states and conditions; trap loss and movement from original set position; protected species interactions; bycatch species, amount, and disposition; and lionfish catch data for each trap type. Any fish species other than lionfish caught in the traps would be released once the traps are onboard the project vessels; only lionfish would be retained as part of the project. Retained lionfish would be sold on return to port. The applicant has requested the EFP be effective for a 2-year period from the date the EFP is issued. NMFS finds the application warrants further consideration based on a preliminary review. Possible conditions the agency may impose on the permit, if granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of conducting research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, special management zones, or areas where they might interfere with managed fisheries without additional authorization. Additionally, NMFS may require special protections for ESAlisted species and designated critical habitat, and may require particular gear markings. 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 agencies of the affected states, Councils, the U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that they are consistent with all applicable laws. Authority: 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:54 Mar 15, 2018 Jkt 244001 Dated: March 12, 2018. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–05335 Filed 3–15–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF995 Initiation of 5-Year Review for the Endangered New York Bight, Chesapeake Bay, Carolina and South Atlantic Distinct Population Segments of Atlantic Sturgeon and the Threatened Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information. AGENCY: We, NMFS, announce our intent to conduct a 5-year review for the threatened Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus), the endangered New York Bight DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, the endangered Chesapeake Bay DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, the endangered Carolina DPS of Atlantic sturgeon and the endangered South Atlantic DPS of Atlantic sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We are required by the ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classification of the species remains accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of such information on the status of each DPS, particularly information on population trends, distribution, abundance, habitat amount and suitability, threats, and conservation measures for any DPS that has become available since their original listings under the ESA in 2012. Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make the requisite findings under the ESA. DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than May 15, 2018. While we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time, failure to timely submit the information in accordance with the deadline above may preclude SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 11731 the information from being included in this review. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments by including NOAA–NMFS–2018–0041, by either of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. 1. Go to www.regulations.gov/ document?D=[NOAA-NMFS-20180041], 2. Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields 3. Enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Lynn Lankshear, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Region Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 or Andrew Herndon, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701. Instructions: We may not consider comments if they are sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the specified period. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. We will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Lankshear at the above address, by phone at 978–282–8473 or Lynn.Lankshear@noaa.gov or Andrew Herndon at the above address, by phone at 727–824–5312 or Andrew.Herndon@ noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 6, 2012, we listed the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic sturgeon as threatened and the New York Bight, Chesapeake Bay, Carolina and South Atlantic DPSs as endangered (77 FR 5880 and 77 FR 5914). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years. On the basis of such reviews, under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether a species should be delisted or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a species must be supported by the best scientific and commercial data available and only considered if such data substantiate that the species is neither endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The species is considered extinct; (2) the species is E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1 11732 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2018 / Notices daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES considered to be recovered; and/or (3) the original data available when the species was listed, or the interpretation of such data, were in error (see 50 CFR 424.11(d)). A 5-year review ends with a determination of whether the species should be delisted or the listing status changed. A 5-year review does not change the listing status of the species. Changes to the listing status of a species can only be made following publication of a proposed rule with an opportunity for public comment and our consideration of the comments before making a final determination to reclassify or delist the species. The ESA implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active review. This notice announces our active review of the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic sturgeon currently listed as threatened, and the active review of the New York Bight, Chesapeake Bay, Carolina, and South Atlantic DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon that are currently listed as endangered. Background information for the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, and Chesapeake Bay DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon is available on the NMFS GARFO website: https:// www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ protected/atlsturgeon/. Background information for the Carolina and South Atlantic DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon is available on the NMFS SERO website at: https:// sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_ resources/sturgeon/. Public Solicitation of New Information To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting information that has become available since the 2012 listing determination from the public, concerned governmental agencies, tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other interested parties concerning the status of each of the five DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon. For example, we are aware that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has just completed an Atlantic Sturgeon Benchmark Stock Assessment. This is an example of new information we will consider during our review. Categories of requested information include: (1) Species biology including, but not limited to, population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and suitability; (3) status and trends of identified limiting VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:54 Mar 15, 2018 Jkt 244001 factors or threats; (4) conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the species; and (5) other new information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous information contained in the list of endangered and threatened species, and improved analytical methods for evaluating extinction risk. Since there are no recovery plans for any of the DPSs, we will analyze the available information for the 5-year review relative to the ESA definitions of endangered and threatened and in the context of the five listing factors. The five factors are: (1) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or, (5) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. During the 5-year review, we are also required to consider whether the 1996 DPS policy (61 FR 4722; February 7, 1996) is appropriately applied to the species. The DPS Policy specifies that we consider the available information with respect to three elements. These elements are: (1) The discreteness of the population segment in relation to the remainder of the of the species to which it belongs; (2) the significance of the population segment to the species to which it belong; and (3) the population segment’s conservation status in relation to the ESA’s standards for listing (i.e., is the population segment endangered or threatened?). Because the five DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon have already been classified as DPSs following the 1996 DPS policy, a re-evaluation of the DPSs will not be necessary, unless there is new information specific to these DPSs relevant to the application of the policy. If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may submit your information and materials electronically at www.regulations.gov or via mail (see ADDRESSES section). We request that all information be accompanied by supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of pertinent publications. We also would appreciate the submitter’s name, address, and any association, institution, or business that the person represents; however, anonymous submissions will also be accepted. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: March 12, 2018. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–05306 Filed 3–15–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG092 North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet April 2 through April 10, 2018, in Anchorage, AK. SUMMARY: The meetings will be held Monday, April 2 through Tuesday, April 10, 2018. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times. DATES: The meeting will be held at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel, 500 W 3rd Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252; telephone (907) 271–2809. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana Evans, Council staff; telephone: (907) 271–2809. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: Agenda The Council will begin its plenary session at 8 a.m. in the Aleutian Room on Wednesday, April 4, continuing through Tuesday, April 10, 2018. The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. in the King Salmon/Iliamna Room on Monday, April 2, and continue through Wednesday, April 4, 2018. The Council’s Advisory Panel (AP) will begin at 8 a.m. in the Dillingham/ Katmai Room on Tuesday, April 3 and continue through Friday April 6, 2018. The Enforcement Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 in the Birch/ Willow Room from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2018 Through Tuesday, April 10, 2018 Council Plenary Session: The agenda for the Council’s plenary session will E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 52 (Friday, March 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11731-11732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05306]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF995


Initiation of 5-Year Review for the Endangered New York Bight, 
Chesapeake Bay, Carolina and South Atlantic Distinct Population 
Segments of Atlantic Sturgeon and the Threatened Gulf of Maine Distinct 
Population Segment of Atlantic Sturgeon

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.

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

SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce our intent to conduct a 5-year review for 
the threatened Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of 
Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus), the endangered New 
York Bight DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, the endangered Chesapeake Bay DPS 
of Atlantic sturgeon, the endangered Carolina DPS of Atlantic sturgeon 
and the endangered South Atlantic DPS of Atlantic sturgeon under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We are required by 
the ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing 
classification of the species remains accurate. The 5-year review must 
be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the 
time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of such 
information on the status of each DPS, particularly information on 
population trends, distribution, abundance, habitat amount and 
suitability, threats, and conservation measures for any DPS that has 
become available since their original listings under the ESA in 2012. 
Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make the requisite 
findings under the ESA.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than May 15, 2018. While we will 
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time, failure to timely submit the information in accordance with the 
deadline above may preclude the information from being included in this 
review.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments by including NOAA-NMFS-2018-0041, by 
either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
    1. Go to www.regulations.gov/document?D=[NOAA-NMFS-2018-0041],
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields
    3. Enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Lynn Lankshear, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Region Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930 or Andrew Herndon, NMFS, Southeast Regional 
Office, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: We may not consider comments if they are sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the specified period. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. We will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Lankshear at the above address, 
by phone at 978-282-8473 or [email protected] or Andrew Herndon 
at the above address, by phone at 727-824-5312 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 6, 2012, we listed the Gulf of 
Maine DPS of Atlantic sturgeon as threatened and the New York Bight, 
Chesapeake Bay, Carolina and South Atlantic DPSs as endangered (77 FR 
5880 and 77 FR 5914). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we 
conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years. On 
the basis of such reviews, under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine 
whether a species should be delisted or reclassified from endangered to 
threatened or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a species must 
be supported by the best scientific and commercial data available and 
only considered if such data substantiate that the species is neither 
endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) 
The species is considered extinct; (2) the species is

[[Page 11732]]

considered to be recovered; and/or (3) the original data available when 
the species was listed, or the interpretation of such data, were in 
error (see 50 CFR 424.11(d)). A 5-year review ends with a determination 
of whether the species should be delisted or the listing status 
changed. A 5-year review does not change the listing status of the 
species. Changes to the listing status of a species can only be made 
following publication of a proposed rule with an opportunity for public 
comment and our consideration of the comments before making a final 
determination to reclassify or delist the species.
    The ESA implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we 
publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species 
currently under active review. This notice announces our active review 
of the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic sturgeon currently listed as 
threatened, and the active review of the New York Bight, Chesapeake 
Bay, Carolina, and South Atlantic DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon that are 
currently listed as endangered.
    Background information for the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, and 
Chesapeake Bay DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon is available on the NMFS GARFO 
website: https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected/atlsturgeon/. Background information for the Carolina and 
South Atlantic DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon is available on the NMFS SERO 
website at: https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/sturgeon/.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting 
information that has become available since the 2012 listing 
determination from the public, concerned governmental agencies, tribes, 
the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any 
other interested parties concerning the status of each of the five DPSs 
of Atlantic sturgeon. For example, we are aware that the Atlantic 
States Marine Fisheries Commission has just completed an Atlantic 
Sturgeon Benchmark Stock Assessment. This is an example of new 
information we will consider during our review. Categories of requested 
information include: (1) Species biology including, but not limited to, 
population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; 
(2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, 
distribution, and suitability; (3) status and trends of identified 
limiting factors or threats; (4) conservation measures that have been 
implemented that benefit the species; and (5) other new information, 
data, or corrections including, but not limited to, taxonomic or 
nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous information 
contained in the list of endangered and threatened species, and 
improved analytical methods for evaluating extinction risk.
    Since there are no recovery plans for any of the DPSs, we will 
analyze the available information for the 5-year review relative to the 
ESA definitions of endangered and threatened and in the context of the 
five listing factors. The five factors are: (1) The present or 
threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or 
range; (2) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or, (5) other natural or manmade 
factors affecting its continued existence.
    During the 5-year review, we are also required to consider whether 
the 1996 DPS policy (61 FR 4722; February 7, 1996) is appropriately 
applied to the species. The DPS Policy specifies that we consider the 
available information with respect to three elements. These elements 
are: (1) The discreteness of the population segment in relation to the 
remainder of the of the species to which it belongs; (2) the 
significance of the population segment to the species to which it 
belong; and (3) the population segment's conservation status in 
relation to the ESA's standards for listing (i.e., is the population 
segment endangered or threatened?). Because the five DPSs of Atlantic 
sturgeon have already been classified as DPSs following the 1996 DPS 
policy, a re-evaluation of the DPSs will not be necessary, unless there 
is new information specific to these DPSs relevant to the application 
of the policy.
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your information and materials electronically at 
www.regulations.gov or via mail (see ADDRESSES section). We request 
that all information be accompanied by supporting documentation such as 
maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of pertinent publications. 
We also would appreciate the submitter's name, address, and any 
association, institution, or business that the person represents; 
however, anonymous submissions will also be accepted.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: March 12, 2018.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-05306 Filed 3-15-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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