Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 16344-16345 [2018-07870]

Download as PDF 16344 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 73 / Monday, April 16, 2018 / Notices 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: Sara Young or Carrie Hubard, (301) 427– 8401. The subject amendment to Permit No. 21158–01 is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). Permit No. 21158, issued on September 25, 2017 (82 FR 48985; October 23, 2017), authorizes the permit holder to continue long-term studies of the Erebus Bay, Antarctica, Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) population to evaluate how temporal variation in the marine environment affects individual life histories and the population dynamics of long-lived mammal. The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to increase take numbers for Weddell seals due to a population boom observed by their long-term research. We issued a major amendment on (83 FR 7166; February 20, 2018) to increase take for the 2017–18 field season to allow researchers to continue their work, increasing take of pups from 675 to 1,000 for one field season only. However, due to the population boom, the permit holder is requesting an increase of take by 35 percent to all life stages. The amendment would increase: Pups tagged from 515 to 800, pups retagged due to lost tags from 10 to 20, tagging adults from 285 to 385, adults harassed for tag reading from 1325 to 1800, and number of pups harassed from tag reading from 675 to 910, annually. The permit holder would also like to increase the number of carcasses salvaged from 10 to 35. The permit expires on September 30, 2022. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. srobinson on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:42 Apr 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: April 11, 2018. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–07834 Filed 4–13–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG129 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Acting Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that Exempted Fishing Permits, to facilitate the use of fishing year 2018 monkfish research set-aside days-at-sea, warrants further consideration. This notice provides interested parties the opportunity to comment on the proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 1, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: NMFS.GAR.EFP@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments on 2018 Monkfish RSA EFP.’’ • Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on 2018 Monkfish RSA EFP.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–281–9180, Cynthia.Hanson@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) that waive monkfish landing limits have been routinely approved since 2007 to increase operational efficiency and optimize research funds generated from the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Program. These EFPs would facilitate compensation fishing in support of the projects funded under the 2018 monkfish RSA competition. Project proposals for this year are currently under review, with selection expected in late April, just prior to the May 1 start of the 2018 fishing year. Consistent with previous years of the monkfish RSA program, these RSA compensation fishing EFPs would authorize an exemption for participating vessels from days-at-sea (DAS) landing limit restrictions in the Monkfish Northern and Southern Fishery DAS would be allowed to harvest monkfish in excess of the usual landing limits associated with their Federal permits. The monkfish RSA program is allocated 500 monkfish RSA DAS annually, as established by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils in Amendment 2 to the Monkfish FMP (70 FR 21929; April 28, 2005). Each year, these monkfish RSA DAS may be divided between research award recipients and sold to fishermen to fund approved monkfish research projects. Award recipients receive an allocation of RSA DAS and a maximum amount that may be landed under available DAS. Projects are constrained to the total DAS, maximum available landing weight, or award timetable, whichever is reached first. To calculate a maximum weight allocation that is similar to the Councils’ original intent to be harvested under the allocated 500 RSA DAS, NMFS uses twice the landing limit for Permit Category A and C monkfish vessel fishing in the Southern Fishery Management Area (4,074 lb (2 mt) whole weight) for each RSA DAS. This means that annually, a maximum of 2,037,000 lb (924 mt) of whole weight may be harvested across all Monkfish RSA projects. Allowing vessels an exemption from monkfish landing limits provides an incentive for vessels to purchase and fish under RSA DAS to catch more monkfish per trip, while constraining each project to a maximum available harvest limit ensures that the overall monkfish RSA catch will not be an excessive burden on the fishery as a whole. If approved, the applicants may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have minimal impacts that do not change the scope of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 73 / Monday, April 16, 2018 / Notices the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 11, 2018. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–07870 Filed 4–13–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Magnuson-Stevens Act). The list has been published and appears in 50 CFR part 600.725(v). Any person wishing to use gear not on the list, or engage in a fishery not on the list, must provide the appropriate Council or the Secretary, in the case of Atlantic highly migratory species, with 90 days of advance notice. If the Secretary takes no action to prohibit such a fishery or use of such a gear, the person may proceed. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE II. Method of Collection National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The respondent provides written notice. No form is used. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; List of Gear by Fisheries and Fishery Management Council III. Data National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing 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 June 15, 2018. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, 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 Chris Wright, (301) 427– 8570 or Chris.Wright@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: srobinson on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES I. Abstract This request is for an extension of a currently approved information collection. Under the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.], as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act [Pub. L. 104–297], the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) is required to publish a list of all fisheries under authority of each Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) and all such fishing gear used in such fisheries (see section 305(a) of the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:42 Apr 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 OMB Number: 0648–0346. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 6. Estimated Time per Response: 90 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $30.00 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: April 11, 2018. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2018–07886 Filed 4–13–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16345 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Board of Visitors (BoV) of the U.S. Air Force Academy Notice of Meeting U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. ACTION: Meeting notice. AGENCY: Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Designated Federal Officer, the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Air Force Academy was unable to provide public notification concerning the meeting on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, of the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Accordingly, the Advisory Committee Management Officer for the Department of Defense, waives the 15-calendar day notification requirement. The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors (BoV) will hold a meeting at the United States Air Force Academy Eisenhower Golf Course, Building 3162, Colorado Springs, CO, on Wednesday, 25 April 2018. The open portion of the meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) and the closed portion of the meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.; the public audience will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to review morale and discipline, social climate, athletics, diversity, curriculum and other matters relating to the Academy; these topics will fall under a Superintendent’s update, a Commandant’s update and a Dean’s update. One session of this meeting shall be closed to the public. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Accessibility to the Meeting: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102–3.165, and subject to the availability of space, this meeting is open to the public. Registration of members of the public who wish to attend the meeting will begin upon publication of this meeting notice and end three business days (20 April) prior to the start of the meeting. All members of the public must contact Capt Campos at the phone number or email listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Seating is limited and is on a first-to-arrive basis. Attendees will be asked to provide their name, title, affiliation, and contact information to include email address and daytime telephone number to the POC listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Any interested person may attend the meeting, file written comments or statements with the committee, or make verbal comments from the floor during SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 73 (Monday, April 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16344-16345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07870]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG129


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Acting Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary 
determination that Exempted Fishing Permits, to facilitate the use of 
fishing year 2018 monkfish research set-aside days-at-sea, warrants 
further consideration. This notice provides interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on the proposed Exempted Fishing Permits.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on 2018 Monkfish RSA EFP.''
     Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, 
MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 2018 Monkfish 
RSA EFP.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9180, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) that waive monkfish landing limits 
have been routinely approved since 2007 to increase operational 
efficiency and optimize research funds generated from the Monkfish 
Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program. These EFPs would facilitate 
compensation fishing in support of the projects funded under the 2018 
monkfish RSA competition. Project proposals for this year are currently 
under review, with selection expected in late April, just prior to the 
May 1 start of the 2018 fishing year. Consistent with previous years of 
the monkfish RSA program, these RSA compensation fishing EFPs would 
authorize an exemption for participating vessels from days-at-sea (DAS) 
landing limit restrictions in the Monkfish Northern and Southern 
Fishery DAS would be allowed to harvest monkfish in excess of the usual 
landing limits associated with their Federal permits.
    The monkfish RSA program is allocated 500 monkfish RSA DAS 
annually, as established by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Councils in Amendment 2 to the Monkfish FMP (70 FR 21929; 
April 28, 2005). Each year, these monkfish RSA DAS may be divided 
between research award recipients and sold to fishermen to fund 
approved monkfish research projects. Award recipients receive an 
allocation of RSA DAS and a maximum amount that may be landed under 
available DAS. Projects are constrained to the total DAS, maximum 
available landing weight, or award timetable, whichever is reached 
first. To calculate a maximum weight allocation that is similar to the 
Councils' original intent to be harvested under the allocated 500 RSA 
DAS, NMFS uses twice the landing limit for Permit Category A and C 
monkfish vessel fishing in the Southern Fishery Management Area (4,074 
lb (2 mt) whole weight) for each RSA DAS. This means that annually, a 
maximum of 2,037,000 lb (924 mt) of whole weight may be harvested 
across all Monkfish RSA projects. Allowing vessels an exemption from 
monkfish landing limits provides an incentive for vessels to purchase 
and fish under RSA DAS to catch more monkfish per trip, while 
constraining each project to a maximum available harvest limit ensures 
that the overall monkfish RSA catch will not be an excessive burden on 
the fishery as a whole.
    If approved, the applicants may request minor modifications and 
extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and 
extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed 
essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have 
minimal impacts that do not change the scope of the initially approved 
EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of

[[Page 16345]]

the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: April 11, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07870 Filed 4-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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