Marine Mammals; File No. 21719, 26009-26010 [2018-12001]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2018 / Notices information. This information allows the Office of Coast Survey to administer the regulation, and to better understand the marketplace resulting in products to that meet the needs of the customer in a timely and efficient manner. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE II. Method of Collection Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Extension of Public Comment Period Responses from the Certified ENC Distributors are all electronic and sent via email. All distributors have an Excel spreadsheet which they submit for the twice-yearly report. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648–0508. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently approved information collection). Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; business or other for-profits organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 8. Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour to provide a distribution report twice a year, 12 hours for reporting of errors in the ENC (approximately 4 per month, usually each distributor will catch the same issue). Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 88. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting costs. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 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: May 31, 2018. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2018–12026 Filed 6–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–JE–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:19 Jun 04, 2018 Jkt 241001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG053 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of intent; extension of public comment period. AGENCY: NMFS is extending the public comment period for the Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to inform its decision of whether to determine that a resource management plan (RMP) jointly developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Puget Sound Tribes (Tribes), collectively the co-managers, meets requirements under Limit 6 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 4(d) rule for the ESA-listed Puget Sound Chinook salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU), which is listed as threatened under the ESA. The NOI was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, May 3, 2018. The public comment period on the NOI was originally scheduled to end June 4, 2018. NMFS is extending that comment period by 14 days and will now consider comments received through June 18, 2018. DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments on the NOI published on May 3, 2018 (83 FR 19528), is extended to June 18, 2018. Written or electronic scoping comments must be received at the appropriate address or email mailbox (see ADDRESSES) on or before June 18, 2018. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Barry A. Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast Region, NMFS, Attn: Emi Kondo, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232. Comments may also be sent by email to ps2018rmp.wcr@noaa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emi Kondo, NMFS West Coast Region, telephone: 503–736–4739, email: emi.kondo@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Thursday, May 3, 2018, NMFS published an NOI to prepare an EIS to inform its decision of whether to determine that an RMP jointly developed by the co-managers, meets requirements under Limit 6 of the ESA 4(d) rule for the Puget Sound Chinook Salmon ESU, which is listed as SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26009 threatened under the ESA. The purpose of the RMP is to manage commercial, recreational, ceremonial, and subsistence salmon fisheries potentially affecting the Puget Sound Chinook Salmon ESU within the marine and freshwater areas of Puget Sound, from the entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca inward, including fisheries under the jurisdiction of the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Fraser River Panel. In order for NMFS to make a positive determination under Limit 6 on the RMP, NMFS must conclude that the RMP’s management framework is consistent with the criteria under Limit 6. Limit 6 applies to RMPs developed jointly by the states of Washington, Oregon and/or Idaho and the tribes within the continuing jurisdiction of United States v. Washington or United States v. Oregon. NMFS provided notice to advise other agencies and the public of our plan to analyze effects related to NMFS 4(d) determination and co-manager implementation of the RMP and to obtain suggestions and information that may be useful to the scope of issues and alternatives to include in the EIS (83 FR 19528, May 3, 2018), and requested comments be received by June 4, 2018. NMFS has decided to extend the public comment period on the NOI by 14 days to Monday, June 18, 2018, to allow opportunity for the public to review additional information on this project, available on the NMFS West Coast Region website: https:// www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/ fisheries/salmon_steelhead/puget_ sound_fisheries.html. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40 CFR 1500–1508; and Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative Order 216–6A, 82 FR 4306. Dated: May 30, 2018. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–11971 Filed 6–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG094 Marine Mammals; File No. 21719 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1 26010 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2018 / Notices Notice is hereby given that NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA (Responsible Party: John Hare), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on four species of pinnipeds. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before July 5, 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. 21719 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: Sara Young or Shasta McClenahan, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The applicant requests a five-year permit to take harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus), and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) during stock assessment research, including estimation of distribution and abundance, determination of stock structure, habitat requirements, foraging ecology, health assessment, and effects of natural and anthropogenic factors. Types of take include harassment during ground, vessel, or aerial surveys, and scat collection; and capture with tissue sampling and instrument or tag amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:19 Jun 04, 2018 Jkt 241001 attachment. The applicant proposes to capture up to 200 harbor seals, 400 gray seals, five harp seals, and five hooded seals annually for measurement of body condition, biological sampling (e.g., blood, blubber biopsy, skin, hair, swab samples, and vibrissae), and attachment of telemetry devices. Up to 27,175 harbor seals and 66,700 gray seals could be harassed annually incidental to surveys, scat collections, and capture operations. The applicant also requests research-related mortalities of up to 5 gray seals, 5 harbor seals, 1 harp seal, and 1 hooded seal per year. Permission is also sought to import and export pinniped specimen material (including soft and hard tissue, blood, extracted DNA, and whole dead animals or parts thereof) worldwide. The study area includes waters within or proximal to the U.S. EEZ from North Carolina northward to Maine, and Canadian waters in the Gulf of Maine. 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. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: May 31, 2018. Julia Marie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–12001 Filed 6–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG270 Pacific Island Fisheries; Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: NMFS and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) of a draft 2018 benchmark SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 stock assessment for main Hawaiian Islands Kona crab. DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for meeting dates and times and daily agenda. The meeting will be held at the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council office at 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Seki, Director—NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), telephone: (808) 725–5360. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PIFSC conducted a draft 2018 benchmark stock assessment for main Hawaiian Islands Kona crab (Ranina ranina). The assessment provides the basis for management of this culturally important species. Previously, non-NOAA scientists conducted stock assessments for Kona crab in 1978 and, in collaboration with PIFSC scientists, in 2010–2011. The draft 2018 benchmark assessment incorporates data from 1948 through 2016 and uses a production model, incorporating improvements to data standardization and model assumptions. Specifically, catch per unit effort (CPUE) in the model includes new standardization coefficients split into two time series (1948–2005 and 2006–2016), due to passage of Hawaii state law prohibiting the taking of female Kona crab in 2006. The assessment model accounts for unreported catch by evaluating the use of published estimates of non-reporting ratios estimated for other fisheries in the main Hawaiian Islands, and by incorporating estimates of fishing effort specific to crustaceans from ancillary surveys. Stock status is evaluated against MSY-based reference points set in the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaii Archipelago. Projections are provided to inform management setting of annual catch limits. Section 301(a)(2) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that fishery conservation and management measures be based upon the best scientific information available. Magnuson-Stevens Act Section 302(g)(1)(E) provides that the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) and each regional fishery management council may establish a peer review process for that Council for scientific information used to advise the Council about the conservation and management of a fishery. Consistent with this provision, the Council, PIFSC, and the NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office have established the WPSAR process in E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26009-26010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12001]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG094


Marine Mammals; File No. 21719

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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[[Page 26010]]

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center, Woods Hole, MA (Responsible Party: John Hare), has applied in 
due form for a permit to conduct research on four species of pinnipeds.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 5, 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. 21719 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 [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: Sara Young or Shasta McClenahan, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant requests a five-year permit to take harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), harp seals 
(Pagophilus groenlandicus), and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) 
during stock assessment research, including estimation of distribution 
and abundance, determination of stock structure, habitat requirements, 
foraging ecology, health assessment, and effects of natural and 
anthropogenic factors. Types of take include harassment during ground, 
vessel, or aerial surveys, and scat collection; and capture with tissue 
sampling and instrument or tag attachment. The applicant proposes to 
capture up to 200 harbor seals, 400 gray seals, five harp seals, and 
five hooded seals annually for measurement of body condition, 
biological sampling (e.g., blood, blubber biopsy, skin, hair, swab 
samples, and vibrissae), and attachment of telemetry devices. Up to 
27,175 harbor seals and 66,700 gray seals could be harassed annually 
incidental to surveys, scat collections, and capture operations. The 
applicant also requests research-related mortalities of up to 5 gray 
seals, 5 harbor seals, 1 harp seal, and 1 hooded seal per year. 
Permission is also sought to import and export pinniped specimen 
material (including soft and hard tissue, blood, extracted DNA, and 
whole dead animals or parts thereof) worldwide. The study area includes 
waters within or proximal to the U.S. EEZ from North Carolina northward 
to Maine, and Canadian waters in the Gulf of Maine.
    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.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: May 31, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12001 Filed 6-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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