Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 38294-38295 [2018-16771]

Download as PDF 38294 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 151 / Monday, August 6, 2018 / Notices Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. This meeting will be recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is available upon request. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 31, 2018. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–16704 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG389 North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Trawl Electronic Monitoring Committee will hold a public meeting on August 23, 2018 through August 24, 2018. DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Friday, August 24, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (or as necessary). ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Husky Room, Purple and Gold at the Silver Cloud Hotel, 5036 25th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105. Teleconference number: (907) 271–2896. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252; telephone: (907) 271–2809. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Aug 03, 2018 Jkt 244001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Figus, Council staff; telephone: (907) 271–2801. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Thursday, August 23, 2018 through Friday, August 24, 2018 This two-day meeting is expected to focus on: (a) A presentation on uses of EM for recording interactions with seabirds; (b) an update about the Alaska Region Electronic Technologies Implementation Plan; (c) updates for ongoing research, funding, and regulatory comparisons relevant to trawl EM; (d) a review of the EM Workgroup cooperative approach; (e) drafting of a cooperative workplan for trawl EM; and, (f) a discussion of scheduling and other issues. The Agenda is subject to change, and the latest version will be posted at https://www.npfmc.org/observerprogram/. Public Comment Public comment letters will be accepted and should be submitted either electronically to Elizabeth Figus, Council staff: Elizabeth.figus@noaa.gov or through the mail: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252. In-person oral public testimony will be accepted at the discretion of the chair. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Shannon Gleason at (907) 271–2809 at least 7 working days prior to the meeting date. Dated: July 31, 2018. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–16703 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG384 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: PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Acting Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish outside of scallop regulations in support of research conducted by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. These exemptions would support research conducted on trips to test gear modifications for bycatch reduction in the scallop dredge fishery. Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 21, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘CFF Compensation Fishing Gear Research EFP.’’ • Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on CFF Compensation Fishing Gear Research EFP.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978–282–8456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) submitted a complete application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on July 6, 2018, that would allow gear research to be conducted by vessels on compensation fishing trips associated with projects funded by the 2018 Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) program. The exemptions would allow commercial fishing vessels to exceed the crew size regulations at 50 CFR 648.51(c) to place a researcher on the vessel and temporarily exempt the participating vessels from possession limits and minimum size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subpart B and subparts D through O, for biological sampling purposes. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited, including landing fish in excess of a possession limit or below the minimum size. Experimental fishing activity would test a one-way extended link gear SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06AUN1.SGM 06AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 151 / Monday, August 6, 2018 / Notices modification in an attempt to reduce finfish bycatch and habitat impact in the scallop dredge fishery. Any modification would comply with existing scallop gear regulations. All trips would take place in scallop fishing areas open to scallop RSA compensation fishing. Exemption from crew size limits is needed because a research technician would accompany vessels on the compensation fishing trips to collect catch data associated with the dredge modifications. The crew size exemption would be for approximately 120 days-atsea and would be used in conjunction with a valid compensation fishing letter of authorization. The technician would only engage in data collection activities, and would not process catch to be landed for sale. Exemption from possession limit and minimum sizes would support catch sampling activities, and ensure the vessel is not in conflict with possession regulations while collecting catch data. All catch above a possession limit or below a minimum size would be discarded as soon as possible following data collection. Estimated catch totals for the experimental permit activities are listed below in Table 1. The proposed gear modifications are not expected to increase catch above typical commercial fishing practices and gears. All research trips would otherwise be consistent with normal commercial fishing activity and catch would be retained for sale. TABLE 1—ESTIMATED BYCATCH FOR CFF EFP COMPENSATION TRIPS Number Weight (lb) Weight (kg) NE Skate Complex ...... Barndoor Skate ........... Summer Flounder ....... Winter Flounder ........... Yellowtail Flounder ...... Windowpane Flounder Monkfish ...................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Species 19,326 1,231 747 14 36 106 2,973 10,051 14 2,951 2 10 39 4,689 4,559 6 1,339 1 5 18 2,127 If approved, the applicant 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 or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Aug 03, 2018 Jkt 244001 Dated: August 1, 2018. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–16771 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket No.: ED–2018–ICCD–0059] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Performance Report Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), Department of Education (ED). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a revision of an existing information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 5, 2018. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use https://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED– 2018–ICCD–0059. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Director of the Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. Department of Education, 550 12th Street SW, PCP, Room 9086, Washington, DC 20202–0023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Rebecca Ell, 202–453–6348. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 38295 collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Performance Report. OMB Control Number: 1840–0748. Type of Review: A revision of an existing information collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Private Sector; State, Local, and Tribal Governments. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 291. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 3,274. Abstract: GAANN grantees must submit a performance report annually. In addition, grantees are required to submit a supplement to the final performance report two years after submission of their final report. The reports are used to evaluate grantee performance. Further, the data from the reports will be aggregated to evaluate the accomplishments and impact of the GAANN Program as a whole. Results will be reported to the Secretary in order to respond to GPRA requirements. Minor changes have been made to the collection to clarify the intent of the questions and update the areas of national need. These changes did not alter the anticipated burden hours associated with this collection. There was a small increase in total burden hours based on the recalculation of the burden on public respondents. Dated: August 1, 2018. Kate Mullan, Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy Officer, Office of Management. [FR Doc. 2018–16737 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P E:\FR\FM\06AUN1.SGM 06AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38294-38295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16771]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG384


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 an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all 
of the required information and warrants further consideration. The 
Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish 
outside of scallop regulations in support of research conducted by the 
Coonamessett Farm Foundation. These exemptions would support research 
conducted on trips to test gear modifications for bycatch reduction in 
the scallop dredge fishery.
    Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for 
proposed Exempted Fishing Permits.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 21, 2018.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, 978-282-8456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) submitted 
a complete application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on July 6, 
2018, that would allow gear research to be conducted by vessels on 
compensation fishing trips associated with projects funded by the 2018 
Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) program. The exemptions would allow 
commercial fishing vessels to exceed the crew size regulations at 50 
CFR 648.51(c) to place a researcher on the vessel and temporarily 
exempt the participating vessels from possession limits and minimum 
size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subpart B and subparts 
D through O, for biological sampling purposes. Any fishing activity 
conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be 
prohibited, including landing fish in excess of a possession limit or 
below the minimum size.
    Experimental fishing activity would test a one-way extended link 
gear

[[Page 38295]]

modification in an attempt to reduce finfish bycatch and habitat impact 
in the scallop dredge fishery. Any modification would comply with 
existing scallop gear regulations. All trips would take place in 
scallop fishing areas open to scallop RSA compensation fishing.
    Exemption from crew size limits is needed because a research 
technician would accompany vessels on the compensation fishing trips to 
collect catch data associated with the dredge modifications. The crew 
size exemption would be for approximately 120 days-at-sea and would be 
used in conjunction with a valid compensation fishing letter of 
authorization. The technician would only engage in data collection 
activities, and would not process catch to be landed for sale. 
Exemption from possession limit and minimum sizes would support catch 
sampling activities, and ensure the vessel is not in conflict with 
possession regulations while collecting catch data. All catch above a 
possession limit or below a minimum size would be discarded as soon as 
possible following data collection. Estimated catch totals for the 
experimental permit activities are listed below in Table 1. The 
proposed gear modifications are not expected to increase catch above 
typical commercial fishing practices and gears. All research trips 
would otherwise be consistent with normal commercial fishing activity 
and catch would be retained for sale.

        Table 1--Estimated Bycatch for CFF EFP Compensation Trips
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Weight   Weight
                   Species                      Number    (lb)     (kg)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Skate Complex.............................   19,326   10,051    4,559
Barndoor Skate...............................    1,231       14        6
Summer Flounder..............................      747    2,951    1,339
Winter Flounder..............................       14        2        1
Yellowtail Flounder..........................       36       10        5
Windowpane Flounder..........................      106       39       18
Monkfish.....................................    2,973    4,689    2,127
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If approved, the applicant 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 or impact of the initially 
approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope 
of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited.

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

    Dated: August 1, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16771 Filed 8-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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