Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Comprehensive Fishery Management Plans for the Exclusive Economic Zones of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, St. Croix, 14096-14097 [2019-06957]

Download as PDF 14096 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 68 / Tuesday, April 9, 2019 / Notices amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The amendment addresses best fishing practices and powerhead regulations. DATES: The public hearings will be held via webinar on April 30 and May 1, 2019. ADDRESSES: Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N Charleston, SC 29405. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, SAFMC; phone: (843) 571–4366 or toll free: (866) SAFMC–10; fax: (843) 769– 4520; email: kim.iverson@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public hearings will be conducted via webinar beginning at 6 p.m. Registration for the webinars is required. Registration information, public hearing documents, and other materials will be posted on the Council’s website at https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/publichearings-scoping-meetings/ as they become available. An online public comment form will also be available and information on how to submit written comments posted to the website. Public comments must be received by 5 p.m. on May 10, 2019. Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan The draft amendment currently addresses the use of best fishing practices intended to improve survivorship of species in the snapper grouper management complex released due to regulatory requirements and other factors. Best practices under consideration include: The use of descending devices and/or venting devices to release fish experiencing barotrauma (injury due to expansion of gas when reeled up from depth), and modifications to current non-stainless steel circle hook requirements. Additionally, the draft amendment considers modifying powerhead regulations in the exclusive economic zone in the Council’s area of jurisdiction. During the public hearings, Council staff will present an overview of the amendment and will be available for informal discussions and to answer questions via webinar. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record to record their comments for consideration by the Council. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the council office (see ADDRESSES) 3 days prior to the meeting. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Apr 08, 2019 Jkt 247001 Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 4, 2019. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–07016 Filed 4–8–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG932 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Comprehensive Fishery Management Plans for the Exclusive Economic Zones of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, St. Croix National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; Withdrawal of notice of intent to prepare draft environmental impact statements (EIS). AGENCY: The NMFS Southeast Region, in collaboration with the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council), is preparing a draft EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for each of the following fishery management plans (FMP): The Comprehensive FMP for the Puerto Rico Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (Puerto Rico FMP), the Comprehensive FMP for the St. Thomas/St. John EEZ (St. Thomas/St. John FMP), and the Comprehensive FMP for the St. Croix EEZ (St. Croix FMP). The respective plans would transition the management of Federal fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ from a species-based approach to an island-based approach. This notice is intended to inform the public of the change from the preparation of a draft EIS to a draft environmental assessment (EA) for each FMP. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Stephenson, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824– 5305; or email: sarah.stephenson@ noaa.gov. SUMMARY: Currently, the Council manages Federal fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean under four speciesbased FMPs: The FMP for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) (Reef Fish FMP); the FMP for the Spiny Lobster Fishery SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of Puerto Rico and the USVI (Spiny Lobster FMP); the FMP for the Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the USVI (Queen Conch FMP); and the FMP for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the USVI (Coral FMP). The fishers, fishing community representatives, and the local governments of Puerto Rico and the USVI requested that the Council consider the differences between the islands or island groups when addressing fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ to recognize the unique attributes of each U.S. Caribbean island. By developing island-based FMPs, NMFS and the Council would better account for differences among the U.S. Caribbean islands with respect to culture, markets, gear, seafood preferences, and the ecological impacts that result from these differences. At its March 2013 meeting, the Council began the process of developing island-based FMPs. The Council preliminarily determined to proceed with FMPs applicable to three U.S. Caribbean EEZ management areas: (1) Puerto Rico; (2) St. Thomas/St. John, USVI; and (3) St. Croix, USVI. If approved, a comprehensive FMP for each of the identified island management areas would replace the existing species-based FMPs. This change in U.S. Caribbean fishery management strategy provides a means to increase the flexibility of fisheries management to the individual characteristics of each of the island management areas. On June 6, 2013, NMFS published in the Federal Register a notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft EIS for each of the three proposed island-based FMPs, the Puerto Rico FMP (78 FR 34041), St. Thomas/St. John FMP (78 FR 34042), and St. Croix FMP (78 FR 34044). Supplemental NOIs were subsequently published on March 11, 2014, and May 12, 2014, for the Puerto Rico FMP (79 FR 13624 and 79 FR 26946), on March 12, 2014, and May 12, 2014, for the St. Thomas/St. John FMP (79 FR 13988 and 79 FR 26949), and on March 10, 2014, and May 12, 2014, for the St. Croix FMP (79 FR 13280 and 79 FR 26947). The supplemental NOIs announced additional opportunity for public comment. Developing and implementing the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Croix FMPs would transition Federal management in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ from a species-based approach to an island-based approach. Each FMP would incorporate and replace those components of the Caribbean-wide Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, Queen Conch, and Coral FMPs that pertain to the EEZ E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 68 / Tuesday, April 9, 2019 / Notices surrounding the respective island(s). For each FMP, the actions considered would incorporate existing management measures such as seasonal and area closures and revise other measures such as the species to be managed, stock/ stock complex composition, management reference points, accountability measures, description of essential fish habitat for stocks new to Federal management, and updated framework procedures, as deemed necessary by the Council. NMFS has reassessed the actions in each FMP relative to NEPA and its requirements and has preliminarily determined that the proposed actions would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and that draft EISs were not required. As a result of this determination, NMFS, in collaboration with the Council, will develop a draft EA for each new FMP rather than proceeding with the development of draft EISs. The Council held public hearings to discuss the actions included in each FMP in Puerto Rico on April 1–3, 2019, in St. Thomas on April 3, 2019, and in St. Croix on April 4, 2019 (84 FR 9099, March 13, 2019), and will also take public comment on the document at the April 2019 Council meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Exact dates, times, and locations of any future public hearings will be announced by the Council and will be posted to their website at: https://www.caribbeanfmc.com/ meeting-documents. NMFS will announce, through a document published in the Federal Register, all public comment periods on the final FMPs, their proposed implementing regulations, and the availability of the associated EAs. NMFS will consider all public comments received, whether they are on the final FMP, the proposed regulations, or the EA, prior to final agency action. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 3, 2019. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–06957 Filed 4–8–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Intent To Renew Collection 3038–0009, Large Trader Reports Commodity Futures Trading Commission. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Apr 08, 2019 Jkt 247001 ACTION: Notice. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on large trader reports and related forms. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 10, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by OMB Control No. 3038– 0009 by any of the following methods: • The Agency’s website, at https:// comments.cftc.gov/. Follow the instructions for submitting comments through the website. • Mail: Christopher Kirkpatrick, Secretary of the Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20581. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as Mail above. Please submit your comments using only one method. All comments must be submitted in English, or if not, accompanied by an English translation. Comments will be posted as received to https://www.cftc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Lave, Associate Director, Division of Market Oversight, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, (202) 418–5983; email: jlave@cftc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. ‘‘Collection of information’’ is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, the CFTC is publishing SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14097 notice of the proposed collection of information listed below. Title: Large Trader Reports (OMB Control No. 3038–0009). This is a request for extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The reporting rules covered by OMB control number 3038–0009 (‘‘the Collection’’) are structured to ensure that the Commission receives adequate information to carry out its market and financial surveillance programs. The market surveillance programs analyze market information to detect and prevent market disruptions and enforce speculative position limits. The financial surveillance programs combine market information with financial data to assess the financial risks presented by large customer positions to Commission registrants and clearing organizations. The reporting rules are implemented by the Commission partly pursuant to the authority of Sections 4a, 4c(b), 4g, and 4i of the Commodity Exchange Act. Section 4a of the Act permits the Commission to set, approve exchangeset, and enforce speculative position limits. Section 4c(b) of the Act gives the Commission plenary authority to regulate transactions that involve commodity options. Section 4g of the Act imposes reporting and recordkeeping obligations on registered entities and registrants (including futures commission merchants (FCMs), introducing brokers, floor brokers, or floor traders), and requires each registrant to file such reports as the Commission may require on proprietary and customer positions executed on any board of trade in the United States or elsewhere. Lastly, section 4i of the Act requires the filing of such reports as the Commission may require when positions made or obtained on designated contract markets or derivatives transaction execution facilities equal or exceed Commissionset levels. With respect to the following collection of information, the CFTC invites comments on: • Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have a practical use; • The accuracy of the Commission’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden of collection of information on those who E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14096-14097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06957]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG932


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Comprehensive Fishery Management Plans for the Exclusive Economic Zones 
of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, St. Croix

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

ACTION: Notice; Withdrawal of notice of intent to prepare draft 
environmental impact statements (EIS).

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

SUMMARY: The NMFS Southeast Region, in collaboration with the Caribbean 
Fishery Management Council (Council), is preparing a draft EA in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for each 
of the following fishery management plans (FMP): The Comprehensive FMP 
for the Puerto Rico Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (Puerto Rico FMP), 
the Comprehensive FMP for the St. Thomas/St. John EEZ (St. Thomas/St. 
John FMP), and the Comprehensive FMP for the St. Croix EEZ (St. Croix 
FMP). The respective plans would transition the management of Federal 
fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ from a species-based approach to an 
island-based approach. This notice is intended to inform the public of 
the change from the preparation of a draft EIS to a draft environmental 
assessment (EA) for each FMP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Stephenson, NMFS Southeast 
Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305; or email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Currently, the Council manages Federal 
fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean under four species-based FMPs: The FMP 
for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 
(USVI) (Reef Fish FMP); the FMP for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto 
Rico and the USVI (Spiny Lobster FMP); the FMP for the Queen Conch 
Resources of Puerto Rico and the USVI (Queen Conch FMP); and the FMP 
for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico 
and the USVI (Coral FMP). The fishers, fishing community 
representatives, and the local governments of Puerto Rico and the USVI 
requested that the Council consider the differences between the islands 
or island groups when addressing fisheries management in the U.S. 
Caribbean EEZ to recognize the unique attributes of each U.S. Caribbean 
island. By developing island-based FMPs, NMFS and the Council would 
better account for differences among the U.S. Caribbean islands with 
respect to culture, markets, gear, seafood preferences, and the 
ecological impacts that result from these differences.
    At its March 2013 meeting, the Council began the process of 
developing island-based FMPs. The Council preliminarily determined to 
proceed with FMPs applicable to three U.S. Caribbean EEZ management 
areas: (1) Puerto Rico; (2) St. Thomas/St. John, USVI; and (3) St. 
Croix, USVI. If approved, a comprehensive FMP for each of the 
identified island management areas would replace the existing species-
based FMPs. This change in U.S. Caribbean fishery management strategy 
provides a means to increase the flexibility of fisheries management to 
the individual characteristics of each of the island management areas.
    On June 6, 2013, NMFS published in the Federal Register a notice of 
intent (NOI) to prepare a draft EIS for each of the three proposed 
island-based FMPs, the Puerto Rico FMP (78 FR 34041), St. Thomas/St. 
John FMP (78 FR 34042), and St. Croix FMP (78 FR 34044). Supplemental 
NOIs were subsequently published on March 11, 2014, and May 12, 2014, 
for the Puerto Rico FMP (79 FR 13624 and 79 FR 26946), on March 12, 
2014, and May 12, 2014, for the St. Thomas/St. John FMP (79 FR 13988 
and 79 FR 26949), and on March 10, 2014, and May 12, 2014, for the St. 
Croix FMP (79 FR 13280 and 79 FR 26947). The supplemental NOIs 
announced additional opportunity for public comment.
    Developing and implementing the Puerto Rico, St. Thomas/St. John, 
and St. Croix FMPs would transition Federal management in the U.S. 
Caribbean EEZ from a species-based approach to an island-based 
approach. Each FMP would incorporate and replace those components of 
the Caribbean-wide Reef Fish, Spiny Lobster, Queen Conch, and Coral 
FMPs that pertain to the EEZ

[[Page 14097]]

surrounding the respective island(s). For each FMP, the actions 
considered would incorporate existing management measures such as 
seasonal and area closures and revise other measures such as the 
species to be managed, stock/stock complex composition, management 
reference points, accountability measures, description of essential 
fish habitat for stocks new to Federal management, and updated 
framework procedures, as deemed necessary by the Council.
    NMFS has reassessed the actions in each FMP relative to NEPA and 
its requirements and has preliminarily determined that the proposed 
actions would not significantly affect the quality of the human 
environment and that draft EISs were not required. As a result of this 
determination, NMFS, in collaboration with the Council, will develop a 
draft EA for each new FMP rather than proceeding with the development 
of draft EISs. The Council held public hearings to discuss the actions 
included in each FMP in Puerto Rico on April 1-3, 2019, in St. Thomas 
on April 3, 2019, and in St. Croix on April 4, 2019 (84 FR 9099, March 
13, 2019), and will also take public comment on the document at the 
April 2019 Council meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Exact dates, 
times, and locations of any future public hearings will be announced by 
the Council and will be posted to their website at: https://www.caribbeanfmc.com/meeting-documents.
    NMFS will announce, through a document published in the Federal 
Register, all public comment periods on the final FMPs, their proposed 
implementing regulations, and the availability of the associated EAs. 
NMFS will consider all public comments received, whether they are on 
the final FMP, the proposed regulations, or the EA, prior to final 
agency action.

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

    Dated: April 3, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-06957 Filed 4-8-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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