Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 43108-43109 [2019-17916]

Download as PDF 43108 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 20, 2019 / Notices number: 1709830. Any interested member of the public may call this number and listen to the meeting. Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Western Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 300 North Los Angeles Street, Suite 2010, Los Angeles, CA 90012. They may be faxed to the Commission at (213) 894–0508, or emailed Ana Victoria Fortes at afortes@ usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit at (213) 894– 3437. Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for public viewing prior to and after the meeting at https:// www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/ FACAPublicViewCommitteeDetails?id =a10t0000001gzkUAAQ. Please click on ‘‘Committee Meetings’’ tab. Records generated from this meeting may also be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above email or street address. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES Agenda I. Welcome II. Approval of July 23, 2019 Meeting Minutes III. Continue Discussion on Planning Briefing IV. Public Comment V. Next Steps VI. Adjournment Exceptional Circumstance: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.150, the notice for this meeting is given less than 15 calendar days prior to the meeting because of the exceptional circumstances of recovery from the government shutdown. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Aug 19, 2019 Jkt 247001 Dated: August 14, 2019. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2019–17800 Filed 8–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [XRIN 0648–XX006] 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: SUMMARY: The 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. This Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt four commercial fishing vessels from limited access sea scallop regulations in support of a study looking at how a new gear type in the scallop fishery would reduce bycatch, minimize habitat impacts, and improve fuel efficiency. 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 September 4, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘DA19–067 CFRF N-Viro Dredge Study 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 ‘‘DA19–CFRF N-Viro Dredge Study EFP.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fishery Management Specialist, 978–282–8456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) submitted a complete application for an EFP on June PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12, 2019, for a 2019 Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) project titled ‘‘Piloting a Novel Dredge Type to Reduce Bycatch and Improve Fuel Efficiency in the Southern New England Scallop Fishery.’’ This project was funded under the 2019 Atlantic Sea Scallop RSA Program. Researchers expect to start the first trip for this project as soon as the EFP is issued. This project would look at how the modified dredge (the N-Viro dredge), a new gear type in the scallop fishery, would reduce bycatch, minimize habitat impacts by minimizing dredge penetration into and resistance along the seafloor, and improve fuel efficiency by towing at lower speeds. Participating vessels would conduct scallop dredging for 12 months from date of issue. The study would use both limited access general category (LAGC) and limited access (LA) vessels. The LA component would consist of one 5-day trip conducting 80 total paired tows with the N-Viro dredge. The N-Viro dredge is a 15-ft (4.57-m) tow bar fitted with five smaller dredges connected to the tow bar. Each smaller dredge is 2 ft (0.61 m) wide with a 10-in (25.4-cm) twine top and 4 rows of rings in the apron. Additionally each smaller dredge would be outfitted with a turtle chain mat. The project would conduct 40 of the 80 tows with the turtle deflector dredge control dredge west of 71° W longitude and the remaining 40 tows with the standard New Bedford style control dredge east of 71° W longitude. The LAGC component of the project would use three LAGC vessels that would complete a total of 30 research days-at-sea (DAS). Each vessel would complete 10 DAS, with 5 days devoted to fishing with the N-viro dredge and 5 days devoted to carrying either a New Bedford or Provincetown style control dredge. Each LAGC vessel would tow an N-viro dredge that has a 10-ft (3.05-m) tow bar with three smaller dredges connected to it. The construction of each smaller dredge for the LAGC component is identical to the LA component. The LAGC fleet would utilize either a Provincetown or New Bedford style dredge common in the fishery as a control dredge. All tows for both LA and LAGC vessels would be 10 minutes at varying depths and substrates. Tow time may be adjusted as needed based on dredge performance. For all tows, the entire sea scallop catch would be counted into baskets and weighed. All finfish catch would be sorted by species and then counted and measured. With the exception of samples retained for further processing for scientific purposes, no catch would be retained E:\FR\FM\20AUN1.SGM 20AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 20, 2019 / Notices for longer than needed to conduct sampling, and no catch would be landed for sale on the LA trip. On LAGC trips, scallop and monkfish catch would be kept for sale in accordance with current regulations, but all other catch will be handled in the same manner as the LA research trip. CFRF needs these exemptions to allow them to conduct experimental dredge towing without being charged DAS. Participating vessels need crew size waivers to accommodate science personnel. Exemptions are also needed from the turtle deflector dredge requirements for testing of an experimental dredge that has a slightly different configuration that the current gear requirements. Possession waivers would enable researchers to sample finfish catch that exceeds possession limits or prohibitions. The project would be exempt from the sea scallop observer program requirements because activities conducted on the trip are not consistent with normal fishing operations. Researchers from CFRF will accompany each trip taken under the EFP. 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 15, 2019. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–17916 Filed 8–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice of public meeting. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This is a virtual meeting. However, members of the public may also come to 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3 Room 8836. This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a meeting of the NOAA Science VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Aug 19, 2019 Jkt 247001 Advisory Board (SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered. DATES: The meeting will be held Monday, September 9, 2019 from 11:50 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). These times and the agenda topic described below are subject to change. For the latest agenda please refer to the SAB website: https:// sab.noaa.gov/SABMeetings.aspx. ADDRESSES: Public access is available at: NOAA, SSMC 3 Room 8836. 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD. Members of the public may participate virtually by registering at: https:// attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 7316055114512901633. Dr. Cynthia Decker, Executive Director, SSMC3, Room 11230, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910; Phone Number: 301–734–1156; Email: Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov; or visit the SAB website at https://sab.noaa.gov/ SABMeetings.aspx. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for research, education, and application of science to operations and information services. SAB activities and advice provide necessary input to ensure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs are of the highest quality and provide optimal support to resource management. Status: The meeting will be open to public participation with a 10-minute public comment period at 11:50 a.m.– 11:55 a.m. EST. The SAB expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of two (2) minutes. Written comments for the meeting should be received in the SAB Executive Director’s Office by August 26, 2019 to provide sufficient time for SAB review. Written comments received after by the SAB Executive Director after these dates will be distributed to the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be directed no later than 12:00 p.m. on SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 43109 August 26, 2019, to Dr. Cynthia Decker, SAB Executive Director, SSMC3, Room 11230, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Email: Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov. Matters To Be Considered: The meeting will include a discussion of the recommendations from the SAB Environmental Information Services Working Group regarding the Environmental Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC). The Meeting materials, including work products will be made available on the SAB website: https:// sab.noaa.gov/SABMeetings.aspx. Dated: August 14, 2019. Eric Locklear, Deputy Chief Financial Officer/ Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2019–17895 Filed 8–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XW006 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that seventeen exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications warrant further consideration, and requests public comment on the applications. All EFP applicants request an exemption from a prohibition on the use of unauthorized gear to harvest highly migratory species (HMS) under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP), to test the effects and efficacy of using deep-set buoy gear (DSBG), deep-set linked buoy gear (DSLBG), or modified deep-set linked buoy gear set at night, to harvest swordfish and other HMS off of the U.S. West Coast. DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing by September 19, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2019–0079, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the E:\FR\FM\20AUN1.SGM 20AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43108-43109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17916]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[XRIN 0648-XX006]


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 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. This 
Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt four commercial fishing vessels 
from limited access sea scallop regulations in support of a study 
looking at how a new gear type in the scallop fishery would reduce 
bycatch, minimize habitat impacts, and improve fuel efficiency.
    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 September 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``DA19-067 CFRF N-Viro Dredge Study 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 ``DA19-CFRF N-
Viro Dredge Study EFP.''

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation 
(CFRF) submitted a complete application for an EFP on June 12, 2019, 
for a 2019 Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) project titled ``Piloting a 
Novel Dredge Type to Reduce Bycatch and Improve Fuel Efficiency in the 
Southern New England Scallop Fishery.'' This project was funded under 
the 2019 Atlantic Sea Scallop RSA Program. Researchers expect to start 
the first trip for this project as soon as the EFP is issued. This 
project would look at how the modified dredge (the N-Viro dredge), a 
new gear type in the scallop fishery, would reduce bycatch, minimize 
habitat impacts by minimizing dredge penetration into and resistance 
along the seafloor, and improve fuel efficiency by towing at lower 
speeds.
    Participating vessels would conduct scallop dredging for 12 months 
from date of issue. The study would use both limited access general 
category (LAGC) and limited access (LA) vessels. The LA component would 
consist of one 5-day trip conducting 80 total paired tows with the N-
Viro dredge. The N-Viro dredge is a 15-ft (4.57-m) tow bar fitted with 
five smaller dredges connected to the tow bar. Each smaller dredge is 2 
ft (0.61 m) wide with a 10-in (25.4-cm) twine top and 4 rows of rings 
in the apron. Additionally each smaller dredge would be outfitted with 
a turtle chain mat. The project would conduct 40 of the 80 tows with 
the turtle deflector dredge control dredge west of 71[deg] W longitude 
and the remaining 40 tows with the standard New Bedford style control 
dredge east of 71[deg] W longitude.
    The LAGC component of the project would use three LAGC vessels that 
would complete a total of 30 research days-at-sea (DAS). Each vessel 
would complete 10 DAS, with 5 days devoted to fishing with the N-viro 
dredge and 5 days devoted to carrying either a New Bedford or 
Provincetown style control dredge. Each LAGC vessel would tow an N-viro 
dredge that has a 10-ft (3.05-m) tow bar with three smaller dredges 
connected to it. The construction of each smaller dredge for the LAGC 
component is identical to the LA component. The LAGC fleet would 
utilize either a Provincetown or New Bedford style dredge common in the 
fishery as a control dredge.
    All tows for both LA and LAGC vessels would be 10 minutes at 
varying depths and substrates. Tow time may be adjusted as needed based 
on dredge performance. For all tows, the entire sea scallop catch would 
be counted into baskets and weighed. All finfish catch would be sorted 
by species and then counted and measured. With the exception of samples 
retained for further processing for scientific purposes, no catch would 
be retained

[[Page 43109]]

for longer than needed to conduct sampling, and no catch would be 
landed for sale on the LA trip. On LAGC trips, scallop and monkfish 
catch would be kept for sale in accordance with current regulations, 
but all other catch will be handled in the same manner as the LA 
research trip.
    CFRF needs these exemptions to allow them to conduct experimental 
dredge towing without being charged DAS. Participating vessels need 
crew size waivers to accommodate science personnel. Exemptions are also 
needed from the turtle deflector dredge requirements for testing of an 
experimental dredge that has a slightly different configuration that 
the current gear requirements. Possession waivers would enable 
researchers to sample finfish catch that exceeds possession limits or 
prohibitions. The project would be exempt from the sea scallop observer 
program requirements because activities conducted on the trip are not 
consistent with normal fishing operations. Researchers from CFRF will 
accompany each trip taken under the EFP.
    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 15, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-17916 Filed 8-19-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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