Marine Mammals; File No. 25770, 42791-42792 [2021-16743]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Notices aware that the meeting will be recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is available upon request. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XB295] New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council’s is convening its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) via webinar to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. DATES: This webinar will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, beginning at 9 a.m. Webinar registration information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/954374310389982478. Call in information: +1 (415) 655–0052, Access Code: 131–042–664. ADDRESSES: Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Agenda The Scientific and Statistical Committee will meet to review recent stock assessment information from the U.S/Canada Transboundary Resource Assessment Committee and information provided by the Council’s Groundfish Plan Development Team (PDT) and recommend the overfishing level (OFL) and acceptable biological catch (ABC) for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder for the 2022 and 2023 fishing years. Other business will be discussed as necessary. Although non-emergency issues not contained on the agenda may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Council 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 MagnusonStevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. The public also should be VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Aug 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 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: August 2, 2021. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–16728 Filed 8–4–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XB298] Marine Mammals; File No. 25770 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 (Responsible Party: Daniel Costa, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on Antarctic pinniped species. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before September 7, 2021. 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. 25770 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@ noaa.gov. Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include File No. 25770 in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@ noaa.gov. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42791 Sara Young or Carrie Hubard, (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.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The purpose of this research is to understand the foraging ecology, physiology, habitat use, and diving behavior of Southern Ocean pinnipeds and the factors that affect and constrain their foraging and at-sea behaviors and how these ecological and physiological factors (1) vary in space and time, (2) influence and constrain the behavior of these species, (3) are impacted by environmental change, and (4) compare with other marine mammal species. To accomplish these objectives, the applicant proposes to capture and sample Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii), leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophaga), southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), and Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) throughout their range for five years. Researchers may capture, release, and recapture up to 40 adult animals per species per year at sites throughout their range to assess mass, sex, morphometrics, blood, total blood volume, hair, vibrissae, milk, muscle/ blubber/skin biopsies, swabs, urine, metabolic measurements, stomach lavage/enema, and ultrasound blubber measurements. Researchers may also capture 50 pups of each species for marking, morphometrics, and sample collection, including blood, blubber, nail, hair, mucous membrane swabs, and vibrissae. An additional 1,000 each of crabeater seals, leopard seals, and Ross seals, southern elephant seals, Weddell seals, and Antarctic fur seals may be taken annually by unintentional disturbance during captures, opportunistic sample collection, aerial surveys, and resights. Unintentional mortality or serious injury of up to four animals per species annually, not to exceed ten animals per species over five years, is requested. Blood and tissue samples from sampled animals or salvaged from carcasses would be imported from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica to the United States and exported world-wide for analyses. 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 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\05AUN1.SGM 05AUN1 42792 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 148 / Thursday, August 5, 2021 / Notices 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: August 2, 2021. Amy Sloan, Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–16743 Filed 8–4–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XB290] Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for American Samoa; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of agency decision. AGENCY: NMFS announces approval of a marine conservation plan (MCP) for American Samoa. DATES: This agency decision is effective from July 25, 2021, through July 24, 2024. ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the MCP, identified by NOAA–NMFS– 2021–0069, from the Federal eRulemaking Portal, https:// www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAANMFS-2021-0069, or from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808–522–8200, https://www.wpcouncil.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Taylor, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS Pacific Island Regional Office, 808–725– 5182. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 204(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) and in consultation with the Council, to negotiate and enter into a Pacific Insular Area fishery agreement (PIAFA). A PIAFA would allow foreign fishing within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Aug 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 American Samoa, Guam, or the Northern Mariana Islands. The Governor of the Pacific Insular Area to which the PIAFA applies must request the PIAFA. The Secretary of State may negotiate and enter the PIAFA after consultation with, and concurrence of, the applicable Governor. Before entering into a PIAFA, the applicable Governor, with concurrence of the Council, must develop and submit to the Secretary a three-year MCP for review and approval. The MCP must provide details on the uses for any funds collected by the Secretary. NMFS is the designee of the Secretary for MCP review and approval. The MagnusonStevens Act requires payments received under a PIAFA to be deposited into the United States Treasury and then conveyed to the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for which funds were collected. In the case of violations by foreign fishing vessels in the EEZ around any Pacific Insular Area, amounts received by the Secretary attributable to fines and penalties imposed under the MagnusonStevens Act (including sums collected from the forfeiture and disposition or sale of property seized subject to its authority) are deposited into the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area adjacent to the EEZ in which the violation occurred, after direct costs of the enforcement action are subtracted. The Pacific Insular Area government may use funds deposited into the treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for fisheries enforcement and for implementation of an MCP. Federal regulations at 50 CFR 665.819 authorize NMFS to specify catch limits of longline-caught bigeye tuna for U.S. territories. NMFS may also authorize each territory to allocate a portion of that limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels that are permitted to fish under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific (FEP). Payments collected under specified fishing agreements are deposited into the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund. Any funds attributable to a particular fund, and any funds attributable to a particular territory, may be used only for implementation of that territory’s MCP. An MCP must be consistent with the Council’s FEPs, must identify conservation and management objectives (including criteria for determining when such objectives are met), and must prioritize planned marine conservation projects. At its June 2021 meeting, the Council reviewed and concurred with the American Samoa MCP. On July 21, 2021, the Governor of American Samoa submitted the MCP to PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 NMFS for review and approval. The following briefly describes the objectives of the MCP. Please refer to the MCP for planned projects and activities designed to meet each objective, the evaluative criteria, and priority ranking. The MCP contains six conservation and management objectives, listed below. 1. Maximize social and economic benefits through sustainable fisheries; 2. Support quality scientific research to assess and manage fisheries; 3. Promote an ecosystem approach in fisheries management; 4. Recognize the importance of island culture and traditional fishing in managing fishery resources and foster opportunities for participation; 5. Promote education and outreach activities and regional collaboration regarding fisheries conservation; 6. Encourage development of technologies and methods to achieve the most effective level of enforcement and to ensure safety at sea. This notice announces that NMFS has reviewed the MCP, and has determined that it satisfies the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Accordingly, NMFS has approved the MCP for the 3year period from July 25, 2021, through July 24, 2024. This MCP supersedes the MCP previously approved for the period July 25, 2018, through July 24, 2021 (83 FR 42490, August 22, 2018). Dated: July 29, 2021. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–16667 Filed 8–4–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board Meeting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered. DATES: The meeting is scheduled for August 25, 2021 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. For the latest agenda please refer to the SAB website: https://sab.noaa.gov/ SABMeetings.aspx. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05AUN1.SGM 05AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 148 (Thursday, August 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42791-42792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16743]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB298]


Marine Mammals; File No. 25770

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Institute of Marine Sciences, 
University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 
(Responsible Party: Daniel Costa, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on Antarctic pinniped species.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 7, 2021.

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. 25770 from the list of available applications. These documents are 
also available upon written request via email to 
[email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 25770 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. 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.

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.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The purpose of this research is to understand the foraging ecology, 
physiology, habitat use, and diving behavior of Southern Ocean 
pinnipeds and the factors that affect and constrain their foraging and 
at-sea behaviors and how these ecological and physiological factors (1) 
vary in space and time, (2) influence and constrain the behavior of 
these species, (3) are impacted by environmental change, and (4) 
compare with other marine mammal species. To accomplish these 
objectives, the applicant proposes to capture and sample Ross seals 
(Ommatophoca rossii), leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), crabeater 
seals (Lobodon carcinophaga), southern elephant seals (Mirounga 
leonina), Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), and Antarctic fur 
seals (Arctocephalus gazella) throughout their range for five years. 
Researchers may capture, release, and recapture up to 40 adult animals 
per species per year at sites throughout their range to assess mass, 
sex, morphometrics, blood, total blood volume, hair, vibrissae, milk, 
muscle/blubber/skin biopsies, swabs, urine, metabolic measurements, 
stomach lavage/enema, and ultrasound blubber measurements. Researchers 
may also capture 50 pups of each species for marking, morphometrics, 
and sample collection, including blood, blubber, nail, hair, mucous 
membrane swabs, and vibrissae. An additional 1,000 each of crabeater 
seals, leopard seals, and Ross seals, southern elephant seals, Weddell 
seals, and Antarctic fur seals may be taken annually by unintentional 
disturbance during captures, opportunistic sample collection, aerial 
surveys, and resights. Unintentional mortality or serious injury of up 
to four animals per species annually, not to exceed ten animals per 
species over five years, is requested. Blood and tissue samples from 
sampled animals or salvaged from carcasses would be imported from the 
Southern Ocean and Antarctica to the United States and exported world-
wide for analyses.
    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

[[Page 42792]]

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: August 2, 2021.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16743 Filed 8-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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