Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Approved Industry-Funded Monitoring Service Providers, 9040-9041 [2022-03435]

Download as PDF 9040 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 33 / Thursday, February 17, 2022 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XB737] Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Approved Industry-Funded Monitoring Service Providers National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of approved industryfunded monitoring service providers. AGENCY: NMFS has approved four companies to provide industry-funded monitoring services (observing, at-sea monitoring, and/or portside sampling) to Atlantic herring vessels during industry-funded monitoring years 2022– 2023 (April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2024). Monitoring coverage regulations require that any entities seeking to provide monitoring services, including services for industry-funded monitoring programs, must apply for and obtain approval from NMFS. This action will allow Atlantic herring vessels to secure industry-funded monitoring services from any of the approved providers during 2022–2023. ADDRESSES: The list of NMFS-approved industry-funded monitoring service providers is available at: https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/data/ observer-providers-northeast-and-midatlantic-programs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Fenton, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281–9196. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background The New England Industry-Funded Monitoring (IFM) Omnibus Amendment created an IFM program in the Atlantic herring fishery and set a 50-percent monitoring coverage target on vessels issued an All Areas (Category A) or Areas 2/3 (Category B) limited access Atlantic herring permit. This 50-percent coverage target consists of the combination of Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) coverage and IFM coverage provided to a vessel during the IFM year. Prior to any trip declared into the herring fishery, representatives for vessels issued Category A or B permits are required to notify NMFS for monitoring coverage. If NMFS informs a vessel that a trip is selected for IFM coverage, the vessel is required to obtain at-sea monitoring coverage from a NMFSapproved service provider for that trip. Midwater trawl vessels may also obtain IFM observer coverage in order to fish in a Groundfish Closed Area on a trip that was not selected for SBRM or IFM coverage. Vessels selected for SBRM coverage will continue to follow SBRM procedures, and that coverage will count toward achieving the 50-percent coverage target. Some Category A or B herring vessels may participate in an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to use an electronic monitoring and portside sampling program in lieu of carrying a human atsea monitor to fulfill the requirements of the IFM Amendment. If NMFS informs a vessel participating in the EFP that a trip has been selected for IFM coverage, that vessel is required to obtain portside sampling services for that trip. Vessels participating in the EFP may also obtain portside sampling coverage in lieu of carrying an observer in order to fish in a Groundfish Closed Area on a trip that was not selected for SBRM or IFM coverage. Monitoring Service Provider Approval Process Monitoring coverage regulations at § 648.11(h)(1) require that any entities seeking to provide monitoring services, including services for IFM programs, must apply for and obtain approval from NMFS. The regulations at § 648.11(h)(4) describe the criteria for evaluating and approving a monitoring services provider application. NMFS approves service providers based on: (1) Completeness of the applications; and (2) determination of the applicant’s ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a monitoring service provider, as demonstrated in the application. Once approved, service providers must meet the requirements, conditions, and responsibilities specified at § 648.11(h)(5) and (6) in order to maintain eligibility. NMFS must notify service providers, in writing, if approval is withdrawn for any reason. Approved Industry-Funded Monitoring Service Providers NMFS received complete applications from four companies to provide IFM services to Atlantic herring vessels during IFM years 2022–2023: Saltwater Inc.; East West Technical Services LLC; A.I.S., Inc.; and Fathom Resources, LLC. We approved all four companies to provide IFM services to Atlantic herring vessels during IFM years 2022–2023 because they met the application requirements and demonstrated their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a monitoring service provider. All four companies are currently approved to provide IFM services for the Atlantic herring fishery in 2020–2021. NMFS will closely monitor the performance of approved providers and will be prepared to withdraw approval during the current approval term, or disapprove a future application to provide monitoring services, if it is determined that monitoring provider requirements, conditions, and responsibilities are not being met. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 TABLE 1—COMPANIES APPROVED TO PROVIDE IFM SERVICES TO ATLANTIC HERRING VESSELS DURING IFM YEARS 2022–2023 Provider Approved IFM service(s) Contact information Saltwater Inc .................................. Portside sampling ........................ East West Technical Services LLC Industry-funded observer, ASM, portside sampling. A.I.S., Inc ....................................... Industry-funded observer, ASM, portside sampling. Fathom Resources, LLC ............... Industry-funded observer, ASM, portside sampling. 733 N St., Anchorage, AK 99501, Phone: 907–276–3241, Fax: 907–258–5999. 91 Point Judith Rd., Suite 26, Unit 347, Narragansett, RI 02882, Phone: 860– 910–4957, Fax: 860–223–6005. 540 Hawthorn St., North Dartmouth, MA 02747, Phone: 508–990–9054, Fax: 508–990–9055. 855 Aquidneck Ave., Unit 9, Middletown, RI 02842, Phone: 508–990–0997, Fax: 508–991–7372. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:23 Feb 16, 2022 Jkt 256001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM Website 17FEN1 www.saltwaterinc.com. www.ewts.com. www.aisobservers.com. www.fathomresources.com. Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 33 / Thursday, February 17, 2022 / Notices Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 10, 2022. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–03435 Filed 2–16–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, following the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. This Notice of Information Collection is for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Baseline Report, Performance Report and Annual Report. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding the submission of the collection to OMB. DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before April 18, 2022. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by mail to Jennifer Duane, Director, Grants Management, Administration, and Compliance, Office of internet Connectivity and Growth, National Telecommunication and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4887, Washington, DC 20230, or by email to broadbandusa@ ntia.gov. Please reference TBCP Data Collection in the subject line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed Jennifer Duane, Director, Grants Management, Administration, and Compliance, via lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:23 Feb 16, 2022 Jkt 256001 email at jduane@ntia.gov; broadbandusa@ntia.gov; or via telephone at (202) 482–2048. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division N, Title IX, Section 905(c), Public Law 116–260, 134 stat. 1182 (Dec. 27, 2020) (Act), provides new federal funding for grants to eligible entities to expand access to and adoption of: (i) Broadband service on Tribal Land; or (ii) for programs that promote the use of broadband to access remote learning, telework, or telehealth resources. The TBCP will make up to $980,000,000 available for federal assistance to the following eligible entities: (i) A Tribal Government; (ii) a Tribal College or University; (iii) the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on behalf of the Native Hawaiian Community, including Native Hawaiian Education Programs; (iv) a Tribal organization; or (v) an Alaska Native Corporation. The purpose of the TBCP is to improve the quality of life, spur economic development and commercial activity, create opportunities for remote employment and online entrepreneurship, remote learning, and telehealth by expanding broadband access and providing digital training and inclusion programs to Native American communities. On June 3, 2021, NTIA published the program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Grants.gov to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the TBCP.1 The NOFO required award recipients to submit financial reports, performance (technical) reports, and annual reports to the NTIA Federal Program Officer and the NOAA Grants Officer and Grants Specialist. Award recipients must follow the reporting requirements described in Sections A.01, Reporting Requirement, of the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions (dated November 12, 2020). Additionally, in accordance with 2 CFR part 170, all recipients of a federal award made on or after October 1, 2010, must comply with reporting requirements under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109– 282). NTIA will use the information collected from each award recipient to 1 See Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (June 3, 2021), https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/ view-opportunity.html?oppId=333974 (available under the ‘‘Related Documents’’ tab). PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9041 effectively administer and monitor the grant program to ensure the achievement of TBCP program purposes and account for the expenditure of federal funds to deter waste, fraud, and abuse. II. Method of Collection Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Award recipients will submit financial and performance reports on a semi-annual basis for the periods ending March 31st and September 30th of each year, and an annual report no later than one year after receiving grant funds and until they have expended all funds. The Baseline Report is a one-time collection of information from award recipients covering project plans and details about key outputs and outcomes that is due within 45 days of the issuance of the award. NTIA will collect data through electronic submission. III. Data OMB Control Number: 06XX–XXXX. Form Number(s): TBD. Type of Review: New information collection. Affected Public: Grant award recipients consisting of Tribal Governments, Tribal Colleges or Universities, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Tribal organizations, or Alaska Native Corporations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 600. Estimated Time per Response: 33.22. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 30,636. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $816,449.40. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Division N, Title IX, Section 905(c), Public Law 116–260, 134 Stat. 1182 (Dec. 27, 2020). IV. Request for Comments We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility. (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used. (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM 17FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9040-9041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03435]



[[Page 9040]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB737]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern 
United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Approved Industry-Funded 
Monitoring Service Providers

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

ACTION: Notice of approved industry-funded monitoring service 
providers.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has approved four companies to provide industry-funded 
monitoring services (observing, at-sea monitoring, and/or portside 
sampling) to Atlantic herring vessels during industry-funded monitoring 
years 2022-2023 (April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2024). Monitoring 
coverage regulations require that any entities seeking to provide 
monitoring services, including services for industry-funded monitoring 
programs, must apply for and obtain approval from NMFS. This action 
will allow Atlantic herring vessels to secure industry-funded 
monitoring services from any of the approved providers during 2022-
2023.

ADDRESSES: The list of NMFS-approved industry-funded monitoring service 
providers is available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/data/observer-providers-northeast-and-mid-atlantic-programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Fenton, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9196.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The New England Industry-Funded Monitoring (IFM) Omnibus Amendment 
created an IFM program in the Atlantic herring fishery and set a 50-
percent monitoring coverage target on vessels issued an All Areas 
(Category A) or Areas 2/3 (Category B) limited access Atlantic herring 
permit. This 50-percent coverage target consists of the combination of 
Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) coverage and IFM 
coverage provided to a vessel during the IFM year. Prior to any trip 
declared into the herring fishery, representatives for vessels issued 
Category A or B permits are required to notify NMFS for monitoring 
coverage. If NMFS informs a vessel that a trip is selected for IFM 
coverage, the vessel is required to obtain at-sea monitoring coverage 
from a NMFS-approved service provider for that trip. Midwater trawl 
vessels may also obtain IFM observer coverage in order to fish in a 
Groundfish Closed Area on a trip that was not selected for SBRM or IFM 
coverage. Vessels selected for SBRM coverage will continue to follow 
SBRM procedures, and that coverage will count toward achieving the 50-
percent coverage target.
    Some Category A or B herring vessels may participate in an Exempted 
Fishing Permit (EFP) to use an electronic monitoring and portside 
sampling program in lieu of carrying a human at-sea monitor to fulfill 
the requirements of the IFM Amendment. If NMFS informs a vessel 
participating in the EFP that a trip has been selected for IFM 
coverage, that vessel is required to obtain portside sampling services 
for that trip. Vessels participating in the EFP may also obtain 
portside sampling coverage in lieu of carrying an observer in order to 
fish in a Groundfish Closed Area on a trip that was not selected for 
SBRM or IFM coverage.

Monitoring Service Provider Approval Process

    Monitoring coverage regulations at Sec.  648.11(h)(1) require that 
any entities seeking to provide monitoring services, including services 
for IFM programs, must apply for and obtain approval from NMFS. The 
regulations at Sec.  648.11(h)(4) describe the criteria for evaluating 
and approving a monitoring services provider application. NMFS approves 
service providers based on: (1) Completeness of the applications; and 
(2) determination of the applicant's ability to perform the duties and 
responsibilities of a monitoring service provider, as demonstrated in 
the application. Once approved, service providers must meet the 
requirements, conditions, and responsibilities specified at Sec.  
648.11(h)(5) and (6) in order to maintain eligibility. NMFS must notify 
service providers, in writing, if approval is withdrawn for any reason.

Approved Industry-Funded Monitoring Service Providers

    NMFS received complete applications from four companies to provide 
IFM services to Atlantic herring vessels during IFM years 2022-2023: 
Saltwater Inc.; East West Technical Services LLC; A.I.S., Inc.; and 
Fathom Resources, LLC. We approved all four companies to provide IFM 
services to Atlantic herring vessels during IFM years 2022-2023 because 
they met the application requirements and demonstrated their ability to 
perform the duties and responsibilities of a monitoring service 
provider. All four companies are currently approved to provide IFM 
services for the Atlantic herring fishery in 2020-2021. NMFS will 
closely monitor the performance of approved providers and will be 
prepared to withdraw approval during the current approval term, or 
disapprove a future application to provide monitoring services, if it 
is determined that monitoring provider requirements, conditions, and 
responsibilities are not being met.

   Table 1--Companies Approved To Provide IFM Services to Atlantic Herring Vessels During IFM Years 2022-2023
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Approved IFM
            Provider                 service(s)        Contact information                 Website
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saltwater Inc..................  Portside sampling.  733 N St., Anchorage,   www.saltwaterinc.com.
                                                      AK 99501, Phone: 907-
                                                      276-3241, Fax: 907-
                                                      258-5999.
East West Technical Services     Industry-funded     91 Point Judith Rd.,    www.ewts.com.
 LLC.                             observer, ASM,      Suite 26, Unit 347,
                                  portside sampling.  Narragansett, RI
                                                      02882, Phone: 860-910-
                                                      4957, Fax: 860-223-
                                                      6005.
A.I.S., Inc....................  Industry-funded     540 Hawthorn St.,       www.aisobservers.com.
                                  observer, ASM,      North Dartmouth, MA
                                  portside sampling.  02747, Phone: 508-990-
                                                      9054, Fax: 508-990-
                                                      9055.
Fathom Resources, LLC..........  Industry-funded     855 Aquidneck Ave.,     www.fathomresources.com.
                                  observer, ASM,      Unit 9, Middletown,
                                  portside sampling.  RI 02842, Phone: 508-
                                                      990-0997, Fax: 508-
                                                      991-7372.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 9041]]

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

    Dated: February 10, 2022.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03435 Filed 2-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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