Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops, 12667-12669 [2022-04750]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2022 / Notices
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within a specified geographical region if
certain findings are made and either
regulations are issued or, if the taking is
limited to harassment, a notice of a
proposed authorization is provided to
the public for review.
An incidental take authorization shall
be granted if NMFS finds that the taking
will have a negligible impact on the
species or stock(s), will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for
subsistence uses (where relevant), and if
the permissible methods of taking and
requirements pertaining to the
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of
such takings are set forth.
NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact
resulting from the specified activity that
cannot be reasonably expected to, and is
not reasonably likely to, adversely affect
the species or stock through effects on
annual rates of recruitment or survival.
The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’
means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or
attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
any marine mammal.
Except with respect to certain
activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: Any act of
pursuit, torment, or annoyance, which
(i) has the potential to injure a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has
the potential to disturb a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild by causing disruption of behavioral
patterns, including, but not limited to,
migration, breathing, nursing, breeding,
feeding, or sheltering (Level B
harassment).
Summary of Request
On October 1, 2021, NMFS received
an application from Ocean Wind
requesting authorization for take of
marine mammals incidental to
construction activities related to the
development of the Ocean Wind 1
Offshore Wind Farm off of New Jersey
in Commercial Lease (OCS–A–0498). In
response to our comments, and
following extensive information
exchange with NMFS, Ocean Wind
submitted a revised application on
February 8, 2022 that we determined
was adequate and complete on February
11, 2022. Ocean Wind requested the
regulations and subsequent Letter of
Authorization (LOA) be valid for five
years beginning in 2023.
Ocean Wind considered the following
activities associated with wind farm
construction in its application: Impact
installation of monopiles for wind
turbine generators (WTG) foundations;
impact installation of monopiles or pin
piles for offshore sub-station (OSS)
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17:50 Mar 04, 2022
Jkt 256001
foundations; potential detonations of
unexploded ordinances UXOs;
construction of temporary cofferdams at
the sea-to-shore transitions, which
includes vibratory installation and
removal of sheet pile; site
characterization surveys using a range of
frequencies; fisheries monitoring;
placement of scour protection; and
export cable trenching, laying, and
burial. Vessels will be used to transport
crew, supplies, and materials to the
Project area and to support pile
installation. A subset of these activities
(e.g., installing piles using pile driving,
UXO detonation, and site
characterization surveys) may result in
the take, by Level A harassment and
Level B harassment, of marine
mammals. Therefore, Ocean Wind
requests authorization to incidentally
take marine mammals.
Specified Activities
In Executive Order 14008, President
Biden stated that it is the policy of the
United States to organize and deploy the
full capacity of its agencies to combat
the climate crisis to implement a
Government-wide approach that
reduces climate pollution in every
sector of the economy; increases
resilience to the impacts of climate
change; protects public health;
conserves our lands, waters, and
biodiversity; delivers environmental
justice; and spurs well-paying union
jobs and economic growth, especially
through innovation, commercialization,
and deployment of clean energy
technologies and infrastructure.
Through a competitive leasing process
under 30 CFR 585.211, Ocean Wind was
awarded Commercial Lease OCS–A
0498 offshore of New Jersey and the
exclusive right to submit a construction
and operations plan (COP) for activities
within the lease area. Ocean Wind, LLC
has submitted a COP to BOEM
proposing the construction, operation,
maintenance, and conceptual
decommissioning of the Ocean Wind 1
project, a 1,100-megawatt (MW)
commercial-scale offshore wind energy
facility located within the northeastern
portion of Lease Area OCS–A 0498 and
consisting of up to 98 wind turbines, 3
offshore sub-stations, and 3
transmission cables to shore.
Ocean Wind anticipates activities
potentially resulting in take of marine
mammals could occur for the life of the
requested regulations and LOA. This
includes:
• Several construction-related highresolution site assessment geophysical
surveys in all 5 years (88 days per year
during Years 1, 4, and 5; 180 days per
year during Years 2 and 3);
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12667
• the installation of up to 98 tapered
(i.e., one end has a larger diameter than
the other end) WTGs (monopile
foundation; 8⁄11-meter (m) diameter
piles) by impact pile driving;
• the installation of up to 3 OSSs
foundations by impact pile driving
consisting of either 3 monopiles (8⁄11-m
diameter tapered piles) or 48 pin piles
(jacket; 2.44-m diameter piles) from May
through December in Years 1 and 2 over
the course of 56 to 116 days;
• the installation and removal of up
to 7 temporary cofferdams by vibratory
pile driving at the cable tie-in area in
Year 1 (4 days for installation and
removal per cofferdam; 28 days total);
and,
• the potential detonation of up to 10
UXOs over the course of 10 days in Year
1 (1 UXO detonation per day, as
necessary).
Ocean Wind has noted that these are
the most accurate estimates for the
durations of each planned activity, but
that the schedule may shift over the
Project due to weather, mechanical, or
other related delays.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit
information, suggestions, and comments
concerning Ocean Wind’s request (see
ADDRESSES). NMFS will consider all
information, suggestions, and comments
related to the request during the
development of proposed regulations
governing the incidental taking of
marine mammals by Ocean Wind, if
appropriate.
Dated: March 1, 2022.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–04661 Filed 3–4–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XB858]
Schedules for Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops and
Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshops
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public workshops.
AGENCY:
Free Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops and Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification
Workshops will be held in April, May,
SUMMARY:
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12668
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2022 / Notices
and June of 2022. Certain fishermen and
shark dealers are required to attend a
workshop to meet regulatory
requirements and to maintain valid
permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshop is mandatory
for all federally permitted Atlantic shark
dealers. The Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshop is mandatory
for vessel owners and operators who use
bottom longline, pelagic longline, or
gillnet gear, and who have also been
issued shark or swordfish limited access
permits. Additional free workshops will
be conducted later in 2022 and will be
announced in a future notice. In
addition, NMFS has implemented
online recertification workshops for
persons who have already taken an inperson training. Information about the
online workshops can be found on the
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
Management Division’s website (see
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshops will be held on April 21,
2022 and June 2, 2022. The Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification
Workshops will be held on April 14,
May 19, and June 23, 2022. See
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further
details.
ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops will be held in
Wilmington, NC, and Ronkonkoma, NY.
The Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshops will be held in
Manahawkin, NJ; Panama City, FL; and
Warwick, RI. See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for further details on
workshop locations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Cockrell by email at
craig.cockrell@noaa.gov or by phone at
301–427–8503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic
highly migratory species (HMS)
fisheries are managed under the
authority of the Atlantic Tunas
Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.)
and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The 2006
Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery
Management Plan and its amendments
are implemented by regulations at 50
CFR part 635. Section 635.8 describes
the requirements for the Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops and Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification
Workshops. The workshop schedules,
registration information, and a list of
frequently asked questions regarding the
Atlantic Shark Identification and Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification
workshops are posted online at: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highlymigratory-species/atlantic-shark-
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:50 Mar 04, 2022
Jkt 256001
identification-workshops and https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highlymigratory-species/safe-handling-releaseand-identification-workshops.
Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshops
Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark
dealers have been prohibited from
receiving, purchasing, trading, or
bartering for Atlantic sharks unless a
valid Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshop certificate is on the premises
of each business listed under the shark
dealer permit that first receives Atlantic
sharks (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006).
Dealers who attend and successfully
complete a workshop are issued a
certificate for each place of business that
is permitted to receive sharks. These
certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. Thus,
certificates that were initially issued in
2019 will expire in 2022.
Approximately 191 free Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops have been
conducted since October 2008.
Currently, permitted dealers may send
a proxy to an Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshop. However, if a
dealer opts to send a proxy, the dealer
must designate a proxy for each place of
business covered by the dealer’s permit
that first receives Atlantic sharks. Only
one certificate will be issued to each
proxy. A proxy must be a person who
is currently employed by a place of
business covered by the dealer’s permit;
is a primary participant in the
identification, weighing, and/or first
receipt of fish as they are offloaded from
a vessel; and who fills out dealer
reports. Atlantic shark dealers are
prohibited from renewing a Federal
shark dealer permit unless a valid
Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop
certificate for each business location
that first receives Atlantic sharks has
been submitted with the permit renewal
application. Additionally, a copy of a
valid dealer or proxy Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshop certificate must
be in any trucks or other conveyances
that are extensions of a dealer’s place of
business.
Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations
1. April 21, 2022, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.,
Hampton Inn, 124 Old Eastwood Rd.,
Wilmington, NC 28403.
2. June 2, 2022, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.,
Hilton Garden Inn Islip MacArthur
Airport, 3485 Veterans Memorial
Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.
Registration
To register for a scheduled Atlantic
Shark Identification Workshop, please
contact Eric Sander at ericssharkguide@
yahoo.com or at (386) 852–8588. Pre-
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Sfmt 4703
registration is highly recommended, but
not required.
Registration Materials
To ensure that workshop certificates
are linked to the correct permits,
participants will need to bring the
following specific items to the
workshop:
• Atlantic shark dealer permit holders
must bring proof that the attendee is an
owner or agent of the business (such as
articles of incorporation), a copy of the
applicable permit, and proof of
identification.
• Atlantic shark dealer proxies must
bring documentation from the permitted
dealer acknowledging that the proxy is
attending the workshop on behalf of the
permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a
specific business location, a copy of the
appropriate valid permit, and proof of
identification.
Workshop Objectives
The Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshops are designed to reduce the
number of unknown and improperly
identified sharks reported in the dealer
reporting form and increase the
accuracy of species-specific dealerreported information. Reducing the
number of unknown and improperly
identified sharks will improve quota
monitoring and the data used in stock
assessments. These workshops will train
shark dealer permit holders or their
proxies to properly identify Atlantic
shark carcasses.
Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshops
Since January 1, 2007, shark limitedaccess and swordfish limited-access
permit holders who fish with longline
or gillnet gear have been required to
submit a copy of their Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshop
certificate in order to renew either
permit (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006).
These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years.
Certificates issued in 2019 will expire in
2022. As such, vessel owners who have
not already attended a workshop and
received a NMFS certificate, or vessel
owners whose certificate(s) will expire
prior to the next permit renewal, must
attend a workshop to fish with, or
renew, their swordfish and shark
limited-access permits. Additionally,
new shark and swordfish limited-access
permit applicants who intend to fish
with longline or gillnet gear must attend
a Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshop and submit a
copy of their workshop certificate before
either of the permits will be issued.
Approximately 391 free Safe Handling,
E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2022 / Notices
Release, and Identification Workshops
have been conducted since 2006.
In addition to vessel owners, at least
one operator on board vessels issued a
limited-access swordfish or shark
permit that uses longline or gillnet gear
is required to attend a Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshop
and receive a certificate. Vessels that
have been issued a limited-access
swordfish or shark permit and that use
longline or gillnet gear may not fish
unless both the vessel owner and
operator have valid workshop
certificates onboard at all times. Vessel
operators who have not already
attended a workshop and received a
NMFS certificate, or vessel operators
whose certificate(s) will expire prior to
their next fishing trip, must attend a
workshop to operate a vessel with
swordfish and shark limited-access
permits on which longline or gillnet
gear is used.
Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations
1. April 14, 2022, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., The
Mainland Holiday Inn, 151 Rt. 72 East,
Manahawkin, NJ 08050.
2. May 19, 2022, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton
Garden Inn, 1101 US–231, Panama City,
FL 32405.
3. June 23, 2022, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hilton
Garden Inn, 1 Thurber Street, Warwick,
RI 02886.
Registration
To register for a scheduled Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification
Workshop, please contact Angler
Conservation Education at (386) 682–
0158. Pre-registration is highly
recommended, but not required.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
To ensure that workshop certificates
are linked to the correct permits,
participants will need to bring the
following specific items with them to
the workshop:
• Individual vessel owners must
bring a copy of the appropriate
swordfish and/or shark permit(s), a copy
of the vessel registration or
documentation, and proof of
identification;
• Representatives of a businessowned or co-owned vessel must bring
proof that the individual is an agent of
the business (such as articles of
incorporation), a copy of the applicable
swordfish and/or shark permit(s), and
proof of identification; and
• Vessel operators must bring proof of
identification.
Workshop Objectives
The Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshops are designed
17:50 Mar 04, 2022
Jkt 256001
Online Recertification Workshops
NMFS implemented an online option
for shark dealers and longline and
gillnet fishermen to renew their
certificates in December 2021. To be
eligible for online recertification
workshops, dealers and fishermen need
to have previously attended an inperson workshop. Information about the
courses is available online at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highlymigratory-species/atlantic-sharkidentification-workshops and https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highlymigratory-species/safe-handling-releaseand-identification-workshops. To access
the course please visit: https://
hmsworkshop.fisheries.noaa.gov/start.
(Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.)
Registration Materials
VerDate Sep<11>2014
to teach longline and gillnet fishermen
the required techniques for the safe
handling and release of entangled and/
or hooked protected species, such as sea
turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth
sawfish, Atlantic sturgeon, and
prohibited sharks. In an effort to
improve reporting, the proper
identification of protected species and
prohibited sharks will also be taught at
these workshops. Additionally,
individuals attending these workshops
will gain a better understanding of the
requirements for participating in these
fisheries. The overall goal of these
workshops is to provide participants
with the skills needed to reduce the
mortality of protected species and
prohibited sharks, which may prevent
additional regulations on these fisheries
in the future.
Dated: March 2, 2022.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–04750 Filed 3–4–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED–2022–SCC–0031]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Comment Request;
Program for International Student
Assessment 2022 (PISA 2022) Main
Study
Institute of Educational Science
(IES), Department of Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is
proposing a revision of a currently
approved information collection.
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
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12669
Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before April 6,
2022.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for proposed
information collection requests should
be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/
do/PRAMain. Find this information
collection request by selecting
‘‘Department of Education’’ under
‘‘Currently Under Review,’’ then check
‘‘Only Show ICR for Public Comment’’
checkbox. Comments may also be sent
to ICDocketmgr@ed.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
specific questions related to collection
activities, please contact Carrie Clarady,
202–245–6347.
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
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: Program for
International Student Assessment 2022
(PISA 2022) Main Study.
OMB Control Number: 1850–0755.
Type of Review: A revision of a
currently approved information
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public:
Individuals and Households.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 11,728.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 5,691.
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12667-12669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04750]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB858]
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public workshops.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops will be held in April,
May,
[[Page 12668]]
and June of 2022. Certain fishermen and shark dealers are required to
attend a workshop to meet regulatory requirements and to maintain valid
permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is
mandatory for all federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. The Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for vessel
owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or
gillnet gear, and who have also been issued shark or swordfish limited
access permits. Additional free workshops will be conducted later in
2022 and will be announced in a future notice. In addition, NMFS has
implemented online recertification workshops for persons who have
already taken an in-person training. Information about the online
workshops can be found on the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
Management Division's website (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held on
April 21, 2022 and June 2, 2022. The Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshops will be held on April 14, May 19, and June 23,
2022. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details.
ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held in
Wilmington, NC, and Ronkonkoma, NY. The Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshops will be held in Manahawkin, NJ; Panama City,
FL; and Warwick, RI. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details
on workshop locations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Cockrell by email at
[email protected] or by phone at 301-427-8503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS)
fisheries are managed under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas
Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The 2006
Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan and its amendments
are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.8
describes the requirements for the Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops. The
workshop schedules, registration information, and a list of frequently
asked questions regarding the Atlantic Shark Identification and Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification workshops are posted online at:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/atlantic-shark-identification-workshops and https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/safe-handling-release-and-identification-workshops.
Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops
Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark dealers have been prohibited
from receiving, purchasing, trading, or bartering for Atlantic sharks
unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate is on
the premises of each business listed under the shark dealer permit that
first receives Atlantic sharks (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). Dealers
who attend and successfully complete a workshop are issued a
certificate for each place of business that is permitted to receive
sharks. These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. Thus, certificates
that were initially issued in 2019 will expire in 2022. Approximately
191 free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops have been conducted
since October 2008.
Currently, permitted dealers may send a proxy to an Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshop. However, if a dealer opts to send a proxy, the
dealer must designate a proxy for each place of business covered by the
dealer's permit that first receives Atlantic sharks. Only one
certificate will be issued to each proxy. A proxy must be a person who
is currently employed by a place of business covered by the dealer's
permit; is a primary participant in the identification, weighing, and/
or first receipt of fish as they are offloaded from a vessel; and who
fills out dealer reports. Atlantic shark dealers are prohibited from
renewing a Federal shark dealer permit unless a valid Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshop certificate for each business location that
first receives Atlantic sharks has been submitted with the permit
renewal application. Additionally, a copy of a valid dealer or proxy
Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate must be in any
trucks or other conveyances that are extensions of a dealer's place of
business.
Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations
1. April 21, 2022, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., Hampton Inn, 124 Old Eastwood
Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403.
2. June 2, 2022, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Islip MacArthur
Airport, 3485 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.
Registration
To register for a scheduled Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop,
please contact Eric Sander at [email protected] or at (386)
852-8588. Pre-registration is highly recommended, but not required.
Registration Materials
To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct
permits, participants will need to bring the following specific items
to the workshop:
Atlantic shark dealer permit holders must bring proof that
the attendee is an owner or agent of the business (such as articles of
incorporation), a copy of the applicable permit, and proof of
identification.
Atlantic shark dealer proxies must bring documentation
from the permitted dealer acknowledging that the proxy is attending the
workshop on behalf of the permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a
specific business location, a copy of the appropriate valid permit, and
proof of identification.
Workshop Objectives
The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops are designed to reduce
the number of unknown and improperly identified sharks reported in the
dealer reporting form and increase the accuracy of species-specific
dealer-reported information. Reducing the number of unknown and
improperly identified sharks will improve quota monitoring and the data
used in stock assessments. These workshops will train shark dealer
permit holders or their proxies to properly identify Atlantic shark
carcasses.
Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
Since January 1, 2007, shark limited-access and swordfish limited-
access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear have been
required to submit a copy of their Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshop certificate in order to renew either permit (71
FR 58057; October 2, 2006). These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years.
Certificates issued in 2019 will expire in 2022. As such, vessel owners
who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS
certificate, or vessel owners whose certificate(s) will expire prior to
the next permit renewal, must attend a workshop to fish with, or renew,
their swordfish and shark limited-access permits. Additionally, new
shark and swordfish limited-access permit applicants who intend to fish
with longline or gillnet gear must attend a Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshop and submit a copy of their workshop certificate
before either of the permits will be issued. Approximately 391 free
Safe Handling,
[[Page 12669]]
Release, and Identification Workshops have been conducted since 2006.
In addition to vessel owners, at least one operator on board
vessels issued a limited-access swordfish or shark permit that uses
longline or gillnet gear is required to attend a Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshop and receive a certificate. Vessels
that have been issued a limited-access swordfish or shark permit and
that use longline or gillnet gear may not fish unless both the vessel
owner and operator have valid workshop certificates onboard at all
times. Vessel operators who have not already attended a workshop and
received a NMFS certificate, or vessel operators whose certificate(s)
will expire prior to their next fishing trip, must attend a workshop to
operate a vessel with swordfish and shark limited-access permits on
which longline or gillnet gear is used.
Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations
1. April 14, 2022, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., The Mainland Holiday Inn, 151 Rt.
72 East, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.
2. May 19, 2022, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1101 US-231,
Panama City, FL 32405.
3. June 23, 2022, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1 Thurber
Street, Warwick, RI 02886.
Registration
To register for a scheduled Safe Handling, Release, and
Identification Workshop, please contact Angler Conservation Education
at (386) 682-0158. Pre-registration is highly recommended, but not
required.
Registration Materials
To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct
permits, participants will need to bring the following specific items
with them to the workshop:
Individual vessel owners must bring a copy of the
appropriate swordfish and/or shark permit(s), a copy of the vessel
registration or documentation, and proof of identification;
Representatives of a business-owned or co-owned vessel
must bring proof that the individual is an agent of the business (such
as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable swordfish and/
or shark permit(s), and proof of identification; and
Vessel operators must bring proof of identification.
Workshop Objectives
The Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops are
designed to teach longline and gillnet fishermen the required
techniques for the safe handling and release of entangled and/or hooked
protected species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth
sawfish, Atlantic sturgeon, and prohibited sharks. In an effort to
improve reporting, the proper identification of protected species and
prohibited sharks will also be taught at these workshops. Additionally,
individuals attending these workshops will gain a better understanding
of the requirements for participating in these fisheries. The overall
goal of these workshops is to provide participants with the skills
needed to reduce the mortality of protected species and prohibited
sharks, which may prevent additional regulations on these fisheries in
the future.
Online Recertification Workshops
NMFS implemented an online option for shark dealers and longline
and gillnet fishermen to renew their certificates in December 2021. To
be eligible for online recertification workshops, dealers and fishermen
need to have previously attended an in-person workshop. Information
about the courses is available online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/atlantic-shark-identification-workshops and https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/safe-handling-release-and-identification-workshops. To access the course please visit: https://hmsworkshop.fisheries.noaa.gov/start.
(Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.)
Dated: March 2, 2022.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-04750 Filed 3-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
