Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, 80276-80277 [2023-25434]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 221 / Friday, November 17, 2023 / Notices
updated products for Pacific Council
consideration. The first meeting will
likely focus on collecting and
summarizing relevant information on
SRFC stock status, reviewing the current
models and methods used for harvest
management, and identifying data gaps.
A draft outline of the workplan could be
developed for discussion at the next
meeting. At that second meeting, the
Workgroup could refine the workplan
and timeline, and assign tasks to
address each item, coordinate analysis
as needed, and prepare for the
upcoming Pacific Council meeting.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in the meeting agenda may be
discussed, those issues may not be the
subject of formal action during this
meeting. Action will be restricted to
those issues specifically listed in this
document and any issues arising after
publication of this document that
require emergency action under section
305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
provided the public has been notified of
the intent to take final action to address
the emergency.
Special Accommodations
Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Mr. Kris
Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@
noaa.gov; (503) 820–2412) at least 10
days prior to the meeting date.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 14, 2023.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–25483 Filed 11–16–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD510]
Pacific Fishery Management Council;
Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
The Pacific Fishery
Management Council’s (Pacific Council)
Coastal Pelagic Species Management
Team (CPSMT) will hold one public
meeting.
DATES: The meeting will be held
Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 12
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:57 Nov 16, 2023
Jkt 262001
p.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Standard Time or
until business for the day has been
completed.
This meeting will be held
online. Specific meeting information,
including directions on how to join the
meeting and system requirements will
be provided in the meeting
announcement on the Pacific Council’s
website (see www.pcouncil.org). You
may send an email to Mr. Kris
Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@
noaa.gov) or contact him at (503) 820–
2412 for technical assistance.
Council address: Pacific Fishery
Management Council, 7700 NE
Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland,
OR 97220–1384.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jessi
Doerpinghaus, Staff Officer, Pacific
Council; telephone: (503) 820–2415.
The
primary purpose of this online meeting
is a work session of the CPSMT. Topics
for discussion will include the stock
assessment and fishery evaluation
document, operational guidelines, and
ecosystem related matters. Work
products and recommendations for the
Pacific Council’s March and April 2024
meeting related to ecosystem and CPS
related matters may also be discussed as
well. No management actions will be
decided by the CPSMT. CPSMT
recommendations will be considered by
the Pacific Council at their March or
April Council meetings. The meeting
agenda will be available on the Pacific
Council’s website in advance of the
meeting.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in the meeting agenda may be
discussed, those issues may not be the
subject of formal action during this
meeting. Action will be restricted to
those issues specifically listed in this
document and any issues arising after
publication of this document that
require emergency action under section
305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
provided the public has been notified of
the intent to take final action to address
the emergency.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Special Accommodations
Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Mr. Kris
Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@
noaa.gov; (503) 820–2412) at least 10
days prior to the meeting date.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dated: November 13, 2023.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–25388 Filed 11–16–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD503]
Taking and Importing Marine
Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Geophysical Surveys
Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the
Gulf of Mexico
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of modification to
expiration date of letter of authorization.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA), as amended, its implementing
regulations, and NMFS’ MMPA
Regulations for Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to Geophysical
Surveys Related to Oil and Gas
Activities in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM),
notification is hereby given that NMFS
has modified the expiration date of a
Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to
CGG Inc. (CGG) for the take of marine
mammals incidental to geophysical
survey activity in the GOM.
DATES: This LOA is effective through
October 17, 2024.
ADDRESSES: The LOA, LOA request, and
supporting documentation are available
online at: https://www.fisheries.
noaa.gov/marine-mammal-protection/
issued-letters-authorization-oil-and-gasindustry-geophysical-survey. In case of
problems accessing these documents,
please call the contact listed below (FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rachel Wachtendonk, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–
8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
the Secretary of Commerce to allow,
upon request, the incidental, but not
intentional, taking of small numbers of
marine mammals by U.S. citizens who
engage in a specified activity (other than
commercial fishing) within a specified
geographical region if certain findings
E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM
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khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 221 / Friday, November 17, 2023 / Notices
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 authorization for incidental
takings 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.
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).
On January 19, 2021, we issued a final
rule with regulations to govern the
unintentional taking of marine
mammals incidental to geophysical
survey activities conducted by oil and
gas industry operators, and those
persons authorized to conduct activities
on their behalf (collectively ‘‘industry
operators’’), in U.S. waters of the GOM
over the course of 5 years (86 FR 5322,
January 19, 2021). The rule was based
on our findings that the total taking
from the specified activities over the 5year period will have a negligible
impact on the affected species or
stock(s) of marine mammals and will
not have an unmitigable adverse impact
on the availability of those species or
stocks for subsistence uses. The rule
became effective on April 19, 2021.
Our regulations at 50 CFR 217.180 et
seq. allow for the issuance of LOAs to
industry operators for the incidental
take of marine mammals during
geophysical survey activities and
prescribe the permissible methods of
taking and other means of affecting the
least practicable adverse impact on
marine mammal species or stocks and
their habitat (often referred to as
mitigation), as well as requirements
pertaining to the monitoring and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:57 Nov 16, 2023
Jkt 262001
reporting of such taking. Under 50 CFR
217.186(e), issuance of an LOA shall be
based on a determination that the level
of taking will be consistent with the
findings made for the total taking
allowable under these regulations and a
determination that the amount of take
authorized under the LOA is of no more
than small numbers.
NMFS issued an LOA to CGG on
March 24, 2023, for the take of marine
mammals incidental to a threedimensional (3D) ocean bottom node
(OBN) survey over approximately 200
lease blocks in the Walker Ridge and
Green Canyon areas of the central GOM,
effective May 1 through December 31,
2023. Please see the Federal Register
notice of issuance (88 FR 17819, March
24, 2023) for additional detail regarding
the LOA and the survey activity.
CGG initially anticipated that the
activity would occur at some point
between May 1 and December 31, 2023.
CGG requested an initial modification to
the expiration date on August 17, 2023,
upon which basis NMFS modified the
expiration date of the originally issued
LOA by extending it to April 7, 2024 (88
FR 70935, October 13, 2023). CGG
subsequently informed NMFS that the
survey would be further delayed, and
requested a second modification to the
expiration date of the LOA (from
December 31, 2023 to October 17, 2024)
to accommodate the delays. There are
no other changes to CGG’s planned
activity. Since issuance of the LOA, no
survey work has occurred.
Authorization
NMFS has changed the expiration
date of the LOA from April 7, 2024 to
October 17, 2024. There are no other
changes to the LOA as described in the
March 24, 2023, Federal Register notice
of issuance (88 FR 17819): the specified
survey activity; estimated take by
incidental harassment; and small
numbers analysis and determination
remain unchanged and are incorporated
here by reference.
Dated: November 14, 2023.
Catherine Marzin,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–25434 Filed 11–16–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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80277
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No.: PTO–P–2023–0047]
Supplemental Guidance for
Examination of Design Patent
Applications Related to ComputerGenerated Electronic Images,
Including Computer-Generated Icons
and Graphical User Interfaces
United States Patent and
Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Examination guidance.
AGENCY:
The United States Patent and
Trademark Office (USPTO) is
publishing supplemental guidance to be
used by USPTO personnel in
determining whether a design claim
including a computer-generated
electronic image is directed to statutory
subject matter. This guidance reflects
current USPTO practice.
DATES: This supplemental guidance is
applicable as of November 17, 2023.
ADDRESSES: For reasons of government
efficiency, comments must be submitted
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal
at www.regulations.gov. To submit
comments via the portal, enter docket
number PTO–P–2023–0047 on the
homepage and click ‘‘Search.’’ The site
will provide a search results page listing
all documents associated with this
docket. Find a reference to this
document and click on the ‘‘Comment’’
icon, complete the required fields, and
enter or attach your comments.
Attachments to electronic comments
will be accepted in Adobe® portable
document format (PDF) or Microsoft
Word® format. Because comments will
be made available for public inspection,
information that the submitter does not
desire to make public, such as an
address or phone number, should not be
included in the comments.
Visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal
for additional instructions on providing
comments via the portal. If electronic
submission of comments is not feasible
due to a lack of access to a computer
and/or the internet, please contact the
USPTO using the contact information
below for special instructions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin
Harriman, Senior Legal Advisor, Office
of Patent Legal Administration, at 571–
272–7727; or Carolyn Kosowski, Senior
Legal Advisor, Office of Patent Legal
Administration, at 571–272–7688.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
USPTO has prepared supplemental
guidance for use by USPTO personnel
in determining whether a design patent
claim including a computer-generated
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 221 (Friday, November 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80276-80277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25434]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD503]
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in
the Gulf of Mexico
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of modification to expiration date of letter of
authorization.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as
amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil
and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), notification is hereby
given that NMFS has modified the expiration date of a Letter of
Authorization (LOA) issued to CGG Inc. (CGG) for the take of marine
mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the GOM.
DATES: This LOA is effective through October 17, 2024.
ADDRESSES: The LOA, LOA request, and supporting documentation are
available online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/marine-mammal-protection/issued-letters-authorization-oil-and-gas-industry-geophysical-survey. In case of problems accessing these documents,
please call the contact listed below (FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Wachtendonk, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.)
direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the
incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine
mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than
commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain
findings
[[Page 80277]]
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 authorization for incidental takings 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.
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).
On January 19, 2021, we issued a final rule with regulations to
govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to
geophysical survey activities conducted by oil and gas industry
operators, and those persons authorized to conduct activities on their
behalf (collectively ``industry operators''), in U.S. waters of the GOM
over the course of 5 years (86 FR 5322, January 19, 2021). The rule was
based on our findings that the total taking from the specified
activities over the 5-year period will have a negligible impact on the
affected species or stock(s) of marine mammals and will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of those species or
stocks for subsistence uses. The rule became effective on April 19,
2021.
Our regulations at 50 CFR 217.180 et seq. allow for the issuance of
LOAs to industry operators for the incidental take of marine mammals
during geophysical survey activities and prescribe the permissible
methods of taking and other means of affecting the least practicable
adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat
(often referred to as mitigation), as well as requirements pertaining
to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. Under 50 CFR
217.186(e), issuance of an LOA shall be based on a determination that
the level of taking will be consistent with the findings made for the
total taking allowable under these regulations and a determination that
the amount of take authorized under the LOA is of no more than small
numbers.
NMFS issued an LOA to CGG on March 24, 2023, for the take of marine
mammals incidental to a three-dimensional (3D) ocean bottom node (OBN)
survey over approximately 200 lease blocks in the Walker Ridge and
Green Canyon areas of the central GOM, effective May 1 through December
31, 2023. Please see the Federal Register notice of issuance (88 FR
17819, March 24, 2023) for additional detail regarding the LOA and the
survey activity.
CGG initially anticipated that the activity would occur at some
point between May 1 and December 31, 2023. CGG requested an initial
modification to the expiration date on August 17, 2023, upon which
basis NMFS modified the expiration date of the originally issued LOA by
extending it to April 7, 2024 (88 FR 70935, October 13, 2023). CGG
subsequently informed NMFS that the survey would be further delayed,
and requested a second modification to the expiration date of the LOA
(from December 31, 2023 to October 17, 2024) to accommodate the delays.
There are no other changes to CGG's planned activity. Since issuance of
the LOA, no survey work has occurred.
Authorization
NMFS has changed the expiration date of the LOA from April 7, 2024
to October 17, 2024. There are no other changes to the LOA as described
in the March 24, 2023, Federal Register notice of issuance (88 FR
17819): the specified survey activity; estimated take by incidental
harassment; and small numbers analysis and determination remain
unchanged and are incorporated here by reference.
Dated: November 14, 2023.
Catherine Marzin,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-25434 Filed 11-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
