Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan; New Trigger Value for Southern Exclusion Zone Closure, 13694-13695 [2024-03664]

Download as PDF 13694 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 37 / Friday, February 23, 2024 / Notices ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 permit holder must contact NOAA OLE by telephone. This information collection is revised to include a form for the non-electronic (manual) GAF landing report. This form will help streamline the submission of manual landing information for GAF permit holders and NOAA Office for Law Enforcement, and help ensure the correct information is submitted on time. The time and cost burden for the manual GAF landing report form remains the same as the previous estimates for the GAF landing report because the estimates allow for differences needed to complete and submit the report. This information collection includes the logbook reporting requirements for the charter halibut fishery. The charter halibut sector in Areas 2C and 3A is managed to charter catch limits established under the CSP. Charter operators are required to record all halibut caught and kept by charter vessel anglers in the ADF&G Saltwater Charter Logbook. Logbook reporting is the basis for estimating annual charter harvests of halibut relative to the charter catch limits. Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit organizations. Frequency: Annually; As needed. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits, Mandatory. Legal Authority: The Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 773c); Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). This information collection request may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view the Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:19 Feb 22, 2024 Jkt 262001 Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function and entering either the title of the collection or the OMB Control Number 0648–0575. Sheleen Dumas, Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2024–03747 Filed 2–22–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD698] Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan; New Trigger Value for Southern Exclusion Zone Closure National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, and the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan, NMFS is publishing a new trigger value for the Southern Exclusion Zone (SEZ) closure. The new trigger is three observed mortality or serious injuries of false killer whales incidental to the deep-set longline fishery within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elena Duke, NMFS Pacific Islands Region, (808) 725–5134, elena.duke@ noaa.gov; or Kristy Long, NMFS Office of Protected Resources, (301) 427–8402, Kristy.Long@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background Pursuant to section 118(f) of the MMPA, on December 31, 2012, NMFS implemented the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan). The Plan establishes a framework to reduce the PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 level of incidental mortality and serious injury (M/SI) of the Hawaii pelagic and Hawaii insular stocks of false killer whales in the Hawaii longline fisheries (77 FR 71260; November 29, 2012). In accordance with the Plan, NMFS issued regulations to establish the SEZ (50 CFR 229.37(d)(2)). These regulations require NMFS to close the SEZ to deepset longline fishing when a certain number (trigger) of false killer whale M/ SI are observed in the deep-set longline fishery in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). As described in the Plan regulations, the SEZ is bounded on the east at 154°30′ W longitude, on the west at 165° W longitude, on the north by the boundaries of the Main Hawaiian Islands Longline Fishing Prohibited Area and Papaha¯naumokua¯kea Marine National Monument, and on the south by the EEZ boundary (see fig. 1). The SEZ trigger is defined in § 229.37(e)(2) as the larger of either of these 2 values: (i) 2 observed M/SI of false killer whales within the EEZ around Hawaii, or (ii) the smallest number of observed false killer whale M/SI that, when extrapolated based on the percentage observer coverage in the deep-set longline fishery for that year, exceeds the Hawaii pelagic false killer whale stock’s potential biological removal (PBR). For the first year of the Plan’s implementation, NMFS established the trigger value as 2 observed false killer whale M/SI by the deep-set longline fishery within the EEZ around Hawaii (77 FR 71259, November 29, 2012), based on the PBR level of 9.1 for the Hawaii pelagic stock of false killer whales, as calculated in the draft 2012 Stock Assessment Report (SAR) (Carretta et al., 2012). The Plan specifies the trigger value (2) will remain valid until NMFS publishes a new trigger value in the Federal Register (§ 229.37(e)(1)). NMFS published a new trigger value on December 15, 2020 following a change in the abundance estimate, which changed the trigger value from 2 to 4 observed M/SI of false killer whales (85 FR 81184, December 15, 2020). E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 37 / Friday, February 23, 2024 / Notices 13695 N A ---,,,,11:AHI Longline Fishing Prohibited Area 15'0'!)"" Figure 1. Southern Exclusion Zone. 1 At a March 2023 False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team meeting, NMFS introduced a False Killer Whale Management Area that included areas inside and outside the EEZ around Hawaii with a PBR calculated to be 33 pelagic false killer whales. The False Killer Whale Management Area and associated PBR are not yet available for current management use. NMFS is using the PBR (16) from the 2022 final SAR to revise the SEZ trigger. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:19 Feb 22, 2024 Jkt 262001 deep-set longline fishery in the EEZ around Hawaii. Information on the Plan is available on the internet at the following address: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ national/marine-mammal-protection/ false-killer-whale-take-reduction. Copies of reference materials may also be obtained from the NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. This notice serves as a notification to fishermen, the fishing industry, and the general public that the SEZ closure trigger value is three observed false killer whale M/SI in the deep-set longline fishery in the EEZ around Hawaii. References Carretta, J.V., E. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, K.A. Forney, J. Baker, B. Hanson, K Martien, M.M. Muto, M.S. Lowry, J. Barlow, D. Lynch, L. Carswell, R.L. Brownell Jr., D.K. Mattila, and M.C. Hill. 2012. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2012. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA–TM–NMFS– SWFSC–504. 378p. Carretta, J.W., E.M. Oleson, K.A. Forney, M.M. Muto, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, J. Baker, B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, J. Barlow, J.E. Moore, and R.L. Brownell. 2023. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2022. U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS–SWFSC–684. 409 p. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: February 16, 2024. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–03664 Filed 2–22–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Request for Public Comment on Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee Recommendations National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice of request for comments. NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, on behalf of the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee (IMDCC), is soliciting public comments regarding draft recommendations to address marine debris. The IMDCC is required to submit a biennial report to Congress that includes the status of implementation of any recommendations and strategies of the Committee. These recommendations will replace the recommendations first published by the IMDCC in 2008. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1 EN23FE24.003</GPH> ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 NMFS set the annual observer coverage rate in the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery for 2024 at 13.5 percent. Observer coverage was previously set at 20 percent, but has been reduced due to increased program costs and available funding for the observer program. The abundance estimate for the Hawaii pelagic stock of false killer whales is 2,086 (CV = 0.35) individuals in the Hawaii EEZ. The minimum population abundance (Nmin), used for calculating PBR, is 1,567 animals within the EEZ around Hawaii.1 The PBR published in the final 2022 SAR for this stock within the EEZ is calculated as 16 pelagic false killer whales (Carretta et al., 2023). Based on the current published PBR of 16 whales for the Hawaii pelagic stock of false killer whales within the EEZ, and the 2024 annual observer coverage (13.5 percent), the trigger value is calculated as 3 observed M/SI of false killer whales. This value is smaller than the currently published trigger value because of the decrease in the observer coverage rate. Therefore, NMFS sets the trigger value for SEZ closure at three observed false killer whale M/SI in the

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13694-13695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03664]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD698]


Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; False Killer Whale Take 
Reduction Plan; New Trigger Value for Southern Exclusion Zone Closure

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 
1972, and the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan, NMFS is 
publishing a new trigger value for the Southern Exclusion Zone (SEZ) 
closure. The new trigger is three observed mortality or serious 
injuries of false killer whales incidental to the deep-set longline 
fishery within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elena Duke, NMFS Pacific Islands 
Region, (808) 725-5134, [email protected]; or Kristy Long, NMFS 
Office of Protected Resources, (301) 427-8402, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Pursuant to section 118(f) of the MMPA, on December 31, 2012, NMFS 
implemented the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan). The Plan 
establishes a framework to reduce the level of incidental mortality and 
serious injury (M/SI) of the Hawaii pelagic and Hawaii insular stocks 
of false killer whales in the Hawaii longline fisheries (77 FR 71260; 
November 29, 2012).
    In accordance with the Plan, NMFS issued regulations to establish 
the SEZ (50 CFR 229.37(d)(2)). These regulations require NMFS to close 
the SEZ to deep-set longline fishing when a certain number (trigger) of 
false killer whale M/SI are observed in the deep-set longline fishery 
in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). As described in the Plan 
regulations, the SEZ is bounded on the east at 154[deg]30' W longitude, 
on the west at 165[deg] W longitude, on the north by the boundaries of 
the Main Hawaiian Islands Longline Fishing Prohibited Area and 
Papah[amacr]naumoku[amacr]kea Marine National Monument, and on the 
south by the EEZ boundary (see fig. 1). The SEZ trigger is defined in 
Sec.  229.37(e)(2) as the larger of either of these 2 values: (i) 2 
observed M/SI of false killer whales within the EEZ around Hawaii, or 
(ii) the smallest number of observed false killer whale M/SI that, when 
extrapolated based on the percentage observer coverage in the deep-set 
longline fishery for that year, exceeds the Hawaii pelagic false killer 
whale stock's potential biological removal (PBR). For the first year of 
the Plan's implementation, NMFS established the trigger value as 2 
observed false killer whale M/SI by the deep-set longline fishery 
within the EEZ around Hawaii (77 FR 71259, November 29, 2012), based on 
the PBR level of 9.1 for the Hawaii pelagic stock of false killer 
whales, as calculated in the draft 2012 Stock Assessment Report (SAR) 
(Carretta et al., 2012). The Plan specifies the trigger value (2) will 
remain valid until NMFS publishes a new trigger value in the Federal 
Register (Sec.  229.37(e)(1)). NMFS published a new trigger value on 
December 15, 2020 following a change in the abundance estimate, which 
changed the trigger value from 2 to 4 observed M/SI of false killer 
whales (85 FR 81184, December 15, 2020).

[[Page 13695]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN23FE24.003

    NMFS set the annual observer coverage rate in the Hawaii deep-set 
longline fishery for 2024 at 13.5 percent. Observer coverage was 
previously set at 20 percent, but has been reduced due to increased 
program costs and available funding for the observer program. The 
abundance estimate for the Hawaii pelagic stock of false killer whales 
is 2,086 (CV = 0.35) individuals in the Hawaii EEZ. The minimum 
population abundance (Nmin), used for calculating PBR, is 
1,567 animals within the EEZ around Hawaii.\1\ The PBR published in the 
final 2022 SAR for this stock within the EEZ is calculated as 16 
pelagic false killer whales (Carretta et al., 2023). Based on the 
current published PBR of 16 whales for the Hawaii pelagic stock of 
false killer whales within the EEZ, and the 2024 annual observer 
coverage (13.5 percent), the trigger value is calculated as 3 observed 
M/SI of false killer whales. This value is smaller than the currently 
published trigger value because of the decrease in the observer 
coverage rate. Therefore, NMFS sets the trigger value for SEZ closure 
at three observed false killer whale M/SI in the deep-set longline 
fishery in the EEZ around Hawaii.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ At a March 2023 False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team 
meeting, NMFS introduced a False Killer Whale Management Area that 
included areas inside and outside the EEZ around Hawaii with a PBR 
calculated to be 33 pelagic false killer whales. The False Killer 
Whale Management Area and associated PBR are not yet available for 
current management use. NMFS is using the PBR (16) from the 2022 
final SAR to revise the SEZ trigger.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Information on the Plan is available on the internet at the 
following address: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/false-killer-whale-take-reduction. Copies of 
reference materials may also be obtained from the NMFS Pacific Islands 
Regional Office, Protected Resources Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., 
Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
    This notice serves as a notification to fishermen, the fishing 
industry, and the general public that the SEZ closure trigger value is 
three observed false killer whale M/SI in the deep-set longline fishery 
in the EEZ around Hawaii.

References

Carretta, J.V., E. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, K.A. Forney, J. 
Baker, B. Hanson, K Martien, M.M. Muto, M.S. Lowry, J. Barlow, D. 
Lynch, L. Carswell, R.L. Brownell Jr., D.K. Mattila, and M.C. Hill. 
2012. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2012. NOAA 
Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-504. 378p.
Carretta, J.W., E.M. Oleson, K.A. Forney, M.M. Muto, D.W. Weller, 
A.R. Lang, J. Baker, B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, J. Barlow, J.E. Moore, and 
R.L. Brownell. 2023. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 
2022. U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-
SWFSC-684. 409 p.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

    Dated: February 16, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03664 Filed 2-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.