Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 35813-35814 [2024-09502]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 86 / Thursday, May 2, 2024 / Notices mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. Category I and II fisheries are those identified by NOAA as having either frequent or occasional takings of marine mammals. All states have integrated the NMFS registration process into the existing state fishery registration process and vessel owners do not need to file a separate federal registration. If applicable, vessel owners will be notified of this simplified registration process when they apply for their state or Federal permit or license. A valid certificate of authorization protects the vessel owner from prosecution under the MMPA for violation of the moratorium on taking marine mammals. The information needed to register or update a commercial fishery authorization is found at 50 CFR 229.4 II. Method of Collection Fishermen’s information is imported directly into the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) from their state. If they do not have a state or Federal fishery permit or license, fishermen can request a MMAP registration form (OMB no. 0648–0293) from their NMFS regional office and mail or email the registration form. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES III. Data OMB Control Number: 0648–0293. Form Number(s): None. Type of Review: Regular submission [extension of a current information collection]. Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 100. Estimated Time per Response: Initial registration 15 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 25 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $2,555 in recordkeeping/ reporting costs and application fees. Respondent’s Obligation: Required for participants in Category I and II fisheries to lawfully take marine mammals’ incidental to fishing operations. Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; MMPA. 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; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Sheleen Dumas, Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2024–09484 Filed 5–1–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 35813 Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) renewal application from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the applicant. Regulations under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs. Comments must be received on or before May 17, 2024. DATES: You may submit written comments by the following method: • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘NHFG Early Benthic-Phase Lobster Trap EFP’’. All comments received are a part of the public record and may be posted for public viewing in https:// www.noaa.gov/organization/ information-technilogy/foia-readingroom without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘anonymous’’ as the signature if you wish to remain anonymous). ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Christine Ford, Fishery Management Specialist, Christine.Ford@noaa.gov, (978) 281–9185. [RTID 0648–XD903] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, SUMMARY: The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) submitted a complete application for an EFP to conduct commercial fishing activities that the regulations would otherwise restrict. The EFP would allow NHFG to continue pilot testing of early benthic-phase (EBP) lobster traps, designed to target juvenile lobsters between 15- and 60millimeter (mm) carapace length, to determine their feasibility for broader use in lobster surveys. This EFP would exempt the participating vessels from the Federal regulations in table 1: TABLE 1—REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS CFR citation Regulation 50 CFR 697.21(c) and § 697.21(d) ............................. Gear specification requirements .... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 May 01, 2024 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Need for exemption To allow for the use of modified traps with no escape vents or ghost panels. E:\FR\FM\02MYN1.SGM 02MYN1 35814 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 86 / Thursday, May 2, 2024 / Notices TABLE 1—REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS—Continued CFR citation Regulation Need for exemption § 697.19 ....................................................................... Trap limit requirements .................. § 697.19(j) .................................................................... Trap tag requirements ................... §§ 697.20(a)(7), 697.20(a)(8), 697.20(b)(5), 697.20(b)(6), 697.20(d), and 697.20(g). Possession restrictions .................. § 697.21(a) .................................................................. Gear identification and marking requirements. To allow for four additional traps per vessel (20 total). To allow for the use of four untagged traps per vessel (20 total). To allow for onboard biological sampling of undersized, oversized, v-notched, and egg-bearing lobsters. To allow for the use of four unmarked traps per vessel (20 total). TABLE 2—PROJECT SUMMARY Project Project Project Project title .......................................................... start ......................................................... end .......................................................... objectives ................................................ Project location ................................................... Number of vessels .............................................. Number of trips ................................................... Trip duration (days) ............................................ Total number of days .......................................... Gear type(s) ........................................................ Number of tows or sets ...................................... Duration of tows or sets ..................................... khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Project Narrative The participants would place four EBP traps on two of their existing trawls (two EBP traps per trawl) and haul them up to twice per trip (for a total of up to four hauls per trip) during the course of the vessel’s normal fishing activity. The EBP traps are 80-centimeter (cm) square traps based on a modified crawfish trap. They have four square openings, measuring less than 2 inches (5.08 cm), which lead to ramps that drop the lobsters into a baited kitchen. Inside the traps, there are additional ramps that lead the lobsters to four cylindrical parlors with vertical openings. The traps are attached to cement runners that provide weight and maintain proper orientation. The crews would rig the EBP traps within Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan-compliant commercial trawls, resulting in no additional end lines. Each vessel would fish four traps above their allocation, but would remain within the universal Area 3 trap cap. At each haul, crews would record, and immediately release, all bycatch and measure, sex, and release all lobsters from the EBP trap. They would also sample catch in two standard traps within the trawl as control data. They would land and sell the legal catch from the standard traps. The goal of this project is to test the selectivity of the EBP trap (versus ventless traps that often catch eel and crab), and the scalability of its use. If VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:14 May 01, 2024 Jkt 262001 Testing an EBP lobster trap on Georges Bank. 06/15/2024. 06/14/2025. To continue testing an early-benthic-phase lobster trap, which targets lobsters between 15and 60-mm carapace lengths, to determine its feasibility for broader use in lobster surveys. Offshore Gulf of Maine & Georges Bank; Statistical Areas 513, 522, 525, 526, 537, 561, and 562. Up to 5. 500. Up to 8. Up to 4,000. Trap/pot (modified—see project narrative). Up to 4 per trip; up to 2,000 total. ∼4 days. successful, EBP traps could be used in lobster surveys to provide information about larval-settlement patterns and juvenile nursery grounds. If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 26, 2024. Everett Wayne Baxter, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–09502 Filed 5–1–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Defense Science Board; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meetings Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), Department of Defense (DoD). AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Notice of Federal advisory committee meetings. ACTION: The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meetings of the Defense Science Board (DSB) will take place. DATES: Closed to the public Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed to the public Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed to the public Wednesday, July 24, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed to the public Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: The address of the closed meetings is 4075 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth J. Kowalski, Designated Federal Officer (DFO): (703) 571–0081 (Voice), (703) 697–1860 (Facsimile), elizabeth.j.kowalski.civ@mail.mil, (Email). Mailing address is Defense Science Board, 3140 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–3140. Website: https://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/. The most up-to-date changes to the meeting agenda can be found on the website. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These meetings are being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as the ‘‘Federal Advisory Committee Act’’ or ‘‘FACA’’), 5 U.S.C. 552b (commonly known as the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02MYN1.SGM 02MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 86 (Thursday, May 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35813-35814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09502]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD903]


Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; 
General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted 
Fishing Permits

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary 
determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) renewal application 
from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department contains all of the 
required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would 
allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery 
regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the 
applicant. Regulations under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for 
proposed EFPs.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 17, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by the following method:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``NHFG Early Benthic-Phase Lobster Trap EFP''.
    All comments received are a part of the public record and may be 
posted for public viewing in https://www.noaa.gov/organization/information-technilogy/foia-reading-room without change. All personal 
identifying information (e.g., name, address), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``anonymous'' as the signature if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Ford, Fishery Management 
Specialist, [email protected], (978) 281-9185.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department 
(NHFG) submitted a complete application for an EFP to conduct 
commercial fishing activities that the regulations would otherwise 
restrict. The EFP would allow NHFG to continue pilot testing of early 
benthic-phase (EBP) lobster traps, designed to target juvenile lobsters 
between 15- and 60-millimeter (mm) carapace length, to determine their 
feasibility for broader use in lobster surveys. This EFP would exempt 
the participating vessels from the Federal regulations in table 1:

                      Table 1--Requested Exemptions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          CFR citation                Regulation      Need for exemption
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 CFR 697.21(c) and Sec.         Gear specification  To allow for the
 697.21(d).                        requirements.       use of modified
                                                       traps with no
                                                       escape vents or
                                                       ghost panels.

[[Page 35814]]

 
Sec.   697.19...................  Trap limit          To allow for four
                                   requirements.       additional traps
                                                       per vessel (20
                                                       total).
Sec.   697.19(j)................  Trap tag            To allow for the
                                   requirements.       use of four
                                                       untagged traps
                                                       per vessel (20
                                                       total).
Sec.  Sec.   697.20(a)(7),        Possession          To allow for
 697.20(a)(8), 697.20(b)(5),       restrictions.       onboard
 697.20(b)(6), 697.20(d), and                          biological
 697.20(g).                                            sampling of
                                                       undersized,
                                                       oversized, v-
                                                       notched, and egg-
                                                       bearing lobsters.
Sec.   697.21(a)................  Gear                To allow for the
                                   identification      use of four
                                   and marking         unmarked traps
                                   requirements.       per vessel (20
                                                       total).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                        Table 2--Project Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project title................  Testing an EBP lobster trap on Georges
                                Bank.
Project start................  06/15/2024.
Project end..................  06/14/2025.
Project objectives...........  To continue testing an early-benthic-
                                phase lobster trap, which targets
                                lobsters between 15- and 60-mm carapace
                                lengths, to determine its feasibility
                                for broader use in lobster surveys.
Project location.............  Offshore Gulf of Maine & Georges Bank;
                                Statistical Areas 513, 522, 525, 526,
                                537, 561, and 562.
Number of vessels............  Up to 5.
Number of trips..............  500.
Trip duration (days).........  Up to 8.
Total number of days.........  Up to 4,000.
Gear type(s).................  Trap/pot (modified--see project
                                narrative).
Number of tows or sets.......  Up to 4 per trip; up to 2,000 total.
Duration of tows or sets.....  ~4 days.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Project Narrative

    The participants would place four EBP traps on two of their 
existing trawls (two EBP traps per trawl) and haul them up to twice per 
trip (for a total of up to four hauls per trip) during the course of 
the vessel's normal fishing activity. The EBP traps are 80-centimeter 
(cm) square traps based on a modified crawfish trap. They have four 
square openings, measuring less than 2 inches (5.08 cm), which lead to 
ramps that drop the lobsters into a baited kitchen. Inside the traps, 
there are additional ramps that lead the lobsters to four cylindrical 
parlors with vertical openings. The traps are attached to cement 
runners that provide weight and maintain proper orientation. The crews 
would rig the EBP traps within Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction 
Plan-compliant commercial trawls, resulting in no additional end lines. 
Each vessel would fish four traps above their allocation, but would 
remain within the universal Area 3 trap cap. At each haul, crews would 
record, and immediately release, all bycatch and measure, sex, and 
release all lobsters from the EBP trap. They would also sample catch in 
two standard traps within the trawl as control data. They would land 
and sell the legal catch from the standard traps.
    The goal of this project is to test the selectivity of the EBP trap 
(versus ventless traps that often catch eel and crab), and the 
scalability of its use. If successful, EBP traps could be used in 
lobster surveys to provide information about larval-settlement patterns 
and juvenile nursery grounds.
    If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and 
extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and 
extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed 
essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have 
minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially 
approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope 
of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: April 26, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09502 Filed 5-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.