Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits, 47134-47135 [2024-11913]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 47134 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 106 / Friday, May 31, 2024 / Notices recorded for the purposes of generating notes of the meeting. As public comments will be made publicly available, participants and public commenters are urged not to provide personally identifiable information (PII) at this meeting. Participation in the meeting by web conference or by telephone constitutes consent to the audio recording. Executive sessions are not open to the public, and are therefore not recorded. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Munro, NMFS West Coast Region, (619) 407–9284 or amanda.munro@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The timing of U.S. SAS and GAC meetings are adjusted based on the dates of the IATTC Annual Meeting. This year, the IATTC will convene its 15th Meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) in June 2024, and the 102nd Annual Meeting of the IATTC will be held on August 26–September 6, 2024. For 2024, the combined U.S. SAS and GAC Meeting will be held on July 22–23, after the IATTC SAC Meeting and before the IATTC Annual Meeting. This timing allows for scientific topics presented at the IATTC SAC Meeting, including stock assessments, to be discussed and used to inform U.S. positions at the combined U.S. SAS and GAC Meeting. This meeting will also include updates from IATTC working groups and is expected to include presentations of draft U.S. proposals to be submitted to the IATTC. An executive session may be called in order to discuss sensitive information, including possible U.S. negotiating positions for the upcoming IATTC Annual Meeting. In accordance with the Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) (TCA), the U.S. Department of Commerce, in consultation with the Department of State (the State Department), appoints a GAC to the U.S. Section to the IATTC and a SAS that advises the GAC. The U.S. Section consists of the four U.S. Commissioners and alternate U.S. Commissioners to the IATTC and representatives of the State Department, NOAA, Department of Commerce, other U.S. Government agencies, and stakeholders. The GAC provides recommendations to the U.S. section of the IATTC. The purpose of the SAS is to advise the GAC on VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 May 30, 2024 Jkt 262001 scientific matters and provide recommendations to the GAC. Per the TCA, the SAS advises the GAC on matters including the conservation of ecosystems, the sustainable uses of living marine resources related to the tuna fishery in the eastern Pacific Ocean, and the long-term conservation and management of stocks of living marine resources in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. NMFS West Coast Region staff provides administrative and technical support services as necessary for the effective functioning of the SAS and GAC. The meetings of the SAS and GAC are open to the public, unless in executive session. The time and manner of public comment will be at the discretion of the Chairs for the SAS and GAC. For more information and updates on the upcoming IATTC meetings, please visit the IATTC’s website: https:// www.iattc.org/MeetingsENG.htm. SAS and GAC Meeting Topics Given the virtual nature of these meetings, the agenda will be concise. The SAS and GAC meeting to prepare for the 101st IATTC Annual Meeting is expected to cover a broad spectrum of topics including but not limited to: (1) Outcomes of the most recent IATTC stock assessments and updates for tuna, tuna-like species, and other species caught in association with those fisheries in the eastern Pacific Ocean; (2) Evaluation of the IATTC Staff’s Recommendations to the Commission for 2024; (3) Potential proposal(s) to the IATTC; (4) Updates from Joint IATTC-Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Northern Committee Working Group on Pacific Bluefin Tuna; (5) Recommendations from the SAS and GAC members; and (6) Other issues as they arise. Special Accommodations Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Amanda Munro (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. Dated: May 24, 2024. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–11974 Filed 5–30–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE005] Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice; request for comments. The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an exempted fishing permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The exempted fishing permit would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed exempted fishing permits. SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before June 14, 2024. DATES: You may submit written comments by the following method: • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘Investigation of baiting practices on catch and bycatch in gillnets and design of an effective outreach program to minimize seabird bycatch’’. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anjali Bhardwaj, Fishery Management Specialist, anjali.bhardwaj@noaa.gov, 978–281–9293. The applicant submitted a complete application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to conduct commercial fishing activities that the regulations would otherwise restrict. This EFP would exempt the participating vessels from the following Federal regulations: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM 31MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 106 / Friday, May 31, 2024 / Notices 47135 TABLE 1—REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS CFR citation 50 CFR 648.11, but not to include 648.11(l)(3). Regulation Need for exemption Monitoring Coverage ..................... The three vessels participating in this EFP have limited deck space and/or life raft capacity and cannot accommodate both an observer and a project scientist. As stated in 648.11(l)(3), the participating vessels are still required to submit pre-trip notifications. TABLE 2—PROJECT SUMMARY Project title ...................................... Project start ..................................... Project end ...................................... Project objectives ............................ khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 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 .................. Investigation of baiting practices on catch and bycatch in gillnets and design of an effective outreach program to minimize seabird bycatch. July 1, 2024. October 15, 2024. Investigate differences in levels of shearwater bycatch during spiny dogfish sets utilizing different gillnet baiting strategies. Georges Bank. 3. 40 total, up to 15 per vessel. 1. 20 (each trip includes 2 vessels). Gillnet. 1 set per trip. 1 hour. Project Narrative The Coonamesset Farm Foundation, Inc. (CFF) is requesting an EFP in support of a study aimed at better understanding how demersal gillnet baiting practices influence shearwater bycatch off the coast of Cape Cod. In the subject fishery, vessels harvest and process skates, and then use the skate racks to bait gillnets that are deployed to target dogfish, which can result in bycaught seabirds. This EFP would be for the first year of a 2-year study. Under the EFP, three participating vessels would be exempt from Northeast Fishery Observer Program monitoring coverage due to limited vessel space and safety equipment needed to accommodate CFF personnel during research trips. No other exemptions are needed to perform this project. Vessels will target dogfish using 6.5-inch (16.5centimeter) mesh gillnets set in strings consisting of 12 nets each. Of the 12 nets, half will utilize either forward baiting (baiting nets before setting) or after baiting (baiting nets after setting), and the remaining nets will not include bait. CFF intends to use retained and discarded catch weights to assess the effect that different baiting treatments have on catch. Any entangled seabird will be documented in detail. CFF intends to use cameras to quantify behavior and abundance of seabird species in the study area using cameras. The results will determine if high levels of seabird bycatch correlate with specific gillnet baiting strategies. CFF, or contracted scientific personnel, will accompany trips under the EFP. Legal catch will be landed for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 May 30, 2024 Jkt 262001 sale. 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. All comments received are a part of the public record and may be posted for public viewing 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). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: May 24, 2024. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–11913 Filed 5–30–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY DISABLED Procurement List; Proposed Addition and Deletion Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. ACTION: Proposed addition to and deletion from the Procurement List. AGENCY: The Committee is proposing to add service(s) to the Procurement List that will be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities, and delete product(s) previously furnished by such agencies. DATES: Comments must be received on or before: June 30, 2024. ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, 355 E Street SW, Suite 325, Washington, DC 20024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to submit comments contact: Michael R. Jurkowski, Telephone: (703) 785–6404, or email CMTEFedReg@AbilityOne.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 8503 (a)(2) and 41 CFR 51–2.3. Its purpose is to provide interested persons an opportunity to submit comments on the proposed actions. SUMMARY: Additions In accordance with 41 CFR 51–5.3(b), the Committee intends to add this services requirement to the Procurement List as a mandatory purchase only for Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM 31MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 106 (Friday, May 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47134-47135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11913]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE005]


Magnuson-Stevens 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 application contains all 
of the required information and warrants further consideration. The 
exempted fishing permit would allow federally permitted fishing vessels 
to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing 
activities proposed by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. Regulations 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
require publication of this notification to provide interested parties 
the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed exempted 
fishing permits.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 14, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by the following method:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``Investigation of baiting practices on catch and bycatch in gillnets 
and design of an effective outreach program to minimize seabird 
bycatch''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anjali Bhardwaj, Fishery Management 
Specialist, [email protected], 978-281-9293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant submitted a complete 
application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to conduct commercial 
fishing activities that the regulations would otherwise restrict. This 
EFP would exempt the participating vessels from the following Federal 
regulations:

[[Page 47135]]



                      Table 1--Requested Exemptions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         CFR citation               Regulation       Need for exemption
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 CFR 648.11, but not to       Monitoring         The three vessels
 include 648.11(l)(3).           Coverage.          participating in
                                                    this EFP have
                                                    limited deck space
                                                    and/or life raft
                                                    capacity and cannot
                                                    accommodate both an
                                                    observer and a
                                                    project scientist.
                                                    As stated in
                                                    648.11(l)(3), the
                                                    participating
                                                    vessels are still
                                                    required to submit
                                                    pre-trip
                                                    notifications.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                        Table 2--Project Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project title.....................  Investigation of baiting practices
                                     on catch and bycatch in gillnets
                                     and design of an effective outreach
                                     program to minimize seabird
                                     bycatch.
Project start.....................  July 1, 2024.
Project end.......................  October 15, 2024.
Project objectives................  Investigate differences in levels of
                                     shearwater bycatch during spiny
                                     dogfish sets utilizing different
                                     gillnet baiting strategies.
Project location..................  Georges Bank.
Number of vessels.................  3.
Number of trips...................  40 total, up to 15 per vessel.
Trip duration (days)..............  1.
Total number of days..............  20 (each trip includes 2 vessels).
Gear type(s)......................  Gillnet.
Number of tows or sets............  1 set per trip.
Duration of tows or sets..........  1 hour.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Project Narrative

    The Coonamesset Farm Foundation, Inc. (CFF) is requesting an EFP in 
support of a study aimed at better understanding how demersal gillnet 
baiting practices influence shearwater bycatch off the coast of Cape 
Cod. In the subject fishery, vessels harvest and process skates, and 
then use the skate racks to bait gillnets that are deployed to target 
dogfish, which can result in bycaught seabirds. This EFP would be for 
the first year of a 2-year study.
    Under the EFP, three participating vessels would be exempt from 
Northeast Fishery Observer Program monitoring coverage due to limited 
vessel space and safety equipment needed to accommodate CFF personnel 
during research trips. No other exemptions are needed to perform this 
project. Vessels will target dogfish using 6.5-inch (16.5-centimeter) 
mesh gillnets set in strings consisting of 12 nets each. Of the 12 
nets, half will utilize either forward baiting (baiting nets before 
setting) or after baiting (baiting nets after setting), and the 
remaining nets will not include bait. CFF intends to use retained and 
discarded catch weights to assess the effect that different baiting 
treatments have on catch. Any entangled seabird will be documented in 
detail. CFF intends to use cameras to quantify behavior and abundance 
of seabird species in the study area using cameras. The results will 
determine if high levels of seabird bycatch correlate with specific 
gillnet baiting strategies.
    CFF, or contracted scientific personnel, will accompany trips under 
the EFP. Legal catch will be landed for sale. 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.
    All comments received are a part of the public record and may be 
posted for public viewing 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).
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 24, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-11913 Filed 5-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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