Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Fisheries Independent Research Programs, 105004-105005 [2024-30726]
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105004
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2024 / Notices
‘‘Demersal shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S.
helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas means ‘‘other rockfish (slope rockfish)’’ and demersal shelf rockfish.
‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the West Yakutat District of the EGOA means ‘‘other rockfish (slope rockfish),’’ northern rockfish, S. polyspinous, and
demersal shelf rockfish.
‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the SEO District of the GOA (and SEAK for Table 2) means ‘‘other rockfish (slope rockfish) and northern rockfish, S.
polyspinous.
9 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the BSAI includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern, shortraker, and
rougheye rockfish.
Halibut and Sablefish IFQ and CDQ
Standard Ex-vessel Prices
Table 3 shows the observer fee
standard ex-vessel prices for halibut and
sablefish. These standard prices are
calculated as a single annual average
price, by species and port or port group.
Volume and ex-vessel value data
collected on the 2024 IFQ Buyer Report
for landings made from October 15,
2023 through September 30, 2024 were
used to calculate the standard ex-vessel
prices for the 2025 observer fee for
halibut IFQ, halibut CDQ, sablefish IFQ,
and sablefish landings that accrue
against the fixed gear sablefish CDQ
reserve.
TABLE 3—STANDARD EX-VESSEL PRICES FOR HALIBUT IFQ, HALIBUT CDQ, SABLEFISH IFQ, AND SABLEFISH ACCRUING
AGAINST THE FIXED GEAR SABLEFISH CDQ RESERVE FOR THE 2025 OBSERVER FEE
[based on 2024 IFQ Buyer Reports]
Species
Port/area 1
Price 2
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Halibut (200) ...............................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Sablefish (710) ...........................................................................
Craig ...........................................................................................
SEAK ..........................................................................................
Cordova ......................................................................................
EGOAxSE ...................................................................................
Homer .........................................................................................
Kodiak .........................................................................................
Seward .......................................................................................
CGOA .........................................................................................
GOA ............................................................................................
BS ...............................................................................................
BSAI ...........................................................................................
AK ...............................................................................................
ALL .............................................................................................
Petersburg ..................................................................................
SEAK ..........................................................................................
Cordova ......................................................................................
EGOAxSE ...................................................................................
Homer .........................................................................................
Kodiak .........................................................................................
Seward .......................................................................................
CGOA .........................................................................................
GOA ............................................................................................
BS ...............................................................................................
BSAI ...........................................................................................
AK ...............................................................................................
ALL .............................................................................................
$5.63
5.51
5.46
5.44
5.63
4.88
4.08
4.97
5.19
4.15
4.15
5.05
5.05
1.67
1.58
1.65
1.48
1.54
1.11
1.07
1.11
1.30
1.22
1.22
1.28
1.28
1 Regulatory areas are defined at § 679.2. (AK = Alaska; ALL = all ports including those outside Alaska; BS = Bering Sea subarea; CGOA =
Central Gulf of Alaska; EGOAxSE = Eastern Gulf of Alaska except Southeast Alaska; SEAK = Southeast Alaska; WGOA = Western Gulf of Alaska).
2 If a price is listed for the species and port combination, that price will be applied to the round weight equivalent for sablefish landings and the
headed and gutted weight equivalent for halibut landings. If no price is listed for the port, use port group.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 19, 2024.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–30712 Filed 12–23–24; 8:45 am]
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XE540
Taking and Importing Marine
Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources
Fisheries Independent Research
Programs
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:37 Dec 23, 2024
Jkt 265001
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Notice; receipt of application for
Letter of Authorization; request for
comments and information.
ACTION:
NMFS has received a request
from the Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources
(ALDCNR) for authorization to take
small numbers of marine mammals
incidental to fisheries independent
research programs in Mobile Bay and
adjacent waters of Alabama over the
course of five years from the date of
issuance. Pursuant to regulations
implementing the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is
announcing receipt of the ALDCNR’s
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM
26DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 247 / Thursday, December 26, 2024 / Notices
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
request for the development and
implementation of regulations
governing the incidental taking of
marine mammals. NMFS invites the
public to provide information,
suggestions, and comments on the
ALDCNR’s application and request.
DATES: Comments and information must
be received no later than January 27,
2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the
applications should be addressed to
Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and
Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service. Physical comments
should be sent to 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and
electronic comments should be sent to
ITP.cockrell@noaa.gov.
Instructions: NMFS is not responsible
for comments sent by any other method,
to any other address or individual, or
received after the end of the comment
period. Comments received
electronically, including all
attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. Attachments to
electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF
file formats only. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted online at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
national/marine-mammal-protection/
incidental-take-authorizations-researchand-other-activities without change. All
personal identifying information (e.g.,
name, address) voluntarily submitted by
the commenter may be publicly
accessible. Do not submit confidential
business information or otherwise
sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Cockrell, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. An
electronic copy of the ALDCNR’s
application may be obtained online at:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
national/marine-mammal-protection/
incidental-take-authorizations-researchand-other-activities. In case of problems
accessing these documents, please call
the contact listed above.
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 (as delegated
to NMFS) 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 are made and either
regulations are issued or, if the taking is
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:37 Dec 23, 2024
Jkt 265001
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 April 12, 2024, NMFS received an
application from the ALDCNR
requesting authorization for take of
marine mammals incidental to their
fisheries independent research programs
related to sampling activities with
gillnet and trawl gear in Mobile Bay and
adjacent waters of Alabama. Following
NMFS’ review of the application,
ALDCNR provided responses to NMFS
initial questions on July 11, 2024 and
responses to follow up questions on
December 10, 2024. NMFS determined
the application was adequate and
complete on December 12, 2024. The
requested regulations would be valid for
five years from the date of issuance. The
ALDCNR plans to conduct the research
in Mobile Bay and adjacent waters
including Mississippi Sound, Perdido
Bay, Wolf Bay, and Little Lagoon. It is
possible that marine mammals may
interact with fishing gear (e.g. gillnets
and trawl gear) proposed for use in
ALDCNR’s fishery independent
resulting in injury, serious injury, or
mortality. Therefore, the ALDCNR
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
105005
requests authorization to incidentally
take marine mammals.
Specified Activities
The ALDCNR conducts fishery
independent surveys throughout the
inshore and coastal waters of Alabama,
in the northern Gulf of Mexico, to
produce scientific information
necessary for the management and
conservation of living marine resources
in that area. The fisheries independent
research programs use sampling gear
including gillnets, seines, and otter
trawls to assess marine organisms in
different habitats and trophic levels and
provides data about post-larval,
juvenile, and adult populations of
marine organisms in Alabama inshore
and coastal waters. The collective data
is used by fisheries scientists to monitor
growth, seasonal and geographical
distribution, changes in population
structures, and correlation of abundance
with some abiotic factors for all
Alabama marine fauna. These proposed
activities by ALDCNR would be
conducted over the 5-year period of the
regulations and subsequent LOA.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit
information, suggestions, and comments
concerning the ALDCNR’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 the ALDCNR, if
appropriate.
Dated: December 18, 2024.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–30726 Filed 12–23–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XE536]
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of meeting open to the
public.
AGENCY:
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council (Council) will
hold a second Recreational Initiative
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM
26DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 247 (Thursday, December 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 105004-105005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30726]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE540
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Fisheries Independent Research Programs
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for Letter of Authorization;
request for comments and information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources (ALDCNR) for authorization to take
small numbers of marine mammals incidental to fisheries independent
research programs in Mobile Bay and adjacent waters of Alabama over the
course of five years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to regulations
implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is
announcing receipt of the ALDCNR's
[[Page 105005]]
request for the development and implementation of regulations governing
the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to
provide information, suggestions, and comments on the ALDCNR's
application and request.
DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than January
27, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the applications should be addressed to Jolie
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Physical comments should
be sent to 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and
electronic comments should be sent to [email protected].
Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the
end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including
all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments
to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or
Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-research-and-other-activities without change. All
personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily
submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit
confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected
information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Cockrell, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401. An electronic copy of the ALDCNR's
application may be obtained online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-research-and-other-activities. In case of problems accessing these
documents, please call the contact listed above.
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 (as delegated to NMFS) 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 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 April 12, 2024, NMFS received an application from the ALDCNR
requesting authorization for take of marine mammals incidental to their
fisheries independent research programs related to sampling activities
with gillnet and trawl gear in Mobile Bay and adjacent waters of
Alabama. Following NMFS' review of the application, ALDCNR provided
responses to NMFS initial questions on July 11, 2024 and responses to
follow up questions on December 10, 2024. NMFS determined the
application was adequate and complete on December 12, 2024. The
requested regulations would be valid for five years from the date of
issuance. The ALDCNR plans to conduct the research in Mobile Bay and
adjacent waters including Mississippi Sound, Perdido Bay, Wolf Bay, and
Little Lagoon. It is possible that marine mammals may interact with
fishing gear (e.g. gillnets and trawl gear) proposed for use in
ALDCNR's fishery independent resulting in injury, serious injury, or
mortality. Therefore, the ALDCNR requests authorization to incidentally
take marine mammals.
Specified Activities
The ALDCNR conducts fishery independent surveys throughout the
inshore and coastal waters of Alabama, in the northern Gulf of Mexico,
to produce scientific information necessary for the management and
conservation of living marine resources in that area. The fisheries
independent research programs use sampling gear including gillnets,
seines, and otter trawls to assess marine organisms in different
habitats and trophic levels and provides data about post-larval,
juvenile, and adult populations of marine organisms in Alabama inshore
and coastal waters. The collective data is used by fisheries scientists
to monitor growth, seasonal and geographical distribution, changes in
population structures, and correlation of abundance with some abiotic
factors for all Alabama marine fauna. These proposed activities by
ALDCNR would be conducted over the 5-year period of the regulations and
subsequent LOA.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and
comments concerning the ALDCNR'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 the ALDCNR, if appropriate.
Dated: December 18, 2024.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-30726 Filed 12-23-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
