Department of Commerce May 25, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces the re-opening of the commercial sector for gray triggerfish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic through this temporary rule. The most recent commercial landings of gray triggerfish indicate the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the January through June fishing season has not yet been reached. Therefore, NMFS re-opens the commercial sector for gray triggerfish in the South Atlantic EEZ for 18 days to allow the commercial ACL to be caught, while minimizing the risk of the commercial ACL being exceeded.

NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for commercial blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial landings for blueline tilefish are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by June 1, 2016. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing season on January 1, 2017. This closure is necessary to protect the blueline tilefish resource.

This interim rule establishes a limit for calendar year 2016 on fishing effort by U.S. purse seine vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (U.S. EEZ) and on the high seas between the latitudes of 20[deg] N. and 20[deg] S. in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention). The limit is 1,828 fishing days. This action is necessary for the United States to implement provisions of a conservation and management measure adopted by the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC or Commission) and to satisfy the obligations of the United States under the Convention, to which it is a Contracting Party.

The Secretary of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration, Office of Trade and Economic Analysis (OTEA), has received an application for an amended Export Trade Certificate of Review (``Certificate'') from CPEC. This notice summarizes the proposed amendment and seeks public comments on whether the amended Certificate should be issued.

In accordance with the Hydrographic Service Improvements Act Amendments of 2002, Public Law 107-372, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is required to solicit nominations for membership at least once a year for the Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP). The HSRP, a Federal advisory committee, advises the Administrator on matters related to the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act and such other appropriate matters as the Administrator refers to the Panel for review and advice. Those responsibilities and authorities include, but are not limited to: Acquiring and disseminating hydrographic data and providing hydrographic services, as those terms are defined in the Act; promulgating standards for hydrographic data and services; ensuring comprehensive geographic coverage of hydrographic services; and testing, developing, and operating vessels, equipment, and technologies necessary to ensure safe navigation and maintain operational expertise in hydrographic data acquisition and hydrographic services. The Act states ``the voting members of the Panel shall be individuals who, by reason of knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in one or more of the disciplines and fields relating to hydrographic data and hydrographic services, marine transportation, port administration, vessel pilotage, coastal and fishery management, and other disciplines as determined appropriate by the Administrator.'' The NOAA Administrator seeks and encourages individuals with expertise in marine navigation, port administration, marine shipping or other intermodal transportation industries, cartography and geographic information systems, geodesy, physical oceanography coastal resource management, including coastal resilience and emergency response, and other related fields. To apply for membership on the Panel, applicants are requested to submit the following five items and answer five response questions. The entire package should be a maximum length of seven pages or fewer. NOAA is an equal opportunity employer. (1) A cover letter that responds to the five questions listed below as a statement of interest to serve on the panel, ``Short Response Questions'' below. (2) Highlight the nominee's specific area(s) of expertise relevant to the purpose of the Panel from the list in the Federal Register Notice; (3) A current resume. (4) A short biography of 400 to 600 words. (5) The nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact information.

The Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Board of Overseers) and the Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Judges Panel) will meet together in open session on Thursday, June 9, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. The Board of Overseers, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, reports the results of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (Award) activities to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) each year, along with its recommendations for the improvement of the Award process. The Judges Panel, also appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, ensures the integrity of the Award selection process and recommends Award recipients to the Secretary of Commerce. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and review information received from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and from the Chair of the Judges Panel. The agenda will include: Baldrige Program Update, Baldrige Foundation Fundraising Update, Baldrige Judges Panel Update, Ethics Review, Applicants and Eligibility, and New Business/Public Comment.

Notice is hereby given that Demian Chapman, Ph.D., School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, has applied in due form for a permit to import scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) samples for purposes of scientific research.

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 a commercial fishing vessel to fish outside of the limited access scallop regulations in support of gear research designed to reduce the amount of small, unexploitable scallops caught and create better dredge selectivity, as well as reduce finfish bycatch. 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.