National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration June 28, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The eastern oyster biological review team (BRT) has prepared an Endangered Species Act (ESA) status review report for the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and submitted it to NMFS. After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial information, we (NMFS) have determined that listing the eastern oyster as threatened or endangered under the ESA is not warranted at this time.

Notice is hereby given that permits to conduct research on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) have been issued to the following individuals and institutions: The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), NMFS, Seattle, WA (File No. 782-1889); Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK (File No. 358-1888); The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), Seward, AK (File No. 881-1890); the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Corvallis, OR (File No. 434-1892); Kate Wynne, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kodiak, AK (File No. 1049-1886); Dr. Markus Horning, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR (File No. 1034-1887); and the North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium (NPUMMRC), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. (File No. 715-1885). Notice is hereby given that permits to conduct research on northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) have been issued to the following individuals and institutions: the ASLC, Seward, AK (File No. 881-1893); the NPUMMRC, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. (File No. 715-1884); the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, Tribal Government, Ecosystem Conservation Office, St. Paul Island, AK (File No. 1118- 1881); and the Aleut Community of St. George Island, St. George Traditional Council, St. George Island, AK (File No. 1119-1882).

This request for the continuation of an EFP involves the non- destructive collection of size frequency and population data on legal and sublegal lobsters as part of an ongoing research project to monitor the offshore lobster fishery in Lobster Management Area 3. Continuation of this EFP, until December 31, 2008, would not involve the authorization of any additional trap gear in the area. A maximum of seven participating commercial fishing vessels will continue the collection of data on the composition of lobsters in four general offshore study areas in a collaborative effort with the Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association (AOLA). Continuation of this EFP would authorize each participating commercial fishing vessel to continue to utilize one modified juvenile lobster collector trap to collect population data. The lobster trap modifications are to the escape vents, and trap entrance head. Therefore, this modified trap would impact its environment no differently than the regular lobster trap it replaces and will add no additional traps to the area. After data is collected on lobsters in the trap, all sub-legal lobsters will be immediately returned to the sea. The EFP waives the American lobster escape vent requirement for a maximum of one trap per vessel for a maximum of seven vessels in the program. The Director, State, Federal and Constituent Programs Office, Northeast Region, NMFS (Office Director) has made a preliminary determination that the subject EFP application contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Office Director has also made a preliminary determination that continuation of the activities authorized under the EFPs would be consistent with the goals and objectives of Federal management of the American lobster resource. However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue EFPs. NMFS announces that the Office Director proposes to renew the subject EFPs, and, therefore, invites comments on the renewal of EFPs for this research.