80 FR 10460 - Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 38 (February 26, 2015)

Page Range		10460-10460
FR Document		2015-04083

NMFS notifies the public of the aboriginal subsistence whaling quota for bowhead whales that it has assigned to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC), and of limitations on the use of the quota deriving from regulations of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). For 2015, the quota is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota and other applicable limitations govern the harvest of bowhead whales by members of the AEWC.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 10460]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-04083]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD704


Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

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

ACTION: Notice; notification of quota for bowhead whales.

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SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public of the aboriginal subsistence whaling 
quota for bowhead whales that it has assigned to the Alaska Eskimo 
Whaling Commission (AEWC), and of limitations on the use of the quota 
deriving from regulations of the International Whaling Commission 
(IWC). For 2015, the quota is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota and 
other applicable limitations govern the harvest of bowhead whales by 
members of the AEWC.

DATES: Effective February 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Garcia, (301) 427-8385.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aboriginal subsistence whaling in the United 
States is governed by the Whaling Convention Act (WCA) (16 U.S.C. 916 
et seq.). Under the WCA, IWC regulations shall generally become 
effective with respect to all persons and vessels subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States, within 90 days of notification from 
the IWC Secretariat of an amendment to the IWC Schedule (16 U.S.C. 
916k). Regulations that implement the WCA, found at 50 CFR 230.6, 
require the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to publish, at least 
annually, aboriginal subsistence whaling quotas and any other 
limitations on aboriginal subsistence whaling deriving from regulations 
of the IWC.
    At the 64th Annual Meeting of the IWC, the Commission set catch 
limits for aboriginal subsistence use of bowhead whales from the 
Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock. The bowhead catch limits were based 
on a joint request by the United States and the Russian Federation, 
accompanied by documentation concerning the needs of two Native groups: 
Alaska Eskimos and Chukotka Natives in the Russian Far East.
    The IWC set a 6-year block catch limit of 336 bowhead whales 
landed. For each of the years 2013 through 2018, the number of bowhead 
whales struck may not exceed 67, except that any unused portion of a 
strike quota from any prior year may be carried forward. No more than 
15 strikes may be added to the strike quota for any one year. At the 
end of the 2014 harvest, there were 15 unused strikes available for 
carry-forward, so the combined strike quota set by the IWC for 2015 is 
82 (67 + 15).
    An arrangement between the United States and the Russian Federation 
ensures that the total quota of bowhead whales landed and struck in 
2015 will not exceed the limits set by the IWC. Under this arrangement, 
the Russian natives may use no more than seven strikes, and the Alaska 
Eskimos may use no more than 75 strikes.
    Through its cooperative agreement with the AEWC, NOAA has assigned 
75 strikes to the Alaska Eskimos. The AEWC will in turn allocate these 
strikes among the 11 villages whose cultural and subsistence needs have 
been documented, and will ensure that its hunters use no more than 75 
strikes.

Other Limitations

    The IWC regulations, as well as the NOAA regulation at 50 CFR 
230.4(c), forbid the taking of calves or any whale accompanied by a 
calf.
    NOAA regulations (at 50 CFR 230.4) contain a number of other 
prohibitions relating to aboriginal subsistence whaling, some of which 
are summarized here:
     Only licensed whaling captains or crew under the control 
of those captains may engage in whaling.
     Captains and crew must follow the provisions of the 
relevant cooperative agreement between NOAA and a Native American 
whaling organization.
     The aboriginal hunters must have adequate crew, supplies, 
and equipment to engage in an efficient operation.
     Crew may not receive money for participating in the hunt.
     No person may sell or offer for sale whale products from 
whales taken in the hunt, except for authentic articles of Native 
American handicrafts.
     Captains may not continue to whale after the relevant 
quota is taken, after the season has been closed, or if their licenses 
have been suspended. They may not engage in whaling in a wasteful 
manner.

    Dated: February 19, 2015.
Paul N. Doremus,
Acting Director, Office for International Affairs and Seafood 
Inspection, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-04083 Filed 2-25-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

10460 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 38 / Thursday, February 26, 2015 / Notices

3. Monday, April 6, 2015; 6 p.m.; to all persons and vessels subject to the • Captains and crew must follow the
Webinar; Register to participate: https:// jurisdiction of the United States, within provisions of the relevant cooperative
attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 90 days of notification from the IWC agreement between NOAA and a Native
700212250002809602; call-in (631) 992– Secretariat of an amendment to the IWC American whaling organization.
3221; Access Code 541–819–750. Schedule (16 U.S.C. 916k). Regulations • The aboriginal hunters must have
4. Monday, April 20, 2015; 6 p.m.; that implement the WCA, found at 50 adequate crew, supplies, and equipment
Hilton Hotel, 20 Coogan Boulevard, CFR 230.6, require the Secretary of to engage in an efficient operation.
Mystic, CT 06355; (860) 572–0731. Commerce (Secretary) to publish, at • Crew may not receive money for
least annually, aboriginal subsistence participating in the hunt.
Special Accommodations whaling quotas and any other • No person may sell or offer for sale
The meetings are accessible to people limitations on aboriginal subsistence whale products from whales taken in
with physical disabilities. Requests for whaling deriving from regulations of the the hunt, except for authentic articles of
sign language interpretation or other IWC. Native American handicrafts.
auxiliary aids should be directed to At the 64th Annual Meeting of the • Captains may not continue to whale
Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at least IWC, the Commission set catch limits after the relevant quota is taken, after
five days prior to this meeting date. for aboriginal subsistence use of the season has been closed, or if their
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
bowhead whales from the Bering- licenses have been suspended. They
Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock. The may not engage in whaling in a wasteful
Dated: February 23, 2015 . bowhead catch limits were based on a manner.
Emily H. Menashes, joint request by the United States and
Dated: February 19, 2015.
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable the Russian Federation, accompanied by
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. documentation concerning the needs of Paul N. Doremus,
[FR Doc. 2015–03992 Filed 2–25–15; 8:45 am] two Native groups: Alaska Eskimos and Acting Director, Office for International
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Chukotka Natives in the Russian Far Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
East.
The IWC set a 6-year block catch limit [FR Doc. 2015–04083 Filed 2–25–15; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of 336 bowhead whales landed. For BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

each of the years 2013 through 2018, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric number of bowhead whales struck may
Administration not exceed 67, except that any unused DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
RIN 0648–XD704 portion of a strike quota from any prior
year may be carried forward. No more Office of the Secretary
Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal than 15 strikes may be added to the
Subsistence Whaling Quotas strike quota for any one year. At the end Renewal of Department of Defense
of the 2014 harvest, there were 15 Federal Advisory Committees
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries unused strikes available for carry-
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY:DoD.
forward, so the combined strike quota Renewal of Federal Advisory
ACTION:
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), set by the IWC for 2015 is 82 (67 + 15).
Commerce. Committee.
An arrangement between the United
ACTION: Notice; notification of quota for States and the Russian Federation SUMMARY: The Department of Defense
bowhead whales. ensures that the total quota of bowhead (DoD) is publishing this notice to
whales landed and struck in 2015 will announce that it is renewing the charter
SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public of not exceed the limits set by the IWC.
the aboriginal subsistence whaling for the Missouri River (South Dakota)
Under this arrangement, the Russian Task Force (‘‘the Task Force’’).
quota for bowhead whales that it has natives may use no more than seven
assigned to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim
strikes, and the Alaska Eskimos may use Freeman, Advisory Committee
Commission (AEWC), and of limitations no more than 75 strikes.
on the use of the quota deriving from Management Officer for the Department
Through its cooperative agreement of Defense, 703–692–5952.
regulations of the International Whaling with the AEWC, NOAA has assigned 75
Commission (IWC). For 2015, the quota strikes to the Alaska Eskimos. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota AEWC will in turn allocate these strikes committee’s charter is being renewed
and other applicable limitations govern among the 11 villages whose cultural pursuant to section 905(a) of the
the harvest of bowhead whales by and subsistence needs have been Missouri River Restoration Act of 2000
members of the AEWC. documented, and will ensure that its (‘‘the Missouri River Restoration Act’’)
DATES: Effective February 26, 2015. hunters use no more than 75 strikes. (Title IX of Pub. L. 106–541, the Water
ADDRESSES: Office for International
Resources Development Act of 2000)
Other Limitations and in accordance with the Federal
Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National
Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East- The IWC regulations, as well as the Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD NOAA regulation at 50 CFR 230.4(c), 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended)
20910. forbid the taking of calves or any whale and 41 CFR 102–3.50(a).
accompanied by a calf. The Task Force is a non-discretionary
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: NOAA regulations (at 50 CFR 230.4) Federal advisory committee that shall
rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Melissa Garcia, (301) 427–8385. contain a number of other prohibitions provide independent advice and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aboriginal relating to aboriginal subsistence recommendations to the Secretary of the
subsistence whaling in the United States whaling, some of which are summarized Army on plans and projects to reduce
is governed by the Whaling Convention here: siltation of the Missouri River in the
Act (WCA) (16 U.S.C. 916 et seq.). • Only licensed whaling captains or State of South Dakota and to meet the
Under the WCA, IWC regulations shall crew under the control of those captains objectives of the Pick-Sloan Missouri
generally become effective with respect may engage in whaling. River Basin Program authorized by

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Document Created: 2015-12-18 13:04:54
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 13:04:54

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice; notification of quota for bowhead whales.
Dates		Effective February 26, 2015.
Contact		Melissa Garcia, (301) 427-8385.
FR Citation		80 FR 10460
RIN Number		0648-XD70

80 FR 10460 - Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 38 (February 26, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration