80 FR 15193 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 55 (March 23, 2015)

Page Range		15193-15194
FR Document		2015-06550

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. This Exempted Fishing Permit would allow one commercial fishing vessel to fish outside of the limited access scallop days-at-sea program in support of research conducted by the National Fisheries Institute that is investigating scallop incidental mortality in the scallop dredge fishery. Additionally, the Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt participating vessels from the crew size restriction; mesh size restrictions; obstruction in gear restrictions; and possession limits and minimum size requirements for sampling purposes only. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 55 (Monday, March 23, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15193-15194]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06550]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD844


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. This 
Exempted Fishing Permit would allow one commercial fishing vessel to 
fish outside of the limited access scallop days-at-sea program in 
support of research conducted by the National Fisheries Institute that 
is investigating scallop incidental mortality in the scallop dredge 
fishery. Additionally, the Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt 
participating vessels from the crew size restriction; mesh size 
restrictions; obstruction in gear restrictions; and possession limits 
and minimum size requirements for sampling purposes only.
    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 April 7, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on NFI 2014 Incidental Discard Mortality EFP.''
     Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on 
NFI 2014 Incidental Discard Mortality EFP.''
     Fax: (978) 281-9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management 
Specialist, 978-282-8456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA awarded the National Fisheries 
Institute (NFI) a grant through the 2014 Atlantic sea scallop research 
set-aside program in support of a project titled, ``Determining 
Incidental Discard Mortality of Atlantic Sea Scallops, Placopecten 
magellanicus, in the Scallop Dredge Fishery in the Mid-Atlantic 
Bight.'' NFI submitted a complete Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) 
application on May 13, 2014, but delayed work on the project until 
spring of 2015. NFI is requesting exemptions that would allow one 
commercial fishing vessel to fish outside of the limited access 
Atlantic sea scallop days-at-sea (DAS) regulations found at 50 CFR 
648.53(b); mesh size restrictions at Sec.  648.51(a)(2); obstruction in 
dredge gear restrictions at Sec.  648.51(b)(4)(iii); and the crew size 
regulations at Sec.  648.51(c). In addition, the EFP would temporarily 
exempt the participating vessel from possession limits and minimum size 
requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subsections B and D through 
O, for sampling purposes only. Any fishing activity conducted outside

[[Page 15194]]

the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited.
    The project would conduct dredging activities to assess the 
incidental mortality of scallops passing through the 4-inch (10.16-cm) 
rings of a 12-foot (4.57-meter) Turtle Deflector Dredge on sandy and 
hard (gravel) substrates. Dredging would be conducted over 
approximately 5 DAS during the proposed period of May 2015 through June 
2015. All dredging would occur in open access scallop fishing areas off 
the coast of New Jersey. A total of 20 scallop tows would be conducted 
(10 tows per substrate). Each tow would be made at depths of 18 to 25 
fathoms for a duration of 40 minutes. The scallop vessel would fish two 
dredges simultaneously. One dredge would use an experimental net bag 
cover and the other would fish with the industry standard 12-foot 
(4.57-meter) turtle excluder dredge. The experimental cover is 
constructed of 1\7/8\-inch (4.76-cm) mesh and sewn into the top of the 
dredge apron. The bag can be dumped independently of the 4-inch (10.16-
cm) ring bag to collect the scallops and other organisms that pass 
through the 4-inch (10.16-cm) rings. The dredge configurations would be 
switched to the opposite side after five tows for each substrate.
    All scallops that filter through the 4-inch (10.16-cm) rings and 
into the mesh bag would be measured for shell height and assessed for 
damage to the shell in one of three categories: Not injured; sub-lethal 
(repairable); or lethal (non-repairable). After shell condition is 
assessed, shells would be spray painted with tow number in the 
corresponding spray paint color and placed in a whelk pot, which would 
be attached to the sea floor near the fishing grounds. Two additional 
DAS would be utilized, one each at 1 week and 2 weeks after initial 
survey, to assess mortality based on initial damage. The whelk pots 
would be removed from the ocean bottom after week-two sampling is 
complete. The weight of scallop catch retained in the 4-inch (10.16-cm) 
ring bags of both dredges would be estimated by the captain. 
Researchers would take shell measurements of a subsample of 50 scallops 
per tow per dredge to determine size selectivity within each dredge. 
All other bycatch in the experimental net bag would be sorted, the 
captain would estimate the weights, and researchers would measure a 
minimum of 25 lengths per individual species. No catch would 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.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

     Dated: March 18, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-06550 Filed 3-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / Notices 15193

structure with respect to the production Oral presentations will be limited to days-at-sea program in support of
and sale of the subject merchandise. issues raised in the briefs. If a request research conducted by the National
Thus, we preliminarily determine that for a hearing is made, parties will be Fisheries Institute that is investigating
Qingshui operates as the same business notified of the time and date for the scallop incidental mortality in the
entity as Cangshan Qingshui with hearing to be held at the U.S. scallop dredge fishery. Additionally, the
respect to the subject merchandise. A Department of Commerce, 1401 Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt
list of topics discussed in the Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, participating vessels from the crew size
Preliminary Decision Memorandum DC 20230.19 restriction; mesh size restrictions;
appears in the Appendix to this notice. obstruction in gear restrictions; and
If the Department upholds these Final Results of the Review
possession limits and minimum size
preliminary results in the final results, In accordance with 19 CFR requirements for sampling purposes
Qingshui will be assigned the cash 351.216(e), the Department intends to only.
deposit rate currently assigned to issue the final results of this changed Regulations under the Magnuson-
Cangshan Qingshui with respect to the circumstances review, not later than 270 Stevens Fishery Conservation and
subject merchandise (i.e., the $3.06 per days after the date on which the review Management Act require publication of
kilogram cash deposit rate currently is initiated. this notification to provide interested
assigned to Cangshan Qingshui).11 If parties the opportunity to comment on
Notification to Parties
these preliminary results are adopted in applications for proposed Exempted
the final results of this changed The Department issues and publishes Fishing Permits.
circumstances review, we will instruct these results in accordance with DATES: Comments must be received on
U.S. Customs and Border Protection to sections 751(b)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the or before April 7, 2015.
suspend liquidation of entries of fresh Act and 19 CFR 351.216 and 351.221.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
garlic made and exported by Qingshui, Dated: March 17, 2015. comments by any of the following
effective on the publication date of the Paul Piquado, methods:
final results, at the cash deposit rate Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov.
assigned to Cangshan Qingshui. Compliance. Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments
Public Comment on NFI 2014 Incidental Discard
Appendix Mortality EFP.’’
Interested parties may submit written
List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional
comments by no later than 30 days after
Decision Memorandum Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
the date of publication of these
preliminary results of review in the I. Summary Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
Federal Register.12 Rebuttals, limited to II. Background Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
issues raised in the written comments, III. Scope of the Order Mark the outside of the envelope
may be filed by no later than five days IV. Preliminary Results of Changed ‘‘Comments on NFI 2014 Incidental
Circumstances Review Discard Mortality EFP.’’
after the written comments are filed.13 V. Recommendation • Fax: (978) 281–9135.
Parties that submit written comments or
rebuttals are encouraged to submit with [FR Doc. 2015–06558 Filed 3–20–15; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
each argument: (1) A statement of the BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management
issue; (2) a brief summary of the Specialist, 978–282–8456.
argument; and (3) a table of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA
authorities.14 All briefs are to be filed DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE awarded the National Fisheries Institute
electronically using ACCESS.15 An (NFI) a grant through the 2014 Atlantic
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
electronically filed document must be sea scallop research set-aside program
Administration
received successfully in its entirety by in support of a project titled,
ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on RIN 0648–XD844 ‘‘Determining Incidental Discard
the day on which it is due.16 Mortality of Atlantic Sea Scallops,
Any interested party may request a Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Placopecten magellanicus, in the
hearing to the Assistant Secretary of General Provisions for Domestic Scallop Dredge Fishery in the Mid-
Enforcement and Compliance using Fisheries; Application for Exempted Atlantic Bight.’’ NFI submitted a
ACCESS within 30 days of publication Fishing Permits complete Exempted Fishing Permit
of this notice in the Federal Register.17 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries (EFP) application on May 13, 2014, but
Hearing requests should contain the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and delayed work on the project until spring
following information: (1) The party’s Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), of 2015. NFI is requesting exemptions
name, address, and telephone number; Commerce. that would allow one commercial
(2) the number of participants; and (3) fishing vessel to fish outside of the
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
a list of the issues to be discussed.18 limited access Atlantic sea scallop days-
SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional at-sea (DAS) regulations found at 50
11 See Fresh Garlic From the People’s Republic of Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, CFR 648.53(b); mesh size restrictions at
China: Final Results of the Semiannual § 648.51(a)(2); obstruction in dredge
Antidumping Duty New Shipper Review of Jinxiang
Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has
Merry Vegetable Co., Ltd. and Cangshan Qingshui made a preliminary determination that gear restrictions at § 648.51(b)(4)(iii);
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Vegetable Foods Co., Ltd.; 2012–2013, 79 FR 62103, an Exempted Fishing Permit application and the crew size regulations at
(October 16, 2014). contains all of the required information § 648.51(c). In addition, the EFP would
12 See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii).
13 See 19 CFR 351.309(d)(1).
and warrants further consideration. This temporarily exempt the participating
14 See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) & (d)(2). Exempted Fishing Permit would allow vessel from possession limits and
15 See 19 CFR 351.303(b) and (f). one commercial fishing vessel to fish minimum size requirements specified in
16 See 19 CFR 351.303(b) outside of the limited access scallop 50 CFR part 648, subsections B and D
17 See 19 CFR 351.310(c). through O, for sampling purposes only.
18 See id. 19 See 19 CFR 351.310(d). Any fishing activity conducted outside

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15194 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / Notices

the scope of the exempted fishing year. EFP modifications and extensions Statements and providing guidance on
activity would be prohibited. may be granted without further notice if continued development of Fishery
The project would conduct dredging they are deemed essential to facilitate Ecosystem Plan II. The AP will receive
activities to assess the incidental completion of the proposed research presentations from Bureau of Ocean
mortality of scallops passing through and have minimal impacts that do not Energy Management (BOEM) Office of
the 4-inch (10.16-cm) rings of a 12-foot change the scope or impact of the Renewable Energy Programs and BOEM
(4.57-meter) Turtle Deflector Dredge on initially approved EFP request. Any Outer Continental Shelf/Geological and
sandy and hard (gravel) substrates. fishing activity conducted outside the Geophysical Programs on mapping,
Dredging would be conducted over scope of the exempted fishing activity characterization, impact analyses and
approximately 5 DAS during the would be prohibited. planning efforts in the South Atlantic
proposed period of May 2015 through Region.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
June 2015. All dredging would occur in The AP will subsequently discuss
open access scallop fishing areas off the Dated: March 18, 2015. redrafting the EFH Policy Statement on
coast of New Jersey. A total of 20 scallop Emily H. Menashes, Energy Exploration, Development and
tows would be conducted (10 tows per Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Transportation. The AP will provide
substrate). Each tow would be made at Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. recommendations to the Council for
depths of 18 to 25 fathoms for a [FR Doc. 2015–06550 Filed 3–20–15; 8:45 am] consideration.
duration of 40 minutes. The scallop BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
vessel would fish two dredges Special Accommodations
simultaneously. One dredge would use The meeting is physically accessible
an experimental net bag cover and the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE to people with disabilities. Requests for
other would fish with the industry auxiliary aids should be directed to the
standard 12-foot (4.57-meter) turtle National Oceanic and Atmospheric Council office (see ADDRESSES) 3 days
excluder dredge. The experimental Administration prior to the meeting.
cover is constructed of 17⁄8-inch (4.76- RIN 0648–XD822 Note: The times and sequence specified in
cm) mesh and sewn into the top of the this agenda are subject to change.
dredge apron. The bag can be dumped Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South
independently of the 4-inch (10.16-cm) Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Dated: March 17, 2015.
ring bag to collect the scallops and other Public Meeting Tracey L. Thompson,
organisms that pass through the 4-inch Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
(10.16-cm) rings. The dredge AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
configurations would be switched to the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
[FR Doc. 2015–06436 Filed 3–20–15; 8:45 am]
opposite side after five tows for each Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
substrate. Commerce.
All scallops that filter through the 4- ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
inch (10.16-cm) rings and into the mesh
bag would be measured for shell height SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL
and assessed for damage to the shell in Management Council will hold a PROTECTION
one of three categories: Not injured; meeting of its Habitat and [Docket No: CFPB–2015–0012]
sub–lethal (repairable); or lethal (non- Environmental Protection (Habitat)
repairable). After shell condition is Advisory Panel (AP) in N. Charleston, Agency Information Collection
assessed, shells would be spray painted SC. The meeting is open to the public. Activities: Comment Request
with tow number in the corresponding DATES: The meeting will be held from 9 AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial
spray paint color and placed in a whelk a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April Protection.
pot, which would be attached to the sea 7, 2015, and from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
floor near the fishing grounds. Two ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015.
additional DAS would be utilized, one ADDRESSES: SUMMARY: In accordance with the
each at 1 week and 2 weeks after initial Meeting address: The meeting will be Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
survey, to assess mortality based on held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4381 (PRA), the Consumer Financial
initial damage. The whelk pots would Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston, Protection Bureau (Bureau) is requesting
be removed from the ocean bottom after SC 29418; telephone: (843) 744–4422; a new generic information collection
week-two sampling is complete. The fax: (843) 744–4472. plan, titled, ‘‘Generic Information
weight of scallop catch retained in the Collection Plan for Surveys Using the
Council address: South Atlantic
4-inch (10.16-cm) ring bags of both Consumer Credit Panel’’.
Fishery Management Council, 4055
dredges would be estimated by the
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. DATES: Written comments are
captain. Researchers would take shell
Charleston, SC 29405. encouraged and must be received on or
measurements of a subsample of 50
scallops per tow per dredge to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim before May 22, 2015 to be assured of
determine size selectivity within each Iverson, Public Information Officer, consideration.
dredge. All other bycatch in the South Atlantic Fishery Management ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
experimental net bag would be sorted, Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite identified by the title of the information
201, N. Charleston, SC 29405;
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

the captain would estimate the weights, collection, OMB Control Number (see
and researchers would measure a telephone: (843) 571–4366 or toll free: below), and docket number (see above),
minimum of 25 lengths per individual (866) SAFMC–10; fax: (843) 769–4520; by any of the following methods:
species. No catch would be landed for email: kim.iverson@safmc.net. • Electronic: http://
sale. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The www.regulations.gov. Follow the
If approved, the applicant may Habitat AP will work on updating instructions for submitting comments.
request minor modifications and existing and developing new Council • Mail: Consumer Financial
extensions to the EFP throughout the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Policy Protection Bureau (Attention: PRA

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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:47:40
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:47:40

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; request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before April 7, 2015.
Contact		Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456.
FR Citation		80 FR 15193
RIN Number		0648-XD84

80 FR 15193 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 55 (March 23, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration