80_FR_18887 80 FR 18820 - Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for American Samoa

80 FR 18820 - Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for American Samoa

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 67 (April 8, 2015)

Page Range18820-18821
FR Document2015-08070

NMFS announces approval of a marine conservation plan (MCP) for American Samoa.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18820-18821]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08070]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD413


Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for American 
Samoa

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

ACTION: Notice of agency decision.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces approval of a marine conservation plan (MCP) 
for American Samoa.

DATES: This agency decision is effective from April 1, 2015, through 
March 31, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the MCP, identified by NOAA-NMFS-
2014-0095, from the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0095, or from the Western Pacific

[[Page 18821]]

Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, 
Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, www.wpcouncil.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Harman, Sustainable Fisheries, 
NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808-725-5170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 204(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) and in consultation with the Council, 
to negotiate and enter into a Pacific Insular Area fishery agreement 
(PIAFA). A PIAFA would allow foreign fishing within the U.S. Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to American Samoa, Guam, or the Northern 
Mariana Islands with the concurrence of, and in consultation with, the 
Governor of the Pacific Insular Area to which the PIAFA applies. Before 
entering into a PIAFA, the appropriate Governor, with the concurrence 
of the Council, must develop a 3-year MCP providing details on uses for 
any funds collected by the Secretary under the PIAFA.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires payments received under a PIAFA 
to be deposited into the United States Treasury and then conveyed to 
the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for which funds were 
collected. In the case of violations by foreign fishing vessels in the 
EEZ around any Pacific Insular Area, amounts received by the Secretary 
attributable to fines and penalties imposed under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, including sums collected from the forfeiture and disposition or 
sale of property seized subject to its authority, shall be deposited 
into the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area adjacent to the EEZ in 
which the violation occurred, after direct costs of the enforcement 
action are subtracted. The government may use funds deposited into the 
Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for fisheries enforcement and for 
implementation of an MCP.
    An MCP must be consistent with the Council's fishery ecosystem 
plans, must identify conservation and management objectives (including 
criteria for determining when such objectives are met), and must 
prioritize planned marine conservation projects. Although no foreign 
fishing is being considered at this time, at its 160th meeting held 
June 24-27, 2014, in Honolulu, the Council reviewed and approved the 
MCP for American Samoa and recommended its submission to the Secretary 
for approval. On March 16, 2015, the Governor of American Samoa 
submitted the MCP to NMFS, the designee of the Secretary, for review 
and approval.
    The American Samoa MCP contains six conservation and management 
objectives, listed below. Please refer to the MCP for planned projects 
and activities designed to meet each objective, the evaluative 
criteria, and priority rankings.

MCP Objectives

    1. Maximize social and economic benefits through sustainable 
fisheries development.
    2. Support quality scientific research to assess and manage 
fisheries.
    3. Promote an ecosystem approach in fisheries management, reduce 
waste in fisheries and minimize interactions between fisheries and 
protected species.
    4. Recognize the importance of island culture and traditional 
fishing in managing fishery resources and foster opportunities for 
participation.
    5. Promote education and outreach activities and regional 
collaboration regarding fisheries conservation.
    6. Encourage development of technologies and methods to achieve the 
most effective level of enforcement and to ensure safety at sea.
    This notice announces that NMFS has determined that the American 
Samoa MCP satisfies the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
approves the MCP for the 3-year period from April 1, 2015, through 
March 31, 2018. This MCP supersedes the one approved for the period 
August 11, 2012, through August 10, 2015 (77 FR 58813, September 24, 
2012).

    Dated: April 3, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08070 Filed 4-7-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

18820 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Central California Coast (CCC), would be used occasionally. Sub-adult threatened California Central Valley salmonids (i.e., fish larger than 250 mm) National Oceanic and Atmospheric (CCV). that survive capture would have fin Administration tissue and scale samples taken, and then Authority RIN 0648–XD873 be released. Any subadult salmonids Scientific research permits are issued that do not survive capture, and all Endangered and Threatened Species; in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A) juvenile salmonids (i.e., fish larger than Take of Anadromous Fish of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and 80 mm but less than 250 mm) would be regulations governing listed fish and lethally sampled (i.e., intentional AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222–227). directed mortality) in order to collect (1) Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and NMFS issues permits based on findings otoliths for age and growth studies; (2) Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), that such permits: (1) Are applied for in coded wire tags for origin and age of Commerce. good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, hatchery fish; (3) muscle tissue for ACTION: Application for one new would not operate to the disadvantage stable isotopes and/or lipid assays; (4) scientific research permit. of the listed species that are the subject stomachs and contents for diet studies; SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that of the permit; and (3) are consistent and (5) other tissues including the heart, NMFS has received a permit application with the purposes and policy of section liver, intestines, pyloric caeca, and request for a new scientific research 2 of the ESA. The authority to take kidney for special studies upon request. permit. The proposed research is listed species is subject to conditions set This notice is provided pursuant to intended to increase knowledge of forth in the permits. section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS will species listed under the Endangered Anyone requesting a hearing on an evaluate the applications, associated Species Act (ESA) and to help guide application listed in this notice should documents, and comments submitted to management, conservation, and set out the specific reasons why a determine whether the applications recovery efforts. The application may be hearing on that application would be meet the requirements of section 10(a) viewed online at: https:// appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such of the ESA and Federal regulations. The apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ hearings are held at the discretion of the final permit decisions will not be made preview_open_for_comment.cfm. Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, until after the end of the 30-day NMFS. comment period. NMFS will publish DATES: Comments or requests for a Application Received notice of its final action in the Federal public hearing on the application must Register. be received at the appropriate address or Permit 19320 fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later Dated: April 2, 2015. than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on The NMFS Southwest Fisheries Angela Somma, May 8, 2015. Science Center (SWFSC), Fisheries Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Ecology Division (FED) is requesting a of Protected Resources, National Marine application should be submitted to the permit to annually take sub-adult and Fisheries Service. Protected Resources Division, NMFS, juvenile listed salmon and steelhead for [FR Doc. 2015–07945 Filed 4–7–15; 8:45 am] 777 Sonoma Avenue, Room 325, Santa a period of five years. The permit would BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Rosa, CA 95404. Comments may also be authorize research designed to (1) submitted via fax to 707–578–3435 or by determine the inter-annual and seasonal email to nmfs.swr.apps@noaa.gov variability in growth, feeding, and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (include the permit number in the energy status among juvenile salmonids subject line of the fax or email). in the coastal ocean off northern and National Oceanic and Atmospheric central California; (2) determine Administration FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Jahn, Santa Rosa, CA (ph.: 707– migration paths and spatial distribution RIN 0648–XD413 575–6097), Fax: 707–578–3435, email: among genetically distinct salmonid Jeffrey.Jahn@noaa.gov). Permit stocks during their early ocean Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine application instructions are available residence; (3) characterize the biological Conservation Plan for American from the address above, or online at and physical oceanographic features Samoa https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov. associated with juvenile salmon ocean habitat from the shore to the continental AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and shelf break; (4) identify potential links Species Covered in This Notice between coastal geography, Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), oceanographic features, and salmon Commerce. The following listed species are covered in this notice: distribution patterns; and (5) identify ACTION: Notice of agency decision. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus and test ecological indices for salmon survival. This research would benefit SUMMARY: NMFS announces approval of tshawytscha): threatened Snake River a marine conservation plan (MCP) for spring/summer-run (SR spr/sum); listed fish by informing comprehensive lifecycle models that incorporate both American Samoa. threatened Lower Columbia River (LCR); threatened California Coastal (CC); freshwater and marine conditions and DATES: This agency decision is effective recognize the relationship between the from April 1, 2015, through March 31, asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES threatened Central Valley spring-run (CVSR), endangered Sacramento River two habitats; it would also identify and 2018. winter-run (SRWR). predict sources of salmon mortality at ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of Coho salmon (O. kisutch): threatened sea and thereby help managers develop the MCP, identified by NOAA–NMFS– Southern Oregon/Northern California indices of salmonid survival in the 2014–0095, from the Federal e- Coast (SONCC); endangered Central marine environment. Rulemaking Portal, California Coast (CCC). Listed fish would be captured www.regulations.gov/ Steelhead (O. mykiss): threatened primarily via surface trawling, however #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014- Northern California (NC); threatened midwater trawling and beach seining 0095, or from the Western Pacific VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Apr 07, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 8, 2015 / Notices 18821 Fishery Management Council (Council), Governor of American Samoa submitted Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, the MCP to NMFS, the designee of the (Assistant Regional Administrator), has HI 96813, tel 808–522–8220, Secretary, for review and approval. made a preliminary determination that www.wpcouncil.org. The American Samoa MCP contains an exempted fishing permit application FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob six conservation and management contains all of the required information Harman, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS objectives, listed below. Please refer to and warrants further consideration. This Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808– the MCP for planned projects and exempted fishing permit would allow 725–5170. activities designed to meet each up to three commercial fishing vessels objective, the evaluative criteria, and to conduct exploratory fishing in year- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section priority rankings. round groundfish closed areas (Closed 204(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Areas I and II) for the purposes of Conservation and Management Act MCP Objectives obtaining fisheries dependent catch (Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the 1. Maximize social and economic information. This research is being Secretary of State, with the concurrence benefits through sustainable fisheries conducted by Atlantic Trawlers Fishing, of the Secretary of Commerce development. Inc. (Secretary) and in consultation with the 2. Support quality scientific research Regulations under the Magnuson- Council, to negotiate and enter into a to assess and manage fisheries. Stevens Fishery Conservation and Pacific Insular Area fishery agreement 3. Promote an ecosystem approach in Management Act require publication of (PIAFA). A PIAFA would allow foreign fisheries management, reduce waste in this notification to provide interested fishing within the U.S. Exclusive fisheries and minimize interactions parties the opportunity to comment on Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to between fisheries and protected species. applications for proposed exempted American Samoa, Guam, or the 4. Recognize the importance of island fishing permits. Northern Mariana Islands with the culture and traditional fishing in DATES: Comments must be received on concurrence of, and in consultation managing fishery resources and foster or before April 23, 2015. with, the Governor of the Pacific Insular opportunities for participation. Area to which the PIAFA applies. ADDRESSES: You may submit written 5. Promote education and outreach Before entering into a PIAFA, the comments by any of the following activities and regional collaboration appropriate Governor, with the methods: regarding fisheries conservation. • Email nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. concurrence of the Council, must 6. Encourage development of develop a 3-year MCP providing details Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments technologies and methods to achieve the on uses for any funds collected by the on Exploratory Closed Area Fishing most effective level of enforcement and Secretary under the PIAFA. EFP.’’ to ensure safety at sea. • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires This notice announces that NMFS has payments received under a PIAFA to be Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional determined that the American Samoa deposited into the United States Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, MCP satisfies the requirements of the Treasury and then conveyed to the Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside Magnuson-Stevens Act and approves Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Closed the MCP for the 3-year period from which funds were collected. In the case Area Exploratory Fishing EFP.’’ April 1, 2015, through March 31, 2018. of violations by foreign fishing vessels FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: This MCP supersedes the one approved in the EEZ around any Pacific Insular for the period August 11, 2012, through Brett Alger, Fisheries Management Area, amounts received by the Secretary August 10, 2015 (77 FR 58813, Specialist, 978–675–2153, brett.alger@ attributable to fines and penalties September 24, 2012). noaa.gov. imposed under the Magnuson-Stevens Dated: April 3, 2015. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a 2014 Act, including sums collected from the proposed rule for Northeast Alan D. Risenhoover, forfeiture and disposition or sale of Multispecies Sectors that would have property seized subject to its authority, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, allowed vessels using selective trawl National Marine Fisheries Service. shall be deposited into the Treasury of gear into portions of year-round Georges [FR Doc. 2015–08070 Filed 4–7–15; 8:45 am] the Pacific Insular Area adjacent to the Bank (GB) groundfish closed areas (CAs) EEZ in which the violation occurred, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P I and II, we announced interest in after direct costs of the enforcement gathering catch data from these areas action are subtracted. The government through exempted fishing permits DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE may use funds deposited into the (EFPs) (79 FR 14639, March 17, 2014). Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Because many of these areas have been fisheries enforcement and for Administration closed to groundfish bottom trawling for implementation of an MCP. nearly 20 years, fisheries dependent An MCP must be consistent with the RIN 0648–XD885 data collected through an EFP would Council’s fishery ecosystem plans, must help inform whether to allow identify conservation and management Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; conditional access to CAs I and II to objectives (including criteria for General Provisions for Domestic sector vessels through the sector determining when such objectives are Fisheries; Application for Exempted exemption process. Data from vessels met), and must prioritize planned Fishing Permits operating under an EFP may be used to asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES marine conservation projects. Although AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries characterize catch rates of target and no foreign fishing is being considered at Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and non-target species in the CAs, as well as this time, at its 160th meeting held June Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), help inform industry on the economic 24–27, 2014, in Honolulu, the Council Commerce. feasibility of industry-funded reviewed and approved the MCP for ACTION: Notice; request for comments. monitoring for trips into CAs I and II. American Samoa and recommended its In April 2014, we announced our submission to the Secretary for SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional intention to issue an EFP to Atlantic approval. On March 16, 2015, the Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Trawlers Fishing, Inc. (79 FR 23940, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Apr 07, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1


Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:07:04
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:07:04
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of agency decision.
DatesThis agency decision is effective from April 1, 2015, through March 31, 2018.
ContactBob Harman, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808-725-5170.
FR Citation80 FR 18820 
RIN Number0648-XD41
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