80_FR_24328 80 FR 24245 - Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals

80 FR 24245 - Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 83 (April 30, 2015)

Page Range24245-24246
FR Document2015-10167

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has issued an affirmative finding annual renewal for the Government of Spain under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding annual renewal will allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Spanish-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Spanish jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding annual renewal was based on review of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Spain and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24245-24246]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10167]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD881


Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals

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

ACTION: Notice; affirmative finding annual renewal.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant 
Administrator) has issued an affirmative finding annual renewal for the 
Government of Spain under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This 
affirmative finding annual renewal will allow yellowfin tuna and 
yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean 
(ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program 
(IDCP) by Spanish-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels 
operating under Spanish jurisdiction to be imported into the United 
States. The affirmative finding annual renewal was based on review of 
documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Spain and obtained 
from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).

DATES: The affirmative finding annual renewal is effective from April 
1, 2014, through March 31, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 
90802. Phone: 562-980-3264 Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows

[[Page 24246]]

for importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested by 
purse seine vessels in the ETP under certain conditions. If requested 
by the harvesting nation, the Assistant Administrator will determine 
whether to make an affirmative finding based upon documentary evidence 
provided by the government of the harvesting nation, the IATTC, or the 
Department of State.
    The affirmative finding process requires that the harvesting nation 
is meeting its obligations under the IDCP and obligations of membership 
in the IATTC. Every 5 years, the government of the harvesting nation 
must request a new affirmative finding and submit the required 
documentary evidence directly to the Assistant Administrator. On an 
annual basis, NMFS reviews the affirmative finding and determines 
whether the harvesting nation continues to meet the requirements. A 
nation may provide information related to compliance with IDCP and 
IATTC measures directly to NMFS on an annual basis or may authorize the 
IATTC to release the information to NMFS to annually renew an 
affirmative finding determination without an application from the 
harvesting nation.
    An affirmative finding will be terminated, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State, if the Assistant Administrator determines that the 
requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no longer being met or that a 
nation is consistently failing to take enforcement actions on 
violations, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the IDCP.
    As a part of the affirmative finding process set forth in 50 CFR 
216.24(f), the Assistant Administrator considered documentary evidence 
submitted by the Government of Spain and obtained from the IATTC and 
has determined that Spain has met the MMPA's requirements to receive an 
affirmative finding annual renewal.
    After consultation with the Department of State, the Assistant 
Administrator issued an affirmative finding annual renewal to Spain, 
allowing the continued importation into the United States of yellowfin 
tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by 
Spanish-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under 
Spanish jurisdiction through March 31, 2015. Spain's 5-year affirmative 
finding will remain valid through March 31, 2015.

    Dated: April 24, 2015.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10167 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices 24245 also considered healthy. In summary, action. Therefore, we have determined review at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ and based on extensive monitoring data, that the total taking of affected species permits/incidental/construction.htm. we believe that impacts to hauled-out or stocks would not have an unmitigable Authorization pinnipeds during estuary management adverse impact on the availability of activities would be behavioral such species or stocks for taking for As a result of these determinations, harassment of limited duration (i.e., less subsistence purposes. we have issued an IHA to SCWA to than one day) and limited intensity (i.e., conduct estuary management activities Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the Russian River from the period of temporary flushing at most). Stampeding, and therefore injury or No species listed under the ESA are April 21, 2015, through April 20, 2016, mortality, is not expected—nor been expected to be affected by these provided the previously mentioned documented—in the years since activities. Therefore, we have mitigation, monitoring, and reporting appropriate protocols were established determined that a section 7 consultation requirements are implemented. (see Mitigation for more details). under the ESA is not required. As Dated: April 27, 2015. Further, the continued, and increasingly described elsewhere in this document, Donna S. Wieting, heavy (Figure 4; SCWA, 2015), use of SCWA and the Corps consulted with NMFS under section 7 of the ESA Director, Office of Protected Resources, the haul-out despite decades of National Marine Fisheries Service. breaching events indicates that regarding the potential effects of their operations and maintenance activities, [FR Doc. 2015–10115 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am] abandonment of the haul-out is unlikely. Based on the analysis including SCWA’s estuary management BILLING CODE 3510–22–P contained herein of the likely effects of program, on ESA-listed salmonids. As a the specified activity on marine result of this consultation, NMFS issued the Russian River Biological Opinion DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE mammals and their habitat, and taking into consideration the implementation (NMFS, 2008), including Reasonable National Oceanic and Atmospheric of the planned monitoring and and Prudent Alternatives, which Administration mitigation measures, we find that the prescribes modifications to SCWA’s total marine mammal take from SCWA’s estuary management activities. The RIN 0648–XD881 estuary management activities will have effects of the proposed activities and a negligible impact on the affected authorized take would not cause Taking and Importing of Marine marine mammal species or stocks. additional effects for which section 7 Mammals consultation would be required. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Small Numbers Analysis National Environmental Policy Act Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and The authorized number of animals Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), (NEPA) taken for each species of pinniped can Commerce. be considered small relative to the In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 ACTION: Notice; affirmative finding population size. There are an estimated U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), as implemented by annual renewal. 30,968 harbor seals in the California stock, 296,750 California sea lions, and the regulations published by the SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator 179,000 northern elephant seals in the Council on Environmental Quality (40 for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant California breeding population. Based CFR parts 1500–1508), and NOAA Administrator) has issued an affirmative on extensive monitoring effort specific Administrative Order 216–6, we finding annual renewal for the to the affected haul-out and historical prepared an Environmental Assessment Government of Spain under the Marine data on the frequency of the specified (EA) to consider the direct, indirect and Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This activity, we are proposing to authorize cumulative effects to the human affirmative finding annual renewal will take, by Level B harassment only, of environment resulting from issuance of allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna 3,976 harbor seals, 34 California sea the original IHA to SCWA for the products harvested in the eastern lions, and 34 northern elephant seals, specified activities and found that it tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in representing 12.8, 0.01, and 0.02 percent would not result in any significant compliance with the International of the populations, respectively. impacts to the human environment. We Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) However, this represents an signed a Finding of No Significant by Spanish-flag purse seine vessels or overestimate of the number of Impact (FONSI) on March 30, 2010. We purse seine vessels operating under individuals harassed over the duration have reviewed SWCA’s application for a Spanish jurisdiction to be imported into of the IHA, because these totals renewed IHA for ongoing estuary the United States. The affirmative represent much smaller numbers of management activities for 2015 and the finding annual renewal was based on individuals that may be harassed 2014 monitoring report. Based on that review of documentary evidence multiple times. Based on the analysis review, we have determined that the submitted by the Government of Spain contained herein of the likely effects of proposed action follows closely the and obtained from the Inter-American the specified activity on marine IHAs issued and implemented in 2010– Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). mammals and their habitat, and taking 13 and does not present any substantial changes, or significant new DATES: The affirmative finding annual into consideration the implementation circumstances or information relevant to renewal is effective from April 1, 2014, of the mitigation and monitoring environmental concerns which would through March 31, 2015. measures, we find that small numbers of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES marine mammals will be taken relative require a supplement to the 2010 EA or to the populations of the affected preparation of a new NEPA document. Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, species or stocks. Therefore, we have determined that a National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 new or supplemental EA or W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. Impact on Availability of Affected Environmental Impact Statement is Phone: 562–980–3264 Email: Species for Taking for Subsistence Uses unnecessary, and reaffirm the existing justin.greenman@noaa.gov. There are no relevant subsistence uses FONSI for this action. The 2010 EA and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The of marine mammals implicated by this FONSI for this action are available for MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Apr 29, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM 30APN1

24246 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices for importation into the United States of Dated: April 24, 2015. 544685613. On May 20, participants can yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine Eileen Sobeck, join Meeting ID: 991–327–765 at vessels in the ETP under certain Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/ conditions. If requested by the National Marine Fisheries Service. 991327765. On May 21, participants can harvesting nation, the Assistant [FR Doc. 2015–10167 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am] join Meeting ID: 845–869–013 at Administrator will determine whether BILLING CODE 3510–22–P https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/ to make an affirmative finding based 845869013. Once you have joined the upon documentary evidence provided webinar, choose either your computer’s by the government of the harvesting DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE audio or select ‘‘Use Telephone.’’ If you do not select ‘‘Use Telephone’’ you will nation, the IATTC, or the Department of National Oceanic and Atmospheric be connected to audio using your State. Administration computer’s microphone and speakers The affirmative finding process (VolP). If you do not have a headset and RIN 0648–XD903 requires that the harvesting nation is speakers, you may use the conference meeting its obligations under the IDCP Pacific Fishery Management Council; line number by dialing 1–888–790– and obligations of membership in the Public Meeting 6085, and entering passcode 1730793 at IATTC. Every 5 years, the government of the prompt. the harvesting nation must request a AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Although non-emergency issues not new affirmative finding and submit the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and contained in the meeting agenda may be required documentary evidence directly Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), discussed, those issues may not be the to the Assistant Administrator. On an Commerce. subject of formal action during these annual basis, NMFS reviews the ACTION: Notice; public meeting. meetings. Action will be restricted to affirmative finding and determines those issues specifically listed in this SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery document and any issues arising after whether the harvesting nation continues Management Council’s (Pacific Council) to meet the requirements. A nation may publication of this document that Groundfish Endangered Species require emergency action under section provide information related to Workgroup will hold a meeting, which 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery compliance with IDCP and IATTC is open to the public. Conservation and Management Act, measures directly to NMFS on an DATES: The meeting will occur May 19– provided the public has been notified of annual basis or may authorize the 21, 2015. The meeting will begin at 1 the intent to take final action to address IATTC to release the information to p.m. Tuesday, May 19 and at 9 a.m. on the emergency. NMFS to annually renew an affirmative Wednesday and Thursday, May 20–21. finding determination without an Special Accommodations ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at application from the harvesting nation. the Regional Administrator’s Conference The meetings are physically An affirmative finding will be Room, Building 1, National Oceanic and accessible to people with disabilities. terminated, in consultation with the Atmospheric Administration, Western Requests for sign language Secretary of State, if the Assistant Regional Center, 7600 Sand Point Way interpretation or other auxiliary aids Administrator determines that the NE., Seattle, WA 98115–6349, should be directed to Mr. Kris requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no telephone: (206) 526–6150. Kleinschmidt at (503) 820–2425 at least longer being met or that a nation is Council address: Pacific Council, 5 days prior to the meeting date. consistently failing to take enforcement 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Dated: April 27, 2015. actions on violations, thereby Portland, OR 97220–1384. Tracey L. Thompson, diminishing the effectiveness of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable IDCP. Sarah Williams, NMFS, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Sarah.Williams@noaa.gov; telephone: [FR Doc. 2015–10080 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am] As a part of the affirmative finding (206) 526–4646. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P process set forth in 50 CFR 216.24(f), the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Assistant Administrator considered documentary evidence submitted by the primary purpose of the meeting is to review information on take of species DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Government of Spain and obtained from listed under the Endangered Species Act the IATTC and has determined that National Oceanic and Atmospheric (ESA) in the Pacific Coast groundfish Spain has met the MMPA’s Administration fishery (other than salmonids) and requirements to receive an affirmative provide recommendations to the Pacific RIN 0648–XD922 finding annual renewal. Council on any additional mitigation After consultation with the measures needed, if any, to meet the Presidential Task Force on Combating Department of State, the Assistant requirements of the ESA as Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Administrator issued an affirmative implemented through the terms and (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud finding annual renewal to Spain, conditions in the most recent biological Action Plan Recommendations 14/15 allowing the continued importation into opinion for the fishery. Identifying Species ‘‘At Risk’’ of IUU the United States of yellowfin tuna and You may also join this meeting by Fishing and Seafood Fraud mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES products derived from yellowfin tuna conference line and webinar. To join by AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries harvested in the ETP by Spanish-flag phone, participants should dial 888– Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and purse seine vessels or purse seine 790–6085, passcode 1730793. To join by Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), vessels operating under Spanish webinar, each day of the meeting Commerce. jurisdiction through March 31, 2015. requires a different Web address. On ACTION: Notice; request for comments. Spain’s 5-year affirmative finding will May 19, participants can join Meeting remain valid through March 31, 2015. ID: 544–685–613 at https:// SUMMARY:The National Ocean Council global.gotomeeting.com/join/ Committee on IUU Fishing and Seafood VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Apr 29, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM 30APN1


Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:14:59
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:14:59
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; affirmative finding annual renewal.
DatesThe affirmative finding annual renewal is effective from April 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015.
ContactJustin Greenman, West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. Phone: 562-980-3264 Email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 24245 
RIN Number0648-XD88
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