80 FR 61378 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Groundfish Tagging Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 197 (October 13, 2015)

Page Range		61378-61379
FR Document		2015-25848

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61378-61379]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25848]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Groundfish 
Tagging Program

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 14, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at JJessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to John Clary, (206) 526-4039 or email 
john.c.clary@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for extension of a currently approved information 
collection. The groundfish tagging program provides scientists with 
information necessary for effective conservation, management, and 
scientific understanding of the groundfish fishery off Alaska and the 
Northwest Pacific. The program area includes the Pacific Ocean off 
Alaska (the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, 
and the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska), California, Oregon, 
and Washington. Fish movement information from recovered tags is used 
in population dynamics models for stock assessment. There are two 
general categories of tags. Simple plastic tags (spaghetti tags) are 
external tags approximately two inches long, printed with code numbers. 
When a tag is returned, the tag number is correlated with databases of 
released, tagged fish to determine the net movement and growth rate of 
the tagged fish. Archival tags are microchips with sensors

[[Page 61379]]

encased in plastic cylinders that record the depth, temperature or 
other data, which can be downloaded electronically from the recovered 
tags. The groundfish tagging and tag recovery program is part of the 
fishery resource assessment and data collection that the National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) conducts under the Magnuson-Stevens Act 
authority as codified in 16 U.S.C. 1801 (a)(8).

II. Method of Collection

    This is a volunteer program requiring the actual tag from the fish 
to be returned, along with recovery information. Reporting forms with 
pre-addressed and postage-free envelopes are distributed to processors 
and catcher vessels.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0276.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (extension of a currently 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; State, local, or 
tribal government; business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 265.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes for returning a regular tag, 
and 20 minutes for returning an internal archival tag.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 59.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 6, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-25848 Filed 10-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

61378 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 197 / Tuesday, October 13, 2015 / Notices

maintenance and monitoring duties, on the affected marine mammal species DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
while trying to minimize pinniped or stocks.
disturbance. It is critical for Point Blue National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Small Numbers: For reasons stated
to keep the California sea lions off of Administration
previously in the Federal Register
these structures to prevent severe notices for the proposed authorization
damage and ensure the safety of island Proposed Information Collection;
(79 FR 76975, December 23, 2014) and Comment Request; Groundfish
staff. However, to do so would be the issued Authorization (80 FR 10066,
impossible for Point Blue and its Tagging Program
February 25, 2015), NMFS estimates
partners without disturbing a larger AGENCY: National Oceanic and
that four species of marine mammals
number of California sea lions. Thus, Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
could be potentially affected by Level B
NMFS proposes to modify the current Commerce.
harassment over the course of the
Authorization to increase the number of ACTION: Notice.
proposed Authorization. With the
take by Level B harassment only for
exception of a proposed increase in SUMMARY: The Department of
California sea lions to a total of 44,871
for the duration of the current authorized take for California sea lions, Commerce, as part of its continuing
Authorization which expires on January no other substantive changes have effort to reduce paperwork and
30, 2016. occurred in the interim. For California respondent burden, invites the general
sea lions, the proposed increase in take public and other Federal agencies to
Findings is small relative to the population size. take this opportunity to comment on
Marine Mammal Protection Act The revised incidental harassment proposed and/or continuing information
(MMPA)—As required by the MMPA, number represents approximately 15.1 collections, as required by the
for the original Authorization, NMFS percent of the U.S. stock of California Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
determined that: (1) The required sea lion. DATES: Written comments must be
mitigation measures are sufficient to National Environmental Policy Act submitted on or before December 14,
reduce the effects of the specified (NEPA)—In compliance with the 2015.
activities to the level of least practicable National Environmental Policy Act of ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
impact; (2) the authorized takes will 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NMFS to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
have a negligible impact on the affected prepared an Environmental Assessment Paperwork Clearance Officer,
marine mammal species; (3) the (EA) analyzing the potential effects to Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
authorized takes represent small the human environment from the 14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
numbers relative to the affected stock issuance of a proposed Authorization to Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
abundances; and (4) Point Blue’s Point Blue for their seabird research Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).
activities will not have an unmitigable activities. In January 2014, NMFS issued FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
adverse impact on taking for subsistence a Finding of No Significant Impact Requests for additional information or
purposes as no relevant subsistence uses (FONSI) on the issuance of an copies of the information collection
of marine mammals are implicated by Authorization for Point Blue’s research instrument and instructions should be
this action. activities in accordance with section directed to John Clary, (206) 526–4039
Negligible Impact: For reasons stated 6.01 of the NOAA Administrative Order or email john.c.clary@noaa.gov.
previously in the Federal Register 216–6 (Environmental Review SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
notices for the proposed authorization Procedures for Implementing the
(79 FR 76975, December 23, 2014) and I. Abstract
National Environmental Policy Act, May
the issued Authorization (80 FR 10066, 20, 1999). No substantive changes have This request is for extension of a
February 25, 2015), NMFS anticipates occurred in the interim. currently approved information
that impacts to hauled-out California sea collection. The groundfish tagging
lions during Point Blue’s activities Endangered Species Act (ESA)—No
program provides scientists with
would be behavioral harassment of marine mammal species listed under the
information necessary for effective
limited duration (i.e., less than one day) ESA occur in the action area. Therefore, conservation, management, and
and limited intensity (i.e., temporary NMFS has determined that a section 7 scientific understanding of the
flushing at most). NMFS does not expect consultation under the ESA is not groundfish fishery off Alaska and the
Point Blue’s specified activities to cause required. No substantive changes have Northwest Pacific. The program area
long-term behavioral disturbance, occurred in the interim. includes the Pacific Ocean off Alaska
abandonment of the haul out area, or Request for Public Comments (the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and
stampeding, and therefore injury or Aleutian Islands Area, and the
mortality to occur. NMFS invites comment on the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast
With the exception of a proposed proposed revised Incidental Harassment Alaska), California, Oregon, and
increase in the number of authorized Authorization to Point Blue. Please Washington. Fish movement
takes for California sea lions, no other include with your comments any information from recovered tags is used
substantive changes have occurred in supporting data or literature citations to in population dynamics models for
the interim. Based on the analysis help inform NMFS’ final decision on stock assessment. There are two general
contained herein of the likely effects of Point Blue’s request for a revised categories of tags. Simple plastic tags
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

the specified activity on marine Authorization. (spaghetti tags) are external tags
mammals and their habitat, and taking approximately two inches long, printed
Dated: October 7, 2015.
into consideration the implementation with code numbers. When a tag is
of the required monitoring and Donna S. Wieting, returned, the tag number is correlated
mitigation measures, NMFS Director, Office of Protected Resources, with databases of released, tagged fish to
preliminarily finds that the total marine National Marine Fisheries Service. determine the net movement and
mammal take from Point Blue’s survey [FR Doc. 2015–25942 Filed 10–9–15; 8:45 am] growth rate of the tagged fish. Archival
activities will have a negligible impact BILLING CODE 3510–22–P tags are microchips with sensors

VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:23 Oct 09, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 197 / Tuesday, October 13, 2015 / Notices 61379

encased in plastic cylinders that record Dated: October 6, 2015. Instructions: Comments must be
the depth, temperature or other data, Sarah Brabson, submitted by one of the above methods
which can be downloaded electronically NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. to ensure comments are received,
from the recovered tags. The groundfish [FR Doc. 2015–25848 Filed 10–9–15; 8:45 am] documented, and considered by NMFS.
tagging and tag recovery program is part BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Comments sent by any other method, to
of the fishery resource assessment and any other address or individual, or
data collection that the National Marine received after the end of the comment
Fisheries Service (NMFS) conducts DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE period, may not be considered.
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act Attachments to electronic comments
authority as codified in 16 U.S.C. National Oceanic and Atmospheric will be accepted in Microsoft Word,
1801 (a)(8). Administration Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
RIN 0648–XE231
Electronic copies of the Proposed Plan
II. Method of Collection are available on the NMFS Web site at:
This is a volunteer program requiring Endangered and Threatened Species; http://
the actual tag from the fish to be Recovery Plans www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/
returned, along with recovery protected_species/salmon_steelhead/
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries recovery_planning_and_
information. Reporting forms with pre-
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and implementation/oregon_coast/oregon_
addressed and postage-free envelopes
Atmospheric Administration, coast_recovery_plan.html. Persons
are distributed to processors and catcher
Commerce. wishing to obtain an electronic copy on
vessels.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request CD ROM of the Proposed Plan may do
III. Data for comments. so by calling Nancy Johnson at (503)
OMB Control Number: 0648–0276. SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce that the 230–5442 or by emailing a request to
Form Number: None. Proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA) nancy.johnson@noaa.gov with the
Recovery Plan for Oregon Coast Coho subject line ‘‘CD ROM Request for
Type of Review: Regular submission
Salmon (Proposed Plan) is available for Oregon Coast Coho Salmon Recovery
(extension of a currently approved
public review and comment. The Plan.’’
collection).
Affected Public: Not-for-profit Proposed Plan addresses the Oregon FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
institutions; State, local, or tribal Coast Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus Robert Walton, NMFS Oregon Coast
government; business or other for-profit kisutch) evolutionarily significant unit Coho Salmon Recovery Coordinator, at
organizations. (ESU) listed as threatened under the (503) 231–2285, or rob.walton@
ESA. The geographic area covered by noaa.gov.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
265. the Proposed Plan is the Pacific Ocean SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
and freshwater habitat (rivers, streams
Estimated Time per Response: 5 and lakes) from the Necanicum River Background
minutes for returning a regular tag, and near Seaside, Oregon, on the northern We are responsible for developing and
20 minutes for returning an internal end to the Sixes River near Port Orford, implementing recovery plans for Pacific
archival tag. Oregon on the south. As required under salmon and steelhead listed under the
Estimated Total Annual Burden the ESA, the Proposed Plan contains ESA of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C.
Hours: 59. objective, measurable delisting criteria, 1531 et seq.). Recovery means that the
Estimated Total Annual Cost to site-specific management actions listed species and their ecosystems are
Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting necessary to achieve the Proposed sufficiently restored, and their future
costs. Plan’s goals, and estimates of the time secured, to the point that the protections
IV. Request for Comments and costs required to implement of the ESA are no longer necessary.
recovery actions. We are soliciting Section 4(f)(1) of the ESA requires that
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether review and comment from the public recovery plans include, to the maximum
the proposed collection of information and all interested parties on the extent practicable: (1) Objective,
is necessary for the proper performance Proposed Plan. measurable criteria which, when met,
of the functions of the agency, including DATES: We will consider and address, as would result in a determination that the
whether the information shall have appropriate, all substantive comments species is no longer threatened or
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the received during the comment period. endangered; (2) site-specific
agency’s estimate of the burden Comments on the Proposed Plan must management actions necessary to
(including hours and cost) of the be received no later than 5 p.m. Pacific achieve the plan’s goals; and (3)
proposed collection of information; (c) daylight time on December 14, 2015. estimates of the time required and costs
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to implement recovery actions. The ESA
clarity of the information to be on the Public Draft Recovery Plan by the requires the development of recovery
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the following methods: plans for each listed species unless such
burden of the collection of information • Electronic Submissions: Submit all a plan would not promote its recovery.
on respondents, including through the electronic public comments via: We believe it is essential to have local
use of automated collection techniques 2015CohoPlan.WCR@noaa.gov. Please support of recovery plans by those
or other forms of information
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

include ‘‘Comments on Oregon Coast whose activities directly affect the listed
technology. Coho Salmon Recovery Plan’’ in the species and whose continued
Comments submitted in response to subject line of the email. commitment and leadership will be
this notice will be summarized and/or • Facsimile: (503) 872–2737. needed to implement the necessary
included in the request for OMB • Mail: Robert Walton, National recovery actions. We therefore support
approval of this information collection; Marine Fisheries Service, 1201 NE. and participate in locally led,
they also will become a matter of public Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, collaborative efforts to develop recovery
record. OR 97232. plans that involve state, tribal, and

VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:23 Oct 09, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1

Document Created: 2018-02-27 08:47:50
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 08:47:50

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.
Dates		Written comments must be submitted on or before December 14, 2015.
Contact		Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to John Clary, (206) 526-4039 or email [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 61378

80 FR 61378 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Groundfish Tagging Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 197 (October 13, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration