80 FR 8627 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Approved Monitoring Service Providers

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 32 (February 18, 2015)

Page Range		8627-8628
FR Document		2015-03273

NMFS has approved five companies to provide at-sea monitoring services to Northeast multispecies vessels in fishing year 2015. Regulations implementing Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan require third-party at-sea monitoring service providers to apply to, and be approved by, NMFS in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act in order to be eligible to provide at-sea monitoring services to sectors.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8627-8628]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03273]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD710

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern
United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Approved Monitoring
Service Providers

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

ACTION: Notice, approved monitoring service providers.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has approved five companies to provide at-sea monitoring
services to Northeast multispecies vessels in fishing year 2015.
Regulations implementing Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies
Fishery Management Plan require third-party at-sea monitoring service
providers to apply to, and be approved by, NMFS in a manner consistent
with the Administrative Procedure Act in order to be eligible to
provide at-sea monitoring services to sectors.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the list of NMFS-approved sector monitoring
service providers are available at http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/species/multispecies/ or by sending a written request to: 55 Great Republic
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Attn: Brett Alger.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Alger, Fishery Management
Specialist, (978) 675-2153, fax (978) 281-9135, email
Brett.Alger@NOAA.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Amendment 16 (75 FR 18262; April 9, 2010) to
the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) expanded the
sector management program, including requirements to ensure accurate
monitoring of sector at-sea catch and dockside landings, and common
pool dockside landings. Framework Adjustment 48 to the FMP (Framework
48, 78 FR 26118, May 3, 2013) revised the goals and objectives for
sector monitoring programs.

Standards for Approving At-Sea Monitoring Service Providers

Regulations at 50 CFR 648.87(b)(4) describe the criteria for NMFS
approval of at-sea monitoring service providers. NMFS is approving
service providers for fishing year 2015 (beginning May 1, 2015) based
on: (1) Completeness of applications, (2) determination of the
applicant's ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a
sector monitoring service provider, and (3) performance as NMFS-funded
providers in fishing year 2014. NE multispecies sectors are required to
design and implement independent, third-party at-sea monitoring
programs in fishing year 2015, and are responsible for the costs of
these monitoring requirements, unless otherwise instructed by NMFS.
For fishing year 2014, NMFS approved A.I.S., Inc.; East West
Technical Services, LLC; MRAG Americas, Inc.; Fathom Research, LLC; and
ACD USA Ltd. as service providers based on the completeness of their
application, addressing the regulatory requirements (Sec.
648.87(b)(4)(i)), determination of ability, and performance during
previous fishing years. Once approved, providers must document having
met performance requirements in order to maintain eligibility (Sec.
648.87(b)(4)(ii)). NMFS can disapprove any previously approved service
provider during the fishing year if the service provider in question
ceases to meet the performance standards. NMFS must notify service
providers of disapproval in writing.

Approved Monitoring Service Providers

NMFS received complete applications from five companies interested
in providing at-sea monitoring services in fishing year 2015; these
were the same

[[Page 8628]]

five approved in fishing year 2014. The Regional Administrator has
approved the following service providers as eligible to provide at-sea
monitoring services in fishing year 2015 because they have met the
application requirements and applicable performance standards:

Table 1--Approved Fishing Year 2015 Providers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provider name Address Phone Fax Website
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACD USA Ltd.................. 4 Parker St., 2nd 902-422-4745........ 902-422-9780........ www.atlanticcat
Floor, Gloucester, chdata.ca.
MA 01930.
A.I.S., Inc.................. 89 N. Water St., 508-990-9054........ 508-990-9055........ aisobservers.co
P.O. Box 2093, New m.
Bedford, MA 02741.
East West Technical Services, 86 Mumford Rd., 860-910-4957........ 860-223-6005........ www.ewts.com.
LLC. Narragansett, RI
02882.
Fathom Research, LLC......... 1213 Purchase St., 508-990-0997........ 508-991-7372........ www.fathomresea
New Bedford, MA rchllc.com.
02740.
MRAG Americas, Inc........... 65 Eastern Ave., 978-768-3880........ 978-768-3878........ www.mragamerica
Unit B2C, Essex, MA s.com.
01929.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Dated: February 12, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03273 Filed 2-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 32 / Wednesday, February 18, 2015 / Notices 8627

al. (2008) documented high variability Finding sending a written request to: 55 Great
in response at both the individual and After reviewing the information Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930,
species level. Many coral reef fishes contained in the petition, as well as Attn: Brett Alger.
have geographical ranges spanning a information readily available in our FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
wide temperature gradient and some files, we conclude the petition does not Brett Alger, Fishery Management
have short generation times. These present substantial scientific or Specialist, (978) 675–2153, fax (978)
characteristics are conducive to commercial information indicating that 281–9135, email Brett.Alger@
acclimation or local adaptation to listing the yellowtail damselfish as NOAA.gov.
climate change and provide potential for
either an endangered species or as a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
more resilient species to persist
threatened species may be warranted. Amendment 16 (75 FR 18262; April 9,
(Munday et al., 2008).
Thus, we conclude the petition did References Cited 2010) to the Northeast Multispecies
not explain, nor do we have information Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
A complete list of all references is expanded the sector management
in our files explaining, how
available on our Web site: http:// program, including requirements to
physiological effects of elevated carbon
sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_ ensure accurate monitoring of sector at-
dioxide or elevated temperature would
resources/listing_petitions/species_esa_ sea catch and dockside landings, and
have negative effects on yellowtail
consideration/index.html . common pool dockside landings.
damselfish. As we have noted, many of
the references presented by the petition Authority Framework Adjustment 48 to the FMP
show highly variable physiological (Framework 48, 78 FR 26118, May 3,
The authority for this action is the 2013) revised the goals and objectives
responses by individuals and species to Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
various stimuli (elevated carbon dioxide for sector monitoring programs.
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
or increased temperatures) and no Standards for Approving At-Sea
reliable inference to yellowtail Dated: February 11, 2015.
Monitoring Service Providers
damselfish population responses can be Samuel D. Rauch, III,
drawn. We conclude the petition does Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulations at 50 CFR 648.87(b)(4)
not provide reliable support for the Regulatory Programs, National Marine describe the criteria for NMFS approval
premise that the effects of ocean Fisheries Service. of at-sea monitoring service providers.
warming or ocean acidification may be [FR Doc. 2015–03326 Filed 2–17–15; 8:45 am] NMFS is approving service providers for
posing extinction risk that is cause for BILLING CODE 3510–22–P fishing year 2015 (beginning May 1,
concern for yellowtail damselfish. 2015) based on: (1) Completeness of
In summary, we conclude the applications, (2) determination of the
petitions’ characterization of ocean DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE applicant’s ability to perform the duties
acidification and ocean warming as and responsibilities of a sector
posing negative fitness consequences to National Oceanic and Atmospheric monitoring service provider, and (3)
be broad statements of generalized Administration performance as NMFS-funded providers
threats and do not indicate that ocean RIN 0648–XD710 in fishing year 2014. NE multispecies
acidification and ocean warming sectors are required to design and
directly threaten the survival or pose Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; implement independent, third-party at-
extinction risk that is cause for concern Fisheries of the Northeastern United sea monitoring programs in fishing year
to the yellowtail damselfish. Therefore, States; Northeast Multispecies 2015, and are responsible for the costs
we conclude the petition does not Fishery; Approved Monitoring Service of these monitoring requirements,
present substantial scientific or Providers unless otherwise instructed by NMFS.
commercial information indicating the For fishing year 2014, NMFS
petitioned action may be warranted due AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries approved A.I.S., Inc.; East West
to other natural or manmade factors. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Technical Services, LLC; MRAG
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Americas, Inc.; Fathom Research, LLC;
Synergistic threats Commerce. and ACD USA Ltd. as service providers
Additionally, we do not find that the ACTION: Notice, approved monitoring based on the completeness of their
combination of proposed threats to service providers. application, addressing the regulatory
yellowtail damselfish poses extinction requirements (§ 648.87(b)(4)(i)),
risk that is cause for concern for SUMMARY: NMFS has approved five determination of ability, and
yellowtail damselfish. The proposed companies to provide at-sea monitoring performance during previous fishing
threat from loss of habitat or habitat services to Northeast multispecies years. Once approved, providers must
degradation is overstated because not all vessels in fishing year 2015. Regulations document having met performance
coral species are highly vulnerable to implementing Amendment 16 to the requirements in order to maintain
the threats associated with global Northeast Multispecies Fishery eligibility (§ 648.87(b)(4)(ii)). NMFS can
climate change, some coral species will Management Plan require third-party at- disapprove any previously approved
survive, and yellowtail damselfish are sea monitoring service providers to service provider during the fishing year
capable of habitat adaptations in apply to, and be approved by, NMFS in if the service provider in question
response to changes in composition of a manner consistent with the ceases to meet the performance
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES

coral species on reefs; harvest of the Administrative Procedure Act in order standards. NMFS must notify service
species is minimal; and physiological to be eligible to provide at-sea providers of disapproval in writing.
responses to increased carbon dioxide monitoring services to sectors.
levels and sea temperature vary widely. ADDRESSES: Copies of the list of NMFS- Approved Monitoring Service Providers
Therefore, we do not believe these approved sector monitoring service NMFS received complete applications
proposed threats act synergistically on providers are available at http:// from five companies interested in
yellowtail damselfish to pose extinction www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ providing at-sea monitoring services in
risk that is cause for concern. sustainable/species/multispecies/ or by fishing year 2015; these were the same

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8628 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 32 / Wednesday, February 18, 2015 / Notices

five approved in fishing year 2014. The eligible to provide at-sea monitoring requirements and applicable
Regional Administrator has approved services in fishing year 2015 because performance standards:
the following service providers as they have met the application

TABLE 1—APPROVED FISHING YEAR 2015 PROVIDERS
Provider name Address Phone Fax Website

ACD USA Ltd. ............ 4 Parker St., 2nd Floor, Gloucester, MA 902–422–4745 902–422–9780 .. www.atlanticcatchdata.ca.
01930.
A.I.S., Inc. ................... 89 N. Water St., P.O. Box 2093, New Bed- 508–990–9054 508–990–9055 aisobservers.com.
ford, MA 02741.
East West Technical 86 Mumford Rd., Narragansett, RI 02882 ..... 860–910–4957 .. 860–223–6005 www.ewts.com.
Services, LLC.
Fathom Research, 1213 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740 508–990–0997 508–991–7372 www.fathomresearchllc.com.
LLC.
MRAG Americas, Inc. 65 Eastern Ave., Unit B2C, Essex, MA 978–768–3880 .. 978–768–3878 www.mragamericas.com.
01929.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. OR 97220. Instructions for attending the this order. Agenda items noted as
Dated: February 12, 2015. meeting via live stream broadcast are ‘‘(Final Action)’’ refer to actions
Alan D. Risenhoover, given under SUPPLEMENTARY requiring the Council to transmit a
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
INFORMATION, below. proposed fishery management plan,
National Marine Fisheries Service. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. proposed plan amendment, or proposed
[FR Doc. 2015–03273 Filed 2–17–15; 8:45 am] Donald O. McIsaac, Executive Director; regulations to the Secretary of
telephone: (503) 820–2280 or (866) 806– Commerce, under Sections 304 or 305 of
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
7204 toll free; or access the Pacific the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Council Web site, http:// Conservation and Management Act.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE www.pcouncil.org for the current Additional detail on agenda items,
meeting location, proposed agenda, and Council action, and meeting rooms, is
National Oceanic and Atmospheric meeting briefing materials. described in Agenda Item A.4, Proposed
Administration SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Council Meeting Agenda, and will be in
March 8–12, 2015 meeting of the Pacific the advance March 2015 briefing
RIN 0648–XD774
Fishery Management Council will be materials and posted on the Council
Pacific Fishery Management Council; streamed live on the internet. The live Web site www.pcouncil.org.
Public Meetings meeting will be broadcast daily starting A. Call to Order
at 9 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) beginning on
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 1. Opening Remarks
Sunday, March 8, 2015 through
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 2. Roll Call
Thursday, March 12, 2015. The
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 3. Executive Director’s Report
broadcast will end daily at 6 p.m. PT or
Commerce. 4. Approve Agenda
when business for the day is complete.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings. Only the audio portion, and portions of B. Open Comment Period
the presentations displayed on the 1. Comments on Non-Agenda Items
SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery
screen at the Council meeting, will be
Management Council (Pacific Council) C. Enforcement Issues
broadcast. The audio portion is listen-
and its advisory entities will hold
only; you will be unable to speak to the 1. Annual U.S. Coast Guard Fishery
public meetings.
Council via the broadcast. Join the Enforcement Report
DATES: The Pacific Council and its meeting by visiting this link http://
advisory entities will meet March 6–12, www.joinwebinar.com, enter the D. Habitat
2015. The Pacific Council meeting will Webinar ID for this meeting, which is
begin on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 8 1. Current Habitat Issues
138–252–315 and enter your email
a.m., reconvening each day through address as required. It is recommended E. Ecosystem Management
Thursday, March 12, 2015. All meetings that you use a computer headset as 1. California Current Ecosystem Report
are open to the public, except a closed GoToMeeting allows you to listen to the Including Integrated Ecosystem
session will be held at 8 a.m. on meeting using your computer headset Assessment
Sunday, March 8 to address litigation and speakers. If you do not have a 2. Review of Fishery Ecosystem Plan
and personnel matters. The Pacific headset and speakers, you may use your Initiatives
Council will meet as late as necessary telephone for the audio portion of the 3. NMFS Climate Science Strategy
each day to complete its scheduled meeting by dialing this TOLL number Update
business. 1–480–297–0021 (not a toll free 4. Unmanaged Forage Fish Protection
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES

ADDRESSES: Meetings of the Council and number); entering the phone audio Final Action (Final Action)
its advisory entities will be held at the access code 326–426–740; and then
Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. entering your Audio Pin which will be F. Salmon Management
6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660; shown to you after joining the webinar. 1. National Marine Fisheries Service
telephone: (360) 993–4500. The webinar is broadcast in listen only Report
Council Address: Pacific Fishery mode. 2. Review of 2014 Fisheries and
Management Council, 7700 NE The following items are on the Pacific Summary of 2015 Stock Abundance
Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, Council agenda, but not necessarily in Forecasts

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Document Created: 2018-02-16 11:10:13
Document Modified: 2018-02-16 11:10:13

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, approved monitoring service providers.
Contact		Brett Alger, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 675-2153, fax (978) 281-9135, email [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 8627
RIN Number		0648-XD71

80 FR 8627 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Approved Monitoring Service Providers

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 32 (February 18, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration