81 FR 21324 - 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 81, Issue 69 (April 11, 2016)

Page Range		21324-21325
FR Document		2016-08257

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. The Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish outside of the limited access scallop regulations in support of research conducted by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. These exemptions are in support of research conducted on trips to test gear modifications for bycatch reduction in the scallop dredge fishery. 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 81 Issue 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21324-21325]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08257]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE561


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.

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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. The 
Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish 
outside of the limited access scallop regulations in support of 
research conducted by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. These 
exemptions are in support of research conducted on trips to test gear 
modifications for bycatch reduction in the scallop dredge fishery.
    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 26, 2016

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``CFF Compensation Fishing Gear Research 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 
CFF Compensation Fishing Gear Research EFP.''
     Fax: (978) 281-9135.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) submitted 
a complete application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on March 
15, 2016, that would allow gear research to be conducted on vessels 
fishing under compensation fishing trips associated with five 2016 
Scallop

[[Page 21325]]

Research Set-Aside (RSA) projects submitted by the Coonamessett Farm 
Foundation that have been favorably reviewed. The exemptions would 
allow six commercial fishing vessels to exceed the crew size 
regulations at 50 CFR 648.51(c) in order to place a researcher on the 
vessel, and temporarily exempt the participating vessels 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 the scope of the exempted 
fishing activity would be prohibited, including landing fish in excess 
of a possession limit or below the minimum size.
    Experimental fishing activity would test gear modifications in an 
attempt to reduce finfish bycatch in the dredge fishery. The gear 
modifications that would be tested adhere to current scallop gear 
regulations and include: A no-chaffing gear dredge bag; a five-row 
apron without chaffing gear and a 1.5:1 twine top hanging ratio; and a 
``daylight skirt,'' which would replace the rings in the skirt with 
three rows of 12-inch (30.48-cm) square mesh and chain. All trips would 
take place in scallop fishing areas open to the entire Atlantic sea 
scallop fishery.
    Exemption from crew size limits is needed because a research 
technician would accompany vessels on the compensation fishing trips to 
collect catch data associated with different dredge modifications. The 
crew size exemption would be for approximately 40 days-at-sea and must 
be used in conjunction with a valid compensation fishing letter of 
authorization. The additional crew would only engage in data collection 
activities, and would not process catch to be landed for sale. 
Exemption from possession limit and minimum sizes would support catch 
sampling activities, and ensure the vessel is not in conflict with 
possession regulations while collecting catch data. All catch above a 
possession limit or below a minimum size would be discarded as soon as 
practicable following data collection.
    For all trips, scallop catch would be evaluated by the number of 
baskets caught and a total catch weight would be obtained by the 
researcher. Total weight of bycatch species and individual measurements 
to the nearest centimeter would also be obtained by the researcher. If 
the volume of the catch is large, subsampling protocols would be 
necessary. All bycatch would be returned to the sea as soon as 
practicable following data collection.
    All research trips would otherwise be consistent with normal 
commercial fishing activity and catch would be retained 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: April 6, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08257 Filed 4-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

21324 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices

bearded (Erignathus barbatus) seals Gulf of Mexico Grouper-Tilefish DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
during research activities; and, annual Individual Fishing Quota Program.
unintentional mortality of 5 Steller sea National Oceanic and Atmospheric
OMB Control Number: 0648–xxxx.
lions from the Western Distinct Administration
Population Segment (wDPS) and 10 Form Number(s): None.
RIN 0648–XE561
Steller sea lions from the Eastern DPS Type of Request: Regular (request for
through August 31, 2019. a new information collection). Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
Permit No. 18537–01 authorizes an Number of Respondents: 200. General Provisions for Domestic
increase in the number of California and Fisheries; Application for Exempted
Steller (wDPS) sea lions taken during Average Hours per Response: 1 hour.
Fishing Permits
aerial surveys from 4,725 to 10,000, and Burden Hours: 200.
from 48,000 to 75,000, respectively; and AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Needs and Uses: This request is for a Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
an increase in the volume on a single new information collection.
blood draw from Steller sea lions from Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
up to 1ml/kg to up to 4ml/kg. The National Marine Fisheries Service Commerce.
In compliance with the National (NMFS) proposes to collect economic ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 and attitudinal data from reef fish
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NMFS determined dealers regarding the performance of the SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional
that the activities proposed are GOM Grouper-Tilefish IFQ Program five Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
consistent with the Preferred years after its implementation. These Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has
Alternative in the 2007 Final data will be used to estimate the effects made a preliminary determination that
Programmatic Environmental Impact of the GT–IFQ Program on these an Exempted Fishing Permit application
Statement (PEIS) for Steller Sea Lion stakeholders for the five-year program contains all of the required information
and Northern Fur Seal Research, and the and warrants further consideration. The
review mandated by the Magnuson-
2014 Environmental Assessment for Exempted Fishing Permit would allow
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Issuance of Permits to take Steller Sea commercial fishing vessels to fish
Management Act (U.S.C. 1801 et seq).
Lions by harassment during surveys outside of the limited access scallop
The population targeted by the regulations in support of research
using unmanned aerial systems that economic survey is all federally
analyzed the effects of UAS, which were conducted by the Coonamessett Farm
licensed dealers that participate in the Foundation. These exemptions are in
not considered in the initial PEIS; and GOM reef fish fishery. In addition, the
that issuance of the permit would not support of research conducted on trips
information will be used to strengthen to test gear modifications for bycatch
have a significant adverse impact on the
and improve fishery management reduction in the scallop dredge fishery.
human environment.
As required by the ESA, issuance of decision-making, and satisfy legal Regulations under the Magnuson-
this permit was based on a finding that mandates under Executive Order 12866, Stevens Fishery Conservation and
such permit: (1) Was applied for in good the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Management Act require publication of
faith; (2) will not operate to the Endangered Species Act, the National this notification to provide interested
disadvantage of such endangered Environmental Policy Act and other parties the opportunity to comment on
species; and (3) is consistent with the pertinent statues. applications for proposed Exempted
purposes and policies set forth in Affected Public: Business or other for- Fishing Permits.
section 2 of the ESA. profit organizations. DATES: Comments must be received on
Dated: April 5, 2016.
or before April 26, 2016
Frequency: Once.
Julia Harrison, ADDRESSES: You may submit written
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. comments by any of the following
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National This information collection request methods:
Marine Fisheries Service. may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov.
[FR Doc. 2016–08169 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] the instructions to view Department of Include in the subject line ‘‘CFF
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Commerce collections currently under Compensation Fishing Gear Research
review by OMB. EFP.’’
• Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional
Written comments and
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
recommendations for the proposed Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
information collection should be sent Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration within 30 days of publication of this Mark the outside of the envelope
notice to OIRA_Submission@ ‘‘Comments on CFF Compensation
Submission for OMB Review; omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806. Fishing Gear Research EFP.’’
Comment Request Dated: April 5, 2016. • Fax: (978) 281–9135.
The Department of Commerce will Sarah Brabson, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
submit to the Office of Management and NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management
Budget (OMB) for clearance the [FR Doc. 2016–08166 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
Specialist, 978–282–8456.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

following proposal for collection of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
information under the provisions of the Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF)
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. submitted a complete application for an
Chapter 35). Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on
Agency: National Oceanic and March 15, 2016, that would allow gear
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). research to be conducted on vessels
Title: Economic Survey of Gulf of fishing under compensation fishing
Mexico Dealers Associated With the trips associated with five 2016 Scallop

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices 21325

Research Set-Aside (RSA) projects fishing activity and catch would be the processing of all Army and Air
submitted by the Coonamessett Farm retained for sale. Force Exchange security clearance
Foundation that have been favorably If approved, the applicant may actions, to record security clearances
reviewed. The exemptions would allow request minor modifications and issued or denied, and to verify
six commercial fishing vessels to exceed extensions to the EFP throughout the eligibility for access to classified
the crew size regulations at 50 CFR year. EFP modifications and extensions information or assignment to a sensitive
648.51(c) in order to place a researcher may be granted without further notice if position.
on the vessel, and temporarily exempt they are deemed essential to facilitate Affected Public: Individuals or
the participating vessels from completion of the proposed research households; business or other for-profit.
possession limits and minimum size and have minimal impacts that do not Frequency: On occasion.
requirements specified in 50 CFR part change the scope or impact of the Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
648, subsections B and D through O, for initially approved EFP request. Any obtain or retain benefits.
sampling purposes only. Any fishing fishing activity conducted outside the OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Jasmeet
activity conducted outside the scope of scope of the exempted fishing activity Seehra.
the exempted fishing activity would be would be prohibited. Comments and recommendations on
prohibited, including landing fish in Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. the proposed information collection
excess of a possession limit or below the should be emailed to Ms. Jasmeet
minimum size. Dated: April 6, 2016. Seehra, DoD Desk Officer, at Oira_
Experimental fishing activity would Emily H. Menashes, submission@omb.eop.gov. Please
test gear modifications in an attempt to Acting Director, Office of Sustainable identify the proposed information
reduce finfish bycatch in the dredge Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. collection by DoD Desk Officer and the
fishery. The gear modifications that [FR Doc. 2016–08257 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] Docket ID number and title of the
would be tested adhere to current BILLING CODE 3510–22–P information collection.
scallop gear regulations and include: A You may also submit comments and
no-chaffing gear dredge bag; a five-row recommendations, identified by Docket
apron without chaffing gear and a 1.5:1 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ID number and title, by the following
twine top hanging ratio; and a ‘‘daylight method:
skirt,’’ which would replace the rings in Department of the Army • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
the skirt with three rows of 12-inch www.regulations.gov. Follow the
(30.48-cm) square mesh and chain. All [Docket ID: USA–2015–HQ–0035]
instructions for submitting comments.
trips would take place in scallop fishing Submission for OMB Review; Instructions: All submissions received
areas open to the entire Atlantic sea must include the agency name, Docket
Comment Request
scallop fishery. ID number and title for this Federal
Exemption from crew size limits is ACTION: Notice. Register document. The general policy
needed because a research technician
for comments and other submissions
would accompany vessels on the SUMMARY: The Department of Defense from members of the public is to make
compensation fishing trips to collect has submitted to OMB for clearance, the these submissions available for public
catch data associated with different following proposal for collection of viewing on the Internet at http://
dredge modifications. The crew size information under the provisions of the www.regulations.gov as they are
exemption would be for approximately Paperwork Reduction Act. received without change, including any
40 days-at-sea and must be used in DATES: Consideration will be given to all personal identifiers or contact
conjunction with a valid compensation comments received by May 11, 2016.
fishing letter of authorization. The information.
additional crew would only engage in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred DOD Clearance Officer: Mr. Frederick
data collection activities, and would not Licari, 571–372–0493. Licari.
process catch to be landed for sale. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written requests for copies of the
Exemption from possession limit and Title, Associated Form and OMB information collection proposal should
minimum sizes would support catch Number: Exchange Security Clearance be sent to Mr. Licari at WHS/ESD
sampling activities, and ensure the Process for Contractor/Vendor Directives Division, 4800 Mark Center
vessel is not in conflict with possession Personnel; Exchange Form 3900–013 Drive, East Tower, Suite 02G09,
regulations while collecting catch data. ‘‘Electronic Questionnaires for Alexandria, VA 22350–3100.
All catch above a possession limit or Investigations Processing (e-QIP) Dated: April 6, 2016.
below a minimum size would be Request,’’ Exchange Form 3900–002 Aaron Siegel,
discarded as soon as practicable ‘‘Trusted Associate Sponsorship System Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
following data collection. (TASS Request Form),’’ Exchange Form Officer, Department of Defense.
For all trips, scallop catch would be 3900–006 ‘‘Background Check for [FR Doc. 2016–08246 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
evaluated by the number of baskets Vendors/Contractors;’’ OMB Control BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
caught and a total catch weight would Number 0702–XXXX.
be obtained by the researcher. Total Type of Request: Existing collection
weight of bycatch species and in use without an OMB Control DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
individual measurements to the nearest Number.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

centimeter would also be obtained by Number of Respondents: 2300. Office of the Secretary
the researcher. If the volume of the Responses per Respondent: 1.
Annual Responses: 2300. [Docket ID: DOD–2016–OS–0034]
catch is large, subsampling protocols
would be necessary. All bycatch would Average Burden per Response: 120 Proposed Collection; Comment
be returned to the sea as soon as minutes. Request
practicable following data collection. Annual Burden Hours: 4600.
All research trips would otherwise be Needs and Uses: The information AGENCY:Defense Finance and
consistent with normal commercial collection requirement is necessary for Accounting Service (DFAS), DoD.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Apr 08, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1

Document Created: 2016-04-09 00:11:38
Document Modified: 2016-04-09 00:11:38

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 26, 2016
Contact		Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456.
FR Citation		81 FR 21324
RIN Number		0648-XE56

81 FR 21324 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 69 (April 11, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration