81 FR 31912 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, Rockfish, and Eulachon

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 98 (May 20, 2016)

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received seven scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, steelhead, rockfish, sturgeon, and eulachon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts. The applications may be viewed online at: https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 98 (Friday, May 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31912-31914]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11999]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE628


Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish, 
Rockfish, and Eulachon

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

ACTION: Notice; applications for four new scientific research permits, 
two permit modifications, and one permit renewal.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received seven scientific 
research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, 
steelhead, rockfish, sturgeon, and eulachon. The proposed research is 
intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation 
efforts. The applications may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.

DATES: Comments or requests for a public hearing on the applications 
must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see 
ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on June 20, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the applications should be sent to the 
Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, 
Portland, OR 97232-1274. Comments may also be sent via fax to 503-230-
5441 or by email to [email protected] (include the permit number 
in the subject line of the fax or email).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: 503-231-
2314), Fax: 503-230-5441, email: [email protected]). Permit 
application instructions are available from the address above, or 
online at https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Species Covered in This Notice

    The following listed species are covered in this notice:
    Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Threatened Puget Sound 
(PS); threatened California Coastal (CC).
    Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened PS; threatened Northern 
California (NC).
    Chum salmon (O. keta): Threatened Hood Canal Summer-run (HCS).
    Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened Southern Oregon/Northern 
California Coast (SONCC).
    Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): Threatened Ozette Lake (OL).
    Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): Threatened Southern (S).
    Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris): Threatened S.
    Bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis): Endangered Puget Sound/Georgia 
Basin (PS/GB).
    Canary rockfish (S. pinniger): Threatened PS/GB.
    Yelloweye rockfish (S. ruberrimus): Threatened PS/GB.

Authority

    Scientific research permits are issued in accordance with section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and regulations 
governing listed fish and wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222-226). NMFS 
issues permits based on findings that such permits: (1) Are applied for 
in good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, would not operate to the 
disadvantage of the listed species that are the subject of the permit; 
and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policy of section 2 of the 
ESA. The authority to take listed species is subject to conditions set 
forth in the permits.
    Anyone requesting a hearing on an application listed in this notice 
should set out the specific reasons why a

[[Page 31913]]

hearing on that application would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such 
hearings are held at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, NMFS.

Applications Received

Permit 1586-4R

    The NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking to 
renew a five-year research permit to annually take juvenile PS 
steelhead, HCS chum salmon, and PS/GB bocaccio and juvenile, sub-adult, 
and adult PS Chinook salmon. The NWFSC research may also cause them to 
take juvenile PS/GB canary rockfish, juvenile PS/GB yelloweye rockfish, 
and adult S eulachon--species for which there are currently no ESA take 
prohibitions. The purpose of the NWFSC study is to characterize how 
wild, juvenile PS Chinook salmon and various forage fish species use 
nearshore habitats in the oceanographic basins of the Puget Sound, the 
Straits of Juan de Fuca, and the San Juan Islands (Washington). The 
project would benefit the listed species by helping managers develop 
protection and restoration strategies and monitor the effects of 
recovery actions by determining if nearshore populations are increasing 
or decreasing. It would also help mangers establish baseline abundance/
composition metrics and genetic structures for nearshore populations 
throughout Puget Sound. The NWFSC proposes to capture fish using beach 
seines, Nordic surface trawls, lampara nets, purse seines, and hook-
and-line angling. Captured fish would be transferred to live-wells, 
mesh pens, or aerated buckets. They would then be identified to 
species, counted, measured to length, weighed, checked for tags and fin 
clips, fin clipped for genetic analysis, and released. The NWFSC 
researchers would intentionally kill a subset of the captured PS 
Chinook salmon: For juveniles, they would kill hatchery and natural-
origin fish; for sub-adults, they would only kill listed hatchery fish 
that have had their adipose fins clipped. The purpose of this activity 
is to obtain coded-wire tags for hatchery release information, otoliths 
for saltwater entry information, scales for genetic analysis, tissue 
samples for chemistry analysis, and stomach contents for diet analysis. 
These analyses would help managers determine contaminant exposure 
levels in the listed fish and determine how that exposure relates to 
nearby land use. The work would also provide information on population 
distribution and timing. Any fish that are accidentally killed as an 
unintended result of the overall work would be used to replace any 
proposed intentional sacrifice.

Permit 17062-5M

    The NWFSC is seeking to modify a five-year research permit to 
annually take juvenile and adult PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, HCS 
chum salmon, and PS/GB bocaccio. The NWFSC research may also cause them 
to take adult S eulachon and juvenile and adult PS/GB canary rockfish 
and PS/GB yelloweye rockfish--species for which there are currently no 
ESA take prohibitions. The modified permit would increase the amounts 
of take they are allotted and allow additional methods and procedures. 
Sampling would take place throughout the Puget Sound, the Strait of 
Juan de Fuca, and Hood Canal, Washington. The purposes of the study are 
to (1) determine how much genetic variation exists between coastal and 
PS/GB DPS populations of bocaccio, canary rockfish, and yelloweye 
rockfish; (2) monitor long-term survival, movement patterns, and 
recovery from barotrauma from a subset of ESA-listed rockfish; (3) 
study how the low dissolved oxygen concentrations within the Hood Canal 
region of Puget Sound may cause listed rockfish species to alter their 
patterns of movement and activity; and (4) investigate whether eelgrass 
bed characteristics (patch size and level of nearby urbanization) 
affect the relative quality of these habitats as nursery habitat for 
rockfishes in the Puget Sound. The research would benefit rockfish by 
addressing various concerns related to the management status and 
eventual recovery of these species by collecting the necessary 
biological, genetic, habitat, and movement behavior information. The 
NWFSC proposes to capture fish by (1) using hook and line equipment at 
depths of 50-100 meters; (2) using a hand net while SCUBA diving at 
depths up to 40 meters; and (3) using minnow traps and Standard 
Monitoring Units for the recruitment of Reef Fishes (SMURFs) in or near 
eelgrass beds. For the hook and line fishing, captured rockfish would 
be slowly reeled to the surface and returned to the water via rapid 
submersion techniques to reduce barotrauma. For the hand netting, 
juvenile rockfish would be processed either at the capture site or 
brought to the surface before being released by rapid submersion. All 
captured ESA-listed rockfish would be measured, sexed, have a tissue 
sample taken, floy tagged, and released. A subset of these bocaccio and 
yelloweye rockfish would have an external acoustic transmitter attached 
to track movement, activity, and survivorship. If an individual of 
these species is captured dead or deemed nonviable, it would be 
retained for genetic analysis. All other fish would be immediately 
released at the capture site. For the minnow traps and SMURFs, they 
would be brought to the surface; emptied into a tub of water; and the 
fish would be identified by species, enumerated, and released. The 
researchers do not propose to kill any of the listed fish being 
captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the 
activities.

Permit 17851-2M

    The Coastal Watershed Institute (CWI) is seeking to modify a five-
year research permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, PS 
steelhead, and HCS chum salmon. The CWI research may also cause them to 
take adult S eulachon--a species for which there are currently no ESA 
take prohibitions. The modified permit would increase the amounts of 
take they are currently allotted. Sampling would take place in the 
Elwha River estuary, Washington. The purpose of the research is to 
examine ecological function in the Elwha River nearshore environment 
with respect to determining how that environment supports fish species. 
The researchers would look at the population structures, migration 
timing, and life history strategies among local salmonids (Chinook, 
chum, sea-run cutthroat, steelhead, and bull trout) and measure 
ecological indices as well. The research would benefit listed species 
by generating information on the species' habitat needs and response to 
the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams. The CWI proposes to 
capture fish using a beach seine. Captured fish would be identified by 
their lowest taxonomic level. Twenty individuals from each species 
would be measured and released. Salmonids would be scanned for fin 
clips and tags. The researchers do not propose to kill any listed fish 
being captured, but some may die as an inadvertent result of the 
research.

Permit 20047

    The University of Washington (UW) is seeking a three-year research 
permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon, PS steelhead, HCS 
chum salmon, and PS/GB bocaccio. The UW research may also cause them to 
take adult S eulachon and juvenile PS/GB canary rockfish and PS/GB 
yelloweye rockfish--species for which there are currently no ESA take 
prohibitions. Sampling would take place throughout the Puget Sound, 
Hood Canal, and Willapa Bay, Washington. The purpose

[[Page 31914]]

of the study is to directly compare fish communities in seagrass-
vegetated habitats and unvegetated tideflats at five intertidal sites 
where native eelgrass is found naturally interspersed with bare areas. 
The research would benefit listed species by evaluating their response 
to eelgrass habitats on Washington state tideflats and thereby help 
inform planning decisions regarding preserving, restoring, and 
monitoring selected aquatic sites. The UW proposes to capture fish 
using a beach seine. Captured fish would be identified to species, 
counted, measured to length (first 10 individuals of each species), and 
released. The researchers do not propose to kill any listed fish being 
captured, but a small number may die as an unintended result of the 
activities.

Permit 20104

    The Pacific Shellfish Institute (PSI) is seeking a three-year 
research permit to annually take juvenile CC and PS Chinook salmon, NC 
and PS steelhead, SONCC coho salmon, HCS chum salmon, and S green 
sturgeon. The PSI research may also cause them to take adult S 
eulachon--a species for which there are currently no ESA take 
prohibitions. Sampling would take place in Samish Bay (Puget Sound, 
Washington), Willapa Bay (Washington), and Humboldt Bay (California). 
The purposes of the study are to (1) measure and quantify the effect of 
shellfish culture on seagrass and its function as habitat for fish and 
invertebrates; (2) determine the distribution of, and spatial 
relationship between, existing shellfish culture and seagrass in 
several Pacific Northwest estuaries; and (3) synthesize data and 
parameterize production functions for higher trophic level species of 
interest (i.e., English sole, crab, salmon) across habitat types. The 
research would benefit listed species by (1) increasing knowledge at a 
landscape scale regarding the influence aquaculture may have on 
estuarine habitats and (2) improving development of environmentally and 
economically sustainable shellfish farming practices that minimize 
impacts on listed species. The PSI proposes to observe/harass fish 
using modified fyke net/camera deployments and capture fish using 
Breder traps. The modified fyke net/camera deployments will be left 
open-ended with four wings (hourglass shape) with two cameras to 
identify species; no fish will be handled. For the Breder traps, fish 
will be identified to species, counted, measured, and released. The 
researchers do not propose to kill any listed fish being captured, but 
a small number may die as an unintended result of the activities.

Permit 20349

    The FRIENDS of the San Juans (FSJ) is seeking a five-year research 
permit to annually take juvenile PS Chinook salmon and PS steelhead in 
bays and intertidal zones around the San Juan Islands (Puget Sound, 
Washington). The FSJ research may also cause them to take adult S 
eulachon--a species for which there are currently no ESA take 
prohibitions. The purpose of the FSJ study is to assess fish 
utilization of shallow water and beach habitats before and after 
restoration activities. The research would benefit listed species by 
providing data for evaluating restoration project success. The FSJ 
proposes to capture fish using a beach seine. Captured fish would be 
identified to species, counted, measured to length (first 20 
individuals of each species), and released. The researchers do not 
propose to kill any listed fish being captured, but a small number may 
die as an unintended result of the activities.

Permit 20451

    The UW is seeking a two-year research permit to annually take 
juvenile and adult OL sockeye salmon in Lake Ozette (northwest 
Washington). The purpose of the UW study is to investigate the 
interactions of native predators (i.e., northern pikeminnow, sculpin) 
and non-native predators (i.e. largemouth bass, yellow perch) with 
Olympic mudminnow (Novumbra hubbsi), a state sensitive species. The 
research would benefit the listed species because OL sockeye are 
similarly threatened by the same predators. The UW proposes to capture 
fish using minnow traps, hoop nets, gill nets, trammel nets, and hook 
and line. For OL sockeye salmon, captured fish would be handled and 
released. After the listed fish are released, the remaining fish would 
be anesthetized, fin clipped, gastric lavaged (or for northern 
pikeminnow, sacrificed), and released. The researchers do not propose 
to kill any listed fish being captured, but a small number may die as 
an unintended result of the activities.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. NMFS 
will evaluate the applications, associated documents, and comments 
submitted to determine whether the applications meet the requirements 
of section 10(a) of the ESA and Federal regulations. The final permit 
decisions will not be made until after the end of the 30-day comment 
period. NMFS will publish notice of its final action in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: May 17, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-11999 Filed 5-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P