81_FR_4036 81 FR 4021 - Pacific Island Fisheries; Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit for Offshore Aquaculture

81 FR 4021 - Pacific Island Fisheries; Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit for Offshore Aquaculture

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 15 (January 25, 2016)

Page Range4021-4022
FR Document2016-01343

NMFS proposes to issue a Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit that would authorize Kampachi Farms, LLC, to stock, culture, and harvest fish that are part of the coral reef ecosystem management unit in a submerged net pen moored in Federal waters about 5.5 nm (10.2 km) off the west coast of the Island of Hawaii. This notice informs the public that NMFS prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) of the potential impacts of the proposed activity.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 15 (Monday, January 25, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 15 (Monday, January 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4021-4022]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01343]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD961


Pacific Island Fisheries; Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing 
Permit for Offshore Aquaculture

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft environmental assessment; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to issue a Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing 
Permit that would authorize Kampachi Farms, LLC, to stock, culture, and 
harvest fish that are part of the coral reef ecosystem management unit 
in a submerged net pen moored in Federal waters about 5.5 nm (10.2 km) 
off the west coast of the Island of Hawaii. This notice informs the 
public that NMFS prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) of the 
potential impacts of the proposed activity.

DATES: NMFS must receive comments on the draft EA by February 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the draft EA, identified by NOAA-
NMFS-2015-0137, by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0137, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Send written comments to Michael D. Tosatto, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp 
Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments sent by any other 
method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end 
of the comment period. All comments received are a part of the public 
record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

[[Page 4022]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melanie Brown, Sustainable Fisheries, 
NMFS PIR, 808-725-5171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS proposes to issue a Special Coral Reef 
Ecosystem Fishing Permit to Kampachi Farms, LLC (applicant), consistent 
with Federal regulations for Hawaii coral reef ecosystem fisheries 
management at Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 665.224, and 
the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaiian Archipelago (FEP). NMFS 
would authorize the applicant to stock, culture, and harvest kampachi, 
a native coral reef ecosystem management unit fish (Seriola rivoliana, 
Almaco jack, marketed as Kona Kampachi[supreg]). NMFS would authorize 
the activity for 2 years.
    The applicant would use a floating, submerged, cylindrical net pen 
with an area of 1,083 m \3\ (38,246 ft \3\) net pen, suspended from a 
30-m (98-ft) diameter float ring. The applicant would tether the net 
pen, made of brass and synthetic meshes, to a 60-ft (18-m) feed vessel. 
The net pen, float ring, and feed vessel are collectively called the 
Velella Delta Array. The applicant would secure the array to a single-
point mooring in Federal waters approximately 6,000 ft (1,830 m) deep, 
5.5 nm (10.2 km) west of Keauhou Bay, Hawaii. The exact position of the 
Velella Delta Array would depend on wind and currents and would 
approach no closer than 3 nm (5.6 km) from shore.
    The proposed activity requires a special permit because the FEP and 
Federal regulations do not identify the Velella Delta Array as an 
approved gear type to fish for coral reef ecosystem management unit 
species. If NMFS authorizes the activity, the applicant would use the 
Velella Delta Array to grow and harvest 30,000 kampachi from 
fingerlings in two 15,000-fish cohorts. The applicant would stock the 
net pen with first-generation offspring from wild fish.
    NMFS anticipates that the low density of cultured fish, the 
procedures proposed to minimize feed waste, and the flushing by ocean 
currents, would minimally affect water quality. The net materials 
resist both biofouling and leaching. The net pen design includes a 
single mesh entry panel on the top that Kampachi Farms staff would use 
only after raising the pen to the surface. The project design and 
operating procedures would prevent fish escapes.
    The applicant would equip the array's float ring and feed vessel 
with GPS navigation units to provide constant location information on 
the array, simplifying retrieval operations if the array were to break 
free from the mooring. In the unlikely case of the array separating 
from the mooring, the applicant would notify the U.S. Coast Guard and 
immediately recover any lost gear. In addition to requiring the 
applicant to monitor the array, NMFS would require the applicant to 
avoid interactions with protected species (i.e., marine mammals, 
seabirds, sea turtles, and reef corals), prevent fish escapes, dispose 
of dead fish on land, maintain harvest and transshipment reports, and, 
if needed, accommodate a scientific observer.
    NMFS expects that the array would aggregate pelagic fish, and 
fishermen would be able to continue fishing near the array. The small 
size of the array would not adversely affect fish catches in the ocean 
west of the Island of Hawaii.
    The applicant must also obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers (USACE) to use the mooring, and NMFS prepared the draft EA in 
collaboration with the USACE. When finalized, NMFS will use the EA to 
determine whether or not the activity would be a major Federal action 
with the potential for significant environmental impacts. If NMFS 
determines that the proposed activity would have significant impacts, 
we would need to prepare an environmental impact statement. The EA will 
also inform our decision whether or not to issue the permit. 
Additionally, the EA will inform the USACE preparation of their own 
environmental evaluations in accordance with USACE procedures for the 
mooring permit.

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

    Dated: January 20, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-01343 Filed 1-22-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 15 / Monday, January 25, 2016 / Notices 4021 that depredation by orcas on post- The amount of halibut mortality applied DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE release, deck-sorted halibut was at times to the EFP activities would be subject to high, especially in the arrowtooth review and approval by NMFS. National Oceanic and Atmospheric flounder target fishery. The option of Administration This EFP would be valid upon holding halibut in sea water tanks issuance in 2016 until either the end of would allow the vessel to wait or RIN 0648–XD961 2016 or when the annual halibut change location and release halibut when or where they are less likely to be mortality apportionment is reached in Pacific Island Fisheries; Special Coral depredated. Another potential benefit of areas of the BSAI open to directed Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit for holding deck-sorted halibut in tanks fishing by the various sectors. EFP- Offshore Aquaculture would be to maintain or improve the authorized fishing activities would not halibut’s viability by placing them in be expected to change the nature or AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries oxygenated water if sampling by the duration of the groundfish fishery, gear Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and observer fell behind the pace of sorting. used, or the amount or species of fish Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), This proposed action would exempt caught by the participants. Commerce. participating catcher/processors from The fieldwork that would be ACTION: Notice of availability of draft selected 50 CFR part 679 prohibitions, conducted under this EFP is not environmental assessment; request for and monitoring and observer expected to have a significant impact on comments. requirements. Should the Regional the human environment as detailed in SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to issue a Administrator issue a permit based on this EFP application, the conditions of the categorical exclusion prepared for Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing the permit will be designed to minimize this action (see ADDRESSES). Permit that would authorize Kampachi halibut mortality and any potential for In accordance with § 679.6, NMFS has Farms, LLC, to stock, culture, and biasing estimates of groundfish and determined that the application harvest fish that are part of the coral reef halibut mortality. Vessels participating warrants further consideration and has ecosystem management unit in a in EFP fishing may be exempt from, at forwarded the application to the submerged net pen moored in Federal minimum, the following regulations: Council to initiate consultation. The waters about 5.5 nm (10.2 km) off the 1. the prohibition against interfering Council is scheduled to consider the west coast of the Island of Hawaii. This with or biasing the sampling procedure EFP application during its February notice informs the public that NMFS employed by an observer including 2016 meeting, which will be held at the prepared a draft environmental physical, mechanical, or other sorting or Benson Hotel in Portland, OR. The EFP assessment (EA) of the potential impacts discarding of catch before sampling, at of the proposed activity. application will also be provided to the § 679.7(g)(2); DATES: NMFS must receive comments 2. the requirements to weigh all catch Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee for review at the February on the draft EA by February 16, 2016. by an Amendment 80 vessel on a NMFS-approved scale at § 679.93(c)(1) Council meeting. The applicant has ADDRESSES: You may submit comments and by all vessels at § 679.28(b); and been invited to appear in support of the on the draft EA, identified by NOAA– 3. the requirement to return all application. NMFS–2015–0137, by either of the prohibited species, or parts thereof, to following methods: Public Comments • Electronic Submission: Submit all the sea immediately, with a minimum of injury, regardless of its condition at Interested persons may comment on electronic public comments via the § 679.21(b)(2)(ii). the application at the February 2016 Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to In 2017, the AKSC would be required www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= Council meeting during public to submit to NMFS a report of the EFP NOAA-NMFS-2015-0137, click the testimony or until February 9, 2016. results after EFP experimental fishing ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the Information regarding the meeting is has ended in 2016. The report would required fields, and enter or attach your available at the Council’s Web site at comments. include a comparison of halibut http://www.npfmc.org. Copies of the • Mail: Send written comments to mortality from halibut sampled during application and categorical exclusion Michael D. Tosatto, Regional the EFP and an estimate of halibut mortality under standard IPHC halibut are available for review from NMFS (see Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands ADDRESSES). Comments also may be Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. mortality rates for those target fisheries. Additionally, the report should compare submitted directly to NMFS (see 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. the estimated amount of halibut ADDRESSES) by the end of the comment Instructions: NMFS may not consider sampled by observers in the factory with period (see DATES). comments sent by any other method, to the census of halibut collected in the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. any other address or individual, or factory by vessel crew to evaluate the received after the end of the comment Dated: January 20, 2016. precision and associated variance of period. All comments received are a sampled-based extrapolations and to Emily H. Menashes, part of the public record and will inform a decision of the best way to Acting Director, Office of Sustainable generally be posted for public viewing account for factory halibut in a Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. on www.regulations.gov without change. regulated program. Finally, the report All personal identifying information asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [FR Doc. 2016–01342 Filed 1–22–16; 8:45 am] should evaluate the effectiveness of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential using sea water holding tanks on deck business information, or otherwise to improve the viability and minimize sensitive information submitted depredation by orcas on deck-sorted voluntarily by the sender will be halibut. publicly accessible. NMFS will accept Under the EFP, participants would be anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in limited to their groundfish allocations the required fields if you wish to remain under the 2016 harvest specifications. anonymous). VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:09 Jan 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1

4022 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 15 / Monday, January 25, 2016 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: mooring. In the unlikely case of the Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Melanie Brown, Sustainable Fisheries, array separating from the mooring, the 8:45 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (Open Session) NMFS PIR, 808–725–5171. applicant would notify the U.S. Coast 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. (Administrative SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Guard and immediately recover any lost Working Meeting) proposes to issue a Special Coral Reef gear. In addition to requiring the 12:45 p.m.–4:15 p.m. (Open Session) Ecosystem Fishing Permit to Kampachi applicant to monitor the array, NMFS Farms, LLC (applicant), consistent with would require the applicant to avoid ADDRESSES: Inn by the Sea Hotel, Wind Federal regulations for Hawaii coral reef interactions with protected species (i.e., and Sea Room, 7830 Fay Avenue, La ecosystem fisheries management at Title marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, Jolla, California 92037 (Pre-meeting 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part and reef corals), prevent fish escapes, registration required; see guidance in dispose of dead fish on land, maintain SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, ‘‘Public’s 665.224, and the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaiian Archipelago harvest and transshipment reports, and, Accessibility to the Meeting’’). (FEP). NMFS would authorize the if needed, accommodate a scientific FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The applicant to stock, culture, and harvest observer. Executive Director of the Defense Health kampachi, a native coral reef ecosystem NMFS expects that the array would Board is Ms. Christine Bader, 7700 management unit fish (Seriola rivoliana, aggregate pelagic fish, and fishermen Arlington Boulevard, Suite 5101, Falls Almaco jack, marketed as Kona would be able to continue fishing near Church, Virginia 22042, (703) 681–6653, Kampachi®). NMFS would authorize the the array. The small size of the array Fax: (703) 681–9539, activity for 2 years. would not adversely affect fish catches christine.e.bader.civ@mail.mil. For The applicant would use a floating, in the ocean west of the Island of meeting information, please contact Ms. submerged, cylindrical net pen with an Hawaii. Kendal Brown, 7700 Arlington area of 1,083 m 3 (38,246 ft 3) net pen, The applicant must also obtain a Boulevard, Suite 5101, Falls Church, suspended from a 30-m (98-ft) diameter permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Virginia 22042, kendal.l.brown2.ctr@ float ring. The applicant would tether Engineers (USACE) to use the mooring, mail.mil, (703) 681–6670, Fax: (703) the net pen, made of brass and synthetic and NMFS prepared the draft EA in 681–9539. meshes, to a 60-ft (18-m) feed vessel. collaboration with the USACE. When SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This The net pen, float ring, and feed vessel finalized, NMFS will use the EA to meeting is being held under the are collectively called the Velella Delta determine whether or not the activity provisions of the Federal Advisory Array. The applicant would secure the would be a major Federal action with Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., array to a single-point mooring in the potential for significant Appendix, as amended), the Federal waters approximately 6,000 ft environmental impacts. If NMFS Government in the Sunshine Act of (1,830 m) deep, 5.5 nm (10.2 km) west determines that the proposed activity 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and of Keauhou Bay, Hawaii. The exact would have significant impacts, we 41 CFR 102–3.150, and in accordance position of the Velella Delta Array would need to prepare an with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal would depend on wind and currents environmental impact statement. The Advisory Committee Act. and would approach no closer than 3 EA will also inform our decision Additional information, including the nm (5.6 km) from shore. whether or not to issue the permit. agenda and electronic registration, is The proposed activity requires a Additionally, the EA will inform the available at the DHB Web site, http:// special permit because the FEP and USACE preparation of their own www.health.mil/About-MHS/Other- Federal regulations do not identify the environmental evaluations in MHS-Organizations/Defense-VHealth- Velella Delta Array as an approved gear accordance with USACE procedures for Board/Meetings. type to fish for coral reef ecosystem the mooring permit. Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose management unit species. If NMFS Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. of the meeting is to provide progress authorizes the activity, the applicant Dated: January 20, 2016. updates on specific taskings before the would use the Velella Delta Array to DHB. In addition, the DHB will receive Emily H. Menashes, grow and harvest 30,000 kampachi from information briefings on current issues Acting Director, Office of Sustainable fingerlings in two 15,000-fish cohorts. or lessons learned related to military Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. The applicant would stock the net pen medicine, health policy, health [FR Doc. 2016–01343 Filed 1–22–16; 8:45 am] with first-generation offspring from wild research, disease/injury prevention, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P fish. health promotion, and healthcare NMFS anticipates that the low density delivery. of cultured fish, the procedures Agenda: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as proposed to minimize feed waste, and DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE amended, and 41 CFR 102–3.140 the flushing by ocean currents, would through 102–3.165 and subject to minimally affect water quality. The net Office of the Secretary availability of space, the DHB meeting is materials resist both biofouling and Defense Health Board; Notice of open to the public from 8:45 a.m. to leaching. The net pen design includes a Federal Advisory Committee Meeting 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. single mesh entry panel on the top that on February 10, 2016. The DHB Kampachi Farms staff would use only AGENCY:Department of Defense (DoD). anticipates receiving a progress update after raising the pen to the surface. The from the Healthcare Delivery asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Notice of Federal Advisory ACTION: project design and operating procedures Committee meeting. Subcommittee on the pediatric clinical would prevent fish escapes. preventive services review and an The applicant would equip the array’s SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is update from the Public Health float ring and feed vessel with GPS publishing this notice to announce that Subcommittee on their review of navigation units to provide constant the following Federal Advisory improving Defense Health Program location information on the array, Committee meeting of the Defense medical research processes. In addition, simplifying retrieval operations if the Health Board will take place. information briefings will be presented array were to break free from the DATES: on, Naval Health Research Center and VerDate Sep<11>2014 13:09 Jan 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1


Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:35:25
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:35:25
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 of availability of draft environmental assessment; request for comments.
DatesNMFS must receive comments on the draft EA by February 16, 2016.
ContactMelanie Brown, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS PIR, 808-725-5171.
FR Citation81 FR 4021 
RIN Number0648-XD96
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