81 FR 41931 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing Permit
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 124 (June 28, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 124 (June 28, 2016)
| Page Range | 41931-41933 | |
| FR Document | 2016-15154 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 41931-41933] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-15154] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE676 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing Permit AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PR DNER). If granted, the EFP would authorize the PR DNER to conduct two projects in waters of the Puerto Rico exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to collect fishery-independent data on the abundance, distribution, and reproductive condition of reef fish in eastern and western Puerto Rico. For the first project, the EFP would authorize the PR DNER to harvest reef fish by hook-and-line and bottom longline gear off both the west and east coasts of Puerto Rico. All reef fish, including undersized and seasonally prohibited reef fish species, would be retained, except for goliath grouper, Nassau grouper, and all species of parrotfish. The purpose of the EFP for the first project is to determine spatial and temporal variations in stock abundance of Caribbean reef fish resources off Puerto Rico. The second project in the EFP would authorize the PR DNER to collect various species of recreationally important reef fish by spear gun and hook-and-line fishing in Federal waters off the west coast of Puerto Rico. The purpose of the second project is to obtain information about the annual reproductive cycle and minimum size of sexual maturation of the collected reef fish species. DATES: Comments must be received no later than July 28, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by either of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line of the email comment the following document identifier: ``PR DNER_EFP 2016''. Mail: Maria del Mar Lopez, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The application and related documents are available for review upon written request to any of the above addresses. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria del Mar Lopez, telephone: 727- 824-5305, email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted fishing. The proposed collection for scientific research involves activities that would otherwise be prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR part 622, as they pertain to Caribbean reef fish managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council). The EFP would exempt this research activity from Federal regulations at Sec. 622.435(a) (Seasonal and [[Page 41932]] area closures), Sec. 622.436 (Size limits), and Sec. 622.437 (Bag limits). This action involves activities covered by regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The applicant requests authorization to collect reef fish species through two projects in the Federal waters off the east and west coasts of Puerto Rico. Specimens would be collected by commercial fishermen contracted through the PR DNER, by PR DNER research vessels, and by private vessels contracted by the PR DNER. The applicant has requested the EFP for both projects to be effective from the date of EFP issuance through May 31, 2018. The first project would continue the collection of information on reef fish abundance and distribution in Federal waters off eastern and western Puerto Rico as part of the ongoing Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program-Caribbean (SEAMAP-C) Reef Fish Monitoring Project that has recently undergone survey protocol revisions. Research in Federal waters would consist of harvesting reef fish at approximately 20 stations in the EEZ off the west coast of Puerto Rico, west of 67[deg]00'00'' W. long., and approximately at 10 stations in the EEZ off the east coast of Puerto Rico, from the Fajardo coast to north of Culebra Island and east of Vieques Island. Stations and sampling dates for this first project would be randomly selected. Sampling would be conducted by (1) bottom longline fishing, (2) hook- and-line gear, and (3) underwater cameras to identify and quantify reef fish species. The hook-and-line gear sampling would take place while EFP authorized vessels are both drifting and anchored. Species expected to be caught and landed for the EFP include federally managed schoolmaster, lane, vermilion, yellowtail, mutton, silk, and blackfin snappers; and red hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin, yellowedge, red, tiger, and black groupers. All reef fish, including undersized and seasonally prohibited species, would be retained, except for goliath grouper, Nassau grouper, and all species of parrotfish. The EFP for the first project would allow the following estimated amounts of these species groups to be harvested: A total of 240 lb (108 kg) of red hind grouper, a total of 100 lb (45 kg) of yellowfin, red, tiger, black (Grouper Unit 4) and yellowedge (Part of Grouper Unit 5) groupers, a total of 100 lb (45 kg) of silk, black, blackfin, and vermilion snappers (Snapper Unit 1), and a total of 600 lb (272 kg) of mutton, lane, gray, and schoolmaster snappers (Snapper Unit 3). Harvest of these reef fish species may occur during their respective spawning seasonal closure periods as described at 50 CFR 622.435. The EFP would allow the harvest of 500 lb (227 kg) of yellowtail snapper, which may include fish under the legal minimum size of 12 in (30.5 cm), total length. Fish collected in the first project would also provide some of the samples to be used in the second project that is part of this EFP request. The bottom longline fishing component of the first project would occur at randomly selected stations at 0-10, 11-20, and 21-50 fathoms. There would be approximately 20 stations in the EEZ off the west coast and approximately 10 stations in the EEZ off the east coast of Puerto Rico. The sampling stations and dates of sampling would be randomly selected by the PR DNER and may also vary according to weather and sampling logistics. Sampling may occur during closed seasons in Federal waters or in areas closed to certain fishing activities. Sampling in the first project would occur between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., local time. The bottom longline would be anchored at each end, with surface buoys attached to allow retrieval and identification. Circle hooks would be used for the bottom longline gear and the gear would soak for 45 minutes for each sample, after which it would be retrieved and the reef fish collected. The bottom longline would be set to minimize any impacts to bottom habitat by avoiding coral reefs and by fastening small buoys at intervals between hooks to ensure the line remains suspended above the bottom to avoid entanglement. For each bottom longline trip, the following data would be recorded: Date; time of first and last hook deployment and recovery; station code; latitude and longitude; fishing time to the nearest minute; weather conditions; depth; total number of hooked fished per vessel; number, weight, length, reproductive condition, and species level identification of fish by individual longline set; and substrate and/or habitat type. The hook-and-line sampling for the first project would take place while project vessels are both drifting and an anchored. For each hook- and-line samples, sample locations will be selected based on depth and habitat criteria for both the west and east coasts of Puerto Rico. Hook-and-line gear stations would occur at 0-10, 11-20, and 21-50 fathoms. Each sampling area would be sampled twice during the period of the EFP and there would be approximately 20 stations in the Federal waters off the west coast and 10 stations in the Federal waters off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Sampling station and date of sample would be randomly selected and may also vary according to weather and sampling logistics. The hook-and-line gear sampling for the first project would consist of 2 hours drifting and 2 hours anchored. The hook-and-line sampling to occur while anchored would be conducted for 30 minutes at 4 different sampling stations. The hook-and-line fishing while the vessels are drifting would be conducted in 15-minute intervals near the anchor sampling stations for up to a total of 2 hours per sampling site. For each hook-and-line trip, the following data would be recorded: Date, time of EFP vessel trips; station location (latitude and longitude); fishing time for hook-and-line gear to the nearest 15 minutes; weather conditions; depth; total number of hooked fished per vessel; number, weight, length, reproductive condition, and identification of reef fish per hook-and-line; and stratified habitat type or substrate type. As part of the first project, a camera survey would be also be used to develop a procedure that would allow for reef fish species identification, counts, and size measurements. There would be a total of approximately 60 camera sampling trips to cover the randomly pre- selected stations for the east and west coasts of Puerto Rico. The camera array would be deployed for 60 minutes at sites near those of the bottom longline fishing sites. The second project requested as part of this EFP would employ histological methods to describe the annual reproductive cycle and minimum size at maturity of mutton snapper, red hind, coney, white grunt, tomtate, and pluma porgy in waters off the west coast of Puerto Rico. Gonads would be collected from these species and preserved for histological analysis of species by the PR DNER. Information obtained as part of this study would potentially allow for determination of sex, reproductive stage, spawning season, and size of maturity of the collected reef fish species. Sampling for this second project would consist of approximately 10 trips in the Federal waters off the west coast of Puerto Rico. Twice per month, PR DNER contracted fishers would use hook-and-line gear and spear guns to collect a minimum of 25 samples per trip of each of the second project's reef fish species, covering a wide size range of these species. Fishing would be conducted for 6-10 hours on a sampling day. Fish samples would be collected mainly by contracted fishermen. Any other species incidentally caught by hook-and-line fishers would be released, including [[Page 41933]] Nassau and goliath groupers, and all species of parrotfish. For this second project, the EFP would allow the collection of a total of 150 lb (68 kg) of red hind during their closed spawning season of December 1 through the last day of February in Caribbean EEZ waters west of 67[deg]10'00'' W. long.; and the collection of a total of 150 lb (68 kg) of mutton snapper, which may occur during its seasonal closure, which runs from April 1 through June 30 in the Caribbean EEZ. After being harvested and sampled, all reef fish that were collected would be donated to a local zoo. The NMFS New Procedures and Actions for Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals in Research and Monitoring Activities policy, approved in 2015, would be followed in the event of any incidental captures of marine mammals. Anchoring in Federal waters to conduct fishing activities would occur up to a maximum of 10 times in areas that do not affect corals. Anchoring and fishing activities would not take place in the spawning aggregation managed areas of Bajo de Sico, Tourmaline, or Abrir La Sierra, west of Puerto Rico. For both projects of the EFP, samples would be collected aboard research vessels owned by PR DNER and aboard private vessels contracted by the PR DNER. These vessels will be operated by PR DNER personnel or commercial fishermen and/or boat operators under contract with PR DNER. Each research vessel's home port is located in Puerto Rico. NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration, based on a preliminary review. Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is indeed granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition on conducting research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, or special management zones, without additional authorization. Additionally, NMFS would require any sea turtles taken incidentally during the course of fishing or scientific research activities to be handled with due care to prevent injury to live specimens, observed for activity, and returned to the water. A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NMFS' review of public comments received on the application, consultations with the affected state(s), the Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that it is consistent with all applicable laws. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 22, 2016. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-15154 Filed 6-27-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Notices 41931
SUMMARY: The Department of Estimated Number of Respondents: of the Puerto Rico exclusive economic
Commerce, as part of its continuing 116. zone (EEZ) to collect fishery-
effort to reduce paperwork and Estimated Time per Response: Cost independent data on the abundance,
respondent burden, invites the general recovery forms: 1 hour; Failure to pay distribution, and reproductive condition
public and other Federal agencies to report: 4 hours; Annual report: 1 hour. of reef fish in eastern and western
take this opportunity to comment on Estimated Total Annual Burden Puerto Rico. For the first project, the
proposed and/or continuing information Hours: 1,304. EFP would authorize the PR DNER to
collections, as required by the Estimated Total Annual Cost to harvest reef fish by hook-and-line and
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting bottom longline gear off both the west
DATES: Written comments must be
costs. and east coasts of Puerto Rico. All reef
submitted on or before August 29, 2016. IV. Request for Comments fish, including undersized and
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments seasonally prohibited reef fish species,
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether would be retained, except for goliath
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental the proposed collection of information
Paperwork Clearance Officer, grouper, Nassau grouper, and all species
is necessary for the proper performance of parrotfish. The purpose of the EFP for
Department of Commerce, Room 6616, of the functions of the agency, including
14th and Constitution Avenue NW., the first project is to determine spatial
whether the information shall have and temporal variations in stock
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
Internet at JJessup@doc.gov). abundance of Caribbean reef fish
agency’s estimate of the burden resources off Puerto Rico.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (including hours and cost) of the
Requests for additional information or The second project in the EFP would
proposed collection of information; (c)
copies of the information collection authorize the PR DNER to collect
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
instrument and instructions should be various species of recreationally
clarity of the information to be
directed to Christopher Biegel, (503) important reef fish by spear gun and
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
231–6291 or christopher.biegel@ hook-and-line fishing in Federal waters
burden of the collection of information
noaa.gov. off the west coast of Puerto Rico. The
on respondents, including through the
purpose of the second project is to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: use of automated collection techniques
obtain information about the annual
or other forms of information
I. Abstract reproductive cycle and minimum size of
technology.
Comments submitted in response to sexual maturation of the collected reef
This request is for an extension of a fish species.
currently approved information this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB DATES: Comments must be received no
collection.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery approval of this information collection; later than July 28, 2016.
Conservation and Management Act they also will become a matter of public ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
requires that the Secretary of Commerce record. on the application by either of the
maintain a cost recovery program to Dated: June 23, 2016. following methods:
cover part of the management, data Sarah Brabson, • Email: Maria.Lopez@noaa.gov.
collection, and enforcement costs of the NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
Include in the subject line of the email
limited access privilege programs, such comment the following document
[FR Doc. 2016–15216 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am]
as the Pacific coast groundfish fishery’s identifier: ‘‘PR DNER_EFP 2016’’.
trawl rationalization program. This cost
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
• Mail: Maria del Mar Lopez,
recovery program requires fish sellers to Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263
submit fees to fish buyers who then DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL
submit those fees to the National Marine 33701.
Fisheries Service (NMFS) and include National Oceanic and Atmospheric The application and related
information about the volume and value Administration documents are available for review
of groundfish. Information is collected upon written request to any of the above
RIN 0648–XE676
from monthly and annual reports as addresses.
well as non-payment documents when Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
necessary. Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Maria del Mar Lopez, telephone: 727–
This program is authorized under the Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 824–5305, email: Maria.Lopez@
Pacific coast groundfish fishery Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing noaa.gov.
regulations, trawl rationalization cost Permit
recovery program at 50 CFR 660.115. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries requested under the authority of the
II. Method of Collection Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Most information is submitted Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Conservation and Management Act (16
electronically through the Federal web Commerce. U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and regulations at
portal Pay.gov, though some may be ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted
submitted by mail or email. application for an exempted fishing fishing.
The proposed collection for scientific
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
III. Data permit; request for comments.
research involves activities that would
OMB Control Number: 0648–0663. SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt otherwise be prohibited by regulations
Form Number(s): None. of an application for an exempted at 50 CFR part 622, as they pertain to
Type of Review: Regular submission fishing permit (EFP) from Puerto Rico’s Caribbean reef fish managed by the
(extension of a current information Department of Natural and Caribbean Fishery Management Council
collection). Environmental Resources (PR DNER). If (Council). The EFP would exempt this
Affected Public: Business or other for- granted, the EFP would authorize the PR research activity from Federal
profit organizations. DNER to conduct two projects in waters regulations at § 622.435(a) (Seasonal and
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Notices 41933
Nassau and goliath groupers, and all Dated: June 22, 2016. biological, ecological, and economic
species of parrotfish. Alan D. Risenhoover, impacts of existing management
For this second project, the EFP Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, measures and alternative proposed
would allow the collection of a total of National Marine Fisheries Service. management actions; and, (4) in general,
150 lb (68 kg) of red hind during their [FR Doc. 2016–15154 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am] more effectively conduct the analyses
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P required under the MSA, the
closed spawning season of December 1
Endangered Species ACT (ESA), and the
through the last day of February in
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Caribbean EEZ waters west of 67°10′00″ (MMPDA), the National Environmental
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
W. long.; and the collection of a total of Policy Act (NEP), and Regulatory
150 lb (68 kg) of mutton snapper, which National Oceanic and Atmospheric Flexibility Act (RFA), Executive Order
may occur during its seasonal closure, Administration 12866, and other applicable law.
which runs from April 1 through June CPS fishery participants are defined
30 in the Caribbean EEZ. After being Proposed Information Collection; as US west-coast purse seine vessels
harvested and sampled, all reef fish that Comment Request; California-Oregon- participating in the coastal pelagic
were collected would be donated to a Washington Coastal Purse Seine species (CPS) fisheries—northern
local zoo. Survey. anchovy, Pacific mackerel, Pacific
The NMFS New Procedures and AGENCY: National Oceanic and sardine, and/or market squid), we
Actions for Incidental Takes of Marine Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), intend to survey all Washington-
Mammals in Research and Monitoring Commerce. Oregon-California coastal purse seine
Activities policy, approved in 2015, ACTION: Notice. vessels with sardine landings in any
would be followed in the event of any year between 2015 and the initiation of
SUMMARY: The Department of the survey. This includes vessels fishing
incidental captures of marine mammals.
Commerce, as part of its continuing off California in the limited entry
Anchoring in Federal waters to conduct
effort to reduce paperwork and program under the CPS Fishery
fishing activities would occur up to a respondent burden, invites the general Management Plan (FMP) and State
maximum of 10 times in areas that do public and other Federal agencies to permitted vessels fishing off
not affect corals. Anchoring and fishing take this opportunity to comment on Washington and Oregon.
activities would not take place in the proposed and/or continuing information
spawning aggregation managed areas of II. Method of Collection
collections, as required by the
Bajo de Sico, Tourmaline, or Abrir La Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. CPS fishery participants will be
Sierra, west of Puerto Rico. DATES: Written comments must be contacted and screened to participate in
For both projects of the EFP, samples submitted on or before August 29, 2016. the data collection. A cost and earnings
would be collected aboard research ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
survey will be scheduled and
vessels owned by PR DNER and aboard to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental administered to eligible respondents as
private vessels contracted by the PR Paperwork Clearance Officer, appropriate. Screener, scheduling and
DNER. These vessels will be operated by Department of Commerce, Room 6616, survey modes may include in-person,
14th and Constitution Avenue NW., internet, phone, or mail.
PR DNER personnel or commercial
fishermen and/or boat operators under Washington, DC 20230 (or via the III. Data
contract with PR DNER. Each research Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).
OMB Control Number: 0648–xxxx.
vessel’s home port is located in Puerto FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Form Number(s): None.
Rico. Requests for additional information or Type of Review: Regular submission
NMFS finds this application warrants copies of the information collection (request for a new information
instrument and instructions should be collection).
further consideration, based on a
directed to James Hilger, (858) 546–7140 Affected Public: Business or other for-
preliminary review. Possible conditions
or james.hilger@noaa.gov. profit organizations.
the agency may impose on this permit,
if it is indeed granted, include but are
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Estimated Number of Respondents:
100.
not limited to, a prohibition on I. Abstract
Estimated Time per Response: 5
conducting research within marine This request is for a new collection of minutes for screener; 5 minutes to
protected areas, marine sanctuaries, or information. schedule survey for qualified and
special management zones, without The Southwest Fisheries Science interested respondents; 60 minutes for
additional authorization. Additionally, Center (SWFSC) is undertaking an the survey.
NMFS would require any sea turtles economics data collection effort for the Estimated Total Annual Burden
taken incidentally during the course of West Coast Coastal Pelagic Species Hours: 95.
fishing or scientific research activities to (CPS) fleet to improve the SWFSC’s Estimated Total Annual Cost to
be handled with due care to prevent capability to do the following: (1) Public: $0 in recordkeeping/reporting
injury to live specimens, observed for Describe and monitor economic costs.
activity, and returned to the water. A performance (e.g., profitability, capacity
utilization, efficiency, and productivity) IV. Request for Comments
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
final decision on issuance of the EFP
will depend on NMFS’ review of public and impacts (e.g., sector, community, or Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
comments received on the application, region-specific employment and the proposed collection of information
consultations with the affected state(s), income); (2) determine the quantity and is necessary for the proper performance
the Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard, distribution of net benefits derived from of the functions of the agency, including
and a determination that it is consistent living marine resources; (3) understand whether the information shall have
with all applicable laws. and predict the ecological, and behavior practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
of participants in Federally managed agency’s estimate of the burden
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. commercial fisheries; (4) predict the (including hours and cost) of the
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Document Created: 2016-06-28 00:53:51
Document Modified: 2016-06-28 00:53:51
| 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 of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received no later than July 28, 2016. | |
| Contact | Maria del Mar Lopez, telephone: 727- 824-5305, email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 41931 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE67 |
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