81 FR 52829 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 154 (August 10, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 154 (August 10, 2016)
| Page Range | 52829-52830 | |
| FR Document | 2016-18999 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 52829-52830] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-18999] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE759 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 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 Dr. David Die and Chiara Pacini at the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. If granted, the EFP would authorize the collection of a maximum of 400 juvenile snowy grouper incidentally caught in commercial spiny lobster traps in Federal waters off the Florida Keys in the South Atlantic during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 commercial lobster fishing seasons. The purpose of the EFP would be to estimate and validate age and growth rates for juvenile snowy grouper in the South Atlantic. DATES: Comments must be received no later than September 9, 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: ``University of Miami Snowy Grouper EFP''. Mail: Mary Vara, 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: Mary Vara, 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 EFP request involves activities covered by regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plans (FMP) for federally managed fisheries of the South Atlantic Region. The proposed collection for scientific research involves activities that would otherwise be prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR part 622, as they pertain to South Atlantic snapper-grouper managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). The EFP would exempt this research activity from Federal regulations at Sec. 622.170(a)(1) (Permits and endorsements) and other requirements applicable to snapper-grouper permit holders; Sec. 622.183(b)(8) (Seasonal closures); Sec. 622.187(b)(2)(ii) (Bag and possession limits); and Sec. 622.188(a), (b), and (c) (Required gear, authorized gear, and unauthorized gear); Sec. 622.193(b)(2) (Annual catch limits, annual catch targets, and accountability measures). The purpose of this study is to estimate and validate age and growth rates of juvenile snowy grouper to better understand its early life history. The applicant requests authorization to collect juvenile snowy grouper incidentally caught using standard commercial spiny lobster traps in Federal waters off the Florida Keys in the South Atlantic, bounded by Bahia Honda to the south and Upper Matecumbe Key to the north. As described in the application, snowy grouper sampling would occur during approximately 15 spiny lobster trips completed during the 2016- 2017 and 2017-2018 commercial spiny lobster fishing seasons. These seasons are from August 6, 2016, through March 31, 2017, and August 6, 2017, through March 31, 2018. Approximately 200 spiny lobster traps would be deployed or retrieved during each commercial spiny lobster trip. A maximum of 200 incidentally caught snowy grouper would be collected each year of the 2-season project duration, for a maximum quantity of 400 snowy grouper. The project would end when either 400 snowy grouper are collected over the 2 spiny lobster seasons or by March 31, 2018, whichever occurs first. Gear used for collecting the snowy grouper would be legal commercial spiny lobster traps constructed of wire with wooden tops that are anchored down with concrete slabs to prevent them from moving during storm winds and heavy currents. The traps are standard spiny lobster traps with dimensions of 35.0 inches (88.9 cm) long, 23.6 inches (59.9 cm) wide, and 23.6 inches (59.9 cm) high. The spiny lobster traps being deployed would be a mix of single traps and trawls (traps tethered together). Each trawl would have approximately 15-25 traps connected together with approximately 50-75 yd (46-69 m) of rope between each trap with buoys on each end. Each trap or trawl would also have a vertical line and a buoy attached, along with the vessel identification and permit number etched into the buoy. Single traps would be set in sand in shallow waters less than 75 ft (23 m), and trawls would be set in sand in deeper waters between 100-300 ft (30-91 m). The exact depth and location of the traps or trawls would be recorded after each deployment. Traps would be baited with raw cowhide and dead fish, and would be re-baited and checked approximately every 2 weeks, depending on weather. The trap soak time would be approximately 2 weeks. All traps would be retrieved during daylight hours. On retrieval, traps would be hauled slowly to the surface to minimize the risk of barotrauma. Each trap would then be checked for the presence of snowy grouper. If there are snowy grouper present, the trap number, location, depth, length, and date would be documented. Snowy grouper that are longer than 209 mm total length would be released because this study would focus on juvenile snowy grouper. Any other fish collected in the spiny lobster traps would be returned to the water. Before release, fish showing evidence of barotrauma, including snowy grouper longer than 209 mm total length and any other finfish bycatch, would be vented before release. Release cages (or descending devices) would be utilized to aid in fish descent. Lawfully harvested spiny lobster would be retained by the permitted vessel. A maximum of 20 of the 200 snowy grouper collected each year of the project would be kept alive in an aerated tank and taken to the University of Miami for further study (for a maximum of 30 days) to validate daily growth rings on otoliths (fish ear bones). The remaining snowy grouper will not be kept alive on the boat, but will be taken to the lab where their otoliths would be removed to estimate age and growth rates. Gut contents from all snowy grouper that are not kept alive for further study would be removed for future analysis. In addition, any bycatch from the spiny lobster traps would be documented before being returned to the water. In this study, bycatch would [[Page 52830]] be any animals other than lawfully harvested spiny lobster and snowy grouper longer than 209 mm total length. The vessel to be used for the project would be a commercial spiny lobster fishing vessel with valid licenses and permits to commercially harvest spiny lobster in the Federal waters off Florida. The EFP would not exempt the applicant from the relevant state of Florida regulations for spiny lobster harvest or from the Federal spiny lobster regulations specified at 50 CFR Subpart R. At least one of the applicants would be present during each of the sampling trips. If the EFP is approved, all collections of juvenile snowy grouper would be conducted during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 commercial spiny lobster seasons. All snowy grouper would be collected as part of the vessel's normal commercial spiny lobster fishing trips. NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration. Based on a preliminary review, NMFS intends to issue an EFP. Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is indeed granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of conducting research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, special management zones, or artificial reefs without additional authorization. Additionally, NMFS may require special protections for Endangered Species Act listed species and their critical habitat. A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NMFS' review of public comments received on the application, consultations with the appropriate fishery management agency of the affected state, 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: August 5, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-18999 Filed 8-9-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices 52829
5. Performance measures for national- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is standard spiny lobster traps with
level cybersecurity policies; and related requested under the authority of the dimensions of 35.0 inches (88.9 cm)
near-term and long-term goals. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery long, 23.6 inches (59.9 cm) wide, and
6. Complexity of cybersecurity Conservation and Management Act (16 23.6 inches (59.9 cm) high. The spiny
terminology and potential approaches to U.S.C 1801 et seq.), and regulations at lobster traps being deployed would be a
resolve, including common lexicons. 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted mix of single traps and trawls (traps
fishing. tethered together). Each trawl would
Kevin Kimball,
The EFP request involves activities have approximately 15–25 traps
NIST Chief of Staff. covered by regulations implementing connected together with approximately
[FR Doc. 2016–18948 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am] the Fishery Management Plans (FMP) 50–75 yd (46–69 m) of rope between
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P for federally managed fisheries of the each trap with buoys on each end. Each
South Atlantic Region. The proposed trap or trawl would also have a vertical
collection for scientific research line and a buoy attached, along with the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE involves activities that would otherwise vessel identification and permit number
be prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR etched into the buoy. Single traps would
National Oceanic and Atmospheric part 622, as they pertain to South be set in sand in shallow waters less
Administration Atlantic snapper-grouper managed by than 75 ft (23 m), and trawls would be
RIN 0648–XE759 the South Atlantic Fishery Management set in sand in deeper waters between
Council (Council). The EFP would 100–300 ft (30–91 m). The exact depth
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of exempt this research activity from and location of the traps or trawls
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper- Federal regulations at § 622.170(a)(1) would be recorded after each
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; (Permits and endorsements) and other deployment. Traps would be baited
Exempted Fishing Permit requirements applicable to snapper- with raw cowhide and dead fish, and
grouper permit holders; § 622.183(b)(8) would be re-baited and checked
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
(Seasonal closures); § 622.187(b)(2)(ii) approximately every 2 weeks,
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
(Bag and possession limits); and depending on weather.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
§ 622.188(a), (b), and (c) (Required gear, The trap soak time would be
Commerce.
authorized gear, and unauthorized gear); approximately 2 weeks. All traps would
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an § 622.193(b)(2) (Annual catch limits, be retrieved during daylight hours. On
application for an exempted fishing annual catch targets, and accountability retrieval, traps would be hauled slowly
permit; request for comments. measures). The purpose of this study is to the surface to minimize the risk of
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt to estimate and validate age and growth barotrauma. Each trap would then be
of an application for an exempted rates of juvenile snowy grouper to better checked for the presence of snowy
fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. David Die understand its early life history. grouper. If there are snowy grouper
and Chiara Pacini at the University of The applicant requests authorization present, the trap number, location,
Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and to collect juvenile snowy grouper depth, length, and date would be
incidentally caught using standard documented. Snowy grouper that are
Atmospheric Science. If granted, the
commercial spiny lobster traps in longer than 209 mm total length would
EFP would authorize the collection of a
Federal waters off the Florida Keys in be released because this study would
maximum of 400 juvenile snowy
the South Atlantic, bounded by Bahia focus on juvenile snowy grouper. Any
grouper incidentally caught in
Honda to the south and Upper other fish collected in the spiny lobster
commercial spiny lobster traps in
Matecumbe Key to the north. traps would be returned to the water.
Federal waters off the Florida Keys in As described in the application, Before release, fish showing evidence of
the South Atlantic during the 2016– snowy grouper sampling would occur barotrauma, including snowy grouper
2017 and 2017–2018 commercial lobster during approximately 15 spiny lobster longer than 209 mm total length and any
fishing seasons. The purpose of the EFP trips completed during the 2016–2017 other finfish bycatch, would be vented
would be to estimate and validate age and 2017–2018 commercial spiny before release. Release cages (or
and growth rates for juvenile snowy lobster fishing seasons. These seasons descending devices) would be utilized
grouper in the South Atlantic. are from August 6, 2016, through March to aid in fish descent. Lawfully
DATES: Comments must be received no 31, 2017, and August 6, 2017, through harvested spiny lobster would be
later than September 9, 2016. March 31, 2018. Approximately 200 retained by the permitted vessel.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments spiny lobster traps would be deployed A maximum of 20 of the 200 snowy
on the application by either of the or retrieved during each commercial grouper collected each year of the
following methods: spiny lobster trip. A maximum of 200 project would be kept alive in an
• Email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. incidentally caught snowy grouper aerated tank and taken to the University
Include in the subject line of the email would be collected each year of the 2- of Miami for further study (for a
comment the following document season project duration, for a maximum maximum of 30 days) to validate daily
identifier: ‘‘University of Miami Snowy quantity of 400 snowy grouper. The growth rings on otoliths (fish ear bones).
Grouper EFP’’. project would end when either 400 The remaining snowy grouper will not
• Mail: Mary Vara, Southeast snowy grouper are collected over the 2 be kept alive on the boat, but will be
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th spiny lobster seasons or by March 31, taken to the lab where their otoliths
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. 2018, whichever occurs first. would be removed to estimate age and
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
The application and related Gear used for collecting the snowy growth rates. Gut contents from all
documents are available for review grouper would be legal commercial snowy grouper that are not kept alive for
upon written request to any of the above spiny lobster traps constructed of wire further study would be removed for
addresses. with wooden tops that are anchored future analysis. In addition, any bycatch
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: down with concrete slabs to prevent from the spiny lobster traps would be
Mary Vara, 727–824–5305; email them from moving during storm winds documented before being returned to
mary.vara@noaa.gov. and heavy currents. The traps are the water. In this study, bycatch would
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![52830 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices
be any animals other than lawfully DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE region of the U.S. The AFSC conducts
harvested spiny lobster and snowy research and provides scientific advice
grouper longer than 209 mm total National Oceanic and Atmospheric to manage fisheries and conserve living
length. Administration marine resources in the North Pacific
The vessel to be used for the project RIN 0648–XE485 and marine waters off of Alaska. The
AFSC provides scientific data and
would be a commercial spiny lobster
Notice of Availability of a Draft technical advice to a variety of
fishing vessel with valid licenses and
Programmatic Environmental management organizations and
permits to commercially harvest spiny stakeholder groups, including the NMFS
Assessment for Fisheries and
lobster in the Federal waters off Florida. Alaska Regional Office, North Pacific
Ecosystem Research Conducted and
The EFP would not exempt the Fishery Management Council (NPFMC),
Funded by the National Marine
applicant from the relevant state of State of Alaska, Alaska coastal
Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries
Florida regulations for spiny lobster Science Center subsistence communities, and U.S.
harvest or from the Federal spiny lobster representatives participating in
regulations specified at 50 CFR Subpart AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries international fishery and marine
R. At least one of the applicants would Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and mammal negotiations, as well as the
be present during each of the sampling Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fishing industry, environmental non-
trips. If the EFP is approved, all Commerce. governmental organizations and other
collections of juvenile snowy grouper ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft constituents.
would be conducted during the 2016– Programmatic Environmental NMFS has prepared the DPEA under
2017 and 2017–2018 commercial spiny Assessment; request for comments. NEPA to evaluate several alternatives
lobster seasons. All snowy grouper for conducting and funding fisheries
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the and ecosystem research activities as the
would be collected as part of the availability of the ‘‘Draft Programmatic
vessel’s normal commercial spiny primary Federal action. Additionally in
Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for the DPEA, NMFS evaluates a related
lobster fishing trips. Fisheries and Ecosystem Research action—also called a ‘‘connected
NMFS finds this application warrants Conducted and Funded by the Alaska action’’ under 40 CFR 1508.25 of the
further consideration. Based on a Fisheries Science Center (AFSC).’’ Council on Environmental Quality’s
preliminary review, NMFS intends to Publication of this notice begins the regulations for implementing the
issue an EFP. Possible conditions the official public comment period for this procedural provisions of NEPA (42
agency may impose on this permit, if it DPEA. The purpose of the DPEA is to U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)—which is the
is indeed granted, include but are not evaluate, in compliance with the proposed promulgation of regulations
limited to, a prohibition of conducting National Environmental Policy Act and authorization of the take of marine
research within marine protected areas, (NEPA), the potential direct, indirect, mammals incidental to fisheries
marine sanctuaries, special management and cumulative impacts of conducting research under the Marine Mammal
zones, or artificial reefs without and funding fisheries and ecosystem Protection Act (MMPA). Additionally,
additional authorization. Additionally, research in the North Pacific Ocean and because the proposed research activities
NMFS may require special protections the marine waters off of Alaska. occur in areas inhabited by species of
for Endangered Species Act listed DATES: Comments must be received by marine mammals, birds, and fish listed
species and their critical habitat. A final no later than September 9, 2016. under the Endangered Species Act
decision on issuance of the EFP will ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA (ESA) as threatened or endangered, this
depend on NMFS’ review of public should be addressed to: DPEA DPEA evaluates activities that could
comments received on the application, Comments, c/o AFSC Director’s Office, result in unintentional takes of ESA-
consultations with the appropriate 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Building 4, listed marine species.
fishery management agency of the Seattle, WA 98115. Comments via email The following four alternatives are
affected state, the Council, and the U.S. may be sent to NMFS.AFSC.DPEA@ currently evaluated in the DPEA:
Coast Guard, and a determination that it noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for (1) No-Action/Status Quo Alternative—
email comments sent to addresses other Conduct Federal Fisheries and
is consistent with all applicable laws.
than the one provided here. Comments Ecosystem Research with Scope and
Authority: 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq. sent via email, including all Protocols Similar to Past Efforts
Dated: August 5, 2016. attachments, must not exceed a 10- (2) Preferred Alternative—Conduct
Emily H. Menashes,
megabyte file size. A copy of the DPEA Federal Fisheries and Ecosystem
may be obtained by writing to the Research (New Suite of Research)
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
address specified above, telephoning the with Mitigation for MMPA and ESA
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER Compliance
[FR Doc. 2016–18999 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the (3) Modified Research Alternative—
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P internet at: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/ Conduct Federal Fisheries and
dpea.html. Ecosystem Research (New Suite of
Documents cited in this notice may Research) with Additional Mitigation
also be viewed, by appointment, during (4) No Research Alternative—No
regular business hours, at the Fieldwork for Federal Fisheries and
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
aforementioned address. Ecosystem Research Conducted or
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Funded by AFSC
Daniel H. Ito, (206) 526–4232. The first three alternatives include a
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The program of fisheries and ecosystem
Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) research projects conducted or funded
is the research arm of National Marine by the AFSC as the primary Federal
Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the Alaska action. Because this primary action is
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Document Created: 2016-08-10 01:59:52
Document Modified: 2016-08-10 01:59:52
| 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 September 9, 2016. | |
| Contact | Mary Vara, 727-824-5305; email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 52829 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE75 |
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