81 FR 54558 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 158 (August 16, 2016)

Page Range		54558-54559
FR Document		2016-19505

NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Florida Keys Commercial Fisherman's Association (Association). If granted, the EFP would authorize the deployment of four fish trap designs at several sites in the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the South Atlantic to determine the effectiveness of these gear types for attracting and collecting invasive lionfish and to obtain lionfish life-history information over a 1 year period. The EFP would also utilize an outreach and education program to inform the public about the status of lionfish as an invasive species, efforts to control the spread of the population, and utilization of lionfish as a consumer food source.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54558-54559]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19505]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE036


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and 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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted 
fishing permit (EFP) from the Florida Keys Commercial Fisherman's 
Association (Association). If granted, the EFP would authorize the 
deployment of four fish trap designs at several sites in the Federal 
waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the South Atlantic to determine 
the effectiveness of these gear types for attracting and collecting 
invasive lionfish and to obtain lionfish life-history information over 
a 1 year period. The EFP would also utilize an outreach and education 
program to inform the public about the status of lionfish as an 
invasive species, efforts to control the spread of the population, and 
utilization of lionfish as a consumer food source.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 15, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by any of the 
following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. 
Include in the subject line of the email comment the following document 
identifier: ``Association Lionfish_EFP''.
     Mail: Susan Gerhart, 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: Susan Gerhart, 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.
    Lionfish is an invasive species that occurs in both the Gulf and 
South Atlantic. The harvest of lionfish in the Federal waters of the 
Gulf and South Atlantic is not currently managed. The EFP request, 
however, involves the use of prohibited gear types. Federal regulations 
prohibit the use or possession of a fish trap in Federal waters in the 
Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, except in certain fisheries with 
certain approved traps (50 CFR 622.2 and 622.9(c)). In Gulf Federal 
waters, crustacean traps are allowed for the

[[Page 54559]]

commercial harvest of spiny lobster (50 CFR 622.2 and 622.405), and in 
South Atlantic Federal waters, black sea bass pots are allowed for the 
commercial harvest of black sea bass, golden crab traps are allowed for 
the commercial harvest of golden crab, and crustacean traps are allowed 
for the commercial harvest of spiny lobster (50 CFR 622.2, 622.198, 
622.248, 622.249, and 622.405). The EFP would exempt this research 
activity from Federal regulations at 50 CFR 622.9(c).
    The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of different 
trap designs in capturing lionfish in the Gulf and South Atlantic with 
a goal of determining the performance of traps as part of a lionfish 
population control program. Additionally, the project would collect 
information on lionfish population distribution, density, and life-
history information. The applicant also proposes to develop and utilize 
an outreach and education program to further increase awareness about 
the lionfish, its status as an invasive species, efforts to control the 
spread of the population, and utilization of lionfish as a consumer 
food source.
    The Association requests authorization to deploy four fish trap 
designs at reef sites in the Federal waters of the Gulf and South 
Atlantic to target lionfish. Fish trap deployment in the Gulf would be 
off west central Florida (Tampa, FL), in the South Atlantic off east 
central Florida (Ponce Inlet, FL) and South Carolina (Murrells Inlet, 
SC), and in the Florida Keys.
    As described in the application, the four fish trap designs to be 
tested are wood spiny lobster trap, wire basket spiny lobster trap, 
rectangular wire trap, and sea bass pot. All four designs would have 
biodegradable trap panels and modified funnels not to exceed 4 by 7 
inches (10 by 18 cm). Current project plans would have 25 of each of 
the 4 trap types deployed on the seafloor in a combination resulting in 
4 strings of 25 traps per string at each of the four locations twice 
per month during a 12-month period during the project. The depth of 
trap deployment is expected to be between 65 to 300 ft (20 to 91 m). 
Trap soak time will range from several hours to 2 weeks depending on 
trap type and location. Setting and hauling of the traps is expected to 
occur during daylight hours. Bait to be used in the traps would include 
live lionfish, cowhide strips, and/or female lionfish gonads. Sampling 
at each site would be limited to 100 days per year.
    Vessels to be used in the proposed study would be federally 
permitted commercial fishing vessels under contract to the Association. 
Vessel crew or observers onboard the contract vessels during the 
sampling trips would collect and record date and time of trap 
deployment and retrieval, location, water depth, and collect biological 
samples. Video images would also be used to assess the success of the 
trap designs as structures for attracting lionfish. A percentage of the 
lionfish catch would be retained for further biological sampling and 
analysis under the study, a percentage would be tagged and released, 
and a percentage would be retained to promote lionfish as a food source 
to the consumer. All other fish species caught in the traps would be 
released and returned to depth using decompression devices; only 
lionfish would be retained in the project.
    The applicant has requested the EFP be effective for a 1-year 
period from the date any EFP is issued.
    The applicant is still in the process of obtaining funding for this 
research. Therefore, further information regarding the specific 
locations for sampling, sampling methods and schedule, are not yet 
available. If, based on this additional information, the permit as 
granted is significantly different from the original application, NMFS 
may publish notification in the Federal Register describing the 
exempted fishing to be conducted under the EFP.
    NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration based on 
a preliminary review. Possible conditions the agency may impose on this 
permit, if they are 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 species listed under the Endangered Species Act 
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 
agencies of the affected states, the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 
Fishery Management Councils, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a 
determination that they are consistent with all applicable laws.

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

    Dated: August 11, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-19505 Filed 8-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

54558 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Notices

Friday Harbor, WA) on Tuesday, Agenda Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
October 18, 2016 at 7pm; in Anacortes The primary purpose of the GMT Commerce.
(City Council Chambers, Anacortes City work session is to discuss with the West ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
Hall, 904 6th St., Anacortes, WA) on Coast Groundfish Observer Program application for an exempted fishing
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 7pm; refinements to groundfish projection permit; request for comments.
and in Seattle (Seattle Aquarium, Puget models for use in fishery management.
Sound Hall, 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt
The GMT’s task will be to identify
WA) on Thursday October 20, 2016 at of an application for an exempted
which models need improvements,
7 p.m. fishing permit (EFP) from the Florida
outline the improvements necessary,
Keys Commercial Fisherman’s
References Cited and develop recommendations for
Association (Association). If granted, the
consideration by the Pacific Council at
The complete citations for the EFP would authorize the deployment of
its November meeting in Garden Grove,
references used in this document can be four fish trap designs at several sites in
California. During the November
obtained by contacting NMFS (See the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico
meeting, the Council will determine
ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER (Gulf) and the South Atlantic to
which models are ready for review and
INFORMATION CONTACT) or on our Web determine the effectiveness of these gear
recommend a review schedule. A
page at: http://www.westcoast.fisheries. types for attracting and collecting
detailed description on the process for
noaa.gov/protected_species/rockfish/ invasive lionfish and to obtain lionfish
revising and approving models is
rockfish_in_puget_sound.html. http:// life-history information over a 1 year
outlined in Council Operating
www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/. period. The EFP would also utilize an
Procedure 25. The GMT may also
outreach and education program to
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. address other assignments relating to
inform the public about the status of
Dated: August 9, 2016. groundfish management. No
lionfish as an invasive species, efforts to
management actions will be decided by
Angela Somma, control the spread of the population,
the GMT.
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation and utilization of lionfish as a consumer
Although nonemergency issues not
Division, Office of Protected Resources, food source.
National Marine Fisheries Service.
contained in the meeting agenda may be
discussed, those issues may not be the DATES: Written comments must be
[FR Doc. 2016–19459 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am]
subject of formal action during these received on or before September 15,
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
meetings. Action will be restricted to 2016.
those issues specifically listed in this ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
document and any issues arising after on the application by any of the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
publication of this document that following methods:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric require emergency action under section • Email: 0648.XE036.Association.
Administration 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Lionfish.EFP@noaa.gov. Include in the
Conservation and Management Act, subject line of the email comment the
provided the public has been notified of following document identifier:
RIN 0648–XE805
the intent to take final action to address ‘‘Association Lionfish_EFP’’.
the emergency. • Mail: Susan Gerhart, Southeast
Pacific Fishery Management Council;
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th
Public Meeting Special Accommodations Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries The meetings are physically The application and related
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and accessible to people with disabilities. documents are available for review
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Requests for sign language upon written request to any of the above
Commerce. interpretation or other auxiliary aids addresses.
should be directed to Mr. Kris FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. Kleinschmidt, at (503) 820–2425, at Susan Gerhart, 727–824–5305; email:
least five days prior to the meeting date. susan.gerhart@noaa.gov.
SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery
Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is
Groundfish Management Team (GMT) Dated: August 11, 2016. requested under the authority of the
will hold a one-day work session that is Tracey L. Thompson,
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
open to the public. Conservation and Management Act (16
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and regulations at
DATES: The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted
on Thursday, October 6, 2016, and end [FR Doc. 2016–19490 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am]
fishing.
after business for the day is completed. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Lionfish is an invasive species that
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at occurs in both the Gulf and South
the Washington Department of Fish and Atlantic. The harvest of lionfish in the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Wildlife Natural Resources Building, Federal waters of the Gulf and South
Room 682, 1111 Washington St. SE., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Atlantic is not currently managed. The
EFP request, however, involves the use
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Olympia, WA 98501, (360) 902–2200. Administration
Council address: Pacific Council, of prohibited gear types. Federal
RIN 0648–XE036 regulations prohibit the use or
7700 NE. Ambassador Place, Suite 101,
Portland, Oregon 97220–1384. possession of a fish trap in Federal
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
waters in the Gulf of Mexico and South
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted
Atlantic, except in certain fisheries with
Kelly Ames, Pacific Council, 503–820– Fishing Permit
certain approved traps (50 CFR 622.2
2426. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries and 622.9(c)). In Gulf Federal waters,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and crustacean traps are allowed for the

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Notices 54559

commercial harvest of spiny lobster (50 or observers onboard the contract DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
CFR 622.2 and 622.405), and in South vessels during the sampling trips would
Atlantic Federal waters, black sea bass collect and record date and time of trap National Oceanic and Atmospheric
pots are allowed for the commercial deployment and retrieval, location, Administration
harvest of black sea bass, golden crab water depth, and collect biological RIN 0648–XE646
traps are allowed for the commercial samples. Video images would also be
harvest of golden crab, and crustacean used to assess the success of the trap Conclusion of National Marine
traps are allowed for the commercial designs as structures for attracting Fisheries Service International Trade
harvest of spiny lobster (50 CFR 622.2, lionfish. A percentage of the lionfish Data System Tests Concerning the
622.198, 622.248, 622.249, and Electronic Submission of Certain Data
catch would be retained for further
622.405). The EFP would exempt this Required for Fish Imports and Exports
biological sampling and analysis under
research activity from Federal
regulations at 50 CFR 622.9(c). the study, a percentage would be tagged AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
The purpose of this study is to test the and released, and a percentage would be Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
effectiveness of different trap designs in retained to promote lionfish as a food Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
capturing lionfish in the Gulf and South source to the consumer. All other fish Commerce.
Atlantic with a goal of determining the species caught in the traps would be ACTION: Notice.
performance of traps as part of a lionfish released and returned to depth using
population control program. decompression devices; only lionfish SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border
Additionally, the project would collect would be retained in the project. Protection (CBP) and the National
information on lionfish population Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
The applicant has requested the EFP previously announced tests under the
distribution, density, and life-history be effective for a 1-year period from the
information. The applicant also National Customs Automation Program
date any EFP is issued. (NCAP) concerning the electronic
proposes to develop and utilize an
outreach and education program to The applicant is still in the process of transmission of certain data for NMFS-
further increase awareness about the obtaining funding for this research. regulated commodities through the
lionfish, its status as an invasive Therefore, further information regarding Automated Commercial Environment
species, efforts to control the spread of the specific locations for sampling, (ACE) and through the Automated
the population, and utilization of sampling methods and schedule, are not Export System (AES). The tests included
lionfish as a consumer food source. yet available. If, based on this additional electronic data submission for imports
The Association requests information, the permit as granted is (published in the Federal Register on
authorization to deploy four fish trap significantly different from the original June 5, 2015) and for exports (published
designs at reef sites in the Federal application, NMFS may publish in the Federal Register on June 3, 2016).
waters of the Gulf and South Atlantic to During the imports test, entry filers
notification in the Federal Register
target lionfish. Fish trap deployment in were able to use the Automated Broker
describing the exempted fishing to be Interface (ABI) and the Document Image
the Gulf would be off west central conducted under the EFP.
Florida (Tampa, FL), in the South System (DIS) to transmit the NMFS
Atlantic off east central Florida (Ponce NMFS finds this application warrants Partner Government Agency (PGA)
Inlet, FL) and South Carolina (Murrells further consideration based on a message data and forms required for
Inlet, SC), and in the Florida Keys. preliminary review. Possible conditions NMFS to make admissibility
As described in the application, the the agency may impose on this permit, determinations for entries subject to the
four fish trap designs to be tested are if they are granted, include but are not monitoring programs for tunas,
wood spiny lobster trap, wire basket limited to, a prohibition of conducting swordfish and toothfish, under the
spiny lobster trap, rectangular wire trap, research within marine protected areas, Highly Migratory Species International
and sea bass pot. All four designs would marine sanctuaries, special management Trade Program (HMS), the Antarctic
have biodegradable trap panels and zones, or artificial reefs without Marine Living Resources Trade
modified funnels not to exceed 4 by 7 additional authorization. Additionally, Monitoring Program (AMR), and the
inches (10 by 18 cm). Current project NMFS may require special protections Tuna Tacking and Verification Program
plans would have 25 of each of the 4 for species listed under the Endangered (TTVP). During the exports test,
trap types deployed on the seafloor in Species Act and their critical habitat. A exporters were able to use the
a combination resulting in 4 strings of final decision on issuance of the EFP Automated Export System (AES) and
25 traps per string at each of the four will depend on NMFS’ review of public the DIS to transmit the NMFS PGA data
locations twice per month during a 12- comments received on the application, and forms required for NMFS to collect
month period during the project. The consultations with the appropriate required information on exports subject
depth of trap deployment is expected to fishery management agencies of the to these same trade monitoring
be between 65 to 300 ft (20 to 91 m). programs.
affected states, the Gulf of Mexico and It has been determined that ACE and
Trap soak time will range from several
South Atlantic Fishery Management AES are capable of accepting NMFS-
hours to 2 weeks depending on trap
Councils, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and regulated electronic entries. NMFS
type and location. Setting and hauling
of the traps is expected to occur during a determination that they are consistent regulations effective on September 20,
daylight hours. Bait to be used in the with all applicable laws. 2016 (published on August 3, 2016) will
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

traps would include live lionfish, Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. require the use of ACE or AES, as
cowhide strips, and/or female lionfish Dated: August 11, 2016.
applicable, for electronic filings of
gonads. Sampling at each site would be regulated imports or exports of fish
Emily H. Menashes, products. Accordingly, CBP and NMFS
limited to 100 days per year.
Vessels to be used in the proposed Acting Director, Office of Sustainable announce that the NCAP tests are
study would be federally permitted Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. ending on September 20, 2016. All
commercial fishing vessels under [FR Doc. 2016–19505 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am] importers and exporters of fish products
contract to the Association. Vessel crew BILLING CODE 3510–22–P regulated by NMFS are encouraged to

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Document Created: 2016-08-16 03:20:38
Document Modified: 2016-08-16 03:20:38

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 of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments.
Dates		Written comments must be received on or before September 15, 2016.
Contact		Susan Gerhart, 727-824-5305; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 54558
RIN Number		0648-XE03

81 FR 54558 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 158 (August 16, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration