81 FR 66928 - Nominations to the Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 189 (September 29, 2016)

Page Range		66928-66929
FR Document		2016-23540

As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Secretary of Commerce established three independent regional scientific review groups (SRGs) to provide advice on a range of marine mammal science and management issues. NMFS has conducted a membership review of the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and is soliciting nominations for new members to fill vacancies and gaps in expertise. Nominees should possess demonstrable expertise in the areas specified in this notice, be able to conduct thorough scientific reviews of marine mammal science, and be able to fulfill the necessary time commitments associated with a thorough review of documents and to attend one annual meeting.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 189 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 189 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66928-66929]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23540]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE889


Nominations to the Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups

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

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the 
Secretary of Commerce established three independent regional scientific 
review groups (SRGs) to provide advice on a range of marine mammal 
science and management issues. NMFS has conducted a membership review 
of the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and is soliciting 
nominations for new members to fill vacancies and gaps in expertise. 
Nominees should possess demonstrable expertise in the areas specified 
in this notice, be able to conduct thorough scientific reviews of 
marine mammal science, and be able to fulfill the necessary time 
commitments associated with a thorough review of documents and to 
attend one annual meeting.

DATES: Nominations must be received by October 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Nominations can be emailed to [email protected], or 
mailed to: Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, 
Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226, Attn: SRGs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected 
Resources, 301-427-8402, [email protected]. Information about 
the SRGs is available at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/group.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 117(d) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 
1386(d)) directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish three 
independent regional SRGs to advise the Secretary (authority delegated 
to NMFS). The Alaska SRG advises on marine mammals that occur in waters 
off Alaska that are under the jurisdiction of the United States. The 
Pacific SRG advises on marine mammals that occur in waters off the U.S. 
West Coast, Hawaiian Islands, and the U.S. Territories in the Central 
and Western Pacific that are under the jurisdiction of the United 
States. The Atlantic SRG advises on marine mammals that occur in waters 
off the Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Territories in the 
Caribbean that are under the jurisdiction of the United States.
    SRGs members are highly qualified individuals with expertise in 
marine mammal biology and ecology, population dynamics and modeling, 
commercial fishing technology and practices, and stocks taken under 
section 101(b) of the MMPA. The SRGs provide expert reviews of draft 
marine mammal stock assessment reports and other information related to 
the matters identified in section 117(d)(1) of the MMPA, including:
    A. Population estimates and the population status and trends of 
marine mammal stocks;
    B. Uncertainties and research needed regarding stock separation, 
abundance, or trends, and factors affecting the distribution, size, or 
productivity of the stock;
    C. Uncertainties and research needed regarding the species, number, 
ages, gender, and reproductive status of marine mammals;
    D. Research needed to identify modifications in fishing gear and 
practices likely to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury 
of marine mammals in commercial fishing operations;
    E. The actual, expected, or potential impacts of habitat 
destruction, including marine pollution and natural environmental 
change, on specific marine mammal species or stocks, and for strategic 
stocks, appropriate conservation or management measures to alleviate 
any such impacts; and
    F. Any other issue which the Secretary or the groups consider 
appropriate.
    SRG members collectively serve as independent advisors to NMFS and 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and provide their expert review and 
recommendations through participation in the SRG. Members attend annual 
meetings and undertake activities as independent persons providing 
expertise in their subject areas. Members are not appointed as 
representatives of professional organizations or particular stakeholder 
groups, including government entities, and are not permitted to 
represent or

[[Page 66929]]

advocate for those organizations, groups or entities during SRG 
meetings, discussions and deliberations.
    NMFS annually reviews the expertise available on the SRG and 
identify gaps in the expertise that is needed to provide advice 
pursuant to section 117(d) of the MMPA. In conducting the reviews, NMFS 
will attempt to achieve, to the maximum extent practicable, a balanced 
representation of viewpoints among the individuals on each SRG.
    For the Atlantic SRG (including waters off the Atlantic coast, Gulf 
of Mexico, and U.S. Territories in the Caribbean), NMFS seeks 
individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas: 
Ecological statistics, with emphasis in line-transect theory, abundance 
estimation, trend analysis, and/or marine mammal bycatch estimation; 
marine mammal health; fisheries gear and technologies; and pinnipeds.
    For the Pacific SRG (including waters off the Pacific coast, 
Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. Territories in the Central and Western 
Pacific), NMFS seeks individuals with expertise in one or more of the 
following areas: Bycatch estimation; quantitative ecology, population 
dynamics, modeling, and statistics; fishing gear/techniques, 
particularly for Hawaii and Pacific Islands fisheries; genetics and/or 
other methods of identifying marine mammal population structure; 
passive acoustics; abundance estimation, especially distance sampling 
and mark-recapture methods; and southern sea otters.
    For the Alaska SRG, NMFS seeks individuals with expertise in one or 
more of the following areas: Genetics/population structure; 
quantitative ecology, modeling, and population dynamics; acoustics; 
fishing gear and practices; anthropogenic impacts; and ice-associated 
or Arctic species.
    Nominations for new members should be sent to (see ADDRESSES) and 
must be received by October 31, 2016. Nominations should be accompanied 
by the individual's curriculum vitae and detailed information regarding 
how the recommended person meets the minimum selection criteria for SRG 
members (see below), and how the recommended person would bring needed 
expertise to the group. Self-nominations are acceptable. The following 
contact information should accompany each nomination: Nominee's name, 
address, telephone number, and email address.
    When reviewing nominations, NMFS will consider the following 
criteria:
    (1) Ability to make time available for the purposes of the SRG;
    (2) Knowledge of the species (or closely related species) of marine 
mammals in the SRG's region;
    (3) Scientific or technical achievement in a relevant discipline, 
particularly the areas of expertise identified above, to be considered 
an expert peer reviewer for the topic;
    (4) Demonstrated experience working effectively on teams;
    (5) Expertise relevant to current and expected needs of the SRG, in 
particular, expertise required to provide adequate review and 
knowledgeable feedback on current or developing stock assessment 
issues, techniques, etc. In practice, this means that each member 
should have expertise in more than one topic as the species and 
scientific issues discussed in SRG meetings are diverse; and
    (6) No conflict of interest with respect to their duties as a 
member of the SRG.
    An SRG member cannot be a registered Federal lobbyist. Membership 
is voluntary, and except for reimbursable travel and related expenses, 
service is without pay. The term of service for SRG members is three 
years and members may serve up to three consecutive terms if 
reappointed.

    Dated: September 26, 2016.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-23540 Filed 9-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

66928 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 189 / Thursday, September 29, 2016 / Notices

(Arctocephalus gazella), southern Dated: September 26, 2016. in waters off Alaska that are under the
elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), Julia Harrison, jurisdiction of the United States. The
crabeater seals (Lobodon Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Pacific SRG advises on marine
carcinophagus), leopard seals (Hydrurga Office of Protected Resources, National mammals that occur in waters off the
leptonyx), Ross seals (Ommatophoca Marine Fisheries Service. U.S. West Coast, Hawaiian Islands, and
rossii), and Weddell seals [FR Doc. 2016–23532 Filed 9–28–16; 8:45 am] the U.S. Territories in the Central and
(Leptonychotes weddellii) for life history BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Western Pacific that are under the
studies and census surveys for jurisdiction of the United States. The
abundance and distribution of Atlantic SRG advises on marine
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE mammals that occur in waters off the
pinnipeds in the South Shetland
Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S.
Islands, Antarctica, as part of a long- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Territories in the Caribbean that are
term ecosystem monitoring program Administration under the jurisdiction of the United
established in 1986. The applicant also States.
requests permission to import tissue RIN 0648–XE889
SRGs members are highly qualified
samples collected from any animals Nominations to the Marine Mammal individuals with expertise in marine
captured and from salvaged carcasses of Scientific Review Groups mammal biology and ecology,
any species of pinniped or cetacean population dynamics and modeling,
found in the study area. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries commercial fishing technology and
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and practices, and stocks taken under
The applicant requests annual capture
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), section 101(b) of the MMPA. The SRGs
of: 200 Antarctic fur seal adults and Commerce.
juveniles; 600 Antarctic fur seal pups; provide expert reviews of draft marine
ACTION: Notice; request for nominations. mammal stock assessment reports and
50 leopard seal adults and juveniles; 50
southern elephant seal adults and other information related to the matters
SUMMARY: As required by the Marine
juveniles; 100 southern elephant seal identified in section 117(d)(1) of the
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the
MMPA, including:
pups; 30 Weddell seal adults and Secretary of Commerce established three A. Population estimates and the
juveniles; and 20 Weddell seal pups. independent regional scientific review population status and trends of marine
Research on captured animals would groups (SRGs) to provide advice on a mammal stocks;
include tissue sampling, attachment of range of marine mammal science and B. Uncertainties and research needed
scientific instruments, application of management issues. NMFS has regarding stock separation, abundance,
marks (flipper tags, hair bleach or dye), conducted a membership review of the or trends, and factors affecting the
morphometric measurement, tooth Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and distribution, size, or productivity of the
extraction, and stomach content is soliciting nominations for new stock;
sampling. An additional 23,000 members to fill vacancies and gaps in C. Uncertainties and research needed
Antarctic fur seals, 1,100 southern expertise. Nominees should possess regarding the species, number, ages,
elephant seals, 100 crabeater seals, 100 demonstrable expertise in the areas gender, and reproductive status of
leopard seals, 200 Weddell seals, and 5 specified in this notice, be able to marine mammals;
conduct thorough scientific reviews of D. Research needed to identify
Ross seals would be taken annually by
marine mammal science, and be able to modifications in fishing gear and
harassment during aerial and ground
fulfill the necessary time commitments practices likely to reduce the incidental
surveys, including behavioral
associated with a thorough review of mortality and serious injury of marine
observations and photo-identification. documents and to attend one annual mammals in commercial fishing
The applicant has requested an annual meeting. operations;
incidental mortality allowance of: 3 E. The actual, expected, or potential
Antarctic fur seal adults or juveniles; 5 DATES: Nominations must be received
by October 31, 2016. impacts of habitat destruction,
Antarctic fur seal pups; 2 leopard seal including marine pollution and natural
adults or juveniles; 2 southern elephant ADDRESSES: Nominations can be
emailed to Shannon.Bettridge@ environmental change, on specific
seal adults or juveniles; 2 southern marine mammal species or stocks, and
elephant seal pups; 2 Weddell seal noaa.gov, or mailed to: Chief, Marine
Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation for strategic stocks, appropriate
adults or juveniles; and 2 Weddell seal conservation or management measures
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
pups. to alleviate any such impacts; and
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315
In compliance with the National F. Any other issue which the
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 Secretary or the groups consider
20910–3226, Attn: SRGs.
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SRG members collectively serve as
determination has been made that the Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected independent advisors to NMFS and the
activity proposed is categorically Resources, 301–427–8402, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
excluded from the requirement to Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov. provide their expert review and
prepare an environmental assessment or Information about the SRGs is available recommendations through participation
environmental impact statement. at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/ in the SRG. Members attend annual
Concurrent with the publication of group.htm. meetings and undertake activities as
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

this notice in the Federal Register, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section independent persons providing
NMFS is forwarding copies of the 117(d) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1386(d)) expertise in their subject areas.
application to the Marine Mammal directs the Secretary of Commerce to Members are not appointed as
Commission and its Committee of establish three independent regional representatives of professional
Scientific Advisors. SRGs to advise the Secretary (authority organizations or particular stakeholder
delegated to NMFS). The Alaska SRG groups, including government entities,
advises on marine mammals that occur and are not permitted to represent or

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 189 / Thursday, September 29, 2016 / Notices 66929

advocate for those organizations, groups (2) Knowledge of the species (or ADDRESSES:
or entities during SRG meetings, closely related species) of marine Meeting address: The SEDAR 49
discussions and deliberations. mammals in the SRG’s region; Review Workshop will be held at the
NMFS annually reviews the expertise (3) Scientific or technical Sonesta Coconut Grove, 2889 McFarlane
available on the SRG and identify gaps achievement in a relevant discipline, Road, Miami, FL 33133, 305–529–2828
in the expertise that is needed to particularly the areas of expertise or 1–800–766–3782.
provide advice pursuant to section identified above, to be considered an SEDAR address: South Atlantic
117(d) of the MMPA. In conducting the expert peer reviewer for the topic; Fishery Management Council, 4055
reviews, NMFS will attempt to achieve, (4) Demonstrated experience working Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N.
to the maximum extent practicable, a effectively on teams; Charleston, SC 29405 or on their Web
balanced representation of viewpoints (5) Expertise relevant to current and site, at www.sedarweb.org.
among the individuals on each SRG. expected needs of the SRG, in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie
For the Atlantic SRG (including particular, expertise required to provide Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; phone 843–
waters off the Atlantic coast, Gulf of adequate review and knowledgeable 571–4366 or toll free 866–SAFMC–10;
Mexico, and U.S. Territories in the feedback on current or developing stock FAX 843–769–4520; email: Julie.neer@
Caribbean), NMFS seeks individuals assessment issues, techniques, etc. In safmc.net.
with expertise in one or more of the practice, this means that each member SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
following areas: Ecological statistics, should have expertise in more than one
with emphasis in line-transect theory, topic as the species and scientific issues Agenda
abundance estimation, trend analysis, discussed in SRG meetings are diverse; The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic,
and/or marine mammal bycatch and and Caribbean Fishery Management
estimation; marine mammal health; (6) No conflict of interest with respect Councils, in conjunction with NOAA
fisheries gear and technologies; and to their duties as a member of the SRG. Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf
pinnipeds. An SRG member cannot be a States Marine Fisheries Commissions
For the Pacific SRG (including waters registered Federal lobbyist. Membership have implemented the Southeast Data,
off the Pacific coast, Hawaiian Islands is voluntary, and except for Assessment and Review (SEDAR)
and the U.S. Territories in the Central reimbursable travel and related process, a multi-step method for
and Western Pacific), NMFS seeks expenses, service is without pay. The determining the status of fish stocks in
individuals with expertise in one or term of service for SRG members is the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a three
more of the following areas: Bycatch three years and members may serve up step process including: (1) Data
estimation; quantitative ecology, to three consecutive terms if Workshop; (2) Assessment Process
population dynamics, modeling, and reappointed. utilizing webinars; and (3) Review
statistics; fishing gear/techniques, Dated: September 26, 2016. Workshop. The product of the Data
particularly for Hawaii and Pacific Donna S. Wieting, Workshop is a data report which
Islands fisheries; genetics and/or other Director, Office of Protected Resources, compiles and evaluates potential
methods of identifying marine mammal National Marine Fisheries Service. datasets and recommends which
population structure; passive acoustics; [FR Doc. 2016–23540 Filed 9–28–16; 8:45 am] datasets are appropriate for assessment
abundance estimation, especially analyses. The product of the Assessment
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
distance sampling and mark-recapture Process is a stock assessment report
methods; and southern sea otters. which describes the fisheries, evaluates
For the Alaska SRG, NMFS seeks DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE the status of the stock, estimates
individuals with expertise in one or biological benchmarks, projects future
more of the following areas: Genetics/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric population conditions, and recommends
population structure; quantitative Administration research and monitoring needs. The
ecology, modeling, and population assessment is independently peer
RIN 0648–XE912
dynamics; acoustics; fishing gear and reviewed at the Review Workshop. The
practices; anthropogenic impacts; and Fisheries of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico; product of the Review Workshop is a
ice-associated or Arctic species. Southeast Data, Assessment and Summary documenting panel opinions
Nominations for new members should Review (SEDAR); U.S. Gulf of Mexico regarding the strengths and weaknesses
be sent to (see ADDRESSES) and must be Data-Limited Species of the stock assessment and input data.
received by October 31, 2016. Participants for SEDAR Workshops are
Nominations should be accompanied by AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South
the individual’s curriculum vitae and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery
detailed information regarding how the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Management Councils and NOAA
recommended person meets the Commerce. Fisheries Southeast Regional Office,
minimum selection criteria for SRG ACTION: Notice. HMS Management Division, and
members (see below), and how the Southeast Fisheries Science Center.
recommended person would bring SUMMARY: The SEDAR 49 assessment of Participants include: Data collectors and
needed expertise to the group. Self- the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Data-Limited database managers; stock assessment
nominations are acceptable. The Species will consist of a Data Workshop; scientists, biologists, and researchers;
following contact information should a series of Assessment Webinars; and a constituency representatives including
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

accompany each nomination: Nominee’s Review Workshop, to view the agenda. fishermen, environmentalists, and non-
name, address, telephone number, and DATES: The SEDAR 49 Review governmental organizations (NGOs);
email address. Workshop will begin at 9 a.m. on international experts; and staff of
When reviewing nominations, NMFS Tuesday, November 1, 2016, and end at Councils, Commissions, and state and
will consider the following criteria: 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2016, federal agencies.
(1) Ability to make time available for to view the agenda see SUPPLEMENTARY The items of discussion in the Review
the purposes of the SRG; INFORMATION. Workshop agenda are as follows:

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Document Created: 2016-09-29 04:14:06
Document Modified: 2016-09-29 04:14:06

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; request for nominations.
Dates		Nominations must be received by October 31, 2016.
Contact		Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8402, [email protected] Information about the SRGs is available at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/group.htm.
FR Citation		81 FR 66928
RIN Number		0648-XE88

81 FR 66928 - Nominations to the Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 189 (September 29, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration