81 FR 72783 - International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Well Volume in the Regional Vessel Register of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 204 (October 21, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 204 (October 21, 2016)
| Page Range | 72783-72784 | |
| FR Document | 2016-25540 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 204 (Friday, October 21, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 72783-72784] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-25540] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE901 International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Well Volume in the Regional Vessel Register of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice to the U.S. purse seine fleet fishing for tuna and tuna- like species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The intent of this notice is to inform the U.S. purse seine fleet fishing for tuna or tuna-like species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) about Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Resolution C-15-02 (Resolution on the Deadline Applicable to Revisions of Well Volume in Paragraph 6 of Resolution C-02-03). DATES: IATTC Resolution C-15-02 will become effective January 1, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Fanning, West Coast Region, NMFS, at [email protected], or at (562) 980-4198. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background on the IATTC The United States is a member of the IATTC, which was established under the 1949 Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. In 2003, the IATTC adopted the Convention for the Strengthening of the IATTC Established by the 1949 Convention between the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica (Antigua Convention), which entered into force in 2010. The United States acceded to the Antigua Convention on February 24, 2016. The full text of the Antigua Convention is available at: https://www.iattc.org/PDFFiles2/Antigua_Convention_Jun_2003.pdf. The IATTC consists of 21 member nations and four cooperating non- member nations and facilitates scientific research into, as well as the conservation and management of, highly migratory species of fish in the IATTC Convention Area. The IATTC Convention Area is defined as the waters of the EPO within the area bounded by the west coast of the Americas and by 50[deg] N. latitude, 150[deg] W. longitude, and 50[deg] S. latitude. The IATTC has maintained a scientific research and fishery monitoring program for many years, which includes a Regional Vessel Register (Register) to maintain a record of vessels that are authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the Convention Area. International Obligations of the United States Under the Convention As a member of the IATTC, the United States is legally bound to implement decisions of the IATTC. The Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951-962) provides that the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State and, with respect to enforcement measures, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, may promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the United States' international obligations under the Convention, including recommendations and decisions adopted by the IATTC. The Secretary's authority to promulgate such regulations has been delegated to NMFS. IATTC Resolution C-15-02 Resolution C-02-03 was agreed to at the 69th meeting of the IATTC in Manzanillo, Mexico in 2002. Among other things, the Resolution stated that, ``the well volume of each purse-seine vessel, once confirmed. . ., shall be reflected in the Register.'' This Resolution was implemented domestically through regulations at 50 CFR 300.22(b). At the 89th meeting of the IATTC in Guayaquil, Ecuador in 2015, Resolution C-02-03 was amended to Resolution C-15-02. This Resolution required that a deadline be set for all purse seine well volumes (identified as ``Fish Hold Volume (m\3\)'' in the Register) to be confirmed. Resolution C-15-02 states that on January 1, 2017, all purse seine well volumes in the Register will be considered confirmed, and the well volume of any new purse seine vessel added to the Register after that date will be considered confirmed at the time they are added to the Register. Impact on the U.S. Purse Seine Fleet For purse seine vessels currently listed on the Register, the well volume listed in the Register on January 1, 2017, will be considered confirmed, even if documentation (e.g., blueprints, marine survey) verifying well volume has never been submitted. Additionally, if a new purse seine vessel is added to the Register, the well volume submitted at the time it is added will be considered confirmed whether or not it is accompanied by documentation. If the owner of a vessel currently listed on the Register would like to submit documentation to verify the [[Page 72784]] vessel's well volume and update it before January 1, 2017, please submit any such documentation no later than December 15, 2016 (See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. Dated: October 18, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-25540 Filed 10-20-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Notices 72783
IMPECCABLE and the USNS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE program for many years, which includes
VICTORIOUS) in certain areas of the a Regional Vessel Register (Register) to
Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans and National Oceanic and Atmospheric maintain a record of vessels that are
the Mediterranean Sea. Nominal at-sea Administration authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like
missions for each vessel using RIN 0648–XE901
species in the Convention Area.
SURTASS LFA sonar would last up to International Obligations of the United
294 days, with 240 days of active sonar International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna States Under the Convention
transmissions and 54 days of transit. Fisheries; Well Volume in the Regional
Vessel Register of the Inter-American As a member of the IATTC, the
The maximum number of actual United States is legally bound to
transmission hours per vessel would not Tropical Tuna Commission
implement decisions of the IATTC. The
exceed 255 hours annually under the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951–
Preferred Alternative. The application Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 962) provides that the Secretary of
describes the activity types, the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce, in consultation with the
equipment and platforms involved, and Commerce. Secretary of State and, with respect to
the duration and potential locations of ACTION: Notice to the U.S. purse seine enforcement measures, the Secretary of
the specified activities. fleet fishing for tuna and tuna-like the Department of Homeland Security,
A suite of proposed mitigation species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. may promulgate such regulations as
measures for marine mammals that may be necessary to carry out the
could potentially be affected during SUMMARY: The intent of this notice is to United States’ international obligations
SURTASS LFA sonar operations inform the U.S. purse seine fleet fishing under the Convention, including
includes restricting the use of SURTASS for tuna or tuna-like species in the recommendations and decisions
Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) about Inter- adopted by the IATTC. The Secretary’s
LFA sonar such that it will not operate
American Tropical Tuna Commission authority to promulgate such
in Arctic and Antarctic waters; sound
(IATTC) Resolution C–15–02 regulations has been delegated to
pressure levels (SPL) will not exceed
(Resolution on the Deadline Applicable NMFS.
180 decibels (dB) re 1 mPa (rms) within to Revisions of Well Volume in
12 nautical miles of any emerged IATTC Resolution C–15–02
Paragraph 6 of Resolution C–02–03).
features of any coastline, or within Resolution C–02–03 was agreed to at
DATES: IATTC Resolution C–15–02 will
designated offshore biologically the 69th meeting of the IATTC in
become effective January 1, 2017.
important areas (OBIAs) for marine Manzanillo, Mexico in 2002. Among
mammals; and the Navy will minimize FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
other things, the Resolution stated that,
exposure of marine mammals to Chris Fanning, West Coast Region, ‘‘the well volume of each purse-seine
SURTASS LFA sonar signal received NMFS, at Chris.Fanning@noaa.gov, or at vessel, once confirmed. . ., shall be
(562) 980–4198. reflected in the Register.’’ This
levels of 180 dB re 1 mPa (rms) by
monitoring for their presence and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Resolution was implemented
suspending transmission when animals Background on the IATTC domestically through regulations at 50
enter the mitigation zone. CFR 300.22(b). At the 89th meeting of
The United States is a member of the the IATTC in Guayaquil, Ecuador in
Information Solicited IATTC, which was established under 2015, Resolution C–02–03 was amended
the 1949 Convention for the to Resolution C–15–02. This Resolution
Interested persons may submit Establishment of an Inter-American required that a deadline be set for all
information, suggestions, and comments Tropical Tuna Commission. In 2003, the purse seine well volumes (identified as
concerning the Navy’s request (see IATTC adopted the Convention for the ‘‘Fish Hold Volume (m3)’’ in the
ADDRESSES). NMFS will consider all Strengthening of the IATTC Established Register) to be confirmed. Resolution C–
information, suggestions, and comments by the 1949 Convention between the 15–02 states that on January 1, 2017, all
related to the Navy’s request and NMFS’ United States of America and the purse seine well volumes in the Register
potential development and Republic of Costa Rica (Antigua will be considered confirmed, and the
implementation of regulations Convention), which entered into force well volume of any new purse seine
governing the incidental taking of in 2010. The United States acceded to vessel added to the Register after that
marine mammals by the Navy’s the Antigua Convention on February 24, date will be considered confirmed at the
SURTASS LFA sonar activities. 2016. The full text of the Antigua time they are added to the Register.
Convention is available at: https://
Dated: October 4, 2016. Impact on the U.S. Purse Seine Fleet
www.iattc.org/PDFFiles2/Antigua_
Donna S. Wieting, Convention_Jun_2003.pdf. For purse seine vessels currently
Director, Office of Protected Resources, The IATTC consists of 21 member listed on the Register, the well volume
National Marine Fisheries Service. nations and four cooperating non- listed in the Register on January 1, 2017,
[FR Doc. 2016–25532 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am] member nations and facilitates scientific will be considered confirmed, even if
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P research into, as well as the documentation (e.g., blueprints, marine
conservation and management of, highly survey) verifying well volume has never
migratory species of fish in the IATTC been submitted. Additionally, if a new
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Convention Area. The IATTC purse seine vessel is added to the
Convention Area is defined as the Register, the well volume submitted at
waters of the EPO within the area the time it is added will be considered
bounded by the west coast of the confirmed whether or not it is
Americas and by 50° N. latitude, 150° accompanied by documentation.
W. longitude, and 50° S. latitude. The If the owner of a vessel currently
IATTC has maintained a scientific listed on the Register would like to
research and fishery monitoring submit documentation to verify the
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![72784 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Notices
vessel’s well volume and update it damage, loss, and civil proceedings. The Sablefish Pot Gear Tags, Request for
before January 1, 2017, please submit ability to link fishing gear to the vessel Replacement of IFQ Sablefish Pot Gear
any such documentation no later than owner or operator is crucial to Tags or Lost Gear, Marking of longline
December 15, 2016 (See FOR FURTHER enforcement of regulations. pot gear; and Groundfish Hook-and-line
INFORMATION CONTACT). This collection also provides a marker buoys.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. voluntary opportunity for Gulf of Alaska Estimated Total Annual Burden
(GOA) individual fishing quota (IFQ) Hours: 1800 hr.
Dated: October 18, 2016. sablefish fishermen to use a gear that Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Emily H. Menashes, physically protects caught sablefish Public: $ 11,310.
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable from depredation by whales. That
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. IV. Request for Comments
option, the use of pot longline gear,
[FR Doc. 2016–25540 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am] currently exists in sablefish IFQ Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian the proposed collection of information
Islands management areas. Potential is necessary for the proper performance
benefits of pot longline gear for sablefish of the functions of the agency, including
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE fishing include: Mitigation of whale whether the information shall have
interaction with fishing gear, reduced practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric agency’s estimate of the burden
mortality of seabirds, reduced bycatch
Administration (including hours and cost) of the
of non-target fish species, reduced
overall halibut mortality when targeting proposed collection of information; (c)
Proposed Information Collection;
sablefish, and better accounting of total ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
Comment Request; Alaska Region
sablefish fishing mortality. clarity of the information to be
Gear Identification
Whales are able to strip hooked fish collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
AGENCY: National Oceanic and from hook-and-line gear, which reduces burden of the collection of information
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the amount of sablefish caught by on respondents, including through the
Commerce. fishermen. As such, whale depredation use of automated collection techniques
ACTION: Notice. represents undocumented fishing or other forms of information
mortality. technology.
SUMMARY: The Department of Many seabird species are attracted to Comments submitted in response to
Commerce, as part of its continuing fishing vessels in order to forage on bait, this notice will be summarized and/or
effort to reduce paperwork and offal, discards, and other prey made included in the request for OMB
respondent burden, invites the general available by fishing operations. These approval of this information collection;
public and other Federal agencies to interactions can result in direct they also will become a matter of public
take this opportunity to comment on mortality for seabirds if they become record.
proposed and/or continuing information entangled in fishing gear or strike the Dated: October 17, 2016.
collections, as required by the vessel or fishing gear while flying.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Sarah Brabson,
Each vessel must use mandatory
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
DATES: Written comments must be logbooks (see OMB Control No. 0648–
submitted on or before December 20, [FR Doc. 2016–25452 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am]
0213 and 0648–0515) when
2016. participating in a longline pot fishery. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments When the number of pots deployed by
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental a vessel is self-reported through
Paperwork Clearance Officer, logbooks, the use of pot tags provides an COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
Department of Commerce, Room 6616, additional enforcement tool to ensure PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
14th and Constitution Avenue NW., that the pot limits are not exceeded. The SEVERELY DISABLED
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the use of pot tags requires a uniquely
identified tag to be securely affixed to Procurement List; Proposed Deletions
Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: each pot. This allows at-sea enforcement AGENCY: Committee for Purchase From
Requests for additional information or and post-trip verification of the number People Who Are Blind or Severely
copies of the information collection of pots fished. Disabled.
instrument and instructions should be II. Method of Collection ACTION: Proposed deletions from the
directed to Patsy A. Bearden, telephone Procurement List.
Information will be collected using
907–586–7008, or Patsy.Bearden@
paper or electronic logbooks. Marker SUMMARY: The Committee is proposing
noaa.gov.
buoys are marked with identification to delete products previously furnished
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: information. by the nonprofit agency employing
I. Abstract III. Data persons who are blind or have other
severe disabilities.
Regulations specify that all hook-and- OMB Control Number: 0648–0353.
line, longline pot, and pot-and-line DATES: Comments must be received on
Form Number(s): None.
marker buoys carried on board or used or before: November 20, 2016.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Type of Review: Extension of a current
by any vessel must be marked with information collection. ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
Federal Fisheries Permit number or Affected Public: Individuals or From People Who Are Blind or Severely
State of Alaska Department of Fish and households; Business or other for-profit Disabled, 1401 S. Clark Street, Suite
Game vessel registration number. organizations. 715, Arlington, Virginia, 22202–4149.
Regulations that marker buoys be Estimated Number of Respondents: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
marked with identification information 990. further information or to submit
are essential to facilitate fisheries Estimated Time per Response: 15 comments contact: Barry S. Lineback,
enforcement and actions concerning minutes each for Request for IFQ Telephone: (703) 603–7740, Fax: (703)
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Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:36:01
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:36:01
| 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 to the U.S. purse seine fleet fishing for tuna and tuna- like species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. | |
| Dates | IATTC Resolution C-15-02 will become effective January 1, 2017. | |
| Contact | Chris Fanning, West Coast Region, NMFS, at [email protected], or at (562) 980-4198. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 72783 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE90 |
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