81 FR 8177 - Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 32 (February 18, 2016)

Page Range		8177-8177
FR Document		2016-03366

NMFS notifies the public of the aboriginal subsistence whaling quota for bowhead whales that it has assigned to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC), and of limitations on the use of the quota deriving from regulations of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). For 2016, the quota is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota and other applicable limitations govern the harvest of bowhead whales by members of the AEWC.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 8177]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03366]



[[Page 8177]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE408


Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

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

ACTION: Notice; notification of quota for bowhead whales.

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SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public of the aboriginal subsistence whaling 
quota for bowhead whales that it has assigned to the Alaska Eskimo 
Whaling Commission (AEWC), and of limitations on the use of the quota 
deriving from regulations of the International Whaling Commission 
(IWC). For 2016, the quota is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota and 
other applicable limitations govern the harvest of bowhead whales by 
members of the AEWC.

DATES: Effective February 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Andersen Garcia, (301) 427-
8385.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aboriginal subsistence whaling in the United 
States is governed by the Whaling Convention Act (WCA) (16 U.S.C. 916 
et seq.). Under the WCA, IWC regulations shall generally become 
effective with respect to all persons and vessels subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States, within 90 days of notification from 
the IWC Secretariat of an amendment to the IWC Schedule (16 U.S.C. 
916k). Regulations that implement the WCA, found at 50 CFR 230.6, 
require the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to publish, at least 
annually, aboriginal subsistence whaling quotas and any other 
limitations on aboriginal subsistence whaling deriving from regulations 
of the IWC.
    At the 64th Annual Meeting of the IWC, the Commission set catch 
limits for aboriginal subsistence use of bowhead whales from the 
Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock. The bowhead catch limits were based 
on a joint request by the United States and the Russian Federation, 
accompanied by documentation concerning the needs of two Native groups: 
Alaska Eskimos and Chukotka Natives in the Russian Far East.
    The IWC set a 6-year block catch limit of 336 bowhead whales 
landed. For each of the years 2013 through 2018, the number of bowhead 
whales struck may not exceed 67, except that any unused portion of a 
strike quota from any prior year may be carried forward. No more than 
15 strikes may be added to the strike quota for any one year. At the 
end of the 2015 harvest, there were 15 unused strikes available for 
carry-forward, so the combined strike quota set by the IWC for 2016 is 
82 (67 + 15).
    An arrangement between the United States and the Russian Federation 
ensures that the total quota of bowhead whales landed and struck in 
2016 will not exceed the limits set by the IWC. Under this arrangement, 
the Russian natives may use no more than seven strikes, and the Alaska 
Eskimos may use no more than 75 strikes.
    Through its cooperative agreement with the AEWC, NOAA has assigned 
75 strikes to the Alaska Eskimos. The AEWC will in turn allocate these 
strikes among the 11 villages whose cultural and subsistence needs have 
been documented, and will ensure that its hunters use no more than 75 
strikes.

Other Limitations

    The IWC regulations, as well as the NOAA regulation at 50 CFR 
230.4(c), forbid the taking of calves or any whale accompanied by a 
calf.
    NOAA regulations (at 50 CFR 230.4) contain a number of other 
prohibitions relating to aboriginal subsistence whaling, some of which 
are summarized here:
     Only licensed whaling captains or crew under the control 
of those captains may engage in whaling.
     Captains and crew must follow the provisions of the 
relevant cooperative agreement between NOAA and a Native American 
whaling organization.
     The aboriginal hunters must have adequate crew, supplies, 
and equipment to engage in an efficient operation.
     Crew may not receive money for participating in the hunt.
     No person may sell or offer for sale whale products from 
whales taken in the hunt, except for authentic articles of Native 
American handicrafts.
     Captains may not continue to whale after the relevant 
quota is taken, after the season has been closed, or if their licenses 
have been suspended. They may not engage in whaling in a wasteful 
manner.

    Dated: February 11, 2016.
John Henderschedt,
Director, Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-03366 Filed 2-17-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 32 / Thursday, February 18, 2016 / Notices 8177

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The IWC set a 6-year block catch limit Dated: February 11, 2016.
of 336 bowhead whales landed. For John Henderschedt,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric each of the years 2013 through 2018, the Director, Office for International Affairs and
Administration number of bowhead whales struck may Seafood Inspection, National Marine
not exceed 67, except that any unused Fisheries Service.
RIN 0648–XE408
portion of a strike quota from any prior [FR Doc. 2016–03366 Filed 2–17–16; 8:45 am]
Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal year may be carried forward. No more BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Subsistence Whaling Quotas than 15 strikes may be added to the
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries strike quota for any one year. At the end
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and of the 2015 harvest, there were 15
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), unused strikes available for carry- National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Commerce. forward, so the combined strike quota Administration
ACTION: Notice; notification of quota for set by the IWC for 2016 is 82 (67 + 15).
RIN 0649–XE447
bowhead whales. An arrangement between the United
States and the Russian Federation Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public of Council; Public Meeting
ensures that the total quota of bowhead
the aboriginal subsistence whaling
whales landed and struck in 2016 will AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
quota for bowhead whales that it has
assigned to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling not exceed the limits set by the IWC. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Commission (AEWC), and of limitations Under this arrangement, the Russian Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
on the use of the quota deriving from natives may use no more than seven Commerce.
regulations of the International Whaling strikes, and the Alaska Eskimos may use ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
Commission (IWC). For 2016, the quota no more than 75 strikes.
is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota Through its cooperative agreement SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery
and other applicable limitations govern with the AEWC, NOAA has assigned 75 Management Council will hold a
the harvest of bowhead whales by meeting of its Standing and Special
strikes to the Alaska Eskimos. The
members of the AEWC. Shrimp Scientific and Statistical
AEWC will in turn allocate these strikes Committee (SSC).
DATES: Effective February 18, 2016. among the 11 villages whose cultural
DATES: The meeting will convene via
ADDRESSES: Office for International and subsistence needs have been
WEBINAR on Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National documented, and will ensure that its from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST; you may
Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East- hunters use no more than 75 strikes. register for the webinar at: https://
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
Other Limitations attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/
20910. 1004643937909180674.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The IWC regulations, as well as the After registering, you will receive a
Melissa Andersen Garcia, (301) 427– NOAA regulation at 50 CFR 230.4(c), confirmation email containing
8385. forbid the taking of calves or any whale information about joining the webinar.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aboriginal accompanied by a calf. ADDRESSES: Council address: Gulf of
subsistence whaling in the United States NOAA regulations (at 50 CFR 230.4) Mexico Fishery Management Council,
is governed by the Whaling Convention contain a number of other prohibitions 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100,
Act (WCA) (16 U.S.C. 916 et seq.). Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348–
relating to aboriginal subsistence
Under the WCA, IWC regulations shall 1630.
whaling, some of which are summarized
generally become effective with respect FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
here:
to all persons and vessels subject to the Morgan Kilgour, Fishery Biologist,
jurisdiction of the United States, within • Only licensed whaling captains or morgan.kilgour@gulfcouncil.org; Gulf of
90 days of notification from the IWC crew under the control of those captains Mexico Fishery Management Council
Secretariat of an amendment to the IWC may engage in whaling. telephone: (813) 348–1630.
Schedule (16 U.S.C. 916k). Regulations • Captains and crew must follow the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
that implement the WCA, found at 50 provisions of the relevant cooperative Agenda
CFR 230.6, require the Secretary of agreement between NOAA and a Native
Commerce (Secretary) to publish, at American whaling organization. The Chairman will start the meeting
least annually, aboriginal subsistence with introductions and adoption of
• The aboriginal hunters must have agenda, approval of minutes from the
whaling quotas and any other
limitations on aboriginal subsistence adequate crew, supplies, and equipment March 10–12, 2015 Standing, Special
whaling deriving from regulations of the to engage in an efficient operation. Reef Fish, Special Shrimp, and Special
IWC. • Crew may not receive money for Spiny Lobster Scientific and Statistical
At the 64th Annual Meeting of the participating in the hunt. Committee (SSC) meeting, and selection
IWC, the Commission set catch limits of an SSC representative to attend the
• No person may sell or offer for sale April, 2016 Council Meeting. The SSC
for aboriginal subsistence use of whale products from whales taken in
bowhead whales from the Bering- will review updated Penaeid Shrimp
the hunt, except for authentic articles of Stock Assessments and review an
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock. The
Native American handicrafts. update on the Aggregate Maximum
bowhead catch limits were based on a
joint request by the United States and • Captains may not continue to whale Sustainable Yield (MSY) and Optimum
the Russian Federation, accompanied by after the relevant quota is taken, after Yield (OY) Working Group. Lastly, the
documentation concerning the needs of the season has been closed, or if their SSC will discuss other business, if any.
two Native groups: Alaska Eskimos and licenses have been suspended. They —Meeting Adjourns—
Chukotka Natives in the Russian Far may not engage in whaling in a wasteful The Agenda is subject to change, and
East. manner. the latest version along with other

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Document Created: 2016-02-18 07:46:16
Document Modified: 2016-02-18 07:46:16

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; notification of quota for bowhead whales.
Dates		Effective February 18, 2016.
Contact		Melissa Andersen Garcia, (301) 427- 8385.
FR Citation		81 FR 8177
RIN Number		0648-XE40

81 FR 8177 - Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 32 (February 18, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration