81 FR 85935 - Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 229 (November 29, 2016)

Page Range		85935-85936
FR Document		2016-28731

The NMFS Assistant Administrator (Assistant Administrator) has issued affirmative finding annual renewals for the Governments of Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain (Hereafter known as ``The Nations'') under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). These affirmative finding annual renewals will allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP) by The Nations' flagged purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under The Nations' jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding annual renewals were based on reviews of documentary evidence submitted by the Governments of The Nations and by information obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85935-85936]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28731]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF029


Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals

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

ACTION: Notice; affirmative finding annual renewals for Ecuador, El 
Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The NMFS Assistant Administrator (Assistant Administrator) has 
issued affirmative finding annual renewals for the Governments of 
Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain (Hereafter known as 
``The Nations'') under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). These 
affirmative finding annual renewals will allow yellowfin tuna and 
yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean 
(ETP) in compliance with the Agreement on the International Dolphin 
Conservation Program (AIDCP) by The Nations' flagged purse seine 
vessels or purse seine vessels operating under The Nations' 
jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative 
finding annual renewals were based on reviews of documentary evidence 
submitted by the Governments of The Nations and by information obtained 
from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).

DATES: These affirmative finding annual renewals are effective for the 
one-year period of April 1, 2016, through March 31, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 
90802. Phone: 562-980-3264. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows for 
importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested by purse 
seine vessels in the ETP under certain conditions. If requested by the 
harvesting nation, the Assistant Administrator will determine whether 
to make an affirmative finding based upon documentary evidence provided 
by the government of the harvesting nation, the IATTC, or the 
Department of State.
    The affirmative finding process requires that the harvesting nation 
is

[[Page 85936]]

meeting its obligations under the AIDCP and obligations of membership 
in the IATTC. Every five years, the government of the harvesting nation 
must request a new affirmative finding and submit the required 
documentary evidence directly to the Assistant Administrator. On an 
annual basis, NMFS reviews the affirmative finding and determines 
whether the harvesting nation continues to meet the requirements. A 
nation may provide information related to compliance with AIDCP and 
IATTC measures directly to NMFS on an annual basis or may authorize the 
IATTC to release the information to NMFS to annually renew an 
affirmative finding determination without an application from the 
harvesting nation.
    An affirmative finding will be terminated, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State, if the Assistant Administrator determines that the 
requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no longer being met or that a 
nation is consistently failing to take enforcement actions on 
violations, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the AIDCP.
    As a part of the affirmative finding process set forth in 50 CFR 
216.24(f)(8), the Assistant Administrator considered documentary 
evidence submitted by the governments of The Nations and obtained from 
the IATTC, and has determined that The Nations have met the MMPA's 
requirements to receive affirmative finding annual renewals.
    After consultation with the Department of State, the Assistant 
Administrator issued affirmative finding annual renewals to The 
Nations, allowing the continued importation into the United States of 
yellowfin tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in 
the ETP by The Nations' flagged purse seine vessels or purse seine 
vessels operating under The Nations' jurisdiction for the one-year 
period of April 1, 2016, through March 31, 2017.
    El Salvador's five-year affirmative finding will remain valid 
through March 31, 2018 and Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain's 
five-year affirmative findings will remain valid through March 31, 
2020, subject to subsequent annual reviews by NMFS.

    Dated: November 23, 2016.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-28731 Filed 11-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2016 / Notices 85935

and will be subject to the ethical ACTION:Notice of a change to a public DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
standards applicable to SGEs. Members meeting notice.
are reimbursed for actual and reasonable National Oceanic and Atmospheric
expenses incurred in performing such SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Administration
duties but will not be reimbursed for Management Council (Council) RIN 0648–XF029
their time. All OEAB members serve at announces a change in location for its
the discretion of the Under Secretary. Hilo, HI public meetings and scoping Taking and Importing of Marine
The OEAB meets three to four times sessions to discuss fishery management Mammals
each year, exclusive of subcommittee, regulations for the Monument Expanded
task force, and working group meetings. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Area in the Northwestern Hawaiian Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Islands.
OEAB’s membership is required to be Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
balanced in terms of viewpoints DATES: The Council will hold meetings Commerce.
represented and the functions to be in Hilo, HI on Tuesday, December 6, ACTION: Notice; affirmative finding
performed as well as including the 2016, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. All annual renewals for Ecuador, El
interests of geographic regions of the times listed are local island times. For Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and
country and the diverse sectors of our specific times and agendas, see Spain.
society. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
For more information about the SUMMARY: The NMFS Assistant
OEAB, please visit oeab.noaa.gov. ADDRESSES: The Hilo meeting will be Administrator (Assistant Administrator)
held at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has issued affirmative finding annual
OER BACKGROUND: NOAA’s Office of
Edith Kanakaole Hall Room 126, 200 W renewals for the Governments of
Ocean Exploration and Research is part Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
of the NOAA Office of Ocean Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720.
Mexico, and Spain (Hereafter known as
Exploration and Research. OER’s FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ‘‘The Nations’’) under the Marine
mission is to explore the ocean for Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). These
national benefit. Western Pacific Fishery Management affirmative finding annual renewals will
OER: Council; telephone: (808) 522–8220. allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna
e. Explores the ocean to make products harvested in the eastern
discoveries of scientific, economic, and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
original notice published in the Federal tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in
cultural value, with priority given to the compliance with the Agreement on the
U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and Register on November 21, 2016 (81 FR
83204). The location of the meeting was International Dolphin Conservation
Extended Continental Shelf; Program (AIDCP) by The Nations’
f. Promotes technological innovation changed from the previous notice. The
agenda has not changed and public flagged purse seine vessels or purse
to advance ocean exploration; seine vessels operating under The
g. Provides public access to data and scoping and comment periods will be
provided in the agenda. The order in Nations’ jurisdiction to be imported into
information; the United States. The affirmative
h. Encourages the next generation of which agenda items are addressed may
finding annual renewals were based on
ocean explorers, scientists, and change. The meetings will run as late as
reviews of documentary evidence
engineers; and, necessary to complete scheduled
submitted by the Governments of The
i. Expands the national ocean business.
Nations and by information obtained
exploration program through from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna
Schedule and Agenda for All Meetings
partnerships. Commission (IATTC).
For more information about the Office 1. Visit Informational Booths
of Ocean Exploration and Research DATES: These affirmative finding annual
please visit oceanexplorer.noaa.gov. 2. Informational Briefing on Presidential renewals are effective for the one-year
Proclamation, Council Role in Rule- period of April 1, 2016, through March
Dated: November 21, 2016. making Process, Data Discovery 31, 2017.
Jason Donaldson,
3. Public Comment/Scoping Session FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Justin Greenman, West Coast Region,
Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and 4. Adjourn
National Marine Fisheries Service, 501
Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration. Special Accommodations W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802.
Phone: 562–980–3264. Email:
[FR Doc. 2016–28594 Filed 11–28–16; 8:45 am] These meetings are physically justin.greenman@noaa.gov.
BILLING CODE 3510–KA–P accessible to people with disabilities.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Requests for sign language MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows
interpretation or other auxiliary aids for importation into the United States of
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine
National Oceanic and Atmospheric (808) 522–8220 (voice) or (808) 522– vessels in the ETP under certain
Administration 8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the conditions. If requested by the
meeting date. harvesting nation, the Assistant
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

RIN 0648–XF052
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Administrator will determine whether
Western Pacific Fishery Management Dated: November 22, 2016.
to make an affirmative finding based
Council; Public Meeting; Correction upon documentary evidence provided
Tracey L. Thompson, by the government of the harvesting
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable nation, the IATTC, or the Department of
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. State.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), [FR Doc. 2016–28614 Filed 11–28–16; 8:45 am] The affirmative finding process
Commerce. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P requires that the harvesting nation is

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:48 Nov 28, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM 29NON1

85936 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 229 / Tuesday, November 29, 2016 / Notices

meeting its obligations under the AIDCP DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the
and obligations of membership in the Draft EA should be sent to Rebecca Hoff
IATTC. Every five years, the government National Oceanic and Atmospheric of NOAA at 7600 Sand Point Way NE.,
of the harvesting nation must request a Administration DARC Building 1, Seattle, WA 98115 or
new affirmative finding and submit the by email: Rebecca.Hoff@noaa.gov. The
RIN 0648–XF025
required documentary evidence directly Draft EA is also available for
to the Assistant Administrator. On an Notice of Availability of a Draft downloading at http://bit.ly/2fJlE8G.
annual basis, NMFS reviews the Environmental Assessment for the Comments on this plan are to be sent in
affirmative finding and determines Bluefield Holdings, Inc. Site 2 writing to Rebecca Hoff of NOAA. These
whether the harvesting nation continues Shoreline Restoration Project Credit written comments may be submitted
to meet the requirements. A nation may Purchase either by mail at the address provided
provide information related to above; by fax to 206–526–6665, or by
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries email to Rebecca.Hoff@noaa.gov.
compliance with AIDCP and IATTC Service (NMFS); National Oceanic and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
measures directly to NMFS on an Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
annual basis or may authorize the Rebecca Hoff, at 206–526–6276, or
Commerce. email: Rebecca.Hoff@noaa.gov.
IATTC to release the information to
ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The LDR
NMFS to annually renew an affirmative Environmental Assessment; request for
finding determination without an is the estuarine portion of the
comments. Duwamish River, and starts from the
application from the harvesting nation.
mouth at the East and West Waterways
An affirmative finding will be SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a
on both sides of Harbor Island at
terminated, in consultation with the document entitled, ‘‘Draft
Seattle’s Elliott Bay and ends at the
Secretary of State, if the Assistant Environmental Assessment for the
natural rock formation commonly
Administrator determines that the Bluefield Holdings, Inc. Site 2 Shoreline
known as North Winds Weir
requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no Restoration Project Credits Purchase’’
(approximately 7 miles), in central
(Draft EA) is available for public review
longer being met or that a nation is Puget Sound. Historic operations of
and comment. This document has been
consistently failing to take enforcement various entities resulted in releases of
prepared by the state, tribal, and Federal
actions on violations, thereby hazardous substances, such as
natural resource trustee agencies (the
diminishing the effectiveness of the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
‘‘Trustees’’)—NOAA, United States Fish
AIDCP. (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls
& Wildlife Service (USFWS) acting on
As a part of the affirmative finding (PCBs), heavy metals, and other
behalf of the U.S. Department of the
hazardous compounds, into the LDR.
process set forth in 50 CFR 216.24(f)(8), Interior (DOI), Washington Department
The RP/PEIS describes the type of
the Assistant Administrator considered of Ecology (as lead State trustee),
restoration that the Trustees believe
documentary evidence submitted by the Washington Department of Fish and
would be most effective in addressing
governments of The Nations and Wildlife, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and
the injuries in the LDR resulting from
obtained from the IATTC, and has the Suquamish Tribe—to evaluate
releases of hazardous substances—
determined that The Nations have met potential impacts to the environment
Integrated Habitat Restoration. The Site
the MMPA’s requirements to receive from purchasing 30 credits in the
2 project will create the full suite of
affirmative finding annual renewals. Bluefield Holdings, Inc. Site 2 Shoreline
habitats identified in the Integrated
Restoration Project (Site 2). The
After consultation with the Habitat Restoration approach, and is
proposed credits purchase in the Site 2
Department of State, the Assistant consistent with the description of
project is a component of the overall
Administrator issued affirmative finding projects and project impacts discussed
effort to restore natural resources and
annual renewals to The Nations, in the RP/PEIS. The Draft EA released
resource services that have been injured
allowing the continued importation into today identifies the Trustees’ proposed
and lost resulting from releases of
the United States of yellowfin tuna and use of some of the settlement funds to
hazardous substances into the Lower
products derived from yellowfin tuna purchase restoration credits sufficient to
Duwamish River (LDR). This draft EA is
harvested in the ETP by The Nations’ allow Bluefield Holdings to begin
tiered from the June 2013 Final LDR
flagged purse seine vessels or purse implementing the Site 2 project. The
NRDA Restoration Plan and
seine vessels operating under The Site 2 project will create and/or
Programmatic Environmental Impact
rehabilitate shallow subtidal habitat,
Nations’ jurisdiction for the one-year Statement (RP/EIS). The EA describes
intertidal mudflat habitat, marsh
period of April 1, 2016, through March the Trustees’ proposed plan to purchase
habitat, and riparian habitat.
31, 2017. 30 credits in the Site 2 project. The In undertaking this NRDA restoration
El Salvador’s five-year affirmative purchase would utilize a portion of the effort and in releasing this Draft EA, the
finding will remain valid through March funds provided to the Trustees from the Trustees are acting in accordance with
31, 2018 and Ecuador, Guatemala, Pacific Sound Resources settlement their designation and authorities under
Mexico, and Spain’s five-year (United States et al. v. Pacific Sound section 107(f) of the Comprehensive
affirmative findings will remain valid Resources et al., Civ. No. C94–687 (W.D. Environmental Response,
through March 31, 2020, subject to Wash. Aug. 29, 1994)). The Trustees Compensation, and Liability Act
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

may only use these funds for restoration (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9607(f) of the
subsequent annual reviews by NMFS.
purposes. The Trustees will consider Federal Water Pollution and Control Act
Dated: November 23, 2016. comments received during the public (FWPCA), 33 U.S.C. 1321, Subpart G of
Eileen Sobeck, comment period before finalizing this the National Oil and Hazardous
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, EA. Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
National Marine Fisheries Service. DATES:Comments on the Draft EA must (NCP), 40 CFR 300.600 through 300.615,
[FR Doc. 2016–28731 Filed 11–28–16; 8:45 am] be submitted in writing on or before and regulations at 43 CFR part 11,
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P December 27, 2016. which are applicable to natural resource

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:48 Nov 28, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM 29NON1

Document Created: 2016-11-29 00:33:17
Document Modified: 2016-11-29 00:33:17

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; affirmative finding annual renewals for Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain.
Dates		These affirmative finding annual renewals are effective for the one-year period of April 1, 2016, through March 31, 2017.
Contact		Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. Phone: 562-980-3264. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 85935
RIN Number		0648-XF02

81 FR 85935 - Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 229 (November 29, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration