81 FR 9170 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 36 (February 24, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 36 (February 24, 2016)
| Page Range | 9170-9171 | |
| FR Document | 2016-03760 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 9170-9171] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-03760] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE463 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt commercial fishing vessels from Atlantic sea scallop regulations in support of research conducted by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. Regulations under the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line ``DA15-084 CFF Resource Enhancement Study EFP.'' Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on DA15-030 CFF Resource Enhancement Study EFP.'' Fax: (978) 281-9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA Fisheries awarded the Coonamesset Farm Foundation (CFF) a grant through the 2015 Atlantic sea scallop research set-aside (RSA) program, in support of a project titled, ``Habitat Characterization and Sea Scallop Resource Enhancement Study in a Proposed Habitat Research Area-Year Three.'' CFF has also submitted a proposal for a project of similar design for consideration under the 2016 Atlantic sea scallop RSA program titled ``Drivers of Dispersal and Retention in Recently Seeded Sea Scallops.'' Final project selections for the 2016 scallop RSA program are still to be determined and grant funding is expected sometime in March 2016. CFF submitted a complete application for an EFP for both projects on November 12, 2015. The main objectives for these projects are: 1. Perform a seeding operation and monitor environmental conditions before and after seeding; 2. Test a new cost-effective technique for marking and tracking seed scallops by size class; 3. Monitor transplanted scallops using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to quantify scallop and predator densities, dispersal rates, and survival; and 4. Investigate the different seedbed characteristics to provide insight into factors behind transplant success or failure. Each project would transplant scallops from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration that were historically known to have high scallop densities, to demonstrate the feasibility of a reseeding program to enhance and stabilize scallop recruitment on Georges Bank. The Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt participating vessels from Atlantic sea scallop days-at-sea allocations at 50 CFR 648.53(b); crew size restrictions at Sec. 648.51(c); Atlantic sea scallop observer program requirements at Sec. 648.11(g); and closed area exemptions for Nantucket Lightship at Sec. 648.58(c). It would also exempt participating vessels from the access area program requirements at Sec. 648.60(a)(4), which would allow them to transit in and out of the access areas from the open area, as well as from the 50 bushel in-shell scallop possession limit outside of an access area found at Sec. 648.52(f). Finally the Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt vessels from possession limits and minimum fish size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subsections B and D through O, for sampling purposes and to retain any yellowtail flounder showing signs of disease for further shore side analysis. Three dredging trips would collect and transplant roughly 10,000 to 15,000 scallops. One trip would support the 2015 project and two trips would support the proposed 2016 project. Dredging trips would be conducted utilizing a single vessel starting in March 2016 for the 2015 project, and April through May 2016 for the 2016 project if funded. The juvenile scallops would be harvested from the southeast portion of Nantucket Lightship Access Area (NLAA) to suitable sites in an alternate area of NLAA or a suitable site on Cox's Ledge. The projects define a suitable site as having currents less than 3 knots (~1 m/s) and large areas of coarse substrate preferred by scallops. The vessel would tow two standard 15-foot (4.57-meter) wide dredges with a 4-inch (10.16-cm) ring bag for up to 10 minutes at 4.5 knots. To harvest all of the scallops, the applicant estimates they would need to complete approximately 25 tows. Once the catch is on deck, the scallops would be sorted by size class, marked with an appropriately colored reflective tape to aid with post-seeding monitoring, and stored in fish totes with a chilled seawater flow through system. All harvesting and tagging would occur during nighttime hours to reduce stress on the scallops. Once the vessel reaches the reseeding site, the vessel would anchor up to allow for a controlled placement, and researchers will lower the scallops to the ocean bottom for a targeted density of two scallops per square meter. A bottom marker would also be released with each scallop placement to locate the original site enabling researchers to note any scallop movement. One bushel from each tow would be measured for size frequency and 15 individual scallops would be sampled for meat weights to determine shell height/meat weight ratios prior to transplanting. Any finfish caught in the dredge that show signs of abnormalities would have a small biopsy of the area [[Page 9171]] removed and preserved in a vial with formalin and the carcass would be placed in a ziplock bag and stored on ice. Researchers would continue gathering information on the prevalence of the disease Ichthyophonus seen locally in yellowtail flounder. Anticipated bycatch for both projects is listed in the table below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum bycatch Maximum bycatch Species --------------------------------------------------------------- (lb) (kg) (lb) (kg) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scallop......................................... 12,000 5,443 15,075 6,838 Yellowtail Flounder............................. 140 64 450 204 Winter Flounder................................. 20 9 225 102 Windowpane Flounder............................. 120 54 450 204 Monkfish........................................ 500 227 1,575 714 Other Fish...................................... 220 100 450 204 Barndoor Skate.................................. 20 9 675 306 NE Skate Complex................................ 7,740 3,510 12,825 5,817 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition to trips that will harvest and place seed scallops, there will be five trips dedicated to conducting optical surveys of the research area; two trips to determine seed placement locations, and three trips to monitor the seeding effort. Researchers would conduct each initial optical survey over the course of a day and the post seed optical surveys over seven days. The post seeding surveys would start immediately after scallop placement, and recur at each site once a day. To collect data at each of the sites, researchers would use a GAVIA AUV, and a video sled comprised of a 9.84-foot (3-m) wide beam outfitted with a battery operated camera and strobe system. The only contact with the ocean bottom would be with three 3-inch (7.62-cm) wide runners attached to the bottom of the beam. No exemptions are needed for the optical survey trips. Regulatory exemptions are needed to allow CFF to collect scallops from a closed access area and reseed them in an open area, and without being charged days-at-sea. Exemptions are also needed to deploy dredge gear in closed access areas and retain yellowtail flounder for scientific purposes. Participating vessels need crew size waivers to accommodate science personnel and possession waivers will enable them to conduct data collection activities. We would waive the observer program notification requirements because the research activity is not representative of standard fishing activity. If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 18, 2016. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-03760 Filed 2-23-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![9170 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Notices
of the public who are interested in • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Lightship at § 648.58(c). It would also
speaking are requested to contact Annie Include in the subject line ‘‘DA15–084 exempt participating vessels from the
Sokol at the contact information CFF Resource Enhancement Study access area program requirements at
indicated in the FOR FURTHER EFP.’’ § 648.60(a)(4), which would allow them
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional to transit in and out of the access areas
notice. Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic from the open area, as well as from the
Speakers who wish to expand upon Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great 50 bushel in-shell scallop possession
their oral statements, those who had Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. limit outside of an access area found at
wished to speak but could not be Mark the outside of the envelope § 648.52(f). Finally the Exempted
accommodated on the agenda, and those ‘‘Comments on DA15–030 CFF Resource Fishing Permit would exempt vessels
who were unable to attend in person are Enhancement Study EFP.’’ from possession limits and minimum
invited to submit written statements. In • Fax: (978) 281–9135. fish size requirements specified in 50
addition, written statements are invited FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CFR part 648, subsections B and D
and may be submitted to the ISPAB at Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management through O, for sampling purposes and to
any time. All written statements should Specialist, 978–282–8456. retain any yellowtail flounder showing
be directed to the ISPAB Secretariat, signs of disease for further shore side
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA
Information Technology Laboratory, 100 analysis.
Fisheries awarded the Coonamesset
Bureau Drive, Stop 8930, National Three dredging trips would collect
Farm Foundation (CFF) a grant through and transplant roughly 10,000 to 15,000
Institute of Standards and Technology, the 2015 Atlantic sea scallop research
Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8930. scallops. One trip would support the
set-aside (RSA) program, in support of 2015 project and two trips would
Kevin Kimball, a project titled, ‘‘Habitat support the proposed 2016 project.
Chief of Staff. Characterization and Sea Scallop Dredging trips would be conducted
[FR Doc. 2016–03905 Filed 2–23–16; 8:45 am]
Resource Enhancement Study in a utilizing a single vessel starting in
Proposed Habitat Research Area-Year March 2016 for the 2015 project, and
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
Three.’’ CFF has also submitted a April through May 2016 for the 2016
proposal for a project of similar design project if funded. The juvenile scallops
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE for consideration under the 2016 would be harvested from the southeast
Atlantic sea scallop RSA program titled portion of Nantucket Lightship Access
National Oceanic and Atmospheric ‘‘Drivers of Dispersal and Retention in Area (NLAA) to suitable sites in an
Administration Recently Seeded Sea Scallops.’’ Final alternate area of NLAA or a suitable site
project selections for the 2016 scallop on Cox’s Ledge. The projects define a
RIN 0648–XE463 RSA program are still to be determined suitable site as having currents less than
and grant funding is expected sometime 3 knots (∼1 m/s) and large areas of
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; in March 2016. CFF submitted a coarse substrate preferred by scallops.
General Provisions for Domestic complete application for an EFP for both The vessel would tow two standard
Fisheries; Application for Exempted projects on November 12, 2015. The 15-foot (4.57-meter) wide dredges with
Fishing Permits main objectives for these projects are: a 4-inch (10.16-cm) ring bag for up to 10
1. Perform a seeding operation and minutes at 4.5 knots. To harvest all of
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries monitor environmental conditions
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and the scallops, the applicant estimates
before and after seeding; they would need to complete
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2. Test a new cost-effective technique
Commerce. approximately 25 tows. Once the catch
for marking and tracking seed scallops is on deck, the scallops would be sorted
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. by size class; by size class, marked with an
3. Monitor transplanted scallops using appropriately colored reflective tape to
SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional an autonomous underwater vehicle
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, aid with post-seeding monitoring, and
(AUV) to quantify scallop and predator stored in fish totes with a chilled
Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has densities, dispersal rates, and survival;
made a preliminary determination that seawater flow through system. All
and harvesting and tagging would occur
an Exempted Fishing Permit application 4. Investigate the different seedbed
contains all of the required information during nighttime hours to reduce stress
characteristics to provide insight into on the scallops. Once the vessel reaches
and warrants further consideration. This factors behind transplant success or the reseeding site, the vessel would
Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt failure. anchor up to allow for a controlled
commercial fishing vessels from Each project would transplant placement, and researchers will lower
Atlantic sea scallop regulations in scallops from areas of high the scallops to the ocean bottom for a
support of research conducted by the concentration to areas of lower targeted density of two scallops per
Coonamessett Farm Foundation. concentration that were historically square meter. A bottom marker would
Regulations under the Magnuson- known to have high scallop densities, to also be released with each scallop
Stevens Fishery Conservation and demonstrate the feasibility of a placement to locate the original site
Management Act require publication of reseeding program to enhance and enabling researchers to note any scallop
this notification to provide interested stabilize scallop recruitment on Georges movement.
parties the opportunity to comment on
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Bank. The Exempted Fishing Permit One bushel from each tow would be
applications for proposed Exempted would exempt participating vessels measured for size frequency and 15
Fishing Permits. from Atlantic sea scallop days-at-sea individual scallops would be sampled
DATES: Comments must be received on allocations at 50 CFR 648.53(b); crew for meat weights to determine shell
or before March 10, 2016. size restrictions at § 648.51(c); Atlantic height/meat weight ratios prior to
ADDRESSES: You may submit written sea scallop observer program transplanting. Any finfish caught in the
comments by any of the following requirements at § 648.11(g); and closed dredge that show signs of abnormalities
methods: area exemptions for Nantucket would have a small biopsy of the area
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Notices 9171
removed and preserved in a vial with ice. Researchers would continue locally in yellowtail flounder.
formalin and the carcass would be gathering information on the prevalence Anticipated bycatch for both projects is
placed in a ziplock bag and stored on of the disease Ichthyophonus seen listed in the table below.
Minimum bycatch Maximum bycatch
Species
(lb) (kg) (lb) (kg)
Scallop ............................................................................................................. 12,000 5,443 15,075 6,838
Yellowtail Flounder .......................................................................................... 140 64 450 204
Winter Flounder ............................................................................................... 20 9 225 102
Windowpane Flounder ..................................................................................... 120 54 450 204
Monkfish ........................................................................................................... 500 227 1,575 714
Other Fish ........................................................................................................ 220 100 450 204
Barndoor Skate ................................................................................................ 20 9 675 306
NE Skate Complex .......................................................................................... 7,740 3,510 12,825 5,817
In addition to trips that will harvest Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
and place seed scallops, there will be Dated: February 18, 2016. Background: The Committee provides
five trips dedicated to conducting Alan D. Risenhoover, advice to the Assistant Secretary of
optical surveys of the research area; two Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
Commerce for Communications and
trips to determine seed placement National Marine Fisheries Service. Information on needed reforms to
locations, and three trips to monitor the domestic spectrum policies and
[FR Doc. 2016–03760 Filed 2–23–16; 8:45 am]
seeding effort. Researchers would management in order to: license radio
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
conduct each initial optical survey over frequencies in a way that maximizes
the course of a day and the post seed public benefits; keep wireless networks
optical surveys over seven days. The DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE as open to innovation as possible; and
post seeding surveys would start make wireless services available to all
immediately after scallop placement, National Telecommunications and Americans. See Committee Charter at
and recur at each site once a day. To Information Administration http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/
collect data at each of the sites, publications/csmac_2015_charter_
researchers would use a GAVIA AUV, Commerce Spectrum Management renewal_2-26-15.pdf. This Committee is
and a video sled comprised of a 9.84- Advisory Committee Meeting subject to the Federal Advisory
foot (3-m) wide beam outfitted with a Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2,
AGENCY: National Telecommunications
battery operated camera and strobe and is consistent with the National
and Information Administration, U.S.
system. The only contact with the ocean Telecommunications and Information
Department of Commerce.
bottom would be with three 3-inch Administration Act, 47 U.S.C. 904(b).
ACTION: Notice of open meeting. The Committee functions solely as an
(7.62-cm) wide runners attached to the
bottom of the beam. No exemptions are SUMMARY: This notice announces a advisory body in compliance with the
needed for the optical survey trips. public meeting of the Commerce FACA. For more information about the
Regulatory exemptions are needed to Spectrum Management Advisory Committee visit: http://www.ntia.doc.
allow CFF to collect scallops from a Committee (Committee). The Committee gov/category/csmac.
closed access area and reseed them in provides advice to the Assistant Matters To Be Considered: The
an open area, and without being charged Secretary of Commerce for Committee provides advice to the
days-at-sea. Exemptions are also needed Communications and Information and Assistant Secretary to assist in
to deploy dredge gear in closed access the National Telecommunications and developing and maintaining spectrum
areas and retain yellowtail flounder for Information Administration (NTIA) on management policies that enable the
scientific purposes. Participating vessels spectrum management policy matters. United States to maintain or strengthen
need crew size waivers to accommodate its global leadership role in the
DATES: The meeting will be held on
science personnel and possession introduction of communications
March 18, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 technology, services, and innovation.
waivers will enable them to conduct
p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. This helps to expand the economy,
data collection activities. We would
waive the observer program notification ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at adding jobs, and increasing
requirements because the research the Wiley Rein Conference Center, 1776 international trade, while at the same
activity is not representative of standard K Street NW., Washington, DC 20006. time providing for the expansion of
fishing activity. Public comments may be mailed to existing technologies and supporting the
If approved, the applicant may Commerce Spectrum Management country’s homeland security, national
request minor modifications and Advisory Committee, National defense, and other critical needs of
extensions to the EFP throughout the Telecommunications and Information government missions. The Committee
year. EFP modifications and extensions Administration, 1401 Constitution will hear reports of the following
may be granted without further notice if Avenue NW., Room 4099, Washington, Subcommittees:
DC 20230 or emailed to BWashington@
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
they are deemed essential to facilitate 1. Federal Access to Non-Federal Bands
completion of the proposed research ntia.doc.gov. (Bi-directional Sharing)
and have minimal impacts that do not FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 2. Agency and Industry Collaboration
change the scope or impact of the Bruce M. Washington, Designated 3. Measurement and Sensing in 5 GHz
initially approved EFP request. Any Federal Officer, at (202) 482–6415 or 4. Spectrum Access System (SAS)/
fishing activity conducted outside the BWashington@ntia.doc.gov; and/or visit Spectrum Database International
scope of the exempted fishing activity NTIA’s Web site at http://www.ntia.doc. Extension
would be prohibited. gov/category/csmac. 5. 5G
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Document Created: 2016-02-23 23:55:50
Document Modified: 2016-02-23 23:55:50
| 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 comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2016. | |
| Contact | Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 9170 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE46 |
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