82 FR 12930 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 44 (March 8, 2017)

Page Range		12930-12931
FR Document		2017-04543

NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the South Carolina Aquarium. If granted, the EFP would authorize the South Carolina Aquarium to collect, with certain conditions, various species of snapper-grouper, dolphin, wahoo, cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, golden crab, shrimp, and spiny lobster in the Federal waters off South Carolina and North Carolina in the South Atlantic. The specimens would be used in educational exhibits displaying native marine species at the South Carolina Aquarium located in Charleston, SC.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12930-12931]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04543]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF150


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Exempted Fishing Permit

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing 
permit; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted 
fishing permit (EFP) from the South Carolina Aquarium. If granted, the 
EFP would authorize the South Carolina Aquarium to collect, with 
certain conditions, various species of snapper-grouper, dolphin, wahoo, 
cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, golden crab, shrimp, and spiny 
lobster in the Federal waters off South Carolina and North Carolina in 
the South Atlantic. The specimens would be used in educational exhibits 
displaying native marine species at the South Carolina Aquarium located 
in Charleston, SC.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 7, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ``NOAA-NMFS-2017-
0008'', by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0008, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Nikhil Mehta, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method (including email), 
to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the 
comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received 
are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public 
viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nikhil Mehta, 727-824-5305; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C 
1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted 
fishing.
    The proposed specimen collection involves activities otherwise 
prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR part 622, as they pertain to 
species managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
(Council) including snapper-grouper, golden crab, coastal migratory 
pelagics, dolphin, wahoo, spiny lobster, and shrimp. The applicant 
requires authorization to collect 1,799 live fish, crabs, lobsters, and 
shrimp in the Federal waters off South Carolina, and sporadically off 
North Carolina. The federally-managed species to be collected by the 
applicant per year, over a 5-year period, listed by common name with 
the collection total, are: Black snapper (10); cobia (6); coney (10); 
dolphin (50); golden crab (5); graysby (10); groupers (Epinephelus spp. 
and Hyporthodus spp. including red, misty, red hind, rock hind, snowy, 
and yellowedge) (40); groupers (Myctoperca spp. and Cephalopholis spp. 
including black grouper, gag, yellowmouth, yellowfin, and scamp) (50); 
grunts (Haemulon spp. including cottonwick, margate, sailors choice, 
tomtate, and white) (250); hogfish (8); jacks including greater 
amberjack, almaco jack, banded rudderfish, bar jack, and lesser 
amberjack(200); king mackerel (15); little tunny (25); longspine porgy 
(50); ocean triggerfish (5); porgies including knobbed, jolthead, 
whitebone, and saucereye (65); porkfish (15); queen snapper (2); red 
porgy (25); red snapper (25); sand tilefish (10); sea basses including 
black, bank, and rock (100); scup (50); Atlantic spadefish (50); 
triggerfish (20); white shrimp (200); pink or brown shrimp (200); 
snappers excluding red snapper, but including yellowtail, gray, mutton, 
lane, cubera, silk, and blackfin (75); Spanish mackerel (15); spiny 
lobster (25); vermilion snapper (75); wahoo (5); and yellowtail snapper 
(15).
    The project would use vertical hook-and-line gear with artificial 
and natural baits, black sea bass pots, spiny lobster traps, golden 
crab traps, habitat traps, octopus traps, hand nets, dip nets, and bait 
traps. Bait traps and minnow traps would be deployed by hand by divers 
using SCUBA gear. Most of the sample collection would be done in less 
than 300 ft (91 m) of water. No more than 5 each, black sea bass pots, 
lobster pots, golden crab traps, minnow traps, and bait traps would be 
deployed with a soak time of no more than 5 hours at a time, and will 
not be tied together on a groundline. Up to 10 habitat traps will also 
be utilized with a soak time of 7 days up to no more than 30 days. All 
trap and pot gear will be deployed either by hand by divers using SCUBA 
or through using individual nylon lines with buoys. All gear types 
would be utilized for the collection of requested species. This EFP 
would authorize sampling operations to be conducted on three vessels 
designated by the South Carolina Aquarium including: F/V REEL SCIENCE 
SC-9152-DE; F/V CUB SCOUT SC-9288-BF; and F/V MISTRESS SC-5326-BS.
    All attempts would be made (venting, controlled ascent and descent, 
etc.) to release all non-targeted bycatch species alive. During each 
year of sampling requested through this EFP, there would be no traps or 
pots deployed from November 1 through April 30, to avoid interactions 
with North Atlantic right

[[Page 12931]]

whales during their calving season. This EFP would not authorize the 
collection of warsaw grouper, speckled hind, goliath grouper, and 
Nassau grouper.
    The overall intent of the project is to incorporate native species 
into educational exhibits at the South Carolina Aquarium. The aquarium 
uses these displays of native South Carolina species to teach the 
public about stewardship and habitat preservation.
    NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration. 
Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is 
granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of collection of 
specimens within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, special 
management zones, or artificial reefs without additional authorization. 
Currently, NMFS prohibits the possession of Nassau grouper, goliath 
grouper, speckled hind, warsaw grouper, and red snapper but intends to 
authorize collection of red snapper as requested in the application. 
NMFS would require any sea turtles taken incidentally during the course 
of fishing or scientific research activities to be handled with due 
care to prevent injury to live specimens, observed for activity, and 
returned to the water.
    A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NMFS' review 
of public comments received on the application, consultations with the 
affected states, the Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a 
determination that it is consistent with all applicable laws.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: March 3, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-04543 Filed 3-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 44 / Wednesday, March 8, 2017 / Notices 12931

whales during their calving season. This Service (NPS) at Glacier Bay National upon request by U.S. citizens who
EFP would not authorize the collection Park (Glacier Bay NP) for an Incidental engage in a specified activity (other than
of warsaw grouper, speckled hind, Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take commercial fishing) within a specified
goliath grouper, and Nassau grouper. marine mammals, by harassment, area, the incidental, but not intentional,
The overall intent of the project is to incidental to conducting proposed gull taking of small numbers of marine
incorporate native species into monitoring and research activities mammals, provided that certain
educational exhibits at the South within Glacier Bay NP from May findings are made and the necessary
Carolina Aquarium. The aquarium uses through September, 2017. Pursuant to prescriptions are established.
these displays of native South Carolina the Marine Mammal Protection Act The incidental taking of small
species to teach the public about (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments numbers of marine mammals shall be
stewardship and habitat preservation. on its proposal to issue an IHA to the allowed if NMFS (through authority
NMFS finds this application warrants NPS at Glacier Bay NP to incidentally delegated by the Secretary) finds that
further consideration. Possible take marine mammals during the the total taking by the specified activity
conditions the agency may impose on specified activities. during the specified time period will (i)
this permit, if it is granted, include but DATES: Comments and information must have a negligible impact on the species
are not limited to, a prohibition of be received no later than April 7, 2017. or stock(s) and (ii) not have an
collection of specimens within marine unmitigable adverse impact on the
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments on
protected areas, marine sanctuaries, availability of the species or stock(s) for
the application by either of the
special management zones, or artificial subsistence uses (where relevant).
following methods:
reefs without additional authorization. Mail: Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits Further, the permissible methods of
Currently, NMFS prohibits the taking, as well as the other means of
and Conservation Division, Office of
possession of Nassau grouper, goliath effecting the least practicable adverse
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
grouper, speckled hind, warsaw impact on the species or stock and its
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
grouper, and red snapper but intends to habitat (i.e., mitigation) must be
20910.
authorize collection of red snapper as Electronic: Comments should be sent prescribed. Last, requirements
requested in the application. NMFS to ITP.Egger@noaa.gov. pertaining to the monitoring and
would require any sea turtles taken Instructions: NMFS is not responsible reporting of such taking must be set
incidentally during the course of fishing for comments sent by any other method, forth.
or scientific research activities to be to any other address or individual, or Where there is the potential for
handled with due care to prevent injury received after the end of the comment serious injury or death, the allowance of
to live specimens, observed for activity, period. Comments received incidental taking requires promulgation
and returned to the water. electronically, including all of regulations under section
A final decision on issuance of the 101(a)(5)(A). Subsequently, a Letter (or
attachments, must not exceed a 25-
EFP will depend on NMFS’ review of Letters) of Authorization may be issued
megabyte file size. Attachments to
public comments received on the as governed by the prescriptions
electronic comments will be accepted in
application, consultations with the established in such regulations,
Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF
affected states, the Council, and the U.S. provided that the level of taking will be
file formats only. All comments
Coast Guard, and a determination that it consistent with the findings made for
received are a part of the public record
is consistent with all applicable laws. the total taking allowable under the
and will generally be posted online at
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. specific regulations. Under section
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/
101(a)(5)(D), NMFS may authorize
Dated: March 3, 2017. incidental/research.htm without
incidental taking by harassment only
Emily H. Menashes, change. All personal identifying
(i.e., no serious injury or mortality), for
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable information (e.g., name, address),
periods of not more than one year,
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. confidential business information or
pursuant to requirements and
[FR Doc. 2017–04543 Filed 3–7–17; 8:45 am] otherwise sensitive or protected
conditions contained within an IHA.
information submitted voluntarily by
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P The promulgation of regulations or
the commenter is publicly accessible.
issuance of IHAs (with their associated
NMFS will accept anonymous
prescripted mitigation, monitoring, and
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE comments (note this in the
reporting) requires notice and
correspondence if you wish to remain
National Oceanic and Atmospheric opportunity for public comment.
anonymous). NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
Administration
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘. . . an
RIN 0648–XF118 Stephanie Egger, Office of Protected impact resulting from the specified
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. activity that cannot be reasonably
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Electronic copies of the applications expected to, and is not reasonably likely
Specified Activities; Gull Monitoring and supporting documents, as well as a to, we adversely affect the species or
and Research in Glacier Bay National list of the references cited in this stock through effects on annual rates of
Park, Alaska, 2017 document, may be obtained online at: recruitment or survival.’’
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ NMFS has defined ‘‘unmitigable
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and incidental/research.htm. In case of adverse impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as
problems accessing these documents, ‘‘. . . an impact resulting from the
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce. please call the contact listed above. specified activity:
ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (1) That is likely to reduce the
harassment authorization; request for availability of the species to a level
Background insufficient for a harvest to meet
comments.
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the subsistence needs by: (i) Causing the
SUMMARY: NMFS has received an MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct marine mammals to abandon or avoid
application from the National Park the Secretary of Commerce to allow, hunting areas; (ii) directly displacing

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Document Created: 2017-03-08 05:06:48
Document Modified: 2017-03-08 05:06:48

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 of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments.
Dates		Written comments must be received on or before April 7, 2017.
Contact		Nikhil Mehta, 727-824-5305; email [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 12930
RIN Number		0648-XF15

82 FR 12930 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 44 (March 8, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration