82 FR 14205 - Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 51 (March 17, 2017)

Page Range		14205-14206
FR Document		2017-05351

NMFS announces the receipt of an exempted fishing permit (EFP) application for 2017 and 2018 that would continue work done in 2015 and 2016, and is considering issuance of EFPs for vessels participating in the EFP fishery. The EFPs would be effective no earlier than April 3, 2017, and would expire no later than December 31, 2018, but could be terminated earlier under terms and conditions of the EFPs and other applicable laws.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 51 (Friday, March 17, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 51 (Friday, March 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14205-14206]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05351]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF217


Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Application for an Exempted Fishing 
Permit

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an exempted fishing permit (EFP) 
application for 2017 and 2018 that would continue work done in 2015 and 
2016, and is considering issuance of EFPs for vessels participating in 
the EFP fishery. The EFPs would be effective no earlier than April 3, 
2017, and would expire no later than December 31, 2018, but could be 
terminated earlier under terms and conditions of the EFPs and other 
applicable laws.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., local time on 
April 3, 2017.

[[Page 14206]]


ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by 0648-XF217, by any 
one of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Benjamin Mann.
     Mail: Barry A. Thom, Regional Administrator, West Coast 
Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070, Attn: 
Benjamin Mann.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Benjamin Mann (West Coast Region, 
NMFS), phone: 206-526-6117, fax: 206-526-6736.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action is authorized by the Pacific 
Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act provisions at 50 CFR 600.745, 
which states that EFPs may be used to authorize fishing activities that 
would otherwise be prohibited. At the June 2016 Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council) meeting in Tacoma, WA, the Council 
considered an EFP application from the San Francisco Community Fishing 
Association and Dan Platt. An opportunity for public testimony was 
provided during the Council meeting. For more details on this EFP 
application and to view a copy of the application, see the Council's 
Web site at www.pcouncil.org and browse the November 2016 Briefing 
Book. The Council recommended that NMFS consider issuing the following 
EFP, and that this EFP be issued for 2 years. The 2-year duration is 
intended to coincide with the 2017-2018 biennial harvest specifications 
and management measures process. Therefore, to reduce the 
administrative burden of issuing annual EFPs during the 2-year 
management cycle, NMFS is considering issuing the EFP described below 
for a 2-year period. The EFP issued for this 2-year period would expire 
no later than December 31, 2018, but could be terminated earlier under 
terms and conditions of the EFP and other applicable laws.

Commercial Yellowtail EFP

    The San Francisco Community Fishing Association and Dan Platt 
submitted an application to continue their 2016-2017 EFP work for two 
more years. The primary purpose of the EFP is to test a commercial hook 
and line gear to target underutilized yellowtail rockfish, while 
keeping bycatch of overfished species low. The current application 
includes changes from the previous EFP including: (1) Extension of the 
southern boundary from Point San Pedro (37[deg]35' N. lat.) to Point 
Conception (34[deg]27' N. lat.); (2) addition of 3 vessels to the EFP 
(7 total); and (3) federal observer coverage requirement of 30 percent 
(trips not observed would be self-reported). The EFPs are necessary to 
allow activities that are otherwise prohibited by Federal regulations.
    After review of the final proposal, NMFS has concerns with the 
proposed reduced observer coverage. NMFS has historically relied on 100 
percent observer coverage to collect and maintain data critical to 
evaluating the feasibility of new fisheries management strategies. NMFS 
has never issued a groundfish EFP without 100 percent coverage. 
Further, the proposed extension of the southern boundary would extend 
the fishery into waters where no baseline data exists; highlighting the 
need to obtain data for management purposes that has historically be 
collected by observers. The Northwest Fisheries Science Center has 
indicated that they may be able to provide for some additional observer 
coverage, working with the applicants. NMFS is considering, but has not 
yet approved, using some electronic monitoring in lieu of observers. 
NMFS is inviting comments on these issues.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 
16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.

    Dated: March 14, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05351 Filed 3-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Notices 14205

South Atlantic Fishery Management ACTION: Notice. for Coastal Management will place a
Council; Gulf States Marine Fisheries notice in the Federal Register
Commission; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and announcing the availability of the Final
Fish and Wildlife Service; and, the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Evaluation Findings.
Department of State. Office for Coastal Management will hold Specific information on the periodic
Lastly, the Council will discuss any a public meeting to solicit comments on evaluation of the state and territorial
Other Business items. the performance evaluation of the Maine coastal program that is the subject of
Coastal Management Program. Written this notice is detailed below as follows:
—Meeting Adjourns comments on the performance
The timing and order in which agenda evaluation will also be accepted. Maine Coastal Management Program
items are addressed may change as DATES: Maine Coastal Management Evaluation
required to effectively address the issue. Program Evaluation: The public meeting You may participate or submit oral
The latest version will be posted on the will be held on May 3, 2017, and comments at the public meeting
Council’s file server, which can be written comments must be received on scheduled as follows:
accessed by going to the Council’s Web or before May 12, 2017. Date: May 3, 2017.
site at http://www.gulfcouncil.org and For specific dates, times, and Time: 5:00 p.m., local time.
clicking on FTP Server under Quick locations of the public meetings, see Location: Offices of the Lincoln
Links. For meeting materials, select the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. County Regional Planning Commission,
‘‘Briefing Books/Briefing Book 2017–04’’ ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 297 Bath Road (US Route 1), Wicasset,
folder on Gulf Council file server. The on the performance evaluation of the Maine.
username and password are both Maine Coastal Management Program.by
‘‘gulfguest’’. The meetings will be Written public comments must be
any of the following methods: received on or before May 12, 2017.
webcast over the internet. A link to the Public Meeting and Oral Comments:
webcast will be available on the (Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419
A public meeting will be held in Coastal Zone Management Program
Council’s Web site, http:// Wiscasset, Maine. For the specific
www.gulfcouncil.org. Administration)
location, see SUPPLEMENTARY
Although other non-emergency issues INFORMATION.
Dated: March 10, 2017.
not contained in this agenda may come Written Comments: Please direct Paul M. Scholz,
before this Council for discussion, those written comments to Carrie Hall, Deputy Director, Office for Coastal
issues may not be the subjects of formal Evaluator, Planning and Performance Management, National Ocean Service,
action during this meeting. Council Measurement Program, Office for National Oceanic and Atmospheric
action will be restricted to those issues Administration.
Coastal Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305
specifically listed in this notice and any East-West Highway, 11th Floor, N/ [FR Doc. 2017–05249 Filed 3–16–17; 8:45 am]
issues arising after publication of this OCM1, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, BILLING CODE 3510–08–P
notice that require emergency action or email comments Carrie.Hall@
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson- noaa.gov. Written comments must be
Stevens Act, provided that the public received on or before May 12, 2017. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
has been notified of the Council’s intent
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
to take final action to address the
Carrie Hall, Evaluator, Planning and Administration
emergency.
Performance Measurement Program,
Special Accommodations Office for Coastal Management, NOS/
RIN 0648–XF217
NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 11th
This meeting is physically accessible
Floor, N/OCM1, Silver Spring, Fisheries Off West Coast States and in
to people with disabilities. Requests for
Maryland 20910, or Carrie.Hall@ the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast
sign language interpretation or other
noaa.gov. Copies of the most recent Groundfish Fishery; Application for an
auxiliary aids should be directed to
progress report, previous evaluation Exempted Fishing Permit
Kathy Pereira (see ADDRESSES) at least 5
findings, and 2016–2020 Assessment
days prior to the meeting date. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
and Strategy may be viewed and
Dated: March 14, 2017. downloaded on the Internet at http:// Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Tracey L. Thompson, coast.noaa.gov/czm/evaluations. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section Commerce.
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 312 of the Coastal Zone Management ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
[FR Doc. 2017–05360 Filed 3–16–17; 8:45 am] Act (CZMA) requires NOAA to conduct
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P periodic evaluations of federally SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt
approved state and territorial coastal of an exempted fishing permit (EFP)
programs. The process includes one or application for 2017 and 2018 that
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE more public meetings, consideration of would continue work done in 2015 and
written public comments and 2016, and is considering issuance of
National Oceanic and Atmospheric consultations with interested Federal, EFPs for vessels participating in the EFP
Administration state, and local agencies and members of fishery. The EFPs would be effective no
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

the public. During the evaluation, earlier than April 3, 2017, and would
Evaluation of State Coastal expire no later than December 31, 2018,
Management Programs NOAA will consider the extent to which
the state has met the national objectives, but could be terminated earlier under
AGENCY: Office for Coastal Management, adhered to the management program terms and conditions of the EFPs and
National Ocean Service, National approved by the Secretary of Commerce, other applicable laws.
Oceanic and Atmospheric and adhered to the terms of financial DATES: Comments must be received no
Administration, Department of assistance under the CZMA. When the later than 5 p.m., local time on April 3,
Commerce. evaluation is completed, NOAA’s Office 2017.

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14206 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Notices

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, Conception (34°27′ N. lat.); (2) addition FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
identified by 0648–XF217, by any one of of 3 vessels to the EFP (7 total); and (3) Amy B. Jensen, Telephone: (703) 603–
the following methods: federal observer coverage requirement of 7740, Fax: (703) 603–0655, or email
• Email: benjamin.mann@noaa.gov. 30 percent (trips not observed would be CMTEFedReg@AbilityOne.gov.
• Fax: 206–526–6736, Attn: Benjamin self-reported). The EFPs are necessary to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Mann. allow activities that are otherwise
• Mail: Barry A. Thom, Regional prohibited by Federal regulations. Additions
Administrator, West Coast Region, After review of the final proposal, On 12/30/2016 (81 FR 96442–96443),
NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., NMFS has concerns with the proposed the Committee for Purchase From
Seattle, WA 98115–0070, Attn: reduced observer coverage. NMFS has People Who Are Blind or Severely
Benjamin Mann. historically relied on 100 percent Disabled published notice of proposed
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: observer coverage to collect and additions to the Procurement List.
Benjamin Mann (West Coast Region, maintain data critical to evaluating the After consideration of the material
NMFS), phone: 206–526–6117, fax: 206– feasibility of new fisheries management presented to it concerning capability of
526–6736. strategies. NMFS has never issued a qualified nonprofit agencies to provide
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This groundfish EFP without 100 percent the products and impact of the
action is authorized by the Pacific Coast coverage. Further, the proposed additions on the current or most recent
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan extension of the southern boundary contractors, the Committee has
(FMP) and the Magnuson-Stevens would extend the fishery into waters determined that the products listed
Fishery Conservation and Management where no baseline data exists; below are suitable for procurement by
Act provisions at 50 CFR 600.745, highlighting the need to obtain data for the Federal Government under 41 U.S.C.
which states that EFPs may be used to management purposes that has 8501–8506 and 41 CFR 51–2.4.
authorize fishing activities that would historically be collected by observers.
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
otherwise be prohibited. At the June
2016 Pacific Fishery Management has indicated that they may be able to I certify that the following action will
Council (Council) meeting in Tacoma, provide for some additional observer not have a significant impact on a
WA, the Council considered an EFP coverage, working with the applicants. substantial number of small entities.
application from the San Francisco NMFS is considering, but has not yet The major factors considered for this
Community Fishing Association and approved, using some electronic certification were:
Dan Platt. An opportunity for public monitoring in lieu of observers. NMFS 1. The action will not result in any
testimony was provided during the is inviting comments on these issues. additional reporting, recordkeeping or
Council meeting. For more details on Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 other compliance requirements for small
this EFP application and to view a copy U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq. entities other than the small
of the application, see the Council’s organizations that will furnish the
Dated: March 14, 2017.
Web site at www.pcouncil.org and products to the Government.
Karen H. Abrams, 2. The action will result in
browse the November 2016 Briefing Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Book. The Council recommended that authorizing small entities to furnish the
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. products to the Government.
NMFS consider issuing the following [FR Doc. 2017–05351 Filed 3–16–17; 8:45 am]
EFP, and that this EFP be issued for 2 3. There are no known regulatory
years. The 2-year duration is intended to
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P alternatives which would accomplish
coincide with the 2017–2018 biennial the objectives of the Javits-Wagner-
harvest specifications and management O’Day Act (41 U.S.C. 8501–8506) in
measures process. Therefore, to reduce COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM connection with the products proposed
the administrative burden of issuing PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR for addition to the Procurement List.
annual EFPs during the 2-year SEVERELY DISABLED End of Certification
management cycle, NMFS is
Procurement List; Additions and Accordingly, the following products
considering issuing the EFP described
Deletions are added to the Procurement List:
below for a 2-year period. The EFP
issued for this 2-year period would PRODUCTS:
AGENCY: Committee for Purchase From
expire no later than December 31, 2018, NSN(s)—Product Name(s):
People Who Are Blind or Severely 6530–00–NIB–0209—Hot Pack, Instant,
but could be terminated earlier under Disabled.
terms and conditions of the EFP and Disposable, 6″ x 8″
ACTION: Additions to and Deletions from 6530–00–NIB–0217—Cold Pack, Instant,
other applicable laws.
the Procurement List. Disposable, 5″ x 6″
Commercial Yellowtail EFP 6530–00–NIB–0219—Cold Pack, Instant,
SUMMARY: This action adds products to Disposable, 5″ x 7″
The San Francisco Community the Procurement List that will be 6530–00–NIB–0221—Cold Pack, Instant,
Fishing Association and Dan Platt furnished by the nonprofit agency Disposable, 6″ x 8.75″
submitted an application to continue employing persons who are blind or 6530–00–NIB–0222—Hot Pack, Instant,
their 2016–2017 EFP work for two more have other severe disabilities, and Disposable, 5″ x 6″
years. The primary purpose of the EFP 6530–00–NIB–0223—Hot Pack, Instant,
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

deletes products from the Procurement Disposable, 5″ x 7″
is to test a commercial hook and line List previously furnished by such
gear to target underutilized yellowtail Mandatory Source(s) of Supply: Central
agencies. Association for the Blind and Visually
rockfish, while keeping bycatch of
DATES: Effective Date is April 16, 2017. Impaired, Utica, NY
overfished species low. The current Mandatory for: Total Government
application includes changes from the ADDRESS: Committee for Purchase From Requirement
previous EFP including: (1) Extension of People Who Are Blind or Severely Contracting Activity: Defense Logistics
the southern boundary from Point San Disabled, 1401 S. Clark Street, Suite Agency Troop Support
Pedro (37°35′ N. lat.) to Point 715, Arlington, Virginia, 22202–4149. Distribution: B-List

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Document Created: 2017-03-17 02:48:52
Document Modified: 2017-03-17 02:48:52

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 no later than 5 p.m., local time on April 3, 2017.
Contact		Benjamin Mann (West Coast Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6117, fax: 206-526-6736.
FR Citation		82 FR 14205
RIN Number		0648-XF21

82 FR 14205 - Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 51 (March 17, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration