82 FR 17972 - 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 82, Issue 71 (April 14, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 71 (April 14, 2017)
| Page Range | 17972-17973 | |
| FR Document | 2017-07581 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 71 (Friday, April 14, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 17972-17973] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-07581] [[Page 17972]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF348 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 (EFP) application submitted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This EFP would allow participants to use electronic monitoring systems in lieu of at-sea monitors in support of a study to develop electronic monitoring for the purposes of catch monitoring in the groundfish fishery. 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 EFPs. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 1, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by either of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line ``TNC EM EFP RENEWAL.'' 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 ``TNC EM EFP RENEWAL.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Alger, Groundfish Policy Analyst, 978-675-2153. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2010, NMFS implemented Amendment 16 to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which revised and expanded the sector management system and established annual catch limits and accountability measures for each stock in the fishery. In order to reliably estimate sector catch and monitor sector operations, Amendment 16 included new requirements for groundfish sectors to implement and fund an at-sea monitoring (ASM) program. Amendment 16 also included a provision that allows electronic monitoring (EM) to be used to satisfy this monitoring requirement, provided NMFS deems the technology sufficient for the purposes of catch accounting. EM incorporates video cameras, gear sensors, and electronic reporting systems into a vessel's fishing operations. Depending on the program design, EM has the potential to reduce the expenses associated with monitoring groundfish sectors, and, at the same time, increase accountability and monitoring in the fishery. For the groundfish fishery, the program designs currently being considered are the ``audit model'' and the ``maximized retention model.'' The audit model would use EM to verify discards reported by a captain on a vessel trip report. Under the maximized retention model, vessels would be required to retain most fish species (e.g., allocated groundfish stocks), but be required to discard other species, such as those managed by trip limits (e.g., dogfish) or protected species (e.g., Atlantic salmon), and EM would be used to ensure compliance with discarding regulations. NMFS has not yet approved EM as a suitable alternative to ASM for the groundfish fishery; and there are a number of issues that must be resolved before EM could be implemented. To address these implementation issues, NMFS has been collaborating with TNC, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association, the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance, and Ecotrust Canada to implement an EM program that utilizes the audit model. In May 2016, NMFS issued EFPs to vessels from the Georges Bank Cod Fixed Gear Sector, the Maine Coast Community Sector, the Sustainable Harvest Sector, and Northeast Fishery Sectors 5 and 11, which allowed them to use EM in lieu of ASMs on trips selected for ASM coverage. Under the EFP, 100 percent of the video from these trips was reviewed and used to identify and enumerate discards of groundfish species, we did not use discarded catch reported on the vessel trip report (VTR). With one month remaining in the 2016 fishing year, there have been approximately 20 successful EM trips, defined generally as having adequate video quality and ability to review catch handling; there were a few trips that were not usable. We had projected far more EM trips, but there was generally less fishing effort given low catch limits, and with an ASM coverage level of 14 percent, vessels were not selected very often to use EM. As a result, the 2016 EFP did not result in an appreciable amount of data collected to support EM development. However, vessels generally operated according to protocol, EM data was recorded and processed, and improvements to the program. TNC has requested to renew the EFP for the 2017 fishing year to continue efforts to improve the functionality of EM, refine fish handling protocols, and support future implementation of the audit model. The 2017 EFP would be identical to the EFP issued for the 2016 fishing year, and would exempt participating vessels from adhering to their sector's monitoring plan, which requires the deployment of ASMs on sector trips selected for ASM coverage. While participating in the EM study, vessels would use EM to replace ASMs when selected for ASM coverage. EM would not replace Northeast Fishery Observer Program (NEFOP) observers. Under the EFP, vessels would declare sector trips in the Pre-Trip Notification System; however, if selected for ASM coverage, the vessel would be issued an ASM waiver and instead be required to turn on the EM system for the entire fishing trip. If selected for NEFOP coverage, the vessel would fish with a NEFOP observer and would also turn on the EM system for the entire trip. A third-party provider would review 100 percent of the video from each EM trip, and NMFS would audit the provider(s) to verify the accuracy of the EM data collected. For sector monitoring, NMFS uses a combination of the discard data collected from NEFOP observers and ASMs to estimate discards. For vessels participating in this EFP, NMFS would use the EM data collected in place of the ASM data. All other catch monitoring under the EFP would be consistent with standard sector monitoring, such as using dealer-reported landings and vessel trip reports. Participation in this EFP would be heavily dependent on a separate EFP request that we have received, that would require vessels to run EM on every trip (i.e., 100 percent monitoring). If approved, we would issue EFPs for the new request no later than July 1, 2017. Therefore, it is difficult to project trip counts and catch estimates for this EFP renewal, knowing that many of the participants could shift to the subsequent EFP. Assuming limited participation under this EFP from July 2017 through the end of the 2017 fishing year, and a 16-percent ASM coverage level in 2017, we do not many EM trips under this EFP. All catch of groundfish stocks allocated to sectors by vessels would be deducted from the sector's annual catch [[Page 17973]] entitlement for each groundfish stock. Legal-sized regulated groundfish would be retained and landed, as required by the FMP. Undersized groundfish would be handled according to the EM project guidelines in view of cameras and returned to the sea as quickly as possible. All other species would be handled per normal commercial fishing operations. No legal-size regulated groundfish would be discarded, unless otherwise permitted through regulatory exemptions granted to the participating vessel's sector. 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: April 11, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-07581 Filed 4-13-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 71 / Friday, April 14, 2017 / Notices 17973
entitlement for each groundfish stock. (address below). To attend the webinar, SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Legal-sized regulated groundfish would visit: http://www.gotomeeting.com/ the Stewardship Division, Office for
be retained and landed, as required by online/webinar/join-webinar. Enter the Coastal Management, National Ocean
the FMP. Undersized groundfish would Webinar ID, which is 344–427–787, and Service, National Oceanic and
be handled according to the EM project your name and email address (required). Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
guidelines in view of cameras and After logging into the webinar, dial this U.S. Department of Commerce approves
returned to the sea as quickly as TOLL number 1+ (562) 247–8422 (not a the Revised Management Plan for the
possible. All other species would be toll-free number), then enter the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research
handled per normal commercial fishing Attendee phone audio access code: 235– Reserve (NERR) located in Alabama.
operations. No legal-size regulated 460–983, then enter your audio phone Refer to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
groundfish would be discarded, unless pin (shown after joining the webinar). additional information.
otherwise permitted through regulatory NOTE: We have disabled Mic/Speakers FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
exemptions granted to the participating on GoToMeeting as an option and Matthew Chasse, Stewardship Division,
vessel’s sector. require all participants to use a Office for Coastal Management at 240–
If approved, the applicant may telephone or cell phone to participate. 533–0808 or via email at matt.chasse@
request minor modifications and You may send an email to Mr. Kris noaa.gov.
extensions to the EFP throughout the Kleinschmidt at kris.kleinschmidt@ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
year. EFP modifications and extensions noaa.gov or contact him at (503) 820– National Estuarine Research Reserve
may be granted without further notice if 2280, extension 411 for technical System (NERRS) is a federal-state
they are deemed essential to facilitate assistance. partnership administered by NOAA.
completion of the proposed research Council address: Pacific Fishery The system protects more than 1.3
and have minimal impacts that do not Management Council, 7700 NE million acres of estuarine habitat for
change the scope or impact of the Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, long-term research, monitoring,
initially approved EFP request. Any OR 97220. education and stewardship throughout
fishing activity conducted outside the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the coastal United States. Established by
scope of the exempted fishing activity Kerry Griffin, Pacific Council; the Coastal Zone Management Act of
would be prohibited. telephone: (503) 820–2409. 1972, as amended, each reserve is
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The managed by a lead state agency or
Dated: April 11, 2017. purpose of the meeting is to conduct a university, with input from local
Karen H. Abrams, technical review of the 2017 biomass partners. NOAA provides funding and
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
projection estimate for Pacific mackerel. national programmatic guidance.
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. At its June 2017 meeting, the Pacific The revised management plan
[FR Doc. 2017–07581 Filed 4–13–17; 8:45 am]
Council will use the biomass estimate outlines the administrative structure;
for use in setting harvest specifications the research/monitoring, stewardship,
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
and management measures for two education, and training programs of the
consecutive fishing years, July 1, 2017 reserve; and the plans for future land
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE through June 30, 2019. acquisition and facility development to
Special Accommodations support reserve operations.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric The Weeks Bay Reserve takes an
Administration This meeting is physically accessible integrated approach to management,
to people with disabilities. Requests for linking research, education, coastal
RIN 0648–XF360 sign language interpretation or other training, and stewardship functions.
auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. The Alabama Department of
Pacific Fishery Management Council;
Kris Kleinschmidt (503) 820–2280 at Conservation and Natural Resources has
Public Meeting
least 10 days prior to the meeting date. outlined how it will administer the
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Dated: April 11, 2017. Reserve and its core programs by
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Tracey L. Thompson, providing detailed actions that will
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), enable it to accomplish specific goals
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Commerce. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. and objectives. Under the previous
ACTION: Notice of public meeting [FR Doc. 2017–07584 Filed 4–13–17; 8:45 am] management plan, the Reserve built out
(webinar). its core programs and monitoring
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
infrastructure; constructed several
SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery
facilities including a Resource Center
Management Council’s (Pacific Council)
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE that supports education, training, and
Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS)
outreach events; participated in more
Subcommittee of the Scientific and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric than 35 research projects and conducted
Statistical Committee (SSC) will hold a
Administration over 100 coastal training program
meeting via webinar to review the 2017
events; convened a permanent
Pacific mackerel biomass projection Notice of Approval for the Weeks Bay, Restoration Advisory Board; and built
estimate. The meeting is open to the Alabama National Estuarine Research new partnerships with organizations
public. Reserve Management Plan Revision
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
within the Mobile Bay of Alabama.
DATES: The webinar meeting will be With the approval of this management
AGENCY: Stewardship Division, Office
held Monday, May 1, 2017, from 1 p.m. plan, the Weeks Bay Reserve will
for Coastal Management, National
to 5 p.m., or until business for the day increase their total acreage from 6,594
Ocean Service, National Oceanic and
has been completed. acres to 9,317 acres. The change is
Atmospheric Administration,
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held Department of Commerce. attributable to acquisition of seven tracts
via webinar. A public listening station acquired by the State of Alabama
ACTION: Public notice.
is available at the Pacific Council office totaling 933 acres of land and 1,790
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:21 Apr 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14APN1.SGM 14APN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_18043/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2017-04-14 00:56:30
Document Modified: 2017-04-14 00:56:30
| 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 May 1, 2017. | |
| Contact | Brett Alger, Groundfish Policy Analyst, 978-675-2153. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 17972 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF34 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR