82 FR 21369 - 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 87 (May 8, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 87 (May 8, 2017)
| Page Range | 21369-21370 | |
| FR Document | 2017-09277 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 87 (Monday, May 8, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 21369-21370] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-09277] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF379 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 from the University of Rhode Island to conduct flatfish bycatch reduction in the limited access general category scallop fishery contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notice intended to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 23, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line ``URI Gear Research 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 URI Gear Research EFP.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The University of Rhode Island submitted a complete application for an EFP on February 23, 2017, in support of research associated with a 2016 Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program grant titled ``The Flatfish Deflector Bar: Excluding Flatfish from Scallop Dredges [[Page 21370]] in the Northeast.'' The project would test a V-shaped bar with drop chains (V bar will refer to the entire apparatus consisting of bar and chains) attached to the dredge wire to reduce flatfish bycatch while maintaining the catch of sea scallops. The vessels would be temporarily exempt from possession limits and minimum size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subsections B and D through O, for sampling purposes only, and from the scallop observer program requirements at 648.11(g). URI has contracted East West Technical Services (an observer and at-sea monitor service provider) to conduct the at-sea data collection component of this project. All trips would be conducted on LAGC IFQ vessels, and all landed scallop catch would count against the vessels yearly IFQ allocation. Any fishing activity conducted outside of normal fishing operations as allowed under Northeast fishery regulations, 50 CFR part 648, and outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited, including landing fish in excess of a possession limit or below the minimum size. Six vessels would conduct scallop dredging beginning in June 2017 and continue through April 2018, on approximately 40 trips lasting approximately one day-at-sea (DAS). Within the 40 DAS there would be two pilot DAS in advance of the research DAS to test the design and make any necessary changes, as well as two DAS exclusively for underwater video collection to film fish behavior in relation to the gear. All research trips would complete approximately seven tows per day for a duration of 50 minutes at a standard tow speed between 3.8 to 4.5 knots (or averaging 4.2 knots). Trips would take place in the Southern New England Scallop Dredge Exemption Area where part of the LAGC fleet normally operates. All tows would be conducted with a single dredge ranging in width from 8 to 10.5 feet (2.4 to 3.2 m) following an alternate paired tow strategy where a pair consists of one control and one experimental tow. Researchers would attach the V bar to the tow cable and anchor the sides to the outer dredge frame with chain and shackles at all connection points for the experimental tows. The V bar will be removed for the control tows. Chains will hang vertically from the V bar to the ocean floor. The chains will be spaced at intervals meant to restrict flatfish from swimming between them. The spacing set up will be determined during the pilot days. Researchers expect that the chains will create a dust cloud designed to keep the flatfish moving away from the center of the bar towards the sides and out of the dredge path. Researchers would weigh all scallop catch from both dredges. Samplers would record total weight of bycatch species to the nearest tenth of a pound and individual length measurements to the nearest centimeter. If the volume of the catch is large, samplers would employ subsampling protocols. All bycatch would be returned to the sea as soon as practicable following data collection. Exemption from possession limit and minimum sizes would ensure the vessel is not in conflict with possession regulations while collecting catch data. All catch above possession limits or below minimum sizes would be discarded as soon as practicable following data collection. Exemption from the sea scallop observer program requirements would allow researchers flexibility for catch sampling timing and onboard space accommodations since vessels in the LAGC fleet are typically smaller with limited deck space. We have consulted with the Northeast Fishery Observer Program on the potential exemption. The observer program requirement exemption for this project would not prevent us from achieving observer coverage levels needed in the LAGC scallop fishery. All research trips would otherwise be conducted in a manner consistent with normal commercial fishing conditions and catch consistent with the LAGC daily possession limit would be retained for sale. 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: May 3, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-09277 Filed 5-5-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 87 / Monday, May 8, 2017 / Notices 21369
will consist of a series of workshops and summary documenting panel opinions Dated: May 3, 2017.
webinars: Stock ID Work Group regarding the strengths and weaknesses Tracey L. Thompson,
Meeting; Data Workshop; Assessment of the stock assessment and input data. Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Workshop and Webinars; and a Review Participants for SEDAR Workshops are Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South [FR Doc. 2017–09222 Filed 5–5–17; 8:45 am]
INFORMATION. Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DATES: The SEDAR 50 Assessment Management Councils and NOAA
Workshop will be held on May 23–25, Fisheries Southeast Regional Office,
2017, from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Highly Migratory Species Management DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
May 26, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. until 1 Division, and Southeast Fisheries
Science Center. Participants include: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
p.m. The established times may be Administration
adjusted as necessary to accommodate Data collectors and database managers;
the timeline completion of discussion stock assessment scientists, biologists, RIN 0648–XF379
relevant to the assessment process. Such and researchers; constituency
adjustments may result in the meeting representatives including fishermen, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
be extended from, or completed prior to environmentalists, and non- General Provisions for Domestic
the time established by this notice. governmental organizations (NGOs); Fisheries; Application for Exempted
Additional Assessment Webinars and international experts; and staff of Fishing Permits
the Review Workshop dates and times Councils, Commissions, and state and
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
will publish in a subsequent issue in the federal agencies.
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Federal Register. The items of discussion at the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
ADDRESSES: Assessment Workshop are as follows: Commerce.
Meeting address: The SEDAR 50 1. Participants will use datasets ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
Assessment Workshop will be held at provided by the Data Workshop to
the Doubletree by Hilton Atlantic Beach develop population models to evaluate SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional
Oceanfront Hotel, 2712 West Fort stock status, estimate population Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512; benchmarks and Sustainable Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has
phone: (252) 240–1155. Act criteria, and project future made a preliminary determination that
SEDAR address: South Atlantic conditions, as specified in the Terms of an Exempted Fishing Permit application
Fishery Management Council, 4055 Reference. from the University of Rhode Island to
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. conduct flatfish bycatch reduction in
2. Participants will recommend the the limited access general category
Charleston, SC 29405;
most appropriate methods and scallop fishery contains all of the
www.sedarweb.org.
configurations for determining stock required information and warrants
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julia status and estimating population further consideration.
Byrd, SEDAR Coordinator, 4055 Faber parameters. Regulations under the Magnuson-
Place Drive, Suite 201, North 3. Participants will prepare a Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Charleston, SC 29405; phone: (843) 571– workshop report, compare and contrast Management Act require publication of
4366; email: julia.byrd@safmc.net. various assessment approaches, and this notice intended to provide
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf determine whether the assessments are interested parties the opportunity to
of Mexico, South Atlantic, and adequate for submission to the review comment on applications for proposed
Caribbean Fishery Management panel. Exempted Fishing Permits.
Councils, in conjunction with NOAA
Although non-emergency issues not DATES: Comments must be received on
Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf
contained in this agenda may come or before May 23, 2017.
States Marine Fisheries Commissions,
have implemented the Southeast Data, before this group for discussion, those ADDRESSES: You may submit written
Assessment and Review (SEDAR) issues may not be the subject of formal comments by any of the following
process, a multi-step method for action during this meeting. Action will methods:
determining the status of fish stocks in be restricted to those issues specifically • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov.
the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a three- identified in this notice and any issues Include in the subject line ‘‘URI Gear
step process including: (1) Data arising after publication of this notice Research EFP.’’
Workshop; (2) Assessment Process that require emergency action under • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional
utilizing a workshop and/or webinars; section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
and (3) Review Workshop. The product Fishery Conservation and Management Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
of the Data Workshop is a data report Act, provided the public has been Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
which compiles and evaluates potential notified of the intent to take final action Mark the outside of the envelope
datasets and recommends which to address the emergency. ‘‘Comments on URI Gear Research EFP.’’
datasets are appropriate for assessment Special Accommodations FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
analyses. The product of the Assessment Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management
Process is a stock assessment report This meeting is accessible to people Specialist, 978–282–8456.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
which describes the fisheries, evaluates with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
the status of the stock, estimates aids should be directed to the SAFMC University of Rhode Island submitted a
biological benchmarks, projects future office (see ADDRESSES) at least 10 complete application for an EFP on
population conditions, and recommends business days prior to the meeting. February 23, 2017, in support of
research and monitoring needs. The Note: The times and sequence specified in research associated with a 2016 Bycatch
assessment is independently peer this agenda are subject to change. Reduction Engineering Program grant
reviewed at the Review Workshop. The titled ‘‘The Flatfish Deflector Bar:
product of the Review Workshop is a Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Excluding Flatfish from Scallop Dredges
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![21370 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 87 / Monday, May 8, 2017 / Notices
in the Northeast.’’ The project would flatfish moving away from the center of DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
test a V-shaped bar with drop chains (V the bar towards the sides and out of the
bar will refer to the entire apparatus dredge path. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
consisting of bar and chains) attached to Administration
Researchers would weigh all scallop
the dredge wire to reduce flatfish RIN 0648–XF399
catch from both dredges. Samplers
bycatch while maintaining the catch of
would record total weight of bycatch
sea scallops. The vessels would be Marine Mammals; File No. 21170
temporarily exempt from possession species to the nearest tenth of a pound
limits and minimum size requirements and individual length measurements to AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
specified in 50 CFR part 648, the nearest centimeter. If the volume of Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
subsections B and D through O, for the catch is large, samplers would Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
sampling purposes only, and from the employ subsampling protocols. All Commerce.
scallop observer program requirements bycatch would be returned to the sea as ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
at 648.11(g). URI has contracted East soon as practicable following data
West Technical Services (an observer collection. Exemption from possession SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
and at-sea monitor service provider) to limit and minimum sizes would ensure Keith Ellenbogen, Keith Ellenbogen
conduct the at-sea data collection the vessel is not in conflict with Photography, 795 Carroll St., Brooklyn,
component of this project. All trips possession regulations while collecting NY 11215, has applied in due form for
would be conducted on LAGC IFQ catch data. All catch above possession a permit to conduct commercial or
vessels, and all landed scallop catch educational photography on marine
limits or below minimum sizes would
would count against the vessels yearly mammals.
be discarded as soon as practicable
IFQ allocation. Any fishing activity following data collection. Exemption DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email
conducted outside of normal fishing from the sea scallop observer program comments must be received on or before
operations as allowed under Northeast requirements would allow researchers June 7, 2017.
fishery regulations, 50 CFR part 648, flexibility for catch sampling timing and ADDRESSES: These documents are
and outside the scope of the exempted available upon written request or by
onboard space accommodations since
fishing activity would be prohibited, appointment in the Permits and
including landing fish in excess of a vessels in the LAGC fleet are typically
smaller with limited deck space. We Conservation Division, Office of
possession limit or below the minimum Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
size. have consulted with the Northeast
Fishery Observer Program on the West Highway, Room 13705, Silver
Six vessels would conduct scallop Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–
dredging beginning in June 2017 and potential exemption. The observer
8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
continue through April 2018, on program requirement exemption for this
Written comments on this application
approximately 40 trips lasting project would not prevent us from should be submitted to the Chief,
approximately one day-at-sea (DAS). achieving observer coverage levels Permits and Conservation Division, at
Within the 40 DAS there would be two needed in the LAGC scallop fishery. the address listed above. Comments may
pilot DAS in advance of the research All research trips would otherwise be also be submitted by facsimile to (301)
DAS to test the design and make any conducted in a manner consistent with 713–0376, or by email to
necessary changes, as well as two DAS NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
normal commercial fishing conditions
exclusively for underwater video include the File No. in the subject line
and catch consistent with the LAGC
collection to film fish behavior in of the email comment.
relation to the gear. All research trips daily possession limit would be retained
for sale. Those individuals requesting a public
would complete approximately seven hearing should submit a written request
tows per day for a duration of 50 If approved, the applicant may
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
minutes at a standard tow speed request minor modifications and Division at the address listed above. The
between 3.8 to 4.5 knots (or averaging extensions to the EFP throughout the request should set forth the specific
4.2 knots). Trips would take place in the year. EFP modifications and extensions reasons why a hearing on this
Southern New England Scallop Dredge may be granted without further notice if application would be appropriate.
Exemption Area where part of the LAGC they are deemed essential to facilitate
fleet normally operates. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
completion of the proposed research Courtney Smith or Amy Hapeman, (301)
All tows would be conducted with a and have minimal impacts that do not
single dredge ranging in width from 8 to 427–8401.
change the scope or impact of the
10.5 feet (2.4 to 3.2 m) following an SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
initially approved EFP request. Any subject permit is requested under the
alternate paired tow strategy where a
fishing activity conducted outside the authority of the Marine Mammal
pair consists of one control and one
experimental tow. Researchers would scope of the exempted fishing activity Protection Act of 1972, as amended
attach the V bar to the tow cable and would be prohibited. (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the
anchor the sides to the outer dredge Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. regulations governing the taking and
frame with chain and shackles at all Dated: May 3, 2017.
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
connection points for the experimental part 216).
tows. The V bar will be removed for the Karen H. Abrams, The applicant proposes to film and
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
control tows. Chains will hang vertically Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable photograph cetaceans and seals within
from the V bar to the ocean floor. The Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. the U.S. northeast Atlantic waters of the
chains will be spaced at intervals meant [FR Doc. 2017–09277 Filed 5–5–17; 8:45 am] U.S., from the Gulf of Maine (including
to restrict flatfish from swimming BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank
between them. The spacing set up will National Marine Sanctuary) through the
be determined during the pilot days. New York Bight (Montauk, NY to Cape
Researchers expect that the chains will May, NJ), including the Hudson Canyon.
create a dust cloud designed to keep the Up to 810 humpback whales (Megaptera
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Document Created: 2017-05-06 02:22:02
Document Modified: 2017-05-06 02:22:02
| 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 23, 2017. | |
| Contact | Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 21369 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF37 |
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