82 FR 22498 - Marine Mammals; File No. 20311

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 93 (May 16, 2017)

Page Range		22498-22499
FR Document		2017-09865

Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818 (Responsible Party: Dr. Evan Howell), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct scientific research on marine mammals.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 93 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22498-22499]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09865]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF412


Marine Mammals; File No. 20311

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries 
Science Center (PIFSC), 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 
96818 (Responsible Party: Dr. Evan Howell), has applied in due form for 
a permit to conduct scientific research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 15, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
``Features'' box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 20311 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. 
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by 
email to [email protected]. Please include the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the 
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Sara Young, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    PIFSC request a five-year permit to permit to monitor the 
abundance, stock structure, distribution, movement patterns, and 
ecological relationships of cetaceans occurring in United States and 
international waters of the Pacific Islands Region. The study area 
includes the Hawaii archipelago, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Johnston 
Atoll, Wake Atoll, Howland Island, Baker Island, and Jarvis Island. Up 
to 34 cetacean species may be targeted for research, including the 
following endangered or threatened species/stocks: Blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), North Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), sperm 
(Physeter macrocephalus), and main Hawaiian Insular false killer 
(Pseudorca crassidens) whales. Research activities include aerial 
surveys with the use of manned and unmanned aircraft systems, vessel 
surveys, behavioral observations, photo-identification, acoustic 
recordings, biological sample collection,

[[Page 22499]]

and dart and suction cup tagging/telemetry studies. Please see the take 
table for numbers of animals requested by species.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: May 11, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-09865 Filed 5-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

22498 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 93 / Tuesday, May 16, 2017 / Notices

pursuant to the requests from interested reimbursement of the antidumping These documents are also available
parties, the Department published a duties occurred and the subsequent upon written request or by appointment
notice of initiation of administrative increase in the amount of antidumping in the Permits and Conservation
review with respect to Flex, Uflex, and duties assessed. Division, Office of Protected Resources,
JBF.6 On April 13, 2017, the petitioners NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
Notification Regarding Administrative
withdrew their requests for reviews of 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
Protective Orders
JBF and Flex.7 (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
This notice also serves as a final Written comments on this application
Rescission in Part reminder to parties subject to should be submitted to the Chief,
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), the administrative protective order (APO) of Permits and Conservation Division, at
Secretary will rescind an administrative their responsibility concerning the the address listed above. Comments may
review, in whole or in part, if a party return or destruction of proprietary also be submitted by facsimile to (301)
that requested the review withdraws the information disclosed under APO in 713–0376, or by email to
request within 90 days of the date of accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3), NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
publication of the notice of initiation of which continues to govern business include the File No. in the subject line
the requested review. The Department proprietary information in this segment of the email comment.
initiated the instant review on January of the proceeding. Timely written Those individuals requesting a public
13, 2017 and the petitioners withdrew notification of the return/destruction of hearing should submit a written request
their request on April 13, 2017, which APO materials or conversion to judicial to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
is within the 90-day period and is thus protective order is hereby requested. Division at the address listed above. The
timely. Because the petitioners’ Failure to comply with the regulations request should set forth the specific
withdrawal of their requests for review and terms of an APO is a violation reasons why a hearing on this
is timely and because no other party which is subject to sanction. application would be appropriate.
requested a review of Flex, we are This notice is issued and published in
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
rescinding this review, in part, with accordance with section 751(a)(1) and
777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as Carrie Hubard or Sara Young, (301) 427–
respect to Flex, in accordance with 19
amended, and 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4). 8401.
CFR 351.213(d)(1). Polyplex did not
withdraw its request for review of JBF SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Dated: May 11, 2017.
and Uflex, and JBF did not withdraw its subject permit is requested under the
James Maeder, authority of the Marine Mammal
request for review of itself. As such, the Senior Director, Antidumping and
instant review will continue with Protection Act of 1972, as amended
Countervailing Duty Operations.
respect to Uflex and JBF. (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the
[FR Doc. 2017–09873 Filed 5–15–17; 8:45 am] regulations governing the taking and
Assessment BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
The Department will instruct U.S. part 216), the Endangered Species Act of
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE et seq.), and the regulations governing
assess anti-dumping duties on all
appropriate entries. Subject National Oceanic and Atmospheric the taking, importing, and exporting of
merchandise of Flex will be assessed Administration endangered and threatened species (50
antidumping duties at rates equal to the CFR parts 222–226).
cash deposit of estimated antidumping RIN 0648–XF412 PIFSC request a five-year permit to
duties required at the time of entry, or permit to monitor the abundance, stock
Marine Mammals; File No. 20311 structure, distribution, movement
withdrawal from warehouse, for
consumption, during the period AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries patterns, and ecological relationships of
November 1, 2015, through October 31, Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and cetaceans occurring in United States
2016, in accordance with 19 CFR Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and international waters of the Pacific
351.212(c)(1)(i). The Department Commerce. Islands Region. The study area includes
intends to issue assessment instructions ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. the Hawaii archipelago, American
to CBP 15 days after the date of Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of
publication of this notice. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Northern Mariana Islands, Kingman
the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Johnston Atoll,
Notification to Importers Science Center (PIFSC), 1845 Wasp Wake Atoll, Howland Island, Baker
This notice serves as a reminder to Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI Island, and Jarvis Island. Up to 34
importers for whom this review is being 96818 (Responsible Party: Dr. Evan cetacean species may be targeted for
rescinded, as of the publication date of Howell), has applied in due form for a research, including the following
this notice, of their responsibility under permit to conduct scientific research on endangered or threatened species/
19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate marine mammals. stocks: Blue (Balaenoptera musculus),
regarding the reimbursement of DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis),
antidumping duties prior to liquidation comments must be received on or before humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae),
of the relevant entries during this June 15, 2017. North Pacific right (Eubalaena
review period. Failure to comply with ADDRESSES: The application and related japonica), sperm (Physeter
this requirement could result in the documents are available for review by macrocephalus), and main Hawaiian
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

Secretary’s presumption that selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Insular false killer (Pseudorca
Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on crassidens) whales. Research activities
6 See Initiation of Antidumping and
the Applications and Permits for include aerial surveys with the use of
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 82 FR Protected Species (APPS) home page, manned and unmanned aircraft systems,
4294 (January 13, 2017).
7 See Petitioners’ letter ‘‘Withdrawal of Request https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then vessel surveys, behavioral observations,
for Antidumping Duty Administrative Review,’’ selecting File No. 20311 from the list of photo-identification, acoustic
dated April 13, 2017. available applications. recordings, biological sample collection,

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 93 / Tuesday, May 16, 2017 / Notices 22499

and dart and suction cup tagging/ ADDRESSES: You may submit written condust a total of eight 7-day trips, for
telemetry studies. Please see the take comments by any of the following a total of 56 DAS. Closed Area II Access
table for numbers of animals requested methods: Area tows would take place in the
by species. • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. central portion situated below the
In compliance with the National Include in the subject line ‘‘DA17–032 Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area,
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 CFF Georges Bank Optimization Study including the northern portion of
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial EFP.’’ Atlantic Sea Closed Area II Scallop
determination has been made that the • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Access Area Seasonal Closure and the
activity proposed is categorically Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic northern part of Closed Area II
excluded from the requirement to Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Extension Scallop Rotational Area.
prepare an environmental assessment or Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Open area tows would be conducted on
environmental impact statement. Mark the outside of the envelope the northern half of Georges Bank, west
Concurrent with the publication of ‘‘DA17–032 CFF Georges Bank of the boundary of Closed Area II Access
this notice in the Federal Register, Optimization Study EFP.’’ Area. The applicant also requested to
NMFS is forwarding copies of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: conduct tows inside the Closed Area II
application to the Marine Mammal Alyson Pitts, Fishery Management Habitat Closure Area. NMFS does not
Commission and its Committee of Specialist, 978–281–9352. support access to the Habitat Closure
Scientific Advisors. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Area for this project until a final
Coonamesset Farm Foundation (CFF) measures from the Omnibus Habitat
Dated: May 11, 2017.
Amendment II have been proposed and
Julia Harrison, has submitted an exempted fishing
implemented by NMFS. This project is
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, permit (EFP) application in support of a
designed to ‘‘optimize’’ the harvest of
Office of Protected Resources, National project titled ‘‘Optimizing the Georges
scallops by the scallop fishery. Because
Marine Fisheries Service. Bank Scallop Fishery by Maximizing
this area remains closed to bottom-
[FR Doc. 2017–09865 Filed 5–15–17; 8:45 am] Meat Yield and Minimizing Bycatch,’’
tending mobile gear to protect sensitive
that has been funded under the 2017
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P benthic habitat, it is premature to grant
Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside
access at this time. If the scallop fishery
(RSA) Program. The project will look
is authorized to fish in this area through
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE primarily at seasonal distribution of
a future rule making, it may be
bycatch on the eastern part of Georges appropriate to amend this EFP to allow
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Bank in relation to sea scallop meat research in this area, as the information
Administration weight yield. Additional objectives could be useful to supporting scallop
include continued testing of a modified harvest decisions.
RIN 0648–XF383 scallop dredge bag design to reduce There is a potential for gear conflict
flatfish bycatch and collecting biological with lobster gear in the central portion
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; samples to examine scallop meat quality of Closed Area II. In an effort to help
General Provisions for Domestic and yellowtail flounder liver disease. mitigate gear interactions, CFF would
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Project investigators working on this distribute the time and location of
Fishing Permits project would also work with New stations to the lobster industry, work
Hampshire Fish and Game (NHFG) and only during daylight hours, post an
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen’s
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and extra lookout to avoid gear, and actively
Association (AOLA) to tag female avoid tangling in stationary gear. We do
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), lobsters.
Commerce. not expect the DAS, crew size,
To enable this research, CFF is possession limits, or minimum size
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. requesting exemptions for eight exemptions to generate any controversy
commercial fishing vessels from the or concern about the potential catch of
SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Atlantic sea scallop days-at-sea (DAS) egg-bearing female lobsters in this area
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, allocations at 50 CFR 648.53(b); crew during the months of August-June. The
Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has size restrictions at § 648.51(c); observer project would work in cooperation in
made a preliminary determination that program requirements at § 648.11(g); with NHFG and AOLA to tag lobsters
an Exempted Fishing Permit application Closed Area II (CAII) scallop gear with the primary goal of documenting
contains all of the required information restrictions specified at § 648.81(b); and their movement on and off Georges
and warrants further consideration. This access area program requirements at Bank. Data from the tagging project
Exempted Fishing Permit would allow § 648.59(a)(1)–(3), (b)(2), (b)(4); Closed could also help answer questions of
eight commercial fishing vessels to be Area II Scallop Access Area Seasonal lobster discard mortality in the scallop
exempt from limited access sea scallop Closure at § 648.60(d)(2), and Closed fishery.
regulations in support of a study on Area II Extension Scallop Rotational All tows would be conducted with
seasonal bycatch distribution and Area at § 648.60(e). CFF has also two tandem 15-foot (4.6-m) turtle
optimal scallop meat yield on Georges requested that vessels be exempt from deflector dredges for a duration of 30
Bank. possession limits and minimum size minutes using an average tow speed of
Regulations under the Magnuson- requirements specified in 50 CFR part 4.8 knots. One dredge would be rigged
Stevens Fishery Conservation and 648, subsections B and D through O for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

with a 7-row apron and twine top
Management Act require publication of biological sampling, and § 697.20 for hanging ratio of 2:1, while the other
this notification to provide interested lobster sampling and tagging purposes dredge would be rigged with a 5-row
parties the opportunity to comment on only. apron and 1.5:1 twine top hanging ratio.
applications for proposed Exempted Participating vessels would conduct Both dredge frames would be rigged
Fishing Permits. scallop dredging in a year-round with identical rock and tickler chain
DATES: Comments must be received on seasonal study, from August, 2017 configurations, 10-inch (25.4-cm) twine
or before May 31, 2017. through June, 2018. Vessels will top, and 4-inch (10.2-cm) ring bag. Gear

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Document Created: 2017-05-16 13:52:27
Document Modified: 2017-05-16 13:52:27

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; receipt of application.
Dates		Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before June 15, 2017.
Contact		Carrie Hubard or Sara Young, (301) 427-8401.
FR Citation		82 FR 22498
RIN Number		0648-XF41

82 FR 22498 - Marine Mammals; File No. 20311

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 93 (May 16, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration