82 FR 23774 - 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 99 (May 24, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 99 (May 24, 2017)
| Page Range | 23774-23775 | |
| FR Document | 2017-10658 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 23774-23775] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-10658] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF380 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 contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt a commercial fishing vessel from Atlantic sea scallop regulations in support of research conducted by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. 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 Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 8, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line ``DA17-042 CFF Resource Enhancement Study 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 DA17-042 CFF Resource Enhancement Study EFP.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CFF submitted an application for an EFP on April 17, 2017, to complete work on a 2016 scallop RSA seeding and enhancement project on Georges Bank titled ``Drivers of Dispersal and Retention in Recently Seeded Sea Scallops.'' The project has been delayed due to personnel changes and changes in the original approach of the project from using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to instead deploying underwater cameras on stands. Previously, the project focused on transporting, seeding, and monitoring aspects of a seeding program with longer-term monitoring, along with investigating short- term retention of seeded scallops, with an emphasis on the drivers of dispersal and their effects on the different size classes of scallops. The goal of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a seeding program to enhance and stabilize scallop recruitment on Georges Bank while documenting the factors that affect seed survival. To conduct this experiment, vessels would require exemptions from the following regulations: Atlantic sea scallop crew size restrictions at 50 CFR 648.51(c); Atlantic sea scallop observer program requirements at Sec. 648.11(g); and closed area exemptions for Closed Area I at Sec. 648.60(c) and Nantucket Lightship at Sec. 648.60(f). It would also exempt participating vessels from the access area program requirements at Sec. 648.59(a)(4), which would allow them to transit in and out of the access areas from the open area, as well as from the 50 bushel (17.6 hl) in-shell scallop possession limit outside of an access area found at Sec. 648.52(f). Finally, the EFP would exempt vessels from possession limits and minimum fish size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subsections B and D through O, for biological sampling purposes and to retain any yellowtail flounder showing signs of disease for further shore side analysis. The project would transplant scallops from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration that were historically known to have high scallop densities, to demonstrate the feasibility of a reseeding program to enhance and stabilize scallop recruitment on Georges Bank. One dredging trip would collect and transplant roughly 1,000 scallops utilizing a single vessel, June through July 2017. The juvenile scallops would be harvested from the southeast portion of Nantucket Lightship Access Area (NLAA) to suitable sites in an alternate area of NLAA. The projects define a suitable site as having currents less than 3 knots (~1 m/s) and large areas of coarse substrate preferred by scallops. An alternate site in Closed Area I Access Area may be chosen if needed. The vessel would tow two standard 15-foot (4.57-m) wide dredges with a 4-inch (10.16-cm) ring bag for up to 10 minutes at 4.5 knots (2.3 m/s). To harvest all of the scallops for transplant, the applicant estimates they would need to complete no more than 10 tows. Once the catch is on deck, the scallops would be sorted by size class, marked with reflective tape to enhance images in the [[Page 23775]] photographs, and stored in fish totes with a chilled seawater flow through system. When the vessel arrives at the transplant site the scallops would then be placed into a box that would be attached to a large steel camera stand with an image coverage of approximately 3 square meters. The camera stand would then be deployed overboard, lowered to the ocean floor, and the scallops released. The cameras are equipped with batteries that would allow for 48 hours of continuous coverage. After 48 hours, the camera stands would be collected, refilled with scallops, and redeployed. Researchers will deploy two camera stands in this manner as many times as needed to release 1,000 scallops. If researchers are unable to release all 1,000 scallops according to the project protocols, any remaining scallops will be released adjacent to the camera sites. Researchers conclude that tag returns over time from the fishery could potentially provide information for the project. One bushel from each tow would be measured for size frequency and 15 individual scallops would be sampled for meat weights to determine shell height/meat weight ratios prior to transplanting. Any finfish caught in the dredge that show signs of abnormalities would be retained and brought back to shore for analysis. Researchers would like to continue gathering information on the prevalence of the disease Ichthyophonus seen locally in yellowtail flounder. Anticipated catch for the project is listed in the Table 1 below. Table 1--Anticipated Catch for the Project ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Min (lb) Min (kg) Max (lb) Max (kg) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scallop......................................... 1,000 453.6 5,000 2,268.0 Yellowtail Flounder............................. 5 2.2 40 18.1 Winter Flounder................................. 5 2.2 50 22.7 Windowpane Flounder............................. 30 13.6 150 68.0 Monkfish........................................ 150 68.0 800 362.9 Other Fish...................................... 220 99.8 500 226.8 Barndoor Skate.................................. 10 4.5 100 45.4 Northeast Skate Complex......................... 1,400 635.0 5,000 2,268.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exemptions are needed to deploy dredge gear in closed access areas and retain yellowtail flounder for scientific purposes. Participating vessels need crew size waivers to accommodate science personnel and possession waivers would enable them to conduct data collection activities. We would waive the observer program notification requirements because the research activity is not representative of standard fishing activity. 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 19, 2017. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-10658 Filed 5-23-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![23774 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 24, 2017 / Notices
Recreational Advisory Panel to consider DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Previously, the project focused on
actions affecting New England fisheries transporting, seeding, and monitoring
in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). National Oceanic and Atmospheric aspects of a seeding program with
Recommendations from this group will Administration longer-term monitoring, along with
be brought to the full Council for formal RIN 0648–XF380 investigating short-term retention of
consideration and action, if appropriate. seeded scallops, with an emphasis on
DATES: This meeting will be held on Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; the drivers of dispersal and their effects
Monday, June 12, 2017 at 9 a.m. General Provisions for Domestic on the different size classes of scallops.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Fisheries; Application for Exempted The goal of the project is to demonstrate
the Hilton Garden Inn, 4 Home Depot Fishing Permits the feasibility of a seeding program to
Drive, Plymouth, MA 02360; phone: enhance and stabilize scallop
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries recruitment on Georges Bank while
(508) 830–0200. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Council address: New England documenting the factors that affect seed
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), survival.
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Commerce. To conduct this experiment, vessels
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. would require exemptions from the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: following regulations: Atlantic sea
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional scallop crew size restrictions at 50 CFR
New England Fishery Management Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, 648.51(c); Atlantic sea scallop observer
Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has program requirements at § 648.11(g);
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: made a preliminary determination that and closed area exemptions for Closed
an Exempted Fishing Permit application Area I at § 648.60(c) and Nantucket
Agenda
contains all of the required information Lightship at § 648.60(f). It would also
The Recreational Advisory Panel and warrants further consideration. This exempt participating vessels from the
plans to discuss the 2017 Council Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt access area program requirements at
Priority—Recreational management a commercial fishing vessel from § 648.59(a)(4), which would allow them
measures process, with a report from the Atlantic sea scallop regulations in to transit in and out of the access areas
Groundfish Plan Development and make support of research conducted by the from the open area, as well as from the
recommendations to the Groundfish Coonamessett Farm Foundation. 50 bushel (17.6 hl) in-shell scallop
Committee. The Advisory Panel will Regulations under the Magnuson- possession limit outside of an access
also discuss Marine Recreational Stevens Fishery Conservation and area found at § 648.52(f). Finally, the
Information Program (MRIP) Strategic Management Act require publication of EFP would exempt vessels from
Plan and review a draft Council letter this notification to provide interested possession limits and minimum fish
(inclusive of Council staff input) parties the opportunity to comment on size requirements specified in 50 CFR
regarding feedback on the plan. They applications for proposed Exempted part 648, subsections B and D through
will provide additional feedback for Fishing Permits. O, for biological sampling purposes and
review by the Groundfish Committee. DATES: Comments must be received on to retain any yellowtail flounder
Other business will be discussed as or before June 8, 2017. showing signs of disease for further
necessary. shore side analysis.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
Although non-emergency issues not The project would transplant scallops
comments by any of the following
contained in this agenda may come from areas of high concentration to areas
methods:
before this group for discussion, those of lower concentration that were
• Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov.
issues may not be the subject of formal historically known to have high scallop
Include in the subject line ‘‘DA17–042
action during this meeting. Action will densities, to demonstrate the feasibility
CFF Resource Enhancement Study
be restricted to those issues specifically of a reseeding program to enhance and
EFP.’’
listed in this notice and any issues stabilize scallop recruitment on Georges
• Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional
arising after publication of this notice Bank. One dredging trip would collect
Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
that require emergency action under and transplant roughly 1,000 scallops
Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens utilizing a single vessel, June through
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Act, provided the public has been July 2017. The juvenile scallops would
Mark the outside of the envelope
notified of the Council’s intent to take be harvested from the southeast portion
‘‘Comments on DA17–042 CFF Resource
final action to address the emergency. of Nantucket Lightship Access Area
Enhancement Study EFP.’’
(NLAA) to suitable sites in an alternate
Special Accommodations FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: area of NLAA. The projects define a
This meeting is physically accessible Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management suitable site as having currents less than
to people with disabilities. Requests for Specialist, 978–282–8456. 3 knots (∼1 m/s) and large areas of
sign language interpretation or other SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CFF coarse substrate preferred by scallops.
auxiliary aids should be directed to submitted an application for an EFP on An alternate site in Closed Area I Access
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at April 17, 2017, to complete work on a Area may be chosen if needed.
(978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to 2016 scallop RSA seeding and The vessel would tow two standard
enhancement project on Georges Bank 15-foot (4.57-m) wide dredges with a 4-
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
the meeting date.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
titled ‘‘Drivers of Dispersal and inch (10.16-cm) ring bag for up to 10
Retention in Recently Seeded Sea minutes at 4.5 knots (2.3 m/s). To
Dated: May 19, 2017. Scallops.’’ The project has been delayed harvest all of the scallops for transplant,
Tracey L. Thompson, due to personnel changes and changes the applicant estimates they would need
Acting Deputy Director,Office of Sustainable in the original approach of the project to complete no more than 10 tows. Once
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. from using an autonomous underwater the catch is on deck, the scallops would
[FR Doc. 2017–10609 Filed 5–23–17; 8:45 am] vehicle (AUV) to instead deploying be sorted by size class, marked with
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P underwater cameras on stands. reflective tape to enhance images in the
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 24, 2017 / Notices 23775
photographs, and stored in fish totes stands would be collected, refilled with individual scallops would be sampled
with a chilled seawater flow through scallops, and redeployed. Researchers for meat weights to determine shell
system. When the vessel arrives at the will deploy two camera stands in this height/meat weight ratios prior to
transplant site the scallops would then manner as many times as needed to transplanting. Any finfish caught in the
be placed into a box that would be release 1,000 scallops. If researchers are dredge that show signs of abnormalities
attached to a large steel camera stand unable to release all 1,000 scallops would be retained and brought back to
with an image coverage of according to the project protocols, any shore for analysis. Researchers would
approximately 3 square meters. The remaining scallops will be released like to continue gathering information
camera stand would then be deployed adjacent to the camera sites. Researchers on the prevalence of the disease
overboard, lowered to the ocean floor, conclude that tag returns over time from Ichthyophonus seen locally in
and the scallops released. The cameras the fishery could potentially provide yellowtail flounder. Anticipated catch
are equipped with batteries that would information for the project. for the project is listed in the Table 1
allow for 48 hours of continuous One bushel from each tow would be
coverage. After 48 hours, the camera measured for size frequency and 15 below.
TABLE 1—ANTICIPATED CATCH FOR THE PROJECT
Min Min Max Max
Species (lb) (kg) (lb) (kg)
Scallop ............................................................................................................. 1,000 453.6 5,000 2,268.0
Yellowtail Flounder .......................................................................................... 5 2.2 40 18.1
Winter Flounder ............................................................................................... 5 2.2 50 22.7
Windowpane Flounder ..................................................................................... 30 13.6 150 68.0
Monkfish ........................................................................................................... 150 68.0 800 362.9
Other Fish ........................................................................................................ 220 99.8 500 226.8
Barndoor Skate ................................................................................................ 10 4.5 100 45.4
Northeast Skate Complex ................................................................................ 1,400 635.0 5,000 2,268.0
Exemptions are needed to deploy BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL functions under the Federal consumer
dredge gear in closed access areas and PROTECTION financial laws’’ and ‘‘provide information on
retain yellowtail flounder for scientific emerging practices in the consumer financial
Consumer Advisory Board Meeting products or services industry, including
purposes. Participating vessels need regional trends, concerns, and other relevant
crew size waivers to accommodate AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial information.’’ To carry out the Board’s
science personnel and possession Protection. purpose, the scope of its activities shall
waivers would enable them to conduct ACTION: Notice of public meeting. include providing information, analysis, and
data collection activities. We would recommendations to the Bureau. The Board
waive the observer program notification SUMMARY: Under the Federal Advisory will generally serve as a vehicle for market
Committee Act (FACA), this notice sets intelligence and expertise for the Bureau. Its
requirements because the research objectives will include identifying and
activity is not representative of standard forth the announcement of a public
assessing the impact on consumers and other
fishing activity. meeting of the Consumer Advisory
market participants of new, emerging, and
Board (CAB or Board) of the Bureau of changing products, practices, or services.
If approved, the applicant may Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB or
request minor modifications and Bureau). The notice also describes the II. Agenda
extensions to the EFP throughout the functions of the Board. The Consumer Advisory Board will
year. EFP modifications and extensions DATES: The meeting date is Thursday, discuss credit visibility, credit products,
may be granted without further notice if June 8, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. trends and themes, and small business
they are deemed essential to facilitate eastern standard time. lending.
completion of the proposed research ADDRESSES: The meeting location is the Written comments will be accepted
and have minimal impacts that do not Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, from interested members of the public
change the scope or impact of the 1275 First Street NE., Washington, DC and should be sent to CFPB_
initially approved EFP request. Any 20002. CABandCouncilsEvents@cfpb.gov, a
fishing activity conducted outside the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: minimum of seven (7) days in advance
scope of the exempted fishing activity Crystal Dully, Outreach and Engagement of the meeting. The comments will be
would be prohibited. Associate, 202–435–9588, CFPB_ provided to the CAB members for
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. CABandCouncilsEvents@cfpb.gov, consideration. Persons who need a
Consumer Advisory Board and Councils reasonable accommodation to
Dated: May 19, 2017.
Office, External Affairs, 1275 First Street participate should contact CFPB_
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, 504Request@cfpb.gov, 202–435–9EEO,
NE., Washington, DC 20002.
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable 1–855–233–0362, or 202–435–9742
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. (TTY) at least ten business days prior to
[FR Doc. 2017–10658 Filed 5–23–17; 8:45 am] I. Background the meeting or event to request
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Section 3 of the Charter of the assistance. The request must identify
Consumer Advisory Board states that: the date, time, location, and title of the
The purpose of the Board is outlined in meeting or event, the nature of the
section 1014(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, which assistance requested, and contact
states that the Board shall ‘‘advise and information for the requester. CFPB will
consult with the Bureau in the exercise of its strive to provide, but cannot guarantee
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Document Created: 2017-05-24 01:02:44
Document Modified: 2017-05-24 01:02:44
| 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 June 8, 2017. | |
| Contact | Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 23774 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF38 |
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