82 FR 26669 - 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 109 (June 8, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 109 (June 8, 2017)
| Page Range | 26669-26670 | |
| FR Document | 2017-11884 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 109 (Thursday, June 8, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 26669-26670] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-11884] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF442 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 and 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. The Exempted Fishing Permit would allow commercial fishing vessels to fish outside of scallop regulations in support of research conducted by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation. These exemptions would support research conducted on trips to test gear modifications for bycatch reduction in the scallop dredge 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 Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 23, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line ``CFF Compensation Fishing 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 CFF Compensation Fishing Gear Research EFP.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyson Pitts, Fisheries Management Specialist, (978) 281-9352. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) submitted a complete application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on May 4, 2017, that would allow gear research to be conducted by vessels on compensation fishing trips associated with projects funded by the 2017 Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) program. The exemptions would allow 19 commercial fishing vessels to exceed the crew size regulations at 50 CFR 648.51(c) in order to place a researcher on the vessel, and temporarily exempt the participating vessels from possession limits and minimum size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subparts B and D through O, for sampling purposes only. Any fishing activity conducted 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. Experimental fishing activity would test gear modifications in an attempt to reduce finfish bycatch in the scallop dredge fishery. The gear modifications that would be tested adhere to current scallop gear regulations and include: A ``daylight skirt'': 1 to 2 rows of 12-in by 12-in windows are cut into the twine top/skirt of the top of the scallop dredge bag; An extended link apron: Two links are used to connect the rings of the dredge apron to increase the inner ring spacing from ~3.5'' to ~4.5''; A ``fish sweep'': A cookie sweep affixed to the front of the headbale; A low profile dredge: The frame is 4'' shorter in height than a traditional scallop dredge. All trips would take place in scallop fishing areas open to the entire Atlantic sea scallop fishery. Exemption from crew size limits is needed because a research technician would accompany vessels on the compensation fishing trips to collect catch data associated with different dredge modifications. The crew size exemption would be for approximately 120 days-at-sea and would be used in conjunction with a valid compensation fishing letter of authorization. The technician would only engage in data collection activities, and would not process catch to be landed for sale. Exemption from possession limit and minimum sizes would support catch sampling activities, and ensure the vessel is not in conflict with possession regulations while collecting catch data. All catch above a possession limit or below a minimum size would be discarded as soon as possible following data collection. All bycatch would be returned to the sea as soon as practicable following data collection; estimated catch totals are listed below on Table 1. All research trips would otherwise be consistent with normal commercial fishing activity and catch would be retained for sale. Table 1--Estimated Bycatch for CFF EFP Compensation Trips ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Scientific name Number Weight (lb) Weight (kg) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NE Skate Complex...................... Rajidae Species......... 96,500 120,000 54,431 Barndoor Skate........................ Dipturus laevis......... 400 750 340 Summer Flounder....................... Paralichthys dentatus... 120 200 90 Winter Flounder....................... Pseudopleuronectes 250 550 249 americanus. Yellowtail Flounder................... Limanda ferruginea...... 1,750 1,500 680 Windowpane Flounder................... Scopthalmus aquosus..... 1,750 1,500 680 Monkfish.............................. Lophius americanus...... 2000 4,500 2,041 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 [[Page 26670]] 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: June 2, 2017. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-11884 Filed 6-7-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 109 / Thursday, June 8, 2017 / Notices 26669
II. Background Regulations under the Magnuson- Experimental fishing activity would
III. Scope of the Order Stevens Fishery Conservation and test gear modifications in an attempt to
IV. Partial Rescission of Administrative Management Act require publication of reduce finfish bycatch in the scallop
Review this notification to provide interested dredge fishery. The gear modifications
V. Preliminary Determination of No
Shipments
parties the opportunity to comment on that would be tested adhere to current
VI. Discussion of the Methodology applications for proposed Exempted scallop gear regulations and include:
A. Use of Facts Otherwise Available Fishing Permits. • A ‘‘daylight skirt’’: 1 to 2 rows of
i. Use of Facts Available DATES: Comments must be received on 12-in by 12-in windows are cut into the
ii. Application of Facts Available With an or before June 23, 2017. twine top/skirt of the top of the scallop
Adverse Inference dredge bag;
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
iii. Selection of Corroboration of • An extended link apron: Two links
Information Used as Facts Available comments by any of the following
are used to connect the rings of the
VII. Recommendation methods:
dredge apron to increase the inner ring
• Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov.
[FR Doc. 2017–11914 Filed 6–7–17; 8:45 am] spacing from ∼3.5″ to ∼4.5″;
Include in the subject line ‘‘CFF
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P • A ‘‘fish sweep’’: A cookie sweep
Compensation Fishing Gear Research
affixed to the front of the headbale;
EFP.’’
• A low profile dredge: The frame is
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional
4″ shorter in height than a traditional
Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
scallop dredge.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
All trips would take place in scallop
Administration Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
fishing areas open to the entire Atlantic
Mark the outside of the envelope
sea scallop fishery. Exemption from
RIN 0648–XF442 ‘‘Comments on CFF Compensation
crew size limits is needed because a
Fishing Gear Research EFP.’’
research technician would accompany
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: vessels on the compensation fishing
General Provisions for Domestic Alyson Pitts, Fisheries Management trips to collect catch data associated
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Specialist, (978) 281–9352. with different dredge modifications. The
Fishing Permits
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: crew size exemption would be for
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) approximately 120 days-at-sea and
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and submitted a complete application for an would be used in conjunction with a
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on May valid compensation fishing letter of
Commerce. 4, 2017, that would allow gear research authorization. The technician would
ACTION: Notice and request for to be conducted by vessels on only engage in data collection activities,
comments. compensation fishing trips associated and would not process catch to be
with projects funded by the 2017 landed for sale. Exemption from
SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) possession limit and minimum sizes
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, program. The exemptions would allow would support catch sampling
Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has 19 commercial fishing vessels to exceed activities, and ensure the vessel is not
made a preliminary determination that the crew size regulations at 50 CFR in conflict with possession regulations
an Exempted Fishing Permit application 648.51(c) in order to place a researcher while collecting catch data. All catch
contains all of the required information on the vessel, and temporarily exempt above a possession limit or below a
and warrants further consideration. The the participating vessels from minimum size would be discarded as
Exempted Fishing Permit would allow possession limits and minimum size soon as possible following data
commercial fishing vessels to fish requirements specified in 50 CFR part collection. All bycatch would be
outside of scallop regulations in support 648, subparts B and D through O, for returned to the sea as soon as
of research conducted by the sampling purposes only. Any fishing practicable following data collection;
Coonamessett Farm Foundation. These activity conducted outside the scope of estimated catch totals are listed below
exemptions would support research the exempted fishing activity would be on Table 1. All research trips would
conducted on trips to test gear prohibited, including landing fish in otherwise be consistent with normal
modifications for bycatch reduction in excess of a possession limit or below the commercial fishing activity and catch
the scallop dredge fishery. minimum size. would be retained for sale.
TABLE 1—ESTIMATED BYCATCH FOR CFF EFP COMPENSATION TRIPS
Weight Weight
Species Scientific name Number (lb) (kg)
NE Skate Complex ......................................... Rajidae Species ............................................. 96,500 120,000 54,431
Barndoor Skate ............................................... Dipturus laevis ................................................ 400 750 340
Summer Flounder ........................................... Paralichthys dentatus ..................................... 120 200 90
Winter Flounder .............................................. Pseudopleuronectes americanus ................... 250 550 249
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
Yellowtail Flounder .......................................... Limanda ferruginea ........................................ 1,750 1,500 680
Windowpane Flounder .................................... Scopthalmus aquosus .................................... 1,750 1,500 680
Monkfish .......................................................... Lophius americanus ....................................... 2000 4,500 2,041
If approved, the applicant may year. EFP modifications and extensions completion of the proposed research
request minor modifications and may be granted without further notice if and have minimal impacts that do not
extensions to the EFP throughout the they are deemed essential to facilitate change the scope or impact of the
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![26670 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 109 / Thursday, June 8, 2017 / Notices
initially approved EFP request. Any Ronkonkoma, NY; Key Largo, FL; 2. August 17, 2017, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.,
fishing activity conducted outside the Charleston, SC; Warwick, RI; and LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 10 Aero Road,
scope of the exempted fishing activity Panama City, FL. Bohemia, NY 11716.
would be prohibited. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for 3. September 7, 2017, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.,
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
further details on workshop locations. LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 7115 Coastal
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Palms Boulevard, Panama City, FL
Dated: June 2, 2017. 32408.
Pearson by phone: (727) 824–5399, or by
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, fax: (727) 824–5398.
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Registration
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. To register for a scheduled Atlantic
workshop schedules, registration
[FR Doc. 2017–11884 Filed 6–7–17; 8:45 am] information, and a list of frequently Shark Identification Workshop, please
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P asked questions regarding these contact Eric Sander at ericssharkguide@
workshops are posted on the Internet at: yahoo.com or at (386) 852–8588.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ Registration Materials
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE compliance/workshops/index.html.
To ensure that workshop certificates
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Atlantic Shark Identification are linked to the correct permits,
Administration Workshops participants will need to bring the
RIN 0648–XF417 Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark following specific items to the
dealers have been prohibited from workshop:
Schedules for Atlantic Shark receiving, purchasing, trading, or • Atlantic shark dealer permit holders
Identification Workshops and bartering for Atlantic sharks unless a must bring proof that the attendee is an
Protected Species Safe Handling, valid Atlantic Shark Identification owner or agent of the business (such as
Release, and Identification Workshops Workshop certificate is on the premises articles of incorporation), a copy of the
of each business listed under the shark applicable permit, and proof of
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries identification.
dealer permit that first receives Atlantic
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
sharks (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). • Atlantic shark dealer proxies must
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), bring documentation from the permitted
Dealers who attend and successfully
Commerce. complete a workshop are issued a dealer acknowledging that the proxy is
ACTION: Notice of public workshops. certificate for each place of business that attending the workshop on behalf of the
is permitted to receive sharks. These permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a
SUMMARY: Free Atlantic Shark specific business location, a copy of the
Identification Workshops and Protected certificate(s) are valid for 3 years.
Approximately 133 free Atlantic Shark appropriate valid permit, and proof of
Species Safe Handling, Release, and identification.
Identification Workshops will be held in Identification Workshops have been
July, August, and September of 2017. conducted since January 2007. Workshop Objectives
Currently, permitted dealers may send
Certain fishermen and shark dealers are The Atlantic Shark Identification
a proxy to an Atlantic Shark
required to attend a workshop to meet Workshops are designed to reduce the
Identification Workshop. However, if a
regulatory requirements and to maintain number of unknown and improperly
dealer opts to send a proxy, the dealer
valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic identified sharks reported in the dealer
must designate a proxy for each place of
Shark Identification Workshop is reporting form and increase the
business covered by the dealer’s permit
mandatory for all federally permitted which first receives Atlantic sharks. accuracy of species-specific dealer-
Atlantic shark dealers. The Protected Only one certificate will be issued to reported information. Reducing the
Species Safe Handling, Release, and each proxy. A proxy must be a person number of unknown and improperly
Identification Workshop is mandatory who is currently employed by a place of identified sharks will improve quota
for vessel owners and operators who use business covered by the dealer’s permit; monitoring and the data used in stock
bottom longline, pelagic longline, or is a primary participant in the assessments. These workshops will train
gillnet gear, and who have also been identification, weighing, and/or first shark dealer permit holders or their
issued shark or swordfish limited access receipt of fish as they are offloaded from proxies to properly identify Atlantic
permits. Additional free workshops will a vessel; and who fills out dealer shark carcasses.
be conducted during 2017 and will be reports. Atlantic shark dealers are
announced in a future notice. Protected Species Safe Handling,
prohibited from renewing a Federal Release, and Identification Workshops
DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification shark dealer permit unless a valid
Workshops will be held on July 13, Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop Since January 1, 2007, shark limited-
August 17, and September 7, 2017. certificate for each business location access and swordfish limited-access
The Protected Species Safe Handling, that first receives Atlantic sharks has permit holders who fish with longline
Release, and Identification Workshops been submitted with the permit renewal or gillnet gear have been required to
will be held on July 14, July 18, August application. Additionally, trucks or submit a copy of their Protected Species
1, August 16, September 1, and other conveyances that are extensions of Safe Handling, Release, and
September 13, 2017. a dealer’s place of business must Identification Workshop certificate in
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
possess a copy of a valid dealer or proxy order to renew either permit (71 FR
further details. Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop 58057; October 2, 2006). These
ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark certificate. certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. As
Identification Workshops will be held in such, vessel owners who have not
Fort Lauderdale, FL; Bohemia, NY; and Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations already attended a workshop and
Panama City, FL. 1. July 13, 2017, 12 p.m.–4 p.m., received a NMFS certificate, or vessel
The Protected Species Safe Handling, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 999 West owners whose certificate(s) will expire
Release, and Identification Workshops Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, prior to the next permit renewal, must
will be held in Kenner, LA; FL 33309. attend a workshop to fish with, or
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Document Created: 2018-11-14 10:07:15
Document Modified: 2018-11-14 10:07:15
| 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 and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received on or before June 23, 2017. | |
| Contact | Alyson Pitts, Fisheries Management Specialist, (978) 281-9352. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 26669 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF44 |
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