82 FR 28477 - Nominations to the Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 119 (June 22, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 119 (June 22, 2017)
| Page Range | 28477-28479 | |
| FR Document | 2017-12986 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 119 (Thursday, June 22, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 28477-28479] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-12986] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF464 Nominations to the Marine Mammal Scientific Review Groups AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for nominations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As required by section 117(d) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Secretary of Commerce established three independent regional scientific review groups (SRGs) to provide advice on a range of marine mammal science and management issues. NMFS has conducted a membership review of the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and is soliciting nominations for new members to fill vacancies and gaps in expertise. DATES: Nominations must be received by July 24, 2017. ADDRESSES: Nominations can be emailed to [email protected], or mailed to: Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East- West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226, Attn: SRGs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8402, [email protected]. Information about the SRGs, including the SRG Terms of Reference, is available at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/group.htm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 117(d) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1386(d)) directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish three independent regional SRGs to advise the Secretary (authority delegated to NMFS). The Alaska SRG advises on marine mammals that occur in waters off Alaska that are under the jurisdiction of the United States. The Pacific SRG advises on marine mammals that occur in waters off the U.S. West Coast, Hawaiian Islands, and the U.S. Territories in the Central and Western Pacific that are under the jurisdiction of [[Page 28478]] the United States. The Atlantic SRG advises on marine mammals that occur in waters off the Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Territories in the Caribbean that are under the jurisdiction of the United States. SRGs members are highly qualified individuals with expertise in marine mammal biology and ecology, population dynamics and modeling, commercial fishing technology and practices, and stocks taken under section 101(b) of the MMPA. The SRGs provide expert reviews of draft marine mammal stock assessment reports and other information related to the matters identified in section 117(d)(1) of the MMPA, including: A. Population estimates and the population status and trends of marine mammal stocks; B. Uncertainties and research needed regarding stock separation, abundance, or trends, and factors affecting the distribution, size, or productivity of the stock; C. Uncertainties and research needed regarding the species, number, ages, gender, and reproductive status of marine mammals; D. Research needed to identify modifications in fishing gear and practices likely to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals in commercial fishing operations; E. The actual, expected, or potential impacts of habitat destruction, including marine pollution and natural environmental change, on specific marine mammal species or stocks, and for strategic stocks, appropriate conservation or management measures to alleviate any such impacts; and F. Any other issue which the Secretary or the groups consider appropriate. SRG members collectively serve as independent advisors to NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and provide their expert review and recommendations through participation in the SRG. Members attend annual meetings and undertake activities as independent persons providing expertise in their subject areas. Members are not appointed as representatives of professional organizations or particular stakeholder groups, including government entities, and are not permitted to represent or advocate for those organizations, groups, or entities during SRG meetings, discussions, and deliberations. SRG membership is voluntary, and, except for reimbursable travel and related expenses, service is without pay. The term of service for SRG members is three years, and members may serve up to three consecutive terms if reappointed. NMFS annually reviews the expertise available on the SRG and identifies gaps in the expertise that is needed to provide advice pursuant to section 117(d) of the MMPA. In conducting the reviews, NMFS attempts to achieve, to the maximum extent practicable, a balanced representation of viewpoints among the individuals on each SRG. Expertise Solicited For the Atlantic SRG (including waters off the Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Territories in the Caribbean), NMFS seeks individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas: Fishing gear and practices, particularly for fisheries in the U.S. mid- Atlantic and southeast (trap/pot and gillnet fisheries), Gulf of Mexico (shrimp trawl fishery), and maritime Canada; quantitative ecology, modeling, population dynamics, statistics, and/or biometry; species- habitat associations; conservation; and Gulf of Mexico oceanic marine mammal species. For the Pacific SRG (including waters off the Pacific coast, Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. Territories in the Central and Western Pacific), NMFS seeks individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas: Quantitative ecology, population dynamics, modeling, and statistics; abundance estimation, especially distance sampling and mark-recapture methods and survey design; passive acoustics; oceanography; West Coast fishing gear/techniques; large whales, particularly with regard to entanglement issues; pinnipeds; and sea otters. For the Alaska SRG, NMFS seeks individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas, in order of priority: The Alaska commercial fishing industry and commercial fishery methods/gear, particularly fisheries with marine mammal bycatch and/or ecological interactions; pinnipeds; quantitative ecology, population dynamics, modeling, and statistics; abundance estimation, especially distance sampling and mark-recapture methods and survey design; and acoustics. Knowledge of the MMPA and processing of marine mammal stock assessments would be helpful but not essential. Submitting a Nomination Nominations for new members should be sent to Dr. Shannon Bettridge in the NMFS Office of Protected Resources (see ADDRESSES) and must be received by July 24, 2017. Nominations should be accompanied by the individual's curriculum vitae and detailed information regarding how the recommended person meets the minimum selection criteria for SRG members (see below). Nominations should also include the nominee's name, address, telephone number, and email address. Self-nominations are acceptable. Selection Criteria Although the MMPA does not explicitly prohibit Federal employees from serving as SRG members, NMFS interprets MMPA section 117(d)'s reference to the SRGs as ``independent'' bodies that are exempt from Federal Advisory Committee Act requirements to mean that SRGs are intended to augment existing Federal expertise and are not composed of Federal employees or contractors. Therefore, NMFS will not consider any nominee who is currently a Federal employee or a full-time contractor supporting a Federal agency. When reviewing nominations, NMFS, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will consider the following six criteria: (1) Ability to make time available for the purposes of the SRG; (2) Knowledge of the species (or closely related species) of marine mammals in the SRG's region; (3) Scientific or technical achievement in a relevant discipline, particularly the areas of expertise identified above, to be considered an expert peer reviewer for the topic; (4) Demonstrated experience working effectively on teams; (5) Expertise relevant to current and expected needs of the SRG, in particular, expertise required to provide adequate review and knowledgeable feedback on current or developing stock assessment issues, techniques, etc. In practice, this means that each member should have expertise in more than one topic as the species and scientific issues discussed in SRG meetings are diverse; and (6) No conflict of interest with respect to their duties as a member of the SRG. Next Steps Following review, nominees who are identified by NMFS as potential new members must be vetted and cleared in accordance with Department of Commerce policy. NMFS will contact these individuals and ask them to provide written confirmation that they are not registered Federal lobbyists or registered foreign agents, and to complete a confidential financial disclosure form, which will be reviewed by the Ethics Law and Programs [[Page 28479]] Division within the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of General Counsel. All nominees will be notified of a selection decision in advance of the 2018 SRG meetings. Dated: June 16, 2017. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-12986 Filed 6-21-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS of its non-compliance finding by Dated: June 19, 2017.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries letter on June 12, 2017. Emily H. Menashes,
Commission (Commission) developed Federal response to a Commission Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Addendum XXVIII to the Summer non-compliance referral is governed by Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries [FR Doc. 2017–13026 Filed 6–19–17; 4:15 pm]
Interstate Fishery Management Plan Cooperative Management Act (Atlantic BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
(ISFMP) to specify 2017 recreational Coastal Act). Under the Atlantic Coastal
management measures (i.e., regional Act, the Secretary of Commerce must
conservation equivalency) for summer make two findings within 30 days after DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
flounder, which is currently receiving the non-compliance referral.
experiencing overfishing. Addendum First, the Secretary must determine National Oceanic and Atmospheric
XXVIII, which was adopted by the whether the state in question (in this Administration
Commission in February 2017, retained case, New Jersey) has failed to carry out RIN 0648–XF464
management regions, consistent with its responsibilities under the ISFMP.
those established in 2016: (1) Second, the Secretary must determine Nominations to the Marine Mammal
Massachusetts; (2) Rhode Island; (3) whether the measures that the State has Scientific Review Groups
Connecticut and New York; (4) New failed to implement or enforce are
Jersey; (5) Delaware, Maryland, and necessary for the conservation of the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Virginia; and (6) North Carolina. To fishery in question (in this case, summer Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
provide the maximum amount of flounder). If NMFS determines that New Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
flexibility and to continue to adequately Jersey has failed to carry out its Commerce.
address the state-by-state differences in responsibilities under the ISFMP, and if ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.
fish availability, each state in a region the measures it failed to implement are
SUMMARY: As required by section 117(d)
is required by the Commission to necessary for conservation, then,
of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
establish identical management according to the Atlantic Coastal Act,
(MMPA), the Secretary of Commerce
measures (i.e., fishing season length, NMFS must declare a moratorium on
established three independent regional
minimum size, and possession limit). summer flounder fishing in New Jersey
scientific review groups (SRGs) to
Addendum XXVIII requires each state or waters. Further, the moratorium must
provide advice on a range of marine
region, with the exception of North become effective within six months of
mammal science and management
Carolina, to increase the summer the date of the Secretary’s non-
issues. NMFS has conducted a
flounder minimum size in 2017 by 1 compliance determination. If New
membership review of the Alaska,
inch (2.5 cm) relative to the 2016 size Jersey is found out of compliance by
Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and is
limit. The 2017 measures also reduce NMFS and later implements Addendum
soliciting nominations for new members
the bag limit for most of the states and XXVIII measures, the Atlantic Coastal
to fill vacancies and gaps in expertise.
regions, while the season length remains Act allows the state to petition the
Commission that it has come back into DATES: Nominations must be received
the same as in 2016.
compliance. If the Commission concurs by July 24, 2017.
These measures were designed to
constrain coastwide catch of summer that New Jersey has come into ADDRESSES: Nominations can be
flounder to within the 2017 recreational compliance, the Commission will notify emailed to Shannon.Bettridge@
harvest limit. For New Jersey, the Secretary. If the Secretary concurs, noaa.gov, or mailed to: Marine Mammal
Addendum XXVIII requires the the moratorium will be withdrawn. and Sea Turtle Conservation Division,
following measures: NMFS has notified New Jersey, the Office of Protected Resources, National
• Shore mode for Island Beach State Commission, and the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-
Park only: 17-inch (43.2-cm) minimum Fishery Management Council in West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
size limit, 2-fish possession limit, and separate letters, of its receipt of the 20910–3226, Attn: SRGs.
128-day open season. Commission’s non-compliance referral. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
• Delaware Bay only (west of the NMFS solicits comments from the Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected
COLERG line): 18-inch (45.7-cm) Commission and Council to the extent Resources, 301–427–8402,
minimum size limit, 3-fish possession either is interested in providing Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov.
limit, and 128-day open season. comments on the non-compliance Information about the SRGs, including
• All other marine waters (east of the referral. NMFS also indicated to New the SRG Terms of Reference, is available
COLERG line): 19-inch (48.3-cm) Jersey that it is entitled to meet with and at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/
minimum size limit, 3-fish possession present its comments directly to NMFS, group.htm.
limit, and 128-day open season. if so desired. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Commission required New Jersey NMFS intends to make its non- Section 117(d) of the MMPA (16
to implement these measures in state compliance determination, including U.S.C. 1386(d)) directs the Secretary of
waters by May 25, 2017. Instead, New supporting rationale, on or about July Commerce to establish three
Jersey implemented size limits that are 11, 2017, which is 30 days after receipt independent regional SRGs to advise the
one-inch lower in each area described in of the Commission’s non-compliance Secretary (authority delegated to
the bullets above and instituted a season referral. NMFS will announce its NMFS). The Alaska SRG advises on
of 104 days. The bag limits remain the determination by Federal Register marine mammals that occur in waters
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
same as those required under the notice immediately thereafter. To the off Alaska that are under the jurisdiction
addendum. On June 1, 2017, the extent that NMFS makes an affirmative of the United States. The Pacific SRG
Commission found the State of New non-compliance finding, NMFS will advises on marine mammals that occur
Jersey out of compliance for not fully announce the effective date of the in waters off the U.S. West Coast,
and effectively implementing and moratorium in that Federal Register Hawaiian Islands, and the U.S.
enforcing the Addendum XXVIII notice. Territories in the Central and Western
measures. The Commission notified Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Pacific that are under the jurisdiction of
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 119 / Thursday, June 22, 2017 / Notices 28479
Division within the U.S. Department of Established by Presidential Executive obtained from the Inter-American
Commerce’s Office of General Counsel. Order 13089 in 1998, the U.S. Coral Reef Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
All nominees will be notified of a Task Force mission is to lead, DATES: This affirmative finding is
selection decision in advance of the coordinate and strengthen U.S. effective for the five-year period of April
2018 SRG meetings. government actions to better preserve 1, 2017, through March 31, 2022.
Dated: June 16, 2017. and protect coral reef ecosystems. Co- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna S. Wieting,
chaired by the Departments of Justin Greenman, West Coast Region,
Commerce and Interior, Task Force National Marine Fisheries Service, 501
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
members include leaders of 12 federal W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
agencies, seven U.S. states and Beach, CA 90802. Phone: 562–980–
[FR Doc. 2017–12986 Filed 6–21–17; 8:45 am]
territories and three freely associated 3264. Email: justin.greenman@noaa.gov.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
states. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Jennifer Koss, NOAA USCRTF Steering for importation into the United States of
Committee Point of Contact, NOAA yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Coral Reef Conservation Program, 1305 vessels in the ETP under certain
Administration East-West Highway, N/OCRM, Silver conditions. If requested by the
Spring, MD 20910 at 240–533–0777 or harvesting nation, the Assistant
Coral Reef Conservation Program Liza Johnson, USCRTF Executive Administrator will determine whether
AGENCY: Coral Reef Conservation Secretary, U.S. Department of the to make an affirmative finding based
Program, Office for Coastal Interior, MS–3530–MIB, 1849 C Street upon documentary evidence provided
Management, National Ocean Service, NW., Washington, DC 20240 at (202) by the government of the harvesting
National Oceanic and Atmospheric 208–5004 or visit the USCRTF Web site nation, the IATTC, or the Department of
Administration, Department of at http://www.coralreef.gov State.
Commerce. Dated: June 15, 2017. The affirmative finding process
Christopher Cartwright,
requires that the harvesting nation is
ACTION: Notice of public meeting, notice meeting its obligations under the AIDCP
of public comment. Chief Financial Officer, National Ocean
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
and its obligations of membership in the
Administration. IATTC. Every five years, the government
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of a of the harvesting nation must request a
public meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef [FR Doc. 2017–13029 Filed 6–21–17; 8:45 am]
new affirmative finding and submit the
Task Force (USCRTF). The meeting will BILLING CODE P
required documentary evidence directly
be held Thursday, August 11, 2017, at to the Assistant Administrator. On an
9:00 a.m. at the Harbor Beach Marriott annual basis, NMFS reviews the
Hotel, 3030 Holiday Dr, Fort DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
affirmative finding and determines
Lauderdale, FL 33316, in the Caribbean whether the harvesting nation continues
Salon I–IV meeting room. The meeting National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to meet the requirements. A nation may
provides a forum for coordinated provide information related to
planning and action among federal RIN 0648–XF482
compliance with AIDCP and IATTC
agencies, state and territorial measures directly to NMFS on an
governments, and nongovernmental Taking and Importing of Marine
Mammals annual basis or may authorize the
partners. IATTC to release the information to
Registration is requested for all events AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries NMFS to annually renew an affirmative
associated with the meeting. This Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and finding determination without an
meeting has time allotted for public Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), application from the harvesting nation.
comment. All public comments must be Commerce. An affirmative finding will be
submitted in written format. A written ACTION: Notice; five-year affirmative terminated, in consultation with the
summary of the meeting will be posted finding for Peru. Secretary of State, if the Assistant
on the USCRTF Web site within two Administrator determines that the
months of occurrence. For information SUMMARY: The NMFS Assistant requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no
about the meeting, registering and Administrator (Assistant Administrator) longer being met or that a nation is
submitting public comments, go to has issued a five-year affirmative consistently failing to take enforcement
http://www.coralreef.gov. finding for the Government of Peru actions on violations, thereby
Commenters may address the under the Marine Mammal Protection diminishing the effectiveness of the
meeting, the role of the USCRTF, or Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding AIDCP.
general coral reef conservation issues. will allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin As a part of the affirmative finding
Before including your address, phone tuna products harvested in the eastern process set forth in 50 CFR 216.24(f)(8),
number, email address, or other tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in the Assistant Administrator considered
personal identifying information in your compliance with the Agreement on the documentary evidence submitted by the
comments, you should be aware that International Dolphin Conservation Government of Peru and obtained from
your entire comment, including Program (AIDCP) by Peruvian-flagged
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
the IATTC and has determined that Peru
personal identifying information may be purse seine vessels or purse seine have met the MMPA’s requirements to
made publicly available at any time. vessels operating under Peruvian receive an affirmative finding.
While you can ask us in your comment jurisdiction to be imported into the After consultation with the
to withhold your personal identifying United States. The affirmative finding Department of State, the Assistant
information from public review, we determination was based on reviews of Administrator issued a five-year
cannot guarantee that we will be able to documentary evidence submitted by the affirmative finding to Peru, allowing the
do so. Government of Peru and by information importation into the United States of
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Document Created: 2017-06-21 23:55:41
Document Modified: 2017-06-21 23:55:41
| 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 nominations. | |
| Dates | Nominations must be received by July 24, 2017. | |
| Contact | Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8402, [email protected] Information about the SRGs, including the SRG Terms of Reference, is available at http:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/group.htm. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 28477 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF46 |
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