82 FR 49786 - 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 207 (October 27, 2017)

Page Range		49786-49787
FR Document		2017-23441

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that an exempted fishing permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This permit would allow Coonamessett Farm Foundation to test the selectivity of alternate gillnet configurations for targeting haddock on Georges Bank while reducing catch of other groundfish species. Up to five commercial fishing vessels would target haddock using alternate gillnet gears on Georges Bank, including Closed Area I, and temporarily retain undersized catch for measurement and data collection. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 207 (Friday, October 27, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 207 (Friday, October 27, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49786-49787]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23441]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF791


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 (Assistant Regional 
Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that an exempted 
fishing permit application contains all of the required information and 
warrants further consideration. This permit would allow Coonamessett 
Farm Foundation to test the selectivity of alternate gillnet 
configurations for targeting haddock on Georges Bank while reducing 
catch of other groundfish species. Up to five commercial fishing 
vessels would target haddock using alternate gillnet gears on Georges 
Bank, including Closed Area I, and temporarily retain undersized catch 
for measurement and data collection.
    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 November 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line 
``Comments on Testing Selectivity and Raised Webbing Gillnets on Target 
and Non-Target Species in the Northeast Haddock Fishery.''
     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 
Testing Selectivity of Alternative Gillnet Configurations in the 
Northeast Haddock Fishery.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle Molton, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9236, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) submitted 
a complete application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) on August 
16, 2017, to conduct commercial fishing activities that the regulations 
would otherwise restrict. The EFP would authorize five vessels to use 
test alternate gillnet configurations in Closed Area I and to 
temporarily retain undersized catch for measurement and data 
collection. The exemptions are necessary because vessels on commercial 
groundfish trips are prohibited from fishing in Closed Area I, using 
gillnets with mesh size less than 6.5 inches (16.51 cm), and from 
retaining undersized groundfish. The applicant is requesting access to 
Closed Area I in order to access high densities of haddock, which would 
result in a greater likelihood of achieving statistically significant 
results.
    The project, titled ``Testing Selectivity and Raised Webbing 
Gillnets on Target and Non-Target Species in the Northeast Haddock 
Fishery'' would be conducted by CFF in cooperation with five commercial 
fishing vessels. The study would take place on Georges Bank, including 
in Closed Area I, from December 2017 through January 2019, with five 
vessels planning to fish no more than 24 trips total. Vessels would

[[Page 49787]]

fish a maximum of thirty-two 50-fathom (91.44-m) gillnets in strings 
made up of 4 nets each. Two of the nets in each four-net string would 
be standard 6.5-inch (16.51-cm) mesh and two would be 6.0-inch (15.24-
cm) mesh. One net of each mesh size (6.5-inch [16.51-cm] and 6.0-inch 
[15.24-cm]) in each string would be rigged with a 30-inch (76.2-cm) 
raised webbing section along the bottom. Two to three hauls of the nets 
are expected during each day at sea with an average soak time of 6 
hours for each set.
    A CFF researcher or technician would accompany all trips that occur 
under this EFP to identify all fish caught, as well as measure and 
weigh catch. Undersized fish would be discarded as quickly as possible 
after sampling. All Northeast multispecies of legal size would be 
landed, and all catch and estimated discards would be attributed to the 
vessel's sector annual catch entitlement, consistent with standard 
catch accounting procedures.
    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.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 24, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-23441 Filed 10-26-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

49786 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 207 / Friday, October 27, 2017 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE above and because there are no commercial fishing vessels would target
compelling reasons to deny the requests, haddock using alternate gillnet gears on
International Trade Administration the Department, in accordance with Georges Bank, including Closed Area I,
[C–533–878, C–570–065] section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, is and temporarily retain undersized catch
postponing the deadline for the for measurement and data collection.
Stainless Steel Flanges From India and preliminary determinations to no later Regulations under the Magnuson-
the People’s Republic of China: than 130 days after the day on which Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Postponement of Preliminary the investigations were initiated. Management Act require publication of
Determinations of Countervailing Duty Accordingly, the Department will issue this notification to provide interested
Investigations the preliminary determinations no later parties the opportunity to comment on
than January 16, 2018.3 In accordance applications for proposed exempted
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, with section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 fishing permits.
International Trade Administration, CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the DATES: Comments must be received on
Department of Commerce. final determinations of these or before November 13, 2017.
DATES: Applicable October 27, 2017. investigations will continue to be 75 ADDRESSES: You may submit written
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: days after the date of the preliminary comments by any of the following
Ryan Mullen at 202–482–5260 (India); determinations, unless postponed at a methods:
Justin Neuman and Jerry Huang at 202– later date. • Email: NMFS.GAR.EFP@noaa.gov.
482–0486 and 202–482–4047 (China), This notice is issued and published Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments
AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act on Testing Selectivity and Raised
Compliance, International Trade and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1). Webbing Gillnets on Target and Non-
Administration, U.S. Department of Dated: October 19, 2017. Target Species in the Northeast
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue Gary Taverman, Haddock Fishery.’’
NW., Washington, DC 20230. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and Countervailing Duty Operations Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
performing the non-exclusive functions and Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
Background
duties of the Assistant Secretary for Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
On September 5, 2017, the Enforcement and Compliance. Mark the outside of the envelope
Department of Commerce (Department) [FR Doc. 2017–23400 Filed 10–26–17; 8:45 am] ‘‘Comments on Testing Selectivity of
initiated countervailing duty BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Alternative Gillnet Configurations in the
investigations (CVD) on stainless steel Northeast Haddock Fishery.’’
flanges from India and the People’s FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle
Republic of China (PRC).1 Currently, the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Molton, Fishery Management Specialist,
preliminary determinations of these 978–281–9236, Kyle.Molton@noaa.gov.
investigations are due no later than National Oceanic and Atmospheric
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
November 9, 2017. Administration
Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF)
Postponement of Preliminary RIN 0648–XF791 submitted a complete application for an
Determination exempted fishing permit (EFP) on
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; August 16, 2017, to conduct commercial
Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of General Provisions for Domestic
1930, as amended (the Act), requires the fishing activities that the regulations
Fisheries; Application for Exempted would otherwise restrict. The EFP
Department to issue the preliminary Fishing Permits
determination in a CVD investigation would authorize five vessels to use test
within 65 days after the date on which AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries alternate gillnet configurations in
the Department initiated the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Closed Area I and to temporarily retain
investigation. However, if the petitioner Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), undersized catch for measurement and
makes a timely request for a Commerce. data collection. The exemptions are
postponement, section 703(c)(1)(A) of ACTION: Notice; request for comments. necessary because vessels on
the Act allows the Department to commercial groundfish trips are
SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional prohibited from fishing in Closed Area
postpone making the preliminary
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, I, using gillnets with mesh size less than
determination until no later than 130
Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS 6.5 inches (16.51 cm), and from
days after the date on which the
(Assistant Regional Administrator), has retaining undersized groundfish. The
Department initiated the investigation.
On October 4, 2017, the Coalition of made a preliminary determination that applicant is requesting access to Closed
American Flange Producers (the an exempted fishing permit application Area I in order to access high densities
petitioners), petitioners in the contains all of the required information of haddock, which would result in a
underlying investigation, submitted and warrants further consideration. This greater likelihood of achieving
timely requests pursuant to section permit would allow Coonamessett Farm statistically significant results.
703(c)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR Foundation to test the selectivity of The project, titled ‘‘Testing Selectivity
351.205(e) to postpone the preliminary alternate gillnet configurations for and Raised Webbing Gillnets on Target
targeting haddock on Georges Bank
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES

determinations.2 For the reasons stated and Non-Target Species in the Northeast
while reducing catch of other Haddock Fishery’’ would be conducted
1 See Stainless Steel Flanges from India and the groundfish species. Up to five by CFF in cooperation with five
People’s Republic of China: Initiation of commercial fishing vessels. The study
Countervailing Duty Investigations, 82 FR 42654 the People’s Republic of China: Request to Postpone would take place on Georges Bank,
(September 11, 2017) (Initiation Notice). Determination, dated October 4, 2017. including in Closed Area I, from
2 See the petitioners’ letter re: Stainless Steel 3 See 19 CFR 351.303(b)(1) and (2). January 13,

Flanges from India: Request to Postpone 2018, 130 days after the scheduled preliminary
December 2017 through January 2019,
Determination, dated October 4, 2017; see also determination, is a Saturday; in addition, January with five vessels planning to fish no
petitioners’ letter re: Stainless Steel Flanges from 15, 2018, Monday, is a federal holiday. more than 24 trips total. Vessels would

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 207 / Friday, October 27, 2017 / Notices 49787

fish a maximum of thirty-two 50-fathom Islands (MHI) Deep 7 Bottomfish 2. Background information—Objectives
(91.44-m) gillnets in strings made up of Complex. and Terms of Reference
4 nets each. Two of the nets in each 3. Fishery
DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION a. Operation
four-net string would be standard 6.5- for meeting dates and times and daily
inch (16.51-cm) mesh and two would be b. Management
agenda. 4. History of stock assessments and
6.0-inch (15.24-cm) mesh. One net of
each mesh size (6.5-inch [16.51-cm] and ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at reviews
6.0-inch [15.24-cm]) in each string the NMFS Honolulu Service Center at 5. Data
Pier 38, 1129 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite 220, a. State of Hawaii Fisher and Dealer
would be rigged with a 30-inch (76.2-
Honolulu, HI 96817. Reporting Systems
cm) raised webbing section along the b. Life history information
bottom. Two to three hauls of the nets FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: c. Fishery-independent survey
are expected during each day at sea with Michael Seki, Director—Pacific Islands
an average soak time of 6 hours for each Fisheries Science Center, telephone: Tuesday, November 14, 2017
set. (808) 725–5360, or michael.seki@ 6. Presentation and review of stock
A CFF researcher or technician would noaa.gov. assessment
accompany all trips that occur under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scientists
this EFP to identify all fish caught, as Wednesday, November 15, 2017
from the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries
well as measure and weigh catch. Science Center (PIFSC) conducted a 7. Continue review of stock assessment
Undersized fish would be discarded as benchmark stock assessment of the MHI Thursday, November 16, 2017
quickly as possible after sampling. All Deep 7 bottomfish complex. This
Northeast multispecies of legal size 8. Continue review of stock assessment
benchmark assessment incorporated 9. Public comment period
would be landed, and all catch and new data in the form of fishery-
estimated discards would be attributed 10. Panel discussions (Closed to the
independent biomass estimates, and public)
to the vessel’s sector annual catch also followed data filtering
entitlement, consistent with standard recommendations from a series of five Friday, November 17, 2017
catch accounting procedures. community workshops that involved 11. Continue panel discussions (Closed;
If approved, the applicant may fishermen, managers, and scientists on morning)
request minor modifications and best practices for filtering bottomfish 12. Present results (afternoon)
extensions to the EFP throughout the commercial catch and effort data from 13. Adjourn
year. EFP modifications and extensions State of Hawaii commercial catch The agenda order may change. The
may be granted without further notice if reports. Because of these workshops, meeting will run as late as necessary to
they are deemed essential to facilitate PIFSC scientists are now able to better complete scheduled business.
completion of the proposed research link individual fishermen’s catch
and have minimal impacts that do not Special Accommodations
reports further back in time, and this
change the scope or impact of the linking is newly applied in this This meeting is physically accessible
initially approved EFP request. benchmark stock assessment. to people with disabilities. Please direct
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. This assessment used commercial requests for sign language interpretation
data for the years 1948–2015, and or other auxiliary aids to Michael Seki,
Dated: October 24, 2017.
assessed Deep 7 bottomfish by building Director—Pacific Islands Fisheries
Emily H. Menashes,
on the modeling framework from the Science Center, (808) 725–5360 (phone)
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable (808) 725–5360 (fax), at least 5 days
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. previous three assessments, but with
improved data and data filtering as prior to the meeting date.
[FR Doc. 2017–23441 Filed 10–26–17; 8:45 am]
previously described, along with Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
improvements to catch-per-unit-effort Dated: October 24, 2017.
(CPUE) standardization, and other Emily H. Menashes,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE modeling approaches. The assessment
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
also estimates unreported catches using Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric catch and effort data following methods
[FR Doc. 2017–23422 Filed 10–26–17; 8:45 am]
Administration similar to those applied in previous
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
assessments. After applying best
RIN 0648–XF780
practices from the workshop
recommendations for filtering for CPUE
calculation, PIFSC scientists applied COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
Pacific Island Fisheries; Western PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
Pacific Stock Assessment Review; model selection techniques to select the
best structural form to standardize SEVERELY DISABLED
Public Meeting
CPUE. CPUE in the model was split into Procurement List; Deletions
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries two time series, fishing years 1948–
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 2003, and fishing years 2003–2015 to AGENCY: Committee for Purchase From
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), accommodate new effort reporting from People Who Are Blind or Severely
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES

Commerce. a change in reporting form by the State Disabled.
ACTION: Notice; public meeting. in October 2002. ACTION: Deletions from the Procurement
Meeting Agenda for WPSAR Review List.
SUMMARY: NMFS and the Western
Pacific Fishery Management Council The meeting schedule and agenda are SUMMARY: This action deletes products
(Council) will convene a Western as follows (8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. every day): and service from the Procurement List
Pacific Stock Assessment Review previously furnished by such agencies.
(WPSAR) of a 2017 Benchmark Stock Monday, November 13, 2017 DATES: Date deleted from the
Assessment for the Main Hawaiian 1. Welcome and Introductions Procurement List: 11/26/2017.

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Document Created: 2017-10-27 02:05:52
Document Modified: 2017-10-27 02:05:52

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 November 13, 2017.
Contact		Kyle Molton, Fishery Management Specialist, 978-281-9236, [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 49786
RIN Number		0648-XF79

82 FR 49786 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 207 (October 27, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration