82 FR 52282 - 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 217 (November 13, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 217 (November 13, 2017)
| Page Range | 52282-52283 | |
| FR Document | 2017-24520 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 217 (Monday, November 13, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 52282-52283] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-24520] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF829 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 November 28, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line ``DA17-100 CFF BREP LA Flounder Sweep 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 DA17-100 CFF BREP LA Flounder Sweep Study EFP.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) submitted an application for an EFP on September 18, 2017, for a 2017 Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program project titled ``A Modified Flounder Sweep for Flatfish Bycatch Reduction in the Limited Access (LA) Scallop Fishery.'' The project would test a modified flounder cookie sweep on the outer bale bars of the scallop dredge and film fish-dredge interactions to monitor the effectiveness of the gear modification in reducing flatfish bycatch. To conduct this experiment, vessels would require exemptions from the following regulations: Atlantic sea scallop crew size restrictions at 50 CFR 648.51(c); dredge gear obstruction restrictions at Sec. 648.51(b)(4)(ii); Atlantic sea scallop observer program requirements at Sec. 648.11(g); and closed area exemptions for Closed Area I at Sec. 648.60(c), Closed Area II at Sec. 648.60(d), Closed Area II Extension at Sec. 648.60(e), and Nantucket Lightship at Sec. 648.60(f). It would also exempt participating 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 only. Vessels would conduct scallop dredging between November 2017-June 2018, on 2 trips each lasting approximately 7 days-at-sea (DAS) each for a project total of 14 DAS. An average of 10 tows per day would be conducted for a maximum duration of 50 minutes at a tow speed range of 4.8-5.1 knots (2.5-2.6 m/s). Trips would take place in scallop open areas of Southern New England and Georges Bank along with scallop access areas Nantucket Lightship and Closed Areas I and II. The vessel would conduct all tows with two 15-foot (4.57-m) New Bedford Style dredges, one acting as a control dredge and one acting as an experimental dredge. The vessel would tow both dredges simultaneously to reduce spatial and temporal variability. Researchers would attach the two 9-foot (2.74-m) cookie sweeps to each of the outer bale bars using chain and shackles on the experimental dredge. The cookie sweeps would alternate between the two dredges each tow to reduce ``side'' effects. The cookie sweeps would be constructed of round rubber disks with lead cookies approximately 3-4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) in diameter evenly spaced to encourage bottom contact. The attachment chains would be evenly spaced and varied in length to account for dredge position while being towed to ensure contact with the ocean bottom. Exemption from the dredge gear obstruction regulation would allow researchers to use the cookie sweep for the experimental tows. Researchers would weigh all scallop catch in industry bushel baskets caught in both dredges and measure a one-basket sub-sample from each side in 5- [[Page 52283]] millimeter increments. The researchers would also obtain total weight of bycatch species and individual measurements to the nearest centimeter. If the volume of the catch is large, subsampling protocols would be necessary. All bycatch would be returned to the sea as soon as practicable following data collection. 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. Researchers would discard all catch above a possession limit or below a minimum size as soon as practicable following data collection. The table below lists the anticipated catch for the project. No catch would be landed for sale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Species Weight (lb) Weight (kg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scallop................................. 20,000 9,072 Northeast Skate Complex (Barndoor Skate 50,000 22,680 not included).......................... Barndoor Skate.......................... 250 113 Summer Flounder......................... 90 41 Winter Flounder......................... 250 113 Yellowtail Flounder..................... 750 340 Windowpane Flounder..................... 750 340 Monkfish................................ 1,750 794 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Researchers need additional exemptions to deploy dredge gear in closed areas in order to help locate large enough aggregations of flatfish to test the experimental gear. 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: November 7, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-24520 Filed 11-9-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![52282 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 217 / Monday, November 13, 2017 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Dated: November 7, 2017. Flatfish Bycatch Reduction in the
Sarah Brabson, Limited Access (LA) Scallop Fishery.’’
National Oceanic and Atmospheric NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. The project would test a modified
Administration [FR Doc. 2017–24471 Filed 11–9–17; 8:45 am] flounder cookie sweep on the outer bale
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
bars of the scallop dredge and film fish-
Submission for OMB Review; dredge interactions to monitor the
Comment Request effectiveness of the gear modification in
The Department of Commerce will DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE reducing flatfish bycatch.
submit to the Office of Management and To conduct this experiment, vessels
Budget (OMB) for clearance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric would require exemptions from the
following proposal for collection of Administration following regulations: Atlantic sea
information under the provisions of the scallop crew size restrictions at 50 CFR
RIN 0648–XF829
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 648.51(c); dredge gear obstruction
Chapter 35). Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; restrictions at § 648.51(b)(4)(ii); Atlantic
Agency: National Oceanic and General Provisions for Domestic sea scallop observer program
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Fisheries; Application for Exempted requirements at § 648.11(g); and closed
Title: Alaska Prohibited Species Fishing Permits area exemptions for Closed Area I at
Donation Program. § 648.60(c), Closed Area II at
OMB Control Number: 0648–0316. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries § 648.60(d), Closed Area II Extension at
Form Number(s): None. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and § 648.60(e), and Nantucket Lightship at
Type of Request: Regular (extension of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), § 648.60(f). It would also exempt
a currently approved information Commerce. participating vessels from possession
collection). ACTION: Notice; request for comments. limits and minimum fish size
Number of Respondents: 1. requirements specified in 50 CFR part
Average Hours per Response: 50 SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional 648, subsections B and D through O, for
hours for a three-year permit, Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, biological sampling purposes only.
annualized to 17. Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has Vessels would conduct scallop
Burden Hours: 17. made a preliminary determination that dredging between November 2017-June
Needs and Uses: The prohibited an Exempted Fishing Permit application 2018, on 2 trips each lasting
species donation (PSD) program for contains all of the required information approximately 7 days-at-sea (DAS) each
salmon and halibut has effectively and warrants further consideration. This for a project total of 14 DAS. An average
reduced regulatory discard of salmon Exempted Fishing Permit would exempt of 10 tows per day would be conducted
and halibut by allowing fish that would a commercial fishing vessel from for a maximum duration of 50 minutes
otherwise be discarded to be donated to Atlantic sea scallop regulations in at a tow speed range of 4.8–5.1 knots
needy individuals through tax-exempt support of research conducted by the (2.5–2.6 m/s). Trips would take place in
organizations. Vessels and processing Coonamessett Farm Foundation. scallop open areas of Southern New
plants participating in the PSD program Regulations under the Magnuson- England and Georges Bank along with
voluntarily retain and process salmon Stevens Fishery Conservation and scallop access areas Nantucket
and halibut bycatch. An authorized, tax- Management Act require publication of Lightship and Closed Areas I and II.
exempt distributor, chosen by the this notification to provide interested The vessel would conduct all tows
National Marine Fisheries Service parties the opportunity to comment on with two 15-foot (4.57-m) New Bedford
(NMFS), is responsible for monitoring applications for proposed Exempted Style dredges, one acting as a control
retention and processing of fish donated Fishing Permits. dredge and one acting as an
by vessels and processors. The DATES: Comments must be received on
experimental dredge. The vessel would
authorized distributor also coordinates or before November 28, 2017. tow both dredges simultaneously to
processing, storage, transportation, and reduce spatial and temporal variability.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
distribution of salmon and halibut. The Researchers would attach the two 9-foot
comments by any of the following (2.74-m) cookie sweeps to each of the
PSD program requires an information methods:
collection so that NMFS can monitor the outer bale bars using chain and shackles
• Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. on the experimental dredge. The cookie
authorized distributors’ ability to Include in the subject line ‘‘DA17–100
effectively supervise program sweeps would alternate between the two
CFF BREP LA Flounder Sweep Study dredges each tow to reduce ‘‘side’’
participants and ensure that donated EFP.’’
fish are properly processed, stored, and effects. The cookie sweeps would be
• Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional constructed of round rubber disks with
distributed. Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
Affected Public: Not-for-profit lead cookies approximately 3–4 inches
Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great (7.6–10.2 cm) in diameter evenly spaced
institution. Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
Frequency: Every three years. to encourage bottom contact. The
Mark the outside of the envelope attachment chains would be evenly
Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
This information collection request ‘‘Comments on DA17–100 CFF BREP LA spaced and varied in length to account
may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow Flounder Sweep Study EFP.’’ for dredge position while being towed to
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
the instructions to view Department of ensure contact with the ocean bottom.
Commerce collections currently under Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Exemption from the dredge gear
review by OMB. Specialist, 978–282–8456. obstruction regulation would allow
Written comments and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: researchers to use the cookie sweep for
recommendations for the proposed Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) the experimental tows.
information collection should be sent submitted an application for an EFP on Researchers would weigh all scallop
within 30 days of publication of this September 18, 2017, for a 2017 Bycatch catch in industry bushel baskets caught
notice to OIRA_Submission@ Reduction Engineering Program project in both dredges and measure a one-
omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806. titled ‘‘A Modified Flounder Sweep for basket sub-sample from each side in 5-
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 217 / Monday, November 13, 2017 / Notices 52283
millimeter increments. The researchers returned to the sea as soon as Researchers would discard all catch
would also obtain total weight of practicable following data collection. above a possession limit or below a
bycatch species and individual Exemption from possession limit and minimum size as soon as practicable
measurements to the nearest centimeter. minimum sizes would support catch following data collection. The table
If the volume of the catch is large, sampling activities, and ensure the below lists the anticipated catch for the
subsampling protocols would be vessel is not in conflict with possession project. No catch would be landed for
necessary. All bycatch would be regulations while collecting catch data. sale.
Weight Weight
Species (lb) (kg)
Scallop ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20,000 9,072
Northeast Skate Complex (Barndoor Skate not included) ...................................................................................... 50,000 22,680
Barndoor Skate ........................................................................................................................................................ 250 113
Summer Flounder .................................................................................................................................................... 90 41
Winter Flounder ....................................................................................................................................................... 250 113
Yellowtail Flounder .................................................................................................................................................. 750 340
Windowpane Flounder ............................................................................................................................................. 750 340
Monkfish ................................................................................................................................................................... 1,750 794
Researchers need additional Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), potential datasets and recommends
exemptions to deploy dredge gear in Commerce. which datasets are appropriate for
closed areas in order to help locate large ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 55 Assessment assessment analyses, and describes the
enough aggregations of flatfish to test Scoping webinar II. fisheries, evaluates the status of the
the experimental gear. Participating stock, estimates biological benchmarks,
vessels need crew size waivers to SUMMARY: The SEDAR 55 assessment of projects future population conditions,
accommodate science personnel and the South Atlantic stock of Vermilion and recommends research and
possession waivers would enable them Snapper will consist of a series of monitoring needs. Participants for
to conduct data collection activities. We webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the
would waive the observer program INFORMATION. Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and
notification requirements because the DATES: A SEDAR 55 Assessment Caribbean Fishery Management
research activity is not representative of Scoping webinar II will be held on Councils and NOAA Fisheries Southeast
standard fishing activity. Tuesday, November 28, 2017, from 9 Regional Office, Highly Migratory
If approved, the applicant may a.m. until 1 p.m. Species Management Division, and
request minor modifications and ADDRESSES: Southeast Fisheries Science Center.
extensions to the EFP throughout the Meeting address: The meetings will be Participants include: Data collectors and
year. EFP modifications and extensions held via webinar. The webinars are database managers; stock assessment
may be granted without further notice if open to members of the public. Those scientists, biologists, and researchers;
they are deemed essential to facilitate interested in participating should constituency representatives including
completion of the proposed research contact Julia Byrd at SEDAR (see FOR fishermen, environmentalists, and non-
and have minimal impacts that do not FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) to governmental organizations (NGOs);
change the scope or impact of the request an invitation providing webinar international experts; and staff of
initially approved EFP request. Any access information. Please request Councils, Commissions, and state and
fishing activity conducted outside the webinar invitations at least 24 hours in federal agencies.
scope of the exempted fishing activity advance of each webinar. The items of discussion in the
would be prohibited. SEDAR address: South Atlantic Assessment Scoping webinar II are as
Fishery Management Council, 4055 follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Participants will review data and
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N.
Dated: November 7, 2017. Charleston, SC 29405; discuss data issues, as necessary, and
Emily H. Menashes, www.sedarweb.org. initial model issues.
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Although non-emergency issues not
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julia contained in this agenda may come
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Byrd, SEDAR Coordinator, 4055 Faber before this group for discussion, those
[FR Doc. 2017–24520 Filed 11–9–17; 8:45 am] Place Drive, Suite 201, North issues may not be the subject of formal
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Charleston, SC 29405; phone: (843) 571– action during this meeting. Action will
4366; email: julia.byrd@safmc.net. be restricted to those issues specifically
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf identified in this notice and any issues
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
of Mexico, South Atlantic, and arising after publication of this notice
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Caribbean Fishery Management that require emergency action under
Administration Councils, in conjunction with NOAA section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf Fishery Conservation and Management
States Marine Fisheries Commissions, Act, provided the public has been
RIN 0648–XF816 have implemented the Southeast Data, notified of the intent to take final action
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Assessment and Review (SEDAR) to address the emergency.
Southeast Data, Assessment, and process, a multi-step method for
determining the status of fish stocks in Special Accommodations
Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
the Southeast Region. The product of This meeting is accessible to people
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the SEDAR webinar series will be a with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and report which compiles and evaluates aids should be directed to the SAFMC
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Document Created: 2017-11-10 01:17:52
Document Modified: 2017-11-10 01:17:52
| 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 28, 2017. | |
| Contact | Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 52282 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF82 |
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