82 FR 6493 - Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 12 (January 19, 2017)

Page Range		6493-6494
FR Document		2017-01241

NMFS notifies the public of the aboriginal subsistence whaling quota for bowhead whales that it has assigned to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC), and of limitations on the use of the quota deriving from regulations of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). For 2017, the quota is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota and other applicable limitations govern the harvest of bowhead whales by members of the AEWC.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6493-6494]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01241]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF168


Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; notification of quota for bowhead whales.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public of the aboriginal subsistence whaling 
quota for bowhead whales that it has assigned to the Alaska Eskimo 
Whaling Commission (AEWC), and of limitations on the use of the quota 
deriving from regulations of the International Whaling Commission 
(IWC). For 2017, the quota is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota and 
other applicable limitations govern the harvest of bowhead whales by 
members of the AEWC.

DATES: Effective January 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Doherty, (301) 427-8385.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aboriginal subsistence whaling in the United 
States is governed by the Whaling Convention Act (WCA) (16 U.S.C. 916 
et seq.). Under the WCA, IWC regulations shall generally become 
effective with respect to all persons and vessels subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States, within 90 days of notification from 
the IWC Secretariat of an amendment to the IWC Schedule (16 U.S.C. 
916k). Regulations that implement the WCA, found at 50 CFR 230.6, 
require the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to publish, at least 
annually, aboriginal subsistence whaling quotas and any other 
limitations on aboriginal subsistence whaling deriving from regulations 
of the IWC.
    At the 64th Annual Meeting of the IWC, the Commission set catch 
limits for aboriginal subsistence use of bowhead whales from the 
Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock. The bowhead catch limits were based 
on a joint request by the United States and the Russian Federation, 
accompanied by documentation concerning the needs of two Native groups: 
Alaska Eskimos and Chukotka Natives in the Russian Far East.
    The IWC set a 6-year block catch limit of 336 bowhead whales 
landed. For each of the years 2013 through 2018, the number of bowhead 
whales struck may not exceed 67, except that any unused portion of a 
strike quota from any prior year may be carried forward. No more than 
15 strikes may be added to the strike quota for any one year. At the 
end of the 2016 harvest, there were 15 unused strikes available for 
carry-forward, so the combined strike quota set by the IWC for 2017 is 
82 (67 + 15).
    An arrangement between the United States and the Russian Federation 
ensures that the total quota of bowhead whales landed and struck in 
2017 will not exceed the limits set by the IWC. Under this arrangement, 
the Russian natives may use no more than seven

[[Page 6494]]

strikes, and the Alaska Eskimos may use no more than 75 strikes.
    Through its cooperative agreement with the AEWC, NOAA has assigned 
75 strikes to the Alaska Eskimos. The AEWC will in turn allocate these 
strikes among the 11 villages whose cultural and subsistence needs have 
been documented, and will ensure that its hunters use no more than 75 
strikes.

Other Limitations

    The IWC regulations, as well as the NOAA regulation at 50 CFR 
230.4(c), forbid the taking of calves or any whale accompanied by a 
calf.
    NOAA regulations (at 50 CFR 230.4) contain a number of other 
prohibitions relating to aboriginal subsistence whaling, some of which 
are summarized here:
     Only licensed whaling captains or crew under the control 
of those captains may engage in whaling.
     Captains and crew must follow the provisions of the 
relevant cooperative agreement between NOAA and a Native American 
whaling organization.
     The aboriginal hunters must have adequate crew, supplies, 
and equipment to engage in an efficient operation.
     Crew may not receive money for participating in the hunt.
     No person may sell or offer for sale whale products from 
whales taken in the hunt, except for authentic articles of Native 
American handicrafts.
     Captains may not continue to whale after the relevant 
quota is taken, after the season has been closed, or if their licenses 
have been suspended. They may not engage in whaling in a wasteful 
manner.

    Dated: January 13, 2017.
John Henderschedt,
Director, Office for International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-01241 Filed 1-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices 6493

deceptive acts in or affecting commerce email or through the DOC’s Privacy Commission (AEWC), and of limitations
(15 U.S.C. 45(a)) or other laws or Shield Web site. on the use of the quota deriving from
regulations prohibiting such acts. regulations of the International Whaling
In order to rely on the Privacy Shield III. Data
Commission (IWC). For 2017, the quota
for transfers of personal data from OMB Control Number: None. is 75 bowhead whales struck. This quota
Switzerland, an organization must self- Form Number(s): None. and other applicable limitations govern
certify its adherence to the Principles to Type of Review: Regular submission. the harvest of bowhead whales by
the DOC, be placed by ITA on the Affected Public: primarily businesses members of the AEWC.
Privacy Shield List, and remain on the or other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: DATES: Effective January 19, 2017.
Privacy Shield List. To self-certify for
the Privacy Shield, an organization must 2,700. ADDRESSES: Office for International
provide to the DOC a self-certification Estimated Time per Response: 38 Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National
submission that contains the minutes. Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-
information specified in the Privacy Estimated Total Annual Burden West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
Shield Principles. The Privacy Shield Hours: 2,215. 20910.
self-certification form would be the Estimated Total Annual Cost to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
means by which an organization would Public: $2,118,150. Carolyn Doherty, (301) 427–8385.
provide the relevant information to ITA. IV. Request for Comments SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aboriginal
ITA has committed to follow up with subsistence whaling in the United States
organizations that have been removed Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information is governed by the Whaling Convention
from the Privacy Shield List. ITA will
is necessary for the proper performance Act (WCA) (16 U.S.C. 916 et seq.).
send questionnaires to organizations
of the functions of the agency, including Under the WCA, IWC regulations shall
that fail to complete the annual
whether the information shall have generally become effective with respect
certification or who have withdrawn
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the to all persons and vessels subject to the
from the Privacy Shield to verify
agency’s estimate of the burden jurisdiction of the United States, within
whether they will return, delete, or
(including hours and cost) of the 90 days of notification from the IWC
continue to apply the Principles to the
proposed collection of information; (c) Secretariat of an amendment to the IWC
personal information that they received
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and Schedule (16 U.S.C. 916k). Regulations
while they participated in the Privacy
clarity of the information to be that implement the WCA, found at 50
Shield, and if personal information will
be retained, verify who within the collected; and (d) ways to minimize the CFR 230.6, require the Secretary of
organization will serve as an ongoing burden of the collection of information Commerce (Secretary) to publish, at
point of contact for Privacy Shield- on respondents, including through the least annually, aboriginal subsistence
related questions. use of automated collection techniques whaling quotas and any other
In addition, ITA has committed to or other forms of information limitations on aboriginal subsistence
conduct compliance reviews on an technology. whaling deriving from regulations of the
ongoing basis, including through Comments submitted in response to IWC.
sending detailed questionnaires to this notice will be summarized and/or At the 64th Annual Meeting of the
participating organizations. In included in the request for OMB IWC, the Commission set catch limits
particular, such compliance reviews approval of this information collection; for aboriginal subsistence use of
shall take place when: (a) The DOC has they also will become a matter of public bowhead whales from the Bering-
received specific non-frivolous record. Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock. The
complaints about an organization’s bowhead catch limits were based on a
Sheleen Dumas, joint request by the United States and
compliance with the Principles, (b) an PRA Departmental Lead, Office of the Chief
organization does not respond the Russian Federation, accompanied by
Information Officer. documentation concerning the needs of
satisfactorily to inquiries by the DOC for [FR Doc. 2017–01156 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am]
information relating to the Privacy two Native groups: Alaska Eskimos and
Shield, or (c) there is credible evidence
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P Chukotka Natives in the Russian Far
that an organization does not comply East.
with its commitments under the Privacy The IWC set a 6-year block catch limit
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of 336 bowhead whales landed. For
Shield.
The proposed information collection National Oceanic and Atmospheric each of the years 2013 through 2018, the
for the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Administration number of bowhead whales struck may
Framework is substantially similar to not exceed 67, except that any unused
the previously approved information RIN 0648–XF168 portion of a strike quota from any prior
collection for the EU–U.S. Privacy year may be carried forward. No more
Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal than 15 strikes may be added to the
Shield Framework (OMB Control Subsistence Whaling Quotas
Number: 0625–0276). strike quota for any one year. At the end
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries of the 2016 harvest, there were 15
II. Method of Collection unused strikes available for carry-
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
The Privacy Shield self-certification is Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), forward, so the combined strike quota
submitted electronically by set by the IWC for 2017 is 82 (67 + 15).
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Commerce.
organizations through the DOC’s Privacy ACTION: Notice; notification of quota for An arrangement between the United
Shield Web site (https:// bowhead whales. States and the Russian Federation
www.privacyshield.gov/). It is ensures that the total quota of bowhead
anticipated that the Privacy Shield SUMMARY: NMFS notifies the public of whales landed and struck in 2017 will
questionnaires and the corresponding the aboriginal subsistence whaling not exceed the limits set by the IWC.
responses provided by organizations quota for bowhead whales that it has Under this arrangement, the Russian
would be conveyed electronically via assigned to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling natives may use no more than seven

VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:20 Jan 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM 19JAN1

6494 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices

strikes, and the Alaska Eskimos may use Filed Date: 1/5/2017. intervention is necessary to become a
no more than 75 strikes. Accession Number: 201701055071. party to the proceeding.
Through its cooperative agreement Comments/Protests Due: 5 p.m. ET
with the AEWC, NOAA has assigned 75 Filings in Existing Proceedings
1/26/17.
strikes to the Alaska Eskimos. The Docket Number: PR17–16–000. Docket Number: RP16–1179–002.
AEWC will in turn allocate these strikes Applicants: Columbia Gas of Ohio, Applicants: Equitrans, L.P.
among the 11 villages whose cultural Inc. Description: Compliance filing
and subsistence needs have been Description: Tariff filing per Negotiated Rate Service Agreement—
documented, and will ensure that its 284.123(b), (e)/: COH SOC to be Revised EQT Energy OVC Agreement to
hunters use no more than 75 strikes. effective 12/30/2016; Filing Type: 980. be effective 10/1/2016.
Filed Date: 1/6/2017. Filed Date: 12/21/16.
Other Limitations Accession Number: 20161221–5081.
Accession Number: 201701065044.
The IWC regulations, as well as the Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/13/17.
Comments/Protests Due: 5 p.m. ET
NOAA regulation at 50 CFR 230.4(c), Docket Number: RP17–197–002.
1/27/17.
forbid the taking of calves or any whale Applicants: Dominion Cove Point
accompanied by a calf. Docket Number: RP17–325–000.
LNG, LP.
NOAA regulations (at 50 CFR 230.4) Applicants: Northern Natural Gas Description: Compliance filing DCP—
contain a number of other prohibitions Company. 2016 Section 4 General Rate Case
relating to aboriginal subsistence Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Compliance to be effective 1/1/2017.
whaling, some of which are summarized 20161219 FDD Cycle Quantity Increase Filed Date: 1/5/17.
here: to be effective 6/1/2017. Accession Number: 20170105–5086.
• Only licensed whaling captains or Filed Date: 1/5/17. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/17/17.
crew under the control of those captains Accession Number: 20170105–5083.
Any person desiring to protest in any
may engage in whaling. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/17/17.
of the above proceedings must file in
• Captains and crew must follow the Docket Number: RP17–326–000. accordance with Rule 211 of the
provisions of the relevant cooperative Applicants: Elba Express Company, Commission’s Regulations (18 CFR
agreement between NOAA and a Native L.L.C. 385.211) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
American whaling organization. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Shell time on the specified comment date.
• The aboriginal hunters must have Phase I Negotiated Rate to be effective The filings are accessible in the
adequate crew, supplies, and equipment 2/10/2017. Commission’s eLibrary system by
to engage in an efficient operation. Filed Date: 1/5/17.
• Crew may not receive money for clicking on the links or querying the
Accession Number: 20170105–5136. docket number.
participating in the hunt. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/17/17.
• No person may sell or offer for sale eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
Docket Number: RP17–327–000. information relating to filing
whale products from whales taken in
Applicants: Rockies Express Pipeline requirements, interventions, protests,
the hunt, except for authentic articles of
LLC. service, and qualifying facilities filings
Native American handicrafts.
• Captains may not continue to whale Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Neg can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/
after the relevant quota is taken, after Rate 2017–01–05 BP to be effective 1/6/ docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
the season has been closed, or if their 2017. other information, call (866) 208–3676
licenses have been suspended. They Filed Date: 1/5/17. (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
may not engage in whaling in a wasteful Accession Number: 20170105–5170. Dated: January 9, 2017.
manner. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/17/17.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Docket Number: RP17–328–000. Secretary.
Dated: January 13, 2017.
Applicants: Dominion Carolina Gas
John Henderschedt, [FR Doc. 2017–01190 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am]
Transmission, LLC.
Director, Office for International Affairs and Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Seafood Inspection, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
DCGT—Web site Notification to be
effective 2/6/2017. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[FR Doc. 2017–01241 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am]
Filed Date: 1/6/17.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Accession Number: 20170106–5098. Federal Energy Regulatory
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/18/17. Commission
Docket Number: RP17–329–000.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Combined Notice of Filings
Applicants: Algonquin Gas
Federal Energy Regulatory Transmission, LLC. Take notice that the Commission has
Commission Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: received the following Natural Gas
Negotiated Rate Agreement—Castleton Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Combined Notice of Filings 510984 to be effective 1/8/2017.
Filed Date: 1/6/17. Filings Instituting Proceedings
Take notice that the Commission has Accession Number: 20170106–5133.
received the following Natural Gas Docket Numbers: RP17–50–000.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/18/17. Applicants: Columbia Gulf
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Any person desiring to intervene or Transmission, LLC.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Filings Instituting Proceedings protest in any of the above proceedings Description: Report Filing: Columbia
Docket Number: PR17–15–000. must file in accordance with Rules 211 Gulf Section 5 Settlement Refund
Applicants: Columbia Gas of and 214 of the Commission’s Report.
Maryland, Inc. Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and Filed Date: 1/10/17.
Description: Tariff filing per 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Accession Number: 20170110–5055.
284.123(b), (e)/: CMD SOC to be time on the specified comment date. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/23/17.
effective 1/1/2017; Filing Type: 980. Protests may be considered, but Docket Numbers: RP17–332–000.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:20 Jan 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM 19JAN1

Document Created: 2018-02-01 15:16:17
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 15:16:17

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; notification of quota for bowhead whales.
Dates		Effective January 19, 2017.
Contact		Carolyn Doherty, (301) 427-8385.
FR Citation		82 FR 6493
RIN Number		0648-XF16

82 FR 6493 - Whaling Provisions; Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Quotas

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 12 (January 19, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration