83 FR 10686 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 48 (March 12, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 48 (March 12, 2018)
| Page Range | 10686-10688 | |
| FR Document | 2018-04842 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 10686-10688] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-04842] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF914 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Clean Ocean Initiative, Inc. (Clean Ocean). If granted, the EFP would authorize Clean Ocean to fish for and retain Caribbean prohibited corals collected from 10 decommissioned submarine telecommunication cables being retrieved from U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters in the Caribbean off of Puerto Rico. DATES: Comments must be received no later than March 27, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by either of the following methods:Email: Sarah.Stephenson@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the email comment the following document identifier: ``CLEAN OCEAN_EFP 2018''. Mail: Sarah Stephenson, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The application and related documents are available for review upon written request to any of the above addresses. All comments received, including all voluntarily submitted personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information, are part of the public record. NMFS will accept anonymous comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Stephenson, telephone: 727-824- 5305, email: Sarah.Stephenson@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of the [[Page 10687]] Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted fishing. This action involves activity covered by regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (FMP). The proposed application for exempted fishing involves activity that would otherwise be prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR part 622, as they pertain to coral and invertebrate FMP species managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council). The EFP would exempt this activity from Federal regulations at Sec. 622.472(b) (Caribbean prohibited coral). See 50 CFR 622.2 defining Caribbean prohibited coral and Appendix A to part 622. Submarine telecommunication cables have been deployed throughout the U.S. EEZ in the Caribbean for many years and these cables may act as substrate for organisms to use as benthic habitat, such as corals and invertebrates. The applicant requests authorization to collect and retain prohibited coral, excluding Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species, from 10 decommissioned submarine telecommunication cables as they are being retrieved from waters in the U.S. EEZ off Puerto Rico. The applicant has been permitted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Antilles Section, to retrieve these decommissioned submarine cables in territorial and U.S. EEZ off Puerto Rico waters. The EFP would only apply to coral collection and retention activities in Federal waters. As part of an overall effort to remove decommissioned submarine cables, Clean Ocean would identify additional submarine cables in the U.S. EEZ off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for possible future removal. If the applicant identifies any additional cables that could be removed, NMFS expects Clean Ocean will submit an additional application for an EFP authorizing coral collection and retention activities similar to those described herein. The 10 cables from which the applicant is proposing to collect corals and invertebrates in its EFP application were deployed between 1874 and 1963 and have been inactive since 1986. Cable routes initiate in Puerto Rico and extend across the Caribbean basin, terminating in the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Antigua, or Florida. Activities permitted under the EFP would initiate at the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ off Puerto Rico and terminate at the outer boundary of the U.S. EEZ, with an estimated minimum starting depth of 1,000 ft (305 m). Total lengths of the cables to be salvaged in territorial and Federal waters range from 41 nautical miles (nmi) to 172 nmi, and the total estimated length to be retrieved from all 10 decommissioned cables is 947 nmi. The portion of the cable retrieved in Federal waters, from which the applicant seeks to collect and retain prohibited corals under an EFP, is unknown, but represents a smaller portion of this total length. As described in the application, the proposed activities would be expected to take up to 18 months and any EFP would be valid for up to 18 months from date of issuance. Before cable retrieval activities commence, the applicant is proposing to conduct benthic surveys to identify and record the presence of coral species and other species (sponges, mollusks, anemones, etc.) along each cable corridor. These surveys would be conducted via a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operated from a 115-ft (35 m) survey vessel. The ROV would remove as many organisms as possible from the cable and transplant them to the surrounding area, ensuring adequate distance from the cable so they are not impacted during the cable recovery phase. The ROV would not bring organisms to the surface but would instead relocate those organisms at depth. If there are too many organisms on a particular section of cable to effectively relocate them by ROV, or if the organisms are too large or too small to relocate, the ROV would not remove and transplant them. Instead, for those sections of cable with large organisms or dense aggregations, the ROV would cut the submarine cable on either side of these organisms and that section would remain on the bottom with organisms attached. Sections of cable with organisms that are too small to be removed and transplanted would be retrieved during the cable recovery phase. Once the benthic surveys and any organism relocations are complete, the ROV would then locate the cable retrieval start point and prepare the cable for retrieval. The cables would be retrieved through the use of a 275-ft (84-m) pipe lay barge. As each cable is being retrieved, any attached coral and invertebrates remaining on the cable would be removed onboard the barge using a specialized funnel fitted around the cable. Resultant specimens would be deposited into a collection container monitored by Clean Ocean's marine biologist. Species information and measurements of all collected organisms would be recorded, and corals and invertebrates selected for further study would be identified. Those specimens selected for further study would be placed in a controlled aquatic storage area onboard the survey vessel and any remaining specimens would be returned to the water from the barge as soon as possible with as little harm practicable. Retained specimens would be transferred to Clean Ocean's Coral Research Center in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and made available to scientists and graduate students for the study of their taxonomy, growth, behavior, and genetics. The EFP would allow Clean Ocean to harvest and possess non-ESA- listed corals from Federal waters for which harvest is otherwise prohibited. The majority of the operations under the EFP would occur at depths where there is little to no light penetration; thus, any corals anticipated to be encountered on the cables would be deep-water species. Cable diameters depend on the type of cable, fiber optic or coaxial, and range from 1.75 to 3 inches (4.4-7.6 cm). Deep-water corals tend to grow at a slow rate, but these submarine cables have been on the bottom for over 50 years, providing adequate time for early settlers to grow to a substantial size. Clean Ocean conducted preliminary benthic surveys of its cable retrieval operations, in territorial waters at depths from 100 to 250 ft (30.5 to 76.2 m), to evaluate organisms and habitats along the cable corridors. Based on those initial results, Clean Ocean expects that most of the cable lengths to be retrieved are submerged under the sand and have few, if any, organisms attached. Moreover, given the operating depths for the activities under the proposed EFP, which occur in deeper Federal waters, it is not expected that the applicant would encounter any ESA- listed corals. Finally, the USACE conditioned the permits for the cable retrieval so that those activities, which start in shallower territorial waters, occur at depths where ESA-listed corals are not expected to occur. In addition to non-ESA listed corals, federally managed aquarium trade species, including sponges, anemones, polychaete worms, feather stars, and tunicates, could potentially be collected during the proposed activities. Aquarium trade species are managed in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ under an annual catch limit (ACL) of 8,155 lb (3,699 kg), round weight. The ROV would be expected to remove most organisms from the cable prior to cable retrieval commences, and it is unlikely that the amount of organism fragments [[Page 10688]] remaining attached to the cable, collected onboard the barge, and selected for further study would contribute substantially to the landings quota against which the aquarium trade species ACL is compared. As part of the permit conditions, NMFS intends to limit the amount of aquarium trade species to be retained by Clean Ocean during the proposed activities. Clean Ocean personnel will be trained and prepared to prevent damage to sensitive areas and a marine biologist will be onboard at all times to identify and report any sensitive environmental resources and to stop operations if necessary. NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration, based on a preliminary review. In addition to the above, possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is granted, include but are not limited to, requiring Clean Ocean to submit monthly reports on the amount of coral and aquarium trade species collected, and to announce at least daily the present and following week's anticipated start and stop locations via VHF channel 16 to allow fishers time to relocate their gear and avoid trap-cable interactions. A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NMFS' review of public comments received on the application, consultations with the affected state(s), the Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that it is consistent with all applicable laws. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 6, 2018. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-04842 Filed 3-9-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![10686 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Notices
changes to the amount of the quotas Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) Dated: March 6, 2018.
assigned to each state and removal of 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. Julia Harrison,
the Federal for-hire component from the Written comments on this application Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
EFP. The applications are considered should be submitted to the Chief, Office of Protected Resources, National
together in this notice because they each Marine Fisheries Service.
Permits and Conservation Division, at
would require a portion of the private- the address listed above. Comments may
[FR Doc. 2018–04830 Filed 3–9–18; 8:45 am]
angling and Federal for-hire quotas; also be submitted by facsimile to (301) BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
however, each application is 713–0376, or by email to
independent and will be considered
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
individually as part of the overall
include the File No. in the subject line
recreational management of Gulf red
of the email comment. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
snapper.
Final decisions on issuance of the Those individuals requesting a public Administration
EFPs will depend on a NMFS review of hearing should submit a written request RIN 0648–XF914
public comments received on the to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
applications, consultations with the Division at the address listed above. The Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
affected states, the Council, and the U.S. request should set forth the specific Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted
Coast Guard, and a determination that reasons why a hearing on this Fishing Permit
each is consistent with all applicable application would be appropriate. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
laws. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Erin
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Markin or Amy Hapeman, (301) 427– Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Dated: March 7, 2018. 8401. Commerce.
Emily H. Menashes, ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The application for an exempted fishing
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. subject modification to Permit No. permit; request for comments.
[FR Doc. 2018–04859 Filed 3–9–18; 8:45 am]
19496, issued on June 16, 2016 (81 FR
1621), is requested under the authority SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, of an application for an exempted
as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and fishing permit (EFP) from Clean Ocean
the regulations governing the taking, Initiative, Inc. (Clean Ocean). If granted,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE the EFP would authorize Clean Ocean to
importing, and exporting of endangered
and threatened species (50 CFR parts fish for and retain Caribbean prohibited
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
222–226). corals collected from 10
Administration
decommissioned submarine
RIN 0648–XG038 Permit No. 19496 authorizes the telecommunication cables being
permit holder to take loggerhead retrieved from U.S. exclusive economic
Endangered Species; File No. 19496– (Caretta caretta), Kemp’s ridley zone (EEZ) waters in the Caribbean off
01 (Lepidochelys kempii), green (Chelonia of Puerto Rico.
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries mydas), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys DATES: Comments must be received no
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and imbricata) sea turtles for scientific later than March 27, 2018.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), research in the Florida Big Ben Region ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
Commerce. to identify important foraging and on the application by either of the
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for
developmental habitats. The permit following methods:
a permit modification. holder requests authorization to: (1) • Email: Sarah.Stephenson@
Add a new location to include the area noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that from St. Lucie Inlet to Jupiter Inlet on the email comment the following
Mariana Fuentes, Ph.D., Florida State the east coast of Florida, and (2) document identifier: ‘‘CLEAN OCEAN_
University, 581 Oakland Avenue, increase the number of green, Kemp’s EFP 2018’’.
Tallahassee, FL 32301, has requested a ridley, and loggerhead sea turtles that • Mail: Sarah Stephenson, Southeast
modification to scientific research may be taken under the permit for the Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th
Permit No. 19496. new location. Annually an additional Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email 120 green, 48 loggerhead, and 3 Kemp’s The application and related
comments must be received on or before ridley sea turtles would be approached documents are available for review
April 11, 2018. by vessel and pursued for capture. upon written request to any of the above
ADDRESSES: The modification request Additionally, up to 120 green, 48 addresses. All comments received,
and related documents are available for loggerhead, and 3 Kemp’s ridley sea including all voluntarily submitted
review by selecting ‘‘Records Open for turtles would be captured by hand or personal identifying information (e.g.,
Public Comment’’ from the Features box using dip, strike, or tangle nets, name, address, etc.), confidential
on the Applications and Permits for annually. All captured sea turtles would business information, or otherwise
Protected Species (APPS) home page, be tagged (passive integrated sensitive information, are part of the
https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then transponder and flipper), marked public record. NMFS will accept
anonymous comments.
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
selecting File No. 19496 Mod 1 from the (temporarily), biologically sampled
list of available applications. These (tissue and blood), measured, weighed, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
documents are also available upon and photographed. Up to 10 green and Sarah Stephenson, telephone: 727–824–
written request or by appointment in the five loggerhead captured sea turtles also 5305, email: Sarah.Stephenson@
Permits and Conservation Division, would receive a satellite transmitter noaa.gov.
Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (epoxy attachment) and biologically SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is
1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, sampled (scute biopsy) prior to release. requested under the authority of the
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![10688 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Notices
remaining attached to the cable, actions affecting New England fisheries DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
collected onboard the barge, and in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
selected for further study would Recommendations from this group will National Oceanic and Atmospheric
contribute substantially to the landings be brought to the full Council for formal Administration
quota against which the aquarium trade consideration and action, if appropriate. RIN 0648–XG080
species ACL is compared. As part of the DATES: This meeting will be held on
permit conditions, NMFS intends to Monday, March 26, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. New England Fishery Management
limit the amount of aquarium trade Council; Public Meeting
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
species to be retained by Clean Ocean
during the proposed activities. Clean the Hilton Garden Inn Logan Airport, AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Ocean personnel will be trained and 100 Boardman Street, Boston, MA Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
prepared to prevent damage to sensitive 02129; phone: (617) 561–0798. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
areas and a marine biologist will be Council address: New England Commerce.
onboard at all times to identify and Fishery Management Council, 50 Water ACTION: Notice; public meeting.
report any sensitive environmental Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
resources and to stop operations if FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUMMARY: The New England Fishery
necessary. Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, Management Council (Council) is
NMFS finds this application warrants New England Fishery Management scheduling a public meeting of its Skate
further consideration, based on a Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. Advisory Panel to consider actions
preliminary review. In addition to the affecting New England fisheries in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
above, possible conditions the agency exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
may impose on this permit, if it is Agenda Recommendations from this group will
granted, include but are not limited to, be brought to the full Council for formal
The Advisory Panel will provide consideration and action, if appropriate.
requiring Clean Ocean to submit recommendations to the Groundfish
monthly reports on the amount of coral DATES: This meeting will be held on
Committee on Groundfish Monitoring
and aquarium trade species collected, Amendment 23 specifically the draft Wednesday March 28, 2018 at 9 a.m.
and to announce at least daily the alternatives and Plan Development ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
present and following week’s Team (PDT) work related to the Hilton Garden Inn, 100 Boardman
anticipated start and stop locations via development of the action. They will Street, Boston, MA 02128; telephone:
VHF channel 16 to allow fishers time to also discuss priorities for 2018 and the (617) 567–6789.
relocate their gear and avoid trap-cable PDT work to date and make Council address: New England
interactions. recommendations to the Groundfish Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
A final decision on issuance of the Committee. Other business will be Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
EFP will depend on NMFS’ review of discussed as necessary. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
public comments received on the Although non-emergency issues not Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
application, consultations with the contained in this agenda may come New England Fishery Management
affected state(s), the Council, and the before this group for discussion, those Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492.
U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination issues may not be the subject of formal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
that it is consistent with all applicable action during these meetings. Action
laws. will be restricted to those issues Agenda
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. specifically listed in this notice and any The Advisory Panel will review draft
Dated: March 6, 2018. issues arising after publication of this alternatives to prolong the wing fishery,
Emily H. Menashes, notice that require emergency action which may include adjusting the
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson- management uncertainty buffer, and
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Stevens Act, provided the public has changes to the incidental possession
been notified of the Council’s intent to limit and its trigger. They will also
[FR Doc. 2018–04842 Filed 3–9–18; 8:45 am]
take final action to address the recommend preferred alternatives for
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
emergency. Framework 6 to the Committee. Other
business will be discussed as necessary.
Special Accommodations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Although non-emergency issues not
This meeting is physically accessible contained on this agenda may come
National Oceanic and Atmospheric to people with disabilities. Requests for before this Council for discussion, those
Administration sign language interpretation or other issues may not be the subject of formal
auxiliary aids should be directed to action during this meeting. Council
RIN 0648–XG074 Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at action will be restricted to those issues
New England Fishery Management 978–465–0492, at least 5 days prior to specifically listed in this notice and any
Council; Public Meeting the meeting date. This meeting will be issues arising after publication of this
recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. notice that require emergency action
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 1852, a copy of the recording is under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and available upon request. Stevens Act, provided the public has
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. been notified of the Council’s intent to
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
Commerce. take final action to address the
Dated: March 7, 2018. emergency.
ACTION: Notice; public meeting.
Tracey L. Thompson,
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Special Accommodations
Management Council (Council) is Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. This meeting is physically accessible
scheduling a public meeting of its [FR Doc. 2018–04870 Filed 3–9–18; 8:45 am] to people with disabilities. This meeting
Groundfish Advisory Panel to consider BILLING CODE 3510–22–P will be recorded. Consistent with 16
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Document Created: 2018-11-01 08:52:06
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 08:52:06
| 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 of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received no later than March 27, 2018. | |
| Contact | Sarah Stephenson, telephone: 727-824- 5305, email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 10686 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF91 |
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