83_FR_11779 83 FR 11727 - New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

83 FR 11727 - New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 52 (March 16, 2018)

Page Range11727-11728
FR Document2018-05397

The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening an ad-hoc sub-panel of its Scientific and Statistical Committee to peer review two reports.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 52 (Friday, March 16, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 52 (Friday, March 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11727-11728]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05397]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG083


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of change of times of public meeting webinar.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening an 
ad-hoc sub-panel of its Scientific and Statistical Committee to peer 
review two reports.

DATES: This webinar will be held on Friday, March 30, 2018, at 1 p.m. 
and will end at 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Webinar registration URL information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7860925786623688961. Call in 
information: +1 (951) 384-3421, Attendee Access Code: 937-123-775.
    Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

[[Page 11728]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting was previously scheduled for 
1:30 to 4 p.m. It will now begin at 1 p.m. and end at 4 p.m. The 
original notice published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2018 (83 
FR 10678). All other previously published information remains 
unchanged.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at (978) 465-
0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

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

    Dated: March 13, 2018.
Jeffrey N. Lonergan,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-05397 Filed 3-15-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2018 / Notices 11727 associated with marine mammal Response: NMFS agrees. While it does 20–22 March. 69 pp.; Herr, H., Siebert, bycatch. However, it would be a mistake not have sufficient documentation U. & Benke, H. (2009b): Stranding to make a blanket exemption for all net indicating that there is more than a numbers and bycatch implications of remote likelihood of bycatch associated harbor porpoises along the German pen aquaculture because it does have Baltic Sea coast. Document AC16/Doc.62 the potential for entanglement in lines with finfish aquaculture net pen (P). 16th ASCOBANS Advisory and other associated gear such as anti- operations, the size, scale, and Committee Meeting, Brugge, Belgium, predator nets. operational characteristics of lift nets do 20–24 April 2009. ASCOBANS, Bonn. 3 Response: Again, NMFS does not not appear capable of capturing marine pp.). have sufficient documentation mammals. NMFS is retaining these SCAR EGS. 2004. Scientific Committee on indicating that there is more than a fisheries as exempt unless they have a Antarctic Research Expert Group on remote likelihood of bycatch associated documented bycatch of marine Seals (SCAR EGS): Scientific Committee with tuna aquaculture net pen mammals. for Antarctic Research—Expert Group on 5. Would nations prefer to submit Seals Report. operations. NMFS is retaining these Skora, K.E., Kuklik, I. (2003) Bycatch as a fisheries as exempt unless they have a their information in the form of a potential threat to harbor porpoises documented bycatch of marine database? (Phocoena phocoena) in Polish Baltic mammals. Comment: Few nations commented waters. NAMMCO Scientific 3. Should net cage aquaculture for on those questions, but those that did Publications 5: 303–315. finfish be considered an exempt fishery? indicated that they prefer to submit Vanhatalo, J., Vetemaa, M., Herrero, A., Aho, Why or why not? their information using a streamlined T., Tiilikainen, R. 2014.) By-catch of grey Comment: NRDC et al., recommended and consistent format. seals (Halichoerus grypus) in Baltic that net cage aquaculture for finfish Response: NMFS agrees and is open fisheries—a Bayesian analysis of to developing databases that facilitate interview survey. Plos One. should be considered an export fishery Vinther (1999, Bycatches of harbor porpoises based on literature regarding lethal the submission of information needed to maintain the LOFF. (Phocoena phocoena L.) in Danish set- predator control and entanglement. net fisheries. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 1: WWF stated that well-managed and 6. Should nations with only exempt 123–135.) properly sited aquaculture facilities fisheries be allowed to apply for a comparability finding every eight years Dated: March 12, 2018. should not be associated with marine mammal bycatch. However, it would be rather than every four years? Samuel D. Rauch III, Comment: NRDC et al., recommended Deputy Assistant Administrator for a mistake to make a blanket exemption that nations with only exempt fisheries Regulatory Programs, National Marine for all net pen aquaculture because it Fisheries Service. should have to apply for a comparability does have the potential for finding at least every four years to [FR Doc. 2018–05348 Filed 3–15–18; 8:45 am] entanglement in lines and other ensure compliance with the import BILLING CODE 3510–22–P associated gear such as predator nets. provisions of the MMPA. WWF noted India had no comments to offer as cage that fisheries practices can change very aquaculture of finfish is not DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE quickly in response to changes in commercially practiced in the marine stocks, quotas or markets. An eight-year environment in India. National Oceanic and Atmospheric option may well miss emerging fisheries Response: NMFS does not have Administration with a high bycatch risk. Four years is sufficient documentation indicating that a good compromise between being too there is more than a remote likelihood RIN 0648–XG083 onerous but still allowing for emerging of bycatch associated with finfish fisheries to be evaluated. aquaculture net pen operations. NMFS Response: NMFS notes these New England Fishery Management is retaining these fisheries as exempt comments and will continue to consider Council; Public Meeting unless they have a documented bycatch mechanisms to streamline this process, of marine mammals or engage in the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries reduce unnecessary work, while still Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and intentional killing or serious injury of meeting the mandate of the MMPA. marine mammals. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 4. Should lift net or other such nets References Commerce. be considered an exempt fishery? Why CCAMLR. 2015a. Krill fishery report 2015. ACTION: Notice of change of times of or why not? D’agrosa, Caterina,C.E. Lennert-Cody, and O. public meeting webinar. Comment: WWF stated that most lift Vidal. 2000 Vaquita Bycatch in Mexico’s net fisheries do not appear to be Artisanal Gillnet Fisheries: Driving a SUMMARY: The New England Fishery associated with marine mammal Small Population to Extinction. Management Council’s is convening an bycatch but there is nevertheless Conservation Biology Vol 14 1110–1119 ad-hoc sub-panel of its Scientific and potential for bycatch. Specifying exactly Dawson, S.M., S. Northridge, D. Waples, and Statistical Committee to peer review two A.J. Read. (2013) To ping or not to ping: reports. what a lift net fishery involved would The use of active acoustic devices in make a general exemption very difficult. DATES: This webinar will be held on mitigating interactions between small India stated that lift nets are passive cetaceans and gillnet fisheries. Friday, March 30, 2018, at 1 p.m. and gears and mostly operated from land in Endangered Species Research Vol. 19 will end at 4 p.m. India (e.g., Chinese dip net). Such nets 201–221. ADDRESSES: Webinar registration URL are operated in shallow backwater areas IUCN. 2008. Arctocephalus gazella: Hofmeyr, information: https:// daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES where mostly low saline environments G.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ prevail. The numbers are quite minimal Species 2014: e.T2058A45223888. 7860925786623688961. Call in Koschinski, S. & Strempel, R. (2012): and the nets are small in size, operated Strategies for the Prevention of Bycatch information: +1 (951) 384–3421, by traditional small scale fishermen, of Seabirds and Marine Mammals in Attendee Access Code: 937–123–775. posing no threat or injury to the marine Baltic Sea Fisheries. ASCOBANS AC19/ Council address: New England mammal populations. Hence they Doc.4–17 (S). 19th ASCOBANS Advisory Fishery Management Council, 50 Water should be considered an exempt fishery. Committee Meeting, Galway, Ireland, Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:54 Mar 15, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1

11728 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2018 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Specialist, 978–281–9232, Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, Commerce. Spencer.Talmage@noaa.gov. New England Fishery Management ACTION: Notice; request for comments. Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Northeast Fisheries Science Center SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting was previously scheduled for Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, submitted a complete application for an 1:30 to 4 p.m. It will now begin at 1 p.m. Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on and end at 4 p.m. The original notice made a preliminary determination that February 9, 2018, for the 2018 Study published in the Federal Register on an Exempted Fishing Permit application Fleet Program. The EFP would exempt March 12, 2018 (83 FR 10678). All other submitted by the Northeast Fisheries 31 commercial fishing vessels from the previously published information Science Center contains all of the minimum size and possession limits for remains unchanged. required information and warrants species of interest, as well as allow further consideration. This Exempted temporary retention of species that will Special Accommodations Fishing Permit would exempt be discarded. This meeting is physically accessible participating vessels from the following types of fishery regulations: Minimum The Center established the Study to people with disabilities. Requests for fish size restrictions; fish possession Fleet Program in 2002 to more fully sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to limits; and, in limited situations for characterize commercial fishing Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at research purposes only, retaining and operations and provide sampling (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to landing prohibited fish species. opportunities to augment NOAA’s the meeting date. Regulations under the Magnuson- National Marine Fisheries Service’s data Stevens Fishery Conservation and collection programs. Partnership with Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Management Act require publication of the commercial fishing industry allows Dated: March 13, 2018. this notice to provide interested parties the Center to provide samples for stock Jeffrey N. Lonergan, the opportunity to comment on assessment and fish biology research Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Exempted Fishing Permit applications. when traditional sampling sources Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. DATES: Comments must be received on might otherwise be unavailable. Table 1 [FR Doc. 2018–05397 Filed 3–15–18; 8:45 am] or before April 2, 2018. includes all of the regulations specified BILLING CODE 3510–22–P ADDRESSES: You may submit written at 50 CFR part 648 that participating comments by either of the following vessels would be exempt from for at-sea methods: sampling, or when retaining and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. landing fish for research purposes. The Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments exemptions listed in Table 1 are National Oceanic and Atmospheric on NEFSC Study Fleet EFP.’’ necessary for contracted vessels to Administration • Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional acquire the biological samples needed to RIN 0648–XG091 Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great meet Center research objectives. Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. General Provisions for Domestic Mark the outside of the envelope Fisheries; Application for Exempted ‘‘Comments on NEFSC Study Fleet Fishing Permit EFP.’’ AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management TABLE 1—SPECIFIC REGULATIONS COVERED BY THE PROPOSED EXEMPTED FISHING PERMIT NEFSC Study Fleet Program EFP Number of Vessels ....................................................................... 31. Exempted regulations in 50 CFR part 648 ................................... Size limits: § 648.83 NE multispecies minimum sizes. § 648.93 Monkfish minimum fish size. § 648.147 Black sea bass minimum fish size. Possession restrictions: § 648.86(a) Haddock. § 648.86(b) Atlantic cod. § 648.86(c) Atlantic halibut. § 648.86(d) Small-mesh multispecies. § 648.86(l) Zero retention of Atlantic wolffish and windowpane flounder. § 648.86(o) Possession limits implemented by Regional Administrator. § 648.94 Monkfish possession limit. § 648.322 Skate possession and landing restrictions. § 648.145 Black sea bass possession limits. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES § 648.92(b)(2)(i) Prohibition from landing NE multispecies on monkfish-only day-at-sea. § 648.293 Golden tilefish. Any fish retained under the EFP landing. Additionally, prior to landing, Biological Sampling Request to the would be delivered to Center staff upon the Center would issue a formal vessel to retain fish for the Study Fleet VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:54 Mar 15, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1


Document Created: 2018-03-16 01:12:02
Document Modified: 2018-03-16 01:12:02
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of change of times of public meeting webinar.
DatesThis webinar will be held on Friday, March 30, 2018, at 1 p.m. and will end at 4 p.m.
ContactThomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492.
FR Citation83 FR 11727 
RIN Number0648-XG08
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