83 FR 14846 - Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 67 (April 6, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 67 (April 6, 2018)
| Page Range | 14846-14847 | |
| FR Document | 2018-07088 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 14846-14847] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-07088] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XG141 Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management 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 Acting Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit Application from the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act require publication of this notice to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 23, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line ``Comments on CFRF Lobster EFP.'' Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. [[Page 14847]] Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on CFRF Lobster EFP.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Hansen, NOAA Affiliate, (978) 281-9225. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) submitted a complete application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on February 22, 2018, to conduct fishing activities that the regulations would otherwise restrict. The EFP would authorize four commercial fishing vessels to conduct a study using ventless traps to survey the abundance and distribution of juvenile American lobster and Jonah crab in Lobster Conservation Management Area (LCMA) 2. Overall, this EFP proposes to use a total of 144 ventless traps to survey the abundance and distribution of juvenile American lobster and Jonah crab in the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Wind Energy Area (RI/MA WEA); covering statistical areas 537 and 539. Maps depicting these areas are available on request. This study is funded through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Award #M13AC00009). The CFRF is requesting exemptions from the following Federal lobster regulations: 1. Gear specification requirements in 50 CFR 697.21(c) to allow for closed escape vents; 2. Trap limit requirements, as listed in Sec. 697.19 (b), for LCMA 2, to be exceeded by 32 standard survey traps and 48 ventless traps per fishing vessel for a total of 80 additional traps; 3. Trap tag requirements, as specified in Sec. 697.19(j), to allow for the use of untagged traps; 4. Possession restrictions in Sec. Sec. 697.20(a), 697.20(d), and 697.20(g) to allow for temporary onboard biological sampling of sub- legal lobsters; and, 5. Possession limits and minimum fish size requirements specified in Sec. 648, subsections B and D through O, for biological sampling purposes. If the EFP is approved, this study would take place from May through November, 2018. Each participating vessel would have eight trawls with 10 traps per trawl, consisting of 6 ventless traps and 4 standard traps per trawl. Each vessel will deploy a trawl at eight stations twice a month. Gear will be deployed and retrieved after a five-day soak period. No more than 144 modified and 96 standard traps would be in the water at any time. Modifications to a standard lobster trap would include a closed escape vent, a smaller mesh size, and a smaller entrance head. Traps will be rigged on trawls that are compliant with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. Each experimental trap will have the participating fisherman's identification attached. Lobster and Jonah crab retrieved from the standard and modified traps would remain onboard for a short period of time to allow for sampling, after which they would be returned to the water. During sampling, biological information would be collected on all lobsters caught, including: Carapace length; sex; cull status; and presence of eggs, v-notches, and shell disease. Bycatch species would also be kept onboard for enumeration, weight collection, and measurement. All species captured in study traps will be returned promptly to the water after sampling. In conjunction with the ventless trap survey within the RI/MA WEA, the project will include a lobster tagging program to determine the seasonal movement patterns and habitat use by lobsters. Investigators anticipate tagging of 300 lobsters per month across the area. Outreach and incentive programs will be developed to encourage tag reporting. Permitted activities would begin on or after May 1, 2018, and continue through November 2018. No catch from this project will be landed for sale. All data collected will be made available to state and Federal management agencies to improve and enhance the available data for these two crustacean species. If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. We may grant 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. The EFP would prohibit any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activities. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 3, 2018. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-07088 Filed 4-5-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![14846 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N be brought to the full Council for formal Special Accommodations
Charleston, SC 29405. consideration and action, if appropriate. This meeting is physically accessible
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim DATES:This meeting will be held on to people with disabilities. Requests for
Iverson, Public Information Officer, Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 9 a.m. sign language interpretation or other
SAFMC; phone: (843) 571–4366 or toll auxiliary aids should be directed to
free: (866) SAFMC–10; fax: (843) 769– ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Fairfield Inn & Suites, 185 Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at
4520; email: kim.iverson@safmc.net. (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to
MacArthur Drive, New Bedford, MA
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda
02740; phone: (774) 634–2000. the meeting date. Consistent with 16
items for the joint AP meeting include U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is
the following: An update on Council address: New England available upon request.
amendments recently submitted for Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Secretarial review and currently under
development by the Council; an Dated: April 3, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
overview of Joint Coral Amendment 10, Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, Tracey L. Thompson,
Golden Crab Amendment 10, and New England Fishery Management Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Shrimp Amendment 11 addressing Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
allowable fishing areas, Vessel [FR Doc. 2018–07040 Filed 4–5–18; 8:45 am]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Monitoring Systems (VMS) for the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
golden crab fishery, and transit Agenda
provisions for the shrimp trawl fishery;
a discussion of the royal red shrimp The Committee will review detailed DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
fishery and management options; an information to support development of
exemption area alternatives in the clam National Oceanic and Atmospheric
update on deep sea coral research; and
dredge framework, including Plan Administration
regulations recommended for removal.
Advisory panel members will provide Development Team (PDT) advice and
RIN 0648–XG141
recommendations as appropriate. analysis, as well as advice from a
Scientific and Statistical Committee Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative
Special Accommodations review panel on use of two Science Management Act Provisions; General
These meetings are physically Center for Marine Fisheries reports. Provisions for Domestic Fisheries;
accessible to people with disabilities. They will also discuss any exemption Application for Exempted Fishing
Requests for auxiliary aids should be area alternatives recommended by the Permits
directed to the Council office (see Habitat Advisory Panel on April 3,
ADDRESSES) 3 days prior to the public including initial PDT evaluation. The AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
hearings. Committee plans to recommend Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
exemption alternatives for further Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Note: The times and sequence specified in analysis. These could include Advisory Commerce.
this agenda are subject to change.
Panel proposals, or refinements thereof, ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Committee-generated proposals, and/or
specific design criteria to be used by the SUMMARY: The Acting Assistant Regional
Dated: April 3, 2018. Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
PDT to define or refine exemption areas.
Tracey L. Thompson, They will also discuss mussel dredge Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable fishery exemptions if necessary given made a preliminary determination that
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. the outcome of the April 17 Council an Exempted Fishing Permit
[FR Doc. 2018–07041 Filed 4–5–18; 8:45 am] discussion. They will receive briefings Application from the Commercial
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P on offshore energy projects from Fisheries Research Foundation contains
developers, with a focus on offshore all the required information and
wind projects off MA and NY. Develop warrants further consideration.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Council comments to the Bureau of Regulations under the Magnuson-
Ocean Energy Management in response Stevens Fishery Conservation and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Management Act and the Atlantic
Administration to any open notices, including the
Notice of Intent to prepare an Coastal Fisheries Cooperative
RIN 0648–XG145 Environmental Impact Statement for the Management Act require publication of
Vineyard Wind project. Discuss other this notice to provide interested parties
New England Fishery Management business as needed. the opportunity to comment on
Council; Public Meeting applications for proposed Exempted
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in this agenda may come Fishing Permits.
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and before this group for discussion, those DATES: Comments must be received on
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), issues may not be the subject of formal or before April 23, 2018.
Commerce. action during these meetings. Action ADDRESSES: You may submit written
ACTION: Notice; public meeting. will be restricted to those issues comments by any of the following
specifically listed in this notice and any methods:
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery issues arising after publication of this • Email: NMFS.GAR.EFP@noaa.gov.
Management Council (Council) is notice that require emergency action Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments
scheduling a public meeting of its under section 305(c) of the Magnuson- on CFRF Lobster EFP.’’
Habitat Committee to consider actions Stevens Act, provided the public has • Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional
affecting New England fisheries in the been notified of the Council’s intent to Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
exclusive economic zone (EEZ). take final action to address the Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
Recommendations from this group will emergency. Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices 14847
Mark the outside of the envelope Reduction Plan. Each experimental trap SUMMARY: This notice announces a
‘‘Comments on CFRF Lobster EFP.’’ will have the participating fisherman’s meeting of the Environmental
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: identification attached. Management Site-Specific Advisory
Laura Hansen, NOAA Affiliate, (978) Lobster and Jonah crab retrieved from Board (EM SSAB), Idaho Cleanup
281–9225. the standard and modified traps would Project. The Federal Advisory
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The remain onboard for a short period of Committee Act requires that public
Commercial Fisheries Research time to allow for sampling, after which notice of this meeting be announced in
Foundation (CFRF) submitted a they would be returned to the water. the Federal Register.
complete application for an Exempted During sampling, biological information DATES: Thursday, April 19, 2018; 8:00
Fishing Permit (EFP) on February 22, would be collected on all lobsters a.m.–4:30 p.m.
2018, to conduct fishing activities that caught, including: Carapace length; sex; The opportunity for public comment
the regulations would otherwise restrict. cull status; and presence of eggs, v- is at 10:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The EFP would authorize four notches, and shell disease. Bycatch This time is subject to change; please
commercial fishing vessels to conduct a species would also be kept onboard for contact the Federal Coordinator (below)
study using ventless traps to survey the enumeration, weight collection, and for confirmation of times prior to the
abundance and distribution of juvenile measurement. All species captured in meeting.
American lobster and Jonah crab in study traps will be returned promptly to
ADDRESSES: Shoshone-Bannock Hotel
Lobster Conservation Management Area the water after sampling. In conjunction
and Event Center, 777 Bannock Trail,
(LCMA) 2. Overall, this EFP proposes to with the ventless trap survey within the
Fort Hall, ID 83203.
use a total of 144 ventless traps to RI/MA WEA, the project will include a
lobster tagging program to determine the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad
survey the abundance and distribution Bugger, Federal Coordinator,
of juvenile American lobster and Jonah seasonal movement patterns and habitat
use by lobsters. Investigators anticipate Department of Energy, Idaho Operations
crab in the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Office, 1955 Fremont Avenue, MS–
Wind Energy Area (RI/MA WEA); tagging of 300 lobsters per month across
the area. Outreach and incentive 1203, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415. Phone
covering statistical areas 537 and 539. (208) 526–0833; or email: buggerbp@
Maps depicting these areas are available programs will be developed to
encourage tag reporting. Permitted id.doe.gov or visit the Board’s internet
on request. home page at: https://energy.gov/em/
This study is funded through the activities would begin on or after May
1, 2018, and continue through icpcab/.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
November 2018. No catch from this SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
(Award #M13AC00009). The CFRF is
requesting exemptions from the project will be landed for sale. All data Purpose of the Board: The purpose of
following Federal lobster regulations: collected will be made available to state the Board is to make recommendations
1. Gear specification requirements in and Federal management agencies to to DOE–EM and site management in the
50 CFR 697.21(c) to allow for closed improve and enhance the available data areas of environmental restoration,
escape vents; for these two crustacean species. waste management, and related
2. Trap limit requirements, as listed in If approved, the applicant may activities.
§ 697.19 (b), for LCMA 2, to be exceeded request minor modifications and Tentative Topics (agenda topics may
by 32 standard survey traps and 48 extensions to the EFP throughout the change up to the day of the meeting;
ventless traps per fishing vessel for a year. We may grant EFP modifications please contact Brad Bugger for the most
total of 80 additional traps; and extensions may be granted without current agenda):
3. Trap tag requirements, as specified further notice if they are deemed • Recent Public Outreach
in § 697.19(j), to allow for the use of essential to facilitate completion of the • Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) Overview
untagged traps; proposed research and have minimal • Update on Integrated Waste
4. Possession restrictions in impacts that do not change the scope or Treatment Unit (IWTU)
§§ 697.20(a), 697.20(d), and 697.20(g) to impact of the initially approved EFP • Update on Transuranic Waste
allow for temporary onboard biological request. The EFP would prohibit any Characterization and Shipping
sampling of sub-legal lobsters; and, fishing activity conducted outside the • Nuclear Waste Technical Review
5. Possession limits and minimum scope of the exempted fishing activities. Board Study
fish size requirements specified in Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
• Update on EM Budget
§ 648, subsections B and D through O, • Board Discussion
Dated: April 3, 2018.
for biological sampling purposes. Public Participation: The EM SSAB,
If the EFP is approved, this study Jennifer M. Wallace, Idaho Cleanup Project, welcomes the
would take place from May through Acting Director, Office of Sustainable attendance of the public at its advisory
November, 2018. Each participating Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. committee meetings and will make
vessel would have eight trawls with 10 [FR Doc. 2018–07088 Filed 4–5–18; 8:45 am] every effort to accommodate persons
traps per trawl, consisting of 6 ventless BILLING CODE 3510–22–P with physical disabilities or special
traps and 4 standard traps per trawl. needs. If you require special
Each vessel will deploy a trawl at eight accommodations due to a disability,
stations twice a month. Gear will be please contact Brad Bugger at least
deployed and retrieved after a five-day DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY seven days in advance of the meeting at
soak period. No more than 144 modified the phone number listed above. Written
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Environmental Management Site-
and 96 standard traps would be in the statements may be filed with the Board
Specific Advisory Board, Idaho
water at any time. Modifications to a either before or after the meeting.
Cleanup Project
standard lobster trap would include a Individuals who wish to make oral
closed escape vent, a smaller mesh size, AGENCY: Office of Environmental presentations pertaining to agenda items
and a smaller entrance head. Traps will Management, Department of Energy. should contact Brad Bugger at the
be rigged on trawls that are compliant address or telephone number listed
ACTION: Notice of open meeting.
with the Atlantic Large Whale Take above. The request must be received five
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Document Created: 2018-11-01 09:16:06
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 09:16:06
| 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; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received on or before April 23, 2018. | |
| Contact | Laura Hansen, NOAA Affiliate, (978) 281-9225. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 14846 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XG14 |
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