83_FR_16416 83 FR 16343 - Marine Mammals; File No. 21158-02

83 FR 16343 - Marine Mammals; File No. 21158-02

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 73 (April 16, 2018)

Page Range16343-16344
FR Document2018-07834

Notice is hereby given that Robert Garrott, Ph.D., Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 21158-01.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 73 (Monday, April 16, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 73 (Monday, April 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16343-16344]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07834]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF592


Marine Mammals; File No. 21158-02

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Robert Garrott, Ph.D., Montana 
State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717, has applied for an 
amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 21158-01.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before May 16, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
``Features'' box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 
21158 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief,

[[Page 16344]]

Permits and Conservation Division, at the address listed above. 
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by 
email to [email protected]. Please include the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the 
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Young or Carrie Hubard, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 21158-01 
is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing 
the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 21158, issued on September 25, 2017 (82 FR 48985; 
October 23, 2017), authorizes the permit holder to continue long-term 
studies of the Erebus Bay, Antarctica, Weddell seal (Leptonychotes 
weddellii) population to evaluate how temporal variation in the marine 
environment affects individual life histories and the population 
dynamics of long-lived mammal. The permit holder is requesting the 
permit be amended to increase take numbers for Weddell seals due to a 
population boom observed by their long-term research. We issued a major 
amendment on (83 FR 7166; February 20, 2018) to increase take for the 
2017-18 field season to allow researchers to continue their work, 
increasing take of pups from 675 to 1,000 for one field season only. 
However, due to the population boom, the permit holder is requesting an 
increase of take by 35 percent to all life stages. The amendment would 
increase: Pups tagged from 515 to 800, pups retagged due to lost tags 
from 10 to 20, tagging adults from 285 to 385, adults harassed for tag 
reading from 1325 to 1800, and number of pups harassed from tag reading 
from 675 to 910, annually. The permit holder would also like to 
increase the number of carcasses salvaged from 10 to 35. The permit 
expires on September 30, 2022.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: April 11, 2018.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07834 Filed 4-13-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 73 / Monday, April 16, 2018 / Notices 16343 protocol, summarize the data recorded (f) In the event that WSDOT discovers that the changes do not affect the during monitoring, and estimate the an injured or dead marine mammal, and previous analyses, take estimates, or number of marine mammals that may the lead PSO determines that the injury mitigation and monitoring have been harassed. or death is not associated with or related requirements. (b) If comments are received from to the activities authorized in the IHA (2) A preliminary monitoring report NMFS Office of Protected Resources on (e.g., previously wounded animal, showing the results of the required the draft report, a final report shall be carcass with moderate to advanced monitoring to date and an explanation submitted to NMFS within 30 days decomposition, or scavenger damage), showing that the monitoring results do thereafter. If no comments are received WSDOT shall report the incident to the not indicate impacts of a scale or nature from NMFS, the draft report will be Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, not previously analyzed or authorized. considered to be the final report. and the West Coast Regional Stranding Upon review of the request for (c) In the unanticipated event that the Coordinators, within 24 hours of the renewal, the status of the affected construction activities clearly cause the discovery. WSDOT shall provide species or stocks, and any other take of a marine mammal in a manner photographs or video footage (if pertinent information, NMFS prohibited by this Authorization (if available) or other documentation of the determines that there are no more than issued), such as an injury, serious stranded animal sighting to NMFS and minor changes in the activities, the injury, or mortality, WSDOT shall the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. mitigation and monitoring measures immediately cease all operations and WSDOT can continue its operations remain the same and appropriate, and immediately report the incident to the under such a case. the original findings remain valid. Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 8. This Authorization may be Dated: April 11, 2018. and the West Coast Regional Stranding modified, suspended or withdrawn if Elaine T. Saiz, Coordinators. The report must include the holder fails to abide by the Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected the following information: conditions prescribed herein or if NMFS Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. (i) Time, date, and location (latitude/ determines the authorized taking is [FR Doc. 2018–07889 Filed 4–13–18; 8:45 am] longitude) of the incident; having more than a negligible impact on BILLING CODE 3510–22–P (ii) description of the incident; the species or stock of affected marine (iii) status of all sound source use in mammals. the 24 hours preceding the incident; 9. A copy of this Authorization must DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (iv) environmental conditions (e.g., be in the possession of each contractor wind speed and direction, sea state, who performs the construction work at National Oceanic and Atmospheric cloud cover, visibility, and water the Bremerton and Edmonds ferry Administration depth); terminals. RIN 0648–XF592 (v) description of marine mammal Request for Public Comments observations in the 24 hours preceding Marine Mammals; File No. 21158–02 We request comment on our analyses, the incident; the proposed authorization, and any AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries (vi) species identification or other aspect of this Notice of Proposed Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and description of the animal(s) involved; IHA for the proposed WSDOT dolphin Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), (vii) the fate of the animal(s); and relocation project at Bremerton and Commerce. (viii) photographs or video footage of Edmonds ferry terminals. We also ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for the animal (if equipment is available). request comment on the potential for permit amendment. (d) Activities shall not resume until renewal of this proposed IHA as NMFS is able to review the described in the paragraph below. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that circumstances of the prohibited take. Please include with your comments any Robert Garrott, Ph.D., Montana State NMFS shall work with WSDOT to supporting data or literature citations to University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, determine what is necessary to help inform our final decision on the MT 59717, has applied for an minimize the likelihood of further request for MMPA authorization. amendment to Scientific Research prohibited take and ensure MMPA On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may Permit No. 21158–01. compliance. WSDOT may not resume issue a second one-year IHA without DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email their activities until notified by NMFS additional notice when (1) another year comments must be received on or before via letter, email, or telephone. of identical or nearly identical activities May 16, 2018. (e) In the event that WSDOT discovers as described in the Specified Activities ADDRESSES: The application and related an injured or dead marine mammal, and section is planned or (2) the activities documents are available for review by the lead PSO determines that the cause would not be completed by the time the selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public of the injury or death is unknown and IHA expires and a second IHA would Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less allow for completion of the activities the Applications and Permits for than a moderate state of decomposition beyond that described in the Dates and Protected Species home page, https:// as described in the next paragraph), Duration section, provided all of the apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting WSDOT will immediately report the following conditions are met: File No. 21158 from the list of available incident to the Office of Protected • A request for renewal is received no applications. Resources, NMFS, and the West Coast later than 60 days prior to expiration of These documents are also available Regional Stranding Coordinators. The the current IHA. upon written request or by appointment srobinson on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES report must include the same • The request for renewal must in the Permits and Conservation information identified above. Activities include the following: Division, Office of Protected Resources, may continue while NMFS reviews the (1) An explanation that the activities NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room circumstances of the incident. NMFS to be conducted beyond the initial dates 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone will work with WSDOT to determine either are identical to the previously (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. whether modifications in the activities analyzed activities or include changes Written comments on this application are appropriate. so minor (e.g., reduction in pile size) should be submitted to the Chief, VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:42 Apr 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1

16344 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 73 / Monday, April 16, 2018 / Notices Permits and Conservation Division, at Concurrent with the publication of Program. These EFPs would facilitate the address listed above. Comments may this notice in the Federal Register, compensation fishing in support of the also be submitted by facsimile to (301) NMFS is forwarding copies of this projects funded under the 2018 713–0376, or by email to application to the Marine Mammal monkfish RSA competition. Project NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please Commission and its Committee of proposals for this year are currently include the File No. in the subject line Scientific Advisors. under review, with selection expected of the email comment. Dated: April 11, 2018. in late April, just prior to the May 1 start Those individuals requesting a public Julia Harrison, of the 2018 fishing year. Consistent with hearing should submit a written request previous years of the monkfish RSA Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Office of Protected Resources, National program, these RSA compensation Division at the address listed above. The Marine Fisheries Service. fishing EFPs would authorize an request should set forth the specific [FR Doc. 2018–07834 Filed 4–13–18; 8:45 am] exemption for participating vessels from reasons why a hearing on this days-at-sea (DAS) landing limit BILLING CODE 3510–22–P application would be appropriate. restrictions in the Monkfish Northern FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara and Southern Fishery DAS would be Young or Carrie Hubard, (301) 427– DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE allowed to harvest monkfish in excess of 8401. the usual landing limits associated with National Oceanic and Atmospheric their Federal permits. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Administration The monkfish RSA program is subject amendment to Permit No. allocated 500 monkfish RSA DAS 21158–01 is requested under the RIN 0648–XG129 annually, as established by the New authority of the Marine Mammal Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 General Provisions for Domestic Management Councils in Amendment 2 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations Fisheries; Application for Exempted to the Monkfish FMP (70 FR 21929; governing the taking and importing of Fishing Permits April 28, 2005). Each year, these marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). monkfish RSA DAS may be divided Permit No. 21158, issued on AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries between research award recipients and September 25, 2017 (82 FR 48985; Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and sold to fishermen to fund approved October 23, 2017), authorizes the permit Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), monkfish research projects. Award holder to continue long-term studies of Commerce. recipients receive an allocation of RSA the Erebus Bay, Antarctica, Weddell seal ACTION: Notice; request for comments. DAS and a maximum amount that may (Leptonychotes weddellii) population to be landed under available DAS. Projects evaluate how temporal variation in the SUMMARY: The Acting Assistant Regional are constrained to the total DAS, marine environment affects individual Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, maximum available landing weight, or life histories and the population Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has award timetable, whichever is reached dynamics of long-lived mammal. The made a preliminary determination that first. To calculate a maximum weight permit holder is requesting the permit Exempted Fishing Permits, to facilitate allocation that is similar to the Councils’ be amended to increase take numbers the use of fishing year 2018 monkfish original intent to be harvested under the for Weddell seals due to a population research set-aside days-at-sea, warrants allocated 500 RSA DAS, NMFS uses boom observed by their long-term further consideration. This notice twice the landing limit for Permit research. We issued a major amendment provides interested parties the Category A and C monkfish vessel on (83 FR 7166; February 20, 2018) to opportunity to comment on the fishing in the Southern Fishery increase take for the 2017–18 field proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. Management Area (4,074 lb (2 mt) season to allow researchers to continue DATES: Comments must be received on whole weight) for each RSA DAS. This their work, increasing take of pups from or before May 1, 2018. means that annually, a maximum of 675 to 1,000 for one field season only. ADDRESSES: You may submit written 2,037,000 lb (924 mt) of whole weight However, due to the population boom, comments by any of the following may be harvested across all Monkfish the permit holder is requesting an methods: RSA projects. Allowing vessels an increase of take by 35 percent to all life • Email: NMFS.GAR.EFP@noaa.gov. exemption from monkfish landing limits stages. The amendment would increase: Include in the subject line ‘‘Comments provides an incentive for vessels to Pups tagged from 515 to 800, pups on 2018 Monkfish RSA EFP.’’ purchase and fish under RSA DAS to retagged due to lost tags from 10 to 20, • Mail: Michael Pentony, Regional catch more monkfish per trip, while tagging adults from 285 to 385, adults Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic constraining each project to a maximum harassed for tag reading from 1325 to Regional Office, 55 Great Republic available harvest limit ensures that the 1800, and number of pups harassed Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the overall monkfish RSA catch will not be from tag reading from 675 to 910, outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on an excessive burden on the fishery as a annually. The permit holder would also 2018 Monkfish RSA EFP.’’ whole. like to increase the number of carcasses FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If approved, the applicants may salvaged from 10 to 35. The permit Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management request minor modifications and expires on September 30, 2022. Specialist, 978–281–9180, extensions to the EFP throughout the In compliance with the National Cynthia.Hanson@noaa.gov. year. EFP modifications and extensions srobinson on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: may be granted without further notice if U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) that they are deemed essential to facilitate determination has been made that the waive monkfish landing limits have completion of the proposed research activity proposed is categorically been routinely approved since 2007 to and have minimal impacts that do not excluded from the requirement to increase operational efficiency and change the scope of the initially prepare an environmental assessment or optimize research funds generated from approved EFP request. Any fishing environmental impact statement. the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) activity conducted outside the scope of VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:42 Apr 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1


Document Created: 2018-04-14 02:19:01
Document Modified: 2018-04-14 02:19:01
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; receipt of application for permit amendment.
DatesWritten, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before May 16, 2018.
ContactSara Young or Carrie Hubard, (301) 427-8401.
FR Citation83 FR 16343 
RIN Number0648-XF59
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