83_FR_27078 83 FR 26966 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing Permit

83 FR 26966 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing Permit

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 112 (June 11, 2018)

Page Range26966-26968
FR Document2018-12420

NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER). If granted, the EFP would authorize persons aboard DNER research vessels and commercial fishing vessels contracted through DNER to collect selected reef fish species in waters of the U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Puerto Rico without complying with certain seasonal and gear closures, and size and bag limits. Reef fish would be harvested by hook-and-line and bottom longline gear and monitored by underwater camera gear. The operations would take place in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ off both the west and east coasts of Puerto Rico. All reef fish, including undersized and seasonally prohibited reef fish species, would be retained, except for goliath grouper, Nassau grouper, and all species of parrotfish. The purpose of the EFP is to determine spatial and temporal variations in stock abundance of Caribbean reef fish resources off Puerto Rico.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26966-26968]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12420]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG230


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; 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 Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and 
Environmental Resources (DNER). If granted, the EFP would authorize 
persons aboard DNER research vessels and commercial fishing vessels 
contracted through DNER to collect selected reef fish species in waters 
of the U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic

[[Page 26967]]

zone (EEZ) off Puerto Rico without complying with certain seasonal and 
gear closures, and size and bag limits. Reef fish would be harvested by 
hook-and-line and bottom longline gear and monitored by underwater 
camera gear. The operations would take place in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ 
off both the west and east coasts of Puerto Rico. All reef fish, 
including undersized and seasonally prohibited reef fish species, would 
be retained, except for goliath grouper, Nassau grouper, and all 
species of parrotfish. The purpose of the EFP is to determine spatial 
and temporal variations in stock abundance of Caribbean reef fish 
resources off Puerto Rico.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than June 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by any of the 
following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject 
line of the email comment the following document identifier: ``PR 
DNER_EFP 2018''.
     Mail: Sarah Stephenson, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 
263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    The EFP application and related documents are available for review 
upon written request to any of the above addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Stephenson, 727-824-5305; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of 
the 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.
    The proposed collection for scientific research involves activities 
that would otherwise be prohibited by regulations at 50 CFR part 622, 
as they pertain to Caribbean reef fish managed by the Caribbean Fishery 
Management Council. This action involves activities covered by 
regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If granted, the EFP 
would exempt this research activity from certain Federal regulations at 
Sec.  622.435 (Seasonal and area closures), Sec.  622.436 (Size 
limits), and Sec.  622.437 (Bag limits). The EFP would be effective 
from the date of issuance through March 31, 2021.
    The applicant requests authorization to collect reef fish species 
in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ off the east and west coasts of Puerto Rico. 
Specimens would be collected by persons aboard DNER research vessels 
and commercial fishing vessels contracted through the DNER, including 
DNER staff and commercial fishermen. Each vessel's home port is located 
in Puerto Rico. This permit would exempt project participants, 
including DNER staff, that do not have a valid commercial fishing 
license issued by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands from 
regulations limiting the number of reef fish collected per person per 
day, or per vessel per day (50 CFR 622.437(b)). The EFP would also 
exempt the applicant from certain seasonal and area closure regulations 
at 50 CFR 622.435 and size limits regulations at 50 CFR 622.436, as 
identified and described below.
    The project would continue the collection of information on reef 
fish abundance and distribution in waters off eastern and western 
Puerto Rico as part of the ongoing Southeast Area Monitoring and 
Assessment Program--Caribbean Reef Fish Monitoring Project. Research in 
EEZ waters of the U.S. Caribbean would consist of harvesting reef fish 
at approximately 20 stations in the EEZ off the west coast of Puerto 
Rico, west of 67[deg]00'00'' W long., and at approximately 10 stations 
in the EEZ off the east coast of Puerto Rico, from the Fajardo coast 
east to Culebra Island and Vieques Island. The stations will be 
randomly located at three depth strata: 0-10, 11-20, and 21-50 fathoms. 
Stations and sampling dates would be randomly selected each year over 
the duration of the EFP but may be subject to change according to 
weather and sampling logistics. All fishing activities would occur 
between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., local time.
    Sampling would be conducted by (1) bottom longline fishing, (2) 
hook-and-line fishing, and (3) underwater camera deployment to identify 
and quantify reef fish species. Sampling at each site would consist of 
one longline, three hook-and-line, and one camera deployment in tandem. 
Species expected to be caught and landed during the proposed activities 
include all federally managed reef fish in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ. All 
reef fish, including undersized and seasonally prohibited species, 
would be retained except for goliath grouper, Nassau grouper, and all 
species of parrotfish.
    The EFP would allow the following amounts of seasonally prohibited 
reef fish to be harvested each year for the duration of the EFP: A 
total of 100 lb (45 kg) of any combination of red, black, tiger, 
yellowfin, and yellowedge groupers during the February 1 through April 
30 seasonal closure (50 CFR 622.435(a)(1)(i)); a total of 240 lb (108 
kg) of red hind grouper during the December 1 through the last day of 
February seasonal closure (50 CFR 622.435(a)(1)(ii)); a total of 100 lb 
(45 kg) of any combination of vermilion, black, silk, and blackfin 
snappers during the October 1 through December 31 seasonal closure (50 
CFR 622.435(a)(1)(iii)); and a total of 600 lb (272 kg) of any 
combination of lane and mutton snappers during the April 1 through June 
30 seasonal closure (50 CFR 622.435(a)(1)(iv)). In addition, the EFP 
would allow for the annual harvest of a total of 500 lb (227 kg) of 
yellowtail snapper, including harvest of individuals that are smaller 
than the Federal minimum size limit of 12 inches (30.5 cm), total 
length (50 CFR 622.436(a)), for the duration of the EFP. Each year, 
when the number of fish authorized by the permit is collected, 
activities allowed under the permit must stop. Collection may begin 
again the following year.
    This permit would authorize fishing activities during the December 
1 through February 28 seasonal closure in the Tourmaline and Abrir La 
Sierra Bank red hind spawning aggregation areas (50 CFR 
622.435(a)(2)(ii)(B)(2) and (3)), located west of Puerto Rico. The 
permit would also exempt the applicant from the year-round prohibition 
against using bottom longlines in Tourmaline and Abrir La Sierra Bank 
areas (50 CFR 622.435(b)(2)).
    At each station, one 300-foot (91.4-m) bottom longline would be 
deployed, with anchor and surface buoys attached at each end to allow 
for gear retrieval and identification. Circle hooks would be attached 
to the longline every 72 inches (183 cm), for a total of 50 hooks, and 
the gear would soak for 30 minutes, after which it would be retrieved 
and any reef fish would be collected, except for parrotfish and Nassau 
and goliath groupers, which would be immediately returned to the water. 
The bottom longline would be set to minimize any impacts to bottom 
habitat by avoiding coral reefs and by fastening small buoys at 
intervals between hooks to ensure the line remains suspended above the 
bottom to avoid entanglement. For each bottom longline set, the 
following data would be recorded: Date; time of first and last hook 
deployment and recovery; station code and latitude and longitude; 
fishing time to the nearest minute; weather conditions; depth; total 
number of hooked fish per vessel; number, weight, length, reproductive 
condition, and species level identification of fish per hook; and 
substrate and/or habitat type. Visual inspection of reef fish gonads 
would occur when the samples are processed and they would then be

[[Page 26968]]

preserved for subsequent histological analysis.
    The hook-and-line sampling would take place for 30 minutes at the 
same randomly-selected, stratified stations as the bottom longline, 
while anchored. At each station, hook-and-line gear would be fished 
using three lines, with each line having two circular hooks baited with 
squid. For each fishing trip, fishers will randomly space their hooks 
on the line and will retain all reef fish collected, except for 
parrotfish and Nassau and goliath groupers, which would be immediately 
returned to the water. For each hook-and-line set, the following data 
would be recorded: Date; time of EFP vessel trips (i.e., time of 
departure and return to dock); station location (latitude and 
longitude); fishing time to the nearest 10 minutes; weather conditions; 
depth; total number of hooked fish per vessel; number, weight, length, 
reproductive condition, and identification of reef fish per hook-and-
line; and stratified habitat type or substrate type. Each fish will be 
identified by hook-and-line position and by fisher. If the habitat or 
substrate type is unknown, it will be characterized whenever possible 
using drop cameras.
    Also at each station, a camera array would be deployed near the 
bottom longline for 30 minutes. The use of high-resolution digital 
video allows for accurate and precise reef fish species identification, 
counts, and size measurements.
    NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration based on 
a preliminary review. Possible conditions the agency may impose on this 
permit, if it is indeed granted, include but are not limited to, a 
prohibition on conducting research within marine protected areas, 
marine sanctuaries, or special management zones, without additional 
authorization, and requiring compliance with best practices in the 
event of interactions with any protected species. NMFS may also require 
DNER complete and submit periodic catch report forms summarizing the 
amount of reef fish species harvested during the seasonal closures and 
within the exempted closed areas, as well as during the period of 
effectiveness of any issued EFP. Additionally, NMFS would require any 
sea turtles taken incidentally during the course of fishing or 
scientific research activities to be handled with due care to prevent 
injury to live specimens, observed for activity, and returned to the 
water.
    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: June 5, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12420 Filed 6-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                               26966                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / Notices

                                                 These amended final determinations                    specifications for cold-drawn tubing                      (2) products certified to one or more of the
                                               and antidumping duty orders are                         including but not limited to:                          ASTM, ASME or American Petroleum
                                               published in accordance with sections                      (1) American Society for Testing and                Institute (API) specifications listed below:
                                                                                                       Materials (ASTM) or American Society of                   • ASTM A–53;
                                               735(e) and 736(a) of the Act and 19 CFR                 Mechanical Engineers (ASME) specifications                • ASTM A–106;
                                               351.224(e) and 351.211(b).                              ASTM A–512, ASTM A–513 Type 3 (ASME                       • ASTM A–179 (ASME SA 179);
                                                 Dated: June 6, 2018.                                  SA513 Type 3), ASTM A–513 Type 4 (ASME                    • ASTM A–192 (ASME SA 192);
                                               Gary Taverman,                                          SA513 Type 4), ASTM A–513 Type 5 (ASME                    • ASTM A–209 (ASME SA 209);
                                                                                                       SA513 Type 5), ASTM A–513 Type 6 (ASME                    • ASTM A–210 (ASME SA 210);
                                               Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping              SA513 Type 6), ASTM A–519 (cold-finished);                • ASTM A–213 (ASME SA 213);
                                               and Countervailing Duty Operations,                        (2) SAE International (Society of                      • ASTM A–334 (ASME SA 334);
                                               performing the non-exclusive functions and              Automotive Engineers) specifications SAE                  • ASTM A–423 (ASME SA 423);
                                               duties of the Assistant Secretary for                   J524, SAE J525, SAE J2833, SAE J2614, SAE                 • ASTM A–498;
                                               Enforcement and Compliance.                             J2467, SAE J2435, SAE J2613;                              • ASTM A–496 (ASME SA 496);
                                               Appendix                                                   (3) Aerospace Material Specification (AMS)             • ASTM A–199;
                                                                                                       AMS T–6736 (AMS 6736), AMS 6371, AMS                      • ASTM A–500;
                                               Scope of the Orders                                     5050, AMS 5075, AMS 5062, AMS 6360,                       • ASTM A–556;
                                                                                                       AMS 6361, AMS 6362, AMS 6371, AMS                         • ASTM A–565;
                                                  The products covered by these orders are             6372, AMS 6374, AMS 6381, AMS 6415;                       • API 5L; and
                                               cold-drawn mechanical tubing of carbon and                 (4) United States Military Standards (MIL)             • API 5CT
                                               alloy steel (cold-drawn mechanical tubing) of           MIL–T–5066 and MIL–T–6736;                             except that any cold-drawn tubing product
                                               circular cross-section, 304.8 mm or more in                (5) foreign standards equivalent to one of          certified to one of the above excluded
                                               length, in actual outside diameters less than           the previously listed ASTM, ASME, SAE,                 specifications will not be excluded from the
                                               331mm, and regardless of wall thickness,                AMS or MIL specifications including but not            scope if it is also dual- or multiple-certified
                                               surface finish, end finish or industry                  limited to:                                            to any other specification that otherwise
                                               specification. The subject cold-drawn                      (a) German Institute for Standardization            would fall within the scope of these orders.
                                               mechanical tubing is a tubular product with             (DIN) specifications DIN                                  The products subject to these orders are
                                               a circular cross-sectional shape that has been          2391–2, DIN 2393–2, DIN 2394–2);                       currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff
                                               cold-drawn or otherwise cold-finished after                (b) European Standards (EN) EN 10305–1,             Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under
                                               the initial tube formation in a manner that             EN 10305–2, EN 10305–4, EN 10305–6 and                 item numbers: 7304.31.3000, 7304.31.6050,
                                               involves a change in the diameter or wall               European national variations on those
                                               thickness of the tubing, or both. The subject                                                                  7304.51.1000, 7304.51.5005, 7304.51.5060,
                                                                                                       standards (e.g., British Standard (BS EN),             7306.30.5015, 7306.30.5020, 7306.50.5030.
                                               cold-drawn mechanical tubing may be                     Irish Standard (IS EN) and German Standard
                                               produced from either welded (e.g., electric                                                                    Subject merchandise may also enter under
                                                                                                       (DIN EN) variations, etc.);                            numbers 7306.30.1000 and 7306.50.1000.
                                               resistance welded, continuous welded, etc.)                (c) Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) JIS G
                                               or seamless (e.g., pierced, pilgered or                                                                        The HTSUS subheadings above are provided
                                                                                                       3441 and JIS G 3445; and                               for convenience and customs purposes only.
                                               extruded, etc.) carbon or alloy steel tubular              (6) proprietary standards that are based on
                                               products. It may also be heat treated after                                                                    The written description of the scope of these
                                                                                                       one of the above-listed standards.                     orders are dispositive.
                                               cold working. Such heat treatments may                     The subject cold-drawn mechanical tubing
                                               include, but are not limited to, annealing,             may also be dual or multiple certified to              [FR Doc. 2018–12593 Filed 6–8–18; 8:45 am]
                                               normalizing, quenching and tempering, stress            more than one standard. Pipe that is multiple          BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
                                               relieving or finish annealing. Typical cold-            certified as cold-drawn mechanical tubing
                                               drawing methods for subject merchandise                 and to other specifications not covered by
                                               include, but are not limited to, drawing over           this scope, is also covered by the scope of            DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                               mandrel, rod drawing, plug drawing, sink                these order when it meets the physical
                                               drawing and similar processes that involve              description set forth above.
                                               reducing the outside diameter of the tubing
                                                                                                                                                              National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                          Steel products included in the scope of             Administration
                                               with a die or similar device, whether or not            these orders are products in which: (1) Iron
                                               controlling the inside diameter of the tubing           predominates, by weight, over each of the              RIN 0648–XG230
                                               with an internal support device such as a               other contained elements; and (2) the carbon
                                               mandrel, rod, plug or similar device. Other             content is 2 percent or less by weight.                Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
                                               cold-finishing operations that may be used to              For purposes of this scope, the place of            Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
                                               produce subject merchandise include cold-               cold-drawing determines the country of
                                               rolling and cold-sizing the tubing.
                                                                                                                                                              Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S.
                                                                                                       origin of the subject merchandise. Subject             Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing
                                                  Subject cold-drawn mechanical tubing is              merchandise that is subject to minor working
                                               typically certified to meet industry                                                                           Permit
                                                                                                       in a third country that occurs after drawing
                                                                                                       in one of the subject countries including, but         AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                               respect to those countries include only a column for    not limited to, heat treatment, cutting to             Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                               the weighted-average margin determined in those         length, straightening, nondestruction testing,
                                               investigations.                                                                                                Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                                  33 In the China Prelim, Commerce found that
                                                                                                       deburring or chamfering, remains within the            Commerce.
                                                                                                       scope of these orders.
                                               Zhangjiagang Huacheng Import & Export Co., Ltd.,                                                               ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
                                               Jiangsu Huacheng Industry Pipe Making
                                                                                                          All products that meet the written physical
                                               Corporation, and Zhangjiagang Salem Fine Tubing         description are within the scope of these              application for an exempted fishing
                                               Co., Ltd. are a single entity and, because there were   orders unless specifically excluded or                 permit; request for comments.
                                               no changes to the facts which supported that            covered by the scope of an existing order.
                                               decision since that determination was made, we          Merchandise that meets the physical                    SUMMARY:   NMFS announces the receipt
                                               continue to find that these companies are part of a     description of cold-drawn mechanical tubing            of an application for an exempted
                                               single entity for this order; see China Final.          above is within the scope of these orders              fishing permit (EFP) from Puerto Rico’s
                                                  34 Commerce notes that Hongyi Steel Pipe Co.,
                                                                                                       even if it is also dual or multiple certified to       Department of Natural and
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               Ltd. is a part of the China-wide entity.                an otherwise excluded specification listed
                                                  35 In the Germany Prelim, Commerce found that                                                               Environmental Resources (DNER). If
                                                                                                       below. The following products are outside of,          granted, the EFP would authorize
                                               BENTELER Steel/Tube GmbH and BENTELER                   and/or specifically excluded from, the scope
                                               Distribution International GmbH are a single entity
                                                                                                       of these orders:
                                                                                                                                                              persons aboard DNER research vessels
                                               and, because there were no changes to the facts                                                                and commercial fishing vessels
                                               which supported that decision since that                   (1) Cold-drawn stainless steel tubing,
                                               determination was made, we continue to find that        containing 10.5 percent or more of chromium            contracted through DNER to collect
                                               these companies are part of a single entity for this    by weight and not more than 1.2 percent of             selected reef fish species in waters of
                                               order; see Germany Final.                               carbon by weight;                                      the U.S. Caribbean exclusive economic


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / Notices                                              26967

                                               zone (EEZ) off Puerto Rico without                      research vessels and commercial fishing                December 1 through the last day of
                                               complying with certain seasonal and                     vessels contracted through the DNER,                   February seasonal closure (50 CFR
                                               gear closures, and size and bag limits.                 including DNER staff and commercial                    622.435(a)(1)(ii)); a total of 100 lb (45
                                               Reef fish would be harvested by hook-                   fishermen. Each vessel’s home port is                  kg) of any combination of vermilion,
                                               and-line and bottom longline gear and                   located in Puerto Rico. This permit                    black, silk, and blackfin snappers during
                                               monitored by underwater camera gear.                    would exempt project participants,                     the October 1 through December 31
                                               The operations would take place in the                  including DNER staff, that do not have                 seasonal closure (50 CFR
                                               U.S. Caribbean EEZ off both the west                    a valid commercial fishing license                     622.435(a)(1)(iii)); and a total of 600 lb
                                               and east coasts of Puerto Rico. All reef                issued by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin               (272 kg) of any combination of lane and
                                               fish, including undersized and                          Islands from regulations limiting the                  mutton snappers during the April 1
                                               seasonally prohibited reef fish species,                number of reef fish collected per person               through June 30 seasonal closure (50
                                               would be retained, except for goliath                   per day, or per vessel per day (50 CFR                 CFR 622.435(a)(1)(iv)). In addition, the
                                               grouper, Nassau grouper, and all species                622.437(b)). The EFP would also exempt                 EFP would allow for the annual harvest
                                               of parrotfish. The purpose of the EFP is                the applicant from certain seasonal and                of a total of 500 lb (227 kg) of yellowtail
                                               to determine spatial and temporal                       area closure regulations at 50 CFR                     snapper, including harvest of
                                               variations in stock abundance of                        622.435 and size limits regulations at 50              individuals that are smaller than the
                                               Caribbean reef fish resources off Puerto                CFR 622.436, as identified and                         Federal minimum size limit of 12 inches
                                               Rico.                                                   described below.                                       (30.5 cm), total length (50 CFR
                                               DATES: Comments must be received no
                                                                                                          The project would continue the                      622.436(a)), for the duration of the EFP.
                                               later than June 26, 2018.                               collection of information on reef fish                 Each year, when the number of fish
                                                                                                       abundance and distribution in waters                   authorized by the permit is collected,
                                               ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                                                                                       off eastern and western Puerto Rico as                 activities allowed under the permit
                                               on the application by any of the                        part of the ongoing Southeast Area
                                               following methods:                                                                                             must stop. Collection may begin again
                                                                                                       Monitoring and Assessment Program—
                                                  • Email: Sarah.Stephenson@                                                                                  the following year.
                                                                                                       Caribbean Reef Fish Monitoring Project.                   This permit would authorize fishing
                                               noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of
                                                                                                       Research in EEZ waters of the U.S.                     activities during the December 1
                                               the email comment the following
                                                                                                       Caribbean would consist of harvesting                  through February 28 seasonal closure in
                                               document identifier: ‘‘PR DNER_EFP
                                                                                                       reef fish at approximately 20 stations in              the Tourmaline and Abrir La Sierra
                                               2018’’.
                                                                                                       the EEZ off the west coast of Puerto
                                                  • Mail: Sarah Stephenson, Southeast                                                                         Bank red hind spawning aggregation
                                                                                                       Rico, west of 67°00′00″ W long., and at
                                               Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th                                                                                areas (50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(ii)(B)(2) and
                                                                                                       approximately 10 stations in the EEZ off
                                               Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.                                                                        (3)), located west of Puerto Rico. The
                                                  The EFP application and related                      the east coast of Puerto Rico, from the
                                                                                                                                                              permit would also exempt the applicant
                                               documents are available for review                      Fajardo coast east to Culebra Island and
                                                                                                                                                              from the year-round prohibition against
                                                                                                       Vieques Island. The stations will be
                                               upon written request to any of the above                                                                       using bottom longlines in Tourmaline
                                                                                                       randomly located at three depth strata:
                                               addresses.                                                                                                     and Abrir La Sierra Bank areas (50 CFR
                                                                                                       0–10, 11–20, and 21–50 fathoms.
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                                                               622.435(b)(2)).
                                                                                                       Stations and sampling dates would be
                                               Sarah Stephenson, 727–824–5305;                         randomly selected each year over the                      At each station, one 300-foot (91.4-m)
                                               email: Sarah.Stephenson@noaa.gov.                       duration of the EFP but may be subject                 bottom longline would be deployed,
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is                   to change according to weather and                     with anchor and surface buoys attached
                                               requested under the authority of the                    sampling logistics. All fishing activities             at each end to allow for gear retrieval
                                               Magnuson-Stevens Fishery                                would occur between the hours of 5:30                  and identification. Circle hooks would
                                               Conservation and Management Act (16                     a.m. and 5:30 p.m., local time.                        be attached to the longline every 72
                                               U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and regulations at                   Sampling would be conducted by (1)                  inches (183 cm), for a total of 50 hooks,
                                               50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted                   bottom longline fishing, (2) hook-and-                 and the gear would soak for 30 minutes,
                                               fishing.                                                line fishing, and (3) underwater camera                after which it would be retrieved and
                                                  The proposed collection for scientific               deployment to identify and quantify reef               any reef fish would be collected, except
                                               research involves activities that would                 fish species. Sampling at each site                    for parrotfish and Nassau and goliath
                                               otherwise be prohibited by regulations                  would consist of one longline, three                   groupers, which would be immediately
                                               at 50 CFR part 622, as they pertain to                  hook-and-line, and one camera                          returned to the water. The bottom
                                               Caribbean reef fish managed by the                      deployment in tandem. Species                          longline would be set to minimize any
                                               Caribbean Fishery Management Council.                   expected to be caught and landed                       impacts to bottom habitat by avoiding
                                               This action involves activities covered                 during the proposed activities include                 coral reefs and by fastening small buoys
                                               by regulations implementing the Fishery                 all federally managed reef fish in the                 at intervals between hooks to ensure the
                                               Management Plan for the Reef Fish                       U.S. Caribbean EEZ. All reef fish,                     line remains suspended above the
                                               Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S.                     including undersized and seasonally                    bottom to avoid entanglement. For each
                                               Virgin Islands. If granted, the EFP                     prohibited species, would be retained                  bottom longline set, the following data
                                               would exempt this research activity                     except for goliath grouper, Nassau                     would be recorded: Date; time of first
                                               from certain Federal regulations at                     grouper, and all species of parrotfish.                and last hook deployment and recovery;
                                               § 622.435 (Seasonal and area closures),                    The EFP would allow the following                   station code and latitude and longitude;
                                               § 622.436 (Size limits), and § 622.437                  amounts of seasonally prohibited reef                  fishing time to the nearest minute;
                                               (Bag limits). The EFP would be effective                fish to be harvested each year for the                 weather conditions; depth; total number
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               from the date of issuance through March                 duration of the EFP: A total of 100 lb (45             of hooked fish per vessel; number,
                                               31, 2021.                                               kg) of any combination of red, black,                  weight, length, reproductive condition,
                                                  The applicant requests authorization                 tiger, yellowfin, and yellowedge                       and species level identification of fish
                                               to collect reef fish species in the U.S.                groupers during the February 1 through                 per hook; and substrate and/or habitat
                                               Caribbean EEZ off the east and west                     April 30 seasonal closure (50 CFR                      type. Visual inspection of reef fish
                                               coasts of Puerto Rico. Specimens would                  622.435(a)(1)(i)); a total of 240 lb (108              gonads would occur when the samples
                                               be collected by persons aboard DNER                     kg) of red hind grouper during the                     are processed and they would then be


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                                               26968                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 112 / Monday, June 11, 2018 / Notices

                                               preserved for subsequent histological                   U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination                  and electronic comments should be sent
                                               analysis.                                               that it is consistent with all applicable              to ITP.Youngkin@noaa.gov.
                                                  The hook-and-line sampling would                     laws.                                                     Instructions: NMFS is not responsible
                                               take place for 30 minutes at the same                     Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                                                                                                                              for comments sent by any other method,
                                               randomly-selected, stratified stations as                                                                      to any other address or individual, or
                                               the bottom longline, while anchored. At                   Dated: June 5, 2018.                                 received after the end of the comment
                                               each station, hook-and-line gear would                  Jennifer M. Wallace,                                   period. Comments received
                                               be fished using three lines, with each                  Acting Director, Office of Sustainable                 electronically, including all
                                               line having two circular hooks baited                   Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.          attachments, must not exceed a 25-
                                               with squid. For each fishing trip, fishers              [FR Doc. 2018–12420 Filed 6–8–18; 8:45 am]             megabyte file size. Attachments to
                                               will randomly space their hooks on the                  BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                 electronic comments will be accepted in
                                               line and will retain all reef fish                                                                             Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF
                                               collected, except for parrotfish and                                                                           file formats only. All comments
                                               Nassau and goliath groupers, which                      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                 received are a part of the public record
                                               would be immediately returned to the                                                                           and will generally be posted online at
                                               water. For each hook-and-line set, the                  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                       www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/
                                               following data would be recorded: Date;                 Administration                                         marine-mammal-protection/incidental-
                                               time of EFP vessel trips (i.e., time of                                                                        take-authorizations-other-energy-
                                               departure and return to dock); station                  RIN 0648–XG108                                         activities-renewable without change. All
                                               location (latitude and longitude); fishing                                                                     personal identifying information (e.g.,
                                                                                                       Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to
                                               time to the nearest 10 minutes; weather                                                                        name, address) voluntarily submitted by
                                               conditions; depth; total number of                      Specified Activities; Taking Marine                    the commenter may be publicly
                                               hooked fish per vessel; number, weight,                 Mammals Incidental to Unexploded                       accessible. Do not submit confidential
                                               length, reproductive condition, and                     Ordnance Investigation Survey off the                  business information or otherwise
                                               identification of reef fish per hook-and-               Coast of Virginia                                      sensitive or protected information.
                                               line; and stratified habitat type or                    AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale
                                               substrate type. Each fish will be                       Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                   Youngkin, Office of Protected
                                               identified by hook-and-line position and                Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                     Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
                                               by fisher. If the habitat or substrate type             Commerce.                                              Electronic copies of the applications
                                               is unknown, it will be characterized                    ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental                    and supporting documents, as well as a
                                               whenever possible using drop cameras.                   harassment authorization; request for                  list of the references cited in this
                                                  Also at each station, a camera array                                                                        document, may be obtained by visiting
                                                                                                       comments.
                                               would be deployed near the bottom                                                                              the internet at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
                                               longline for 30 minutes. The use of                     SUMMARY:    NMFS has received a request                national/marine-mammal-protection/
                                               high-resolution digital video allows for                from Virginia Electric and Power                       incidental-take-authorizations-other-
                                               accurate and precise reef fish species                  Company d/b/a Dominion Energy                          energy-activities-renewable. In case of
                                               identification, counts, and size                        Virginia (Dominion) for authorization to               problems accessing these documents,
                                               measurements.                                           take marine mammals incidental to                      please call the contact listed above.
                                                  NMFS finds this application warrants                 unexploded ordnance (UXO)                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               further consideration based on a                        investigation surveys off the coast of
                                               preliminary review. Possible conditions                                                                        Background
                                                                                                       Virginia as part of site characterization
                                               the agency may impose on this permit,                   surveys in the area of the Research                      Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
                                               if it is indeed granted, include but are                Lease of Submerged Lands for                           MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
                                               not limited to, a prohibition on                        Renewable Energy Development on the                    the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated
                                               conducting research within marine                       Outer Continental Shelf (OCS–A 0497)                   to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the
                                               protected areas, marine sanctuaries, or                                                                        incidental, but not intentional, taking of
                                                                                                       (Lease Area) and coastal waters where a
                                               special management zones, without                                                                              small numbers of marine mammals by
                                                                                                       cable route corridor will be established.
                                               additional authorization, and requiring                                                                        U.S. citizens who engage in a specified
                                                                                                       Pursuant to the Marine Mammal
                                               compliance with best practices in the                                                                          activity (other than commercial fishing)
                                                                                                       Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is
                                               event of interactions with any protected                                                                       within a specified geographical region if
                                                                                                       requesting comments on its proposal to
                                               species. NMFS may also require DNER                                                                            certain findings are made and either
                                                                                                       issue an incidental harassment
                                               complete and submit periodic catch                                                                             regulations are issued or, if the taking is
                                                                                                       authorization (IHA) to incidentally take
                                               report forms summarizing the amount of                                                                         limited to harassment, a notice of a
                                                                                                       marine mammals during the specified
                                               reef fish species harvested during the                                                                         proposed authorization is provided to
                                                                                                       activities. NMFS will consider public
                                               seasonal closures and within the                                                                               the public for review.
                                                                                                       comments prior to making any final
                                               exempted closed areas, as well as during                                                                         An authorization for incidental
                                                                                                       decision on the issuance of the
                                               the period of effectiveness of any issued                                                                      takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
                                                                                                       requested MMPA authorizations and
                                               EFP. Additionally, NMFS would require                                                                          that the taking will have a negligible
                                                                                                       agency responses will be summarized in
                                               any sea turtles taken incidentally during                                                                      impact on the species or stock(s), will
                                                                                                       the final notice of our decision.
                                               the course of fishing or scientific                                                                            not have an unmitigable adverse impact
                                               research activities to be handled with                  DATES: Comments and information must                   on the availability of the species or
                                               due care to prevent injury to live                      be received no later than July 11, 2018.               stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               specimens, observed for activity, and                   ADDRESSES: Comments should be                          relevant), and if the permissible
                                               returned to the water.                                  addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief,                    methods of taking and requirements
                                                  A final decision on issuance of the                  Permits and Conservation Division,                     pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring
                                               EFP will depend on NMFS’ review of                      Office of Protected Resources, National                and reporting of such takings are set
                                               public comments received on the                         Marine Fisheries Service. Physical                     forth.
                                               application, consultations with the                     comments should be sent to 1315 East-                    NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
                                               affected state(s), the Council, and the                 West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910                  impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact


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Document Created: 2018-11-02 11:59:22
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 11:59:22
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 receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments.
DatesComments must be received no later than June 26, 2018.
ContactSarah Stephenson, 727-824-5305; email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 26966 
RIN Number0648-XG23

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