83 FR 32843 - 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 136 (July 16, 2018)
| Page Range | 32843-32845 | |
| FR Document | 2018-15074 |
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the NMFS Panama City, FL laboratory. If granted, the EFP would authorize NMFS or NMFS contracted commercial fishers aboard their commercial fishing vessels to collect certain deep-water snapper species in waters of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Caribbean off Puerto Rico. The EFP would exempt this activity from complying with certain seasonal closures in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ. The purpose of the EFP is to gather information that could be used to define essential fish habitat (EFH) of deep-water snappers off the coast of Puerto Rico and to determine life history information for queen and blackfin snappers.
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 32843-32845] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-15074] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XG304 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 the NMFS Panama City, FL laboratory. If granted, the EFP would authorize NMFS or NMFS contracted commercial fishers aboard their commercial fishing vessels [[Page 32844]] to collect certain deep-water snapper species in waters of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Caribbean off Puerto Rico. The EFP would exempt this activity from complying with certain seasonal closures in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ. The purpose of the EFP is to gather information that could be used to define essential fish habitat (EFH) of deep-water snappers off the coast of Puerto Rico and to determine life history information for queen and blackfin snappers. DATES: Comments must be received no later than August 15, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by any of the following methods:Email: Sarah.Stephenson@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the email comment the following document identifier: ``PR NOAA NMFS_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: Sarah.Stephenson@noaa.gov. 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 applicant requests authorization to collect deep-water reef fish species in the U.S. Caribbean EEZ off the west, north, and south coasts of Puerto Rico. The applicant is seeking to gather information that could be used to define essential fish habitat for deep-water snapper species off the coast of Puerto Rico, and to obtain additional life history information about queen and blackfin snapper. Specimens would be collected by NMFS researchers and/or contractors and contracted commercial fishermen aboard three commercial fishing vessels. These activities may be conducted without NMFS staff aboard the contracted vessels. Each vessel's home port is located in Puerto Rico. This permit would exempt project participants from certain seasonal and area closure regulations at 50 CFR 622.435, as identified and described below. The EFP would be effective from the date of issuance through August 1, 2020. Activities would consist of harvesting reef fish during a total of 450 fishing trips in the 2-year project period, of which 225 would be within the U.S. Caribbean EEZ off Puerto Rico. The remaining trips would be conducted in Puerto Rico territorial waters. Sampling sites would be randomly selected from locations with a high probability of containing habitat that could be considered essential for deep-water snappers as determined by bathymetric maps recently produced by NOAA's Marine Spatial Ecology Division. The target depth range for this project is 100 to 500 m, with sampling sites selected in each 50 m depth range throughout the overall depth range. Sampling would be conducted by hook-and-line drift fishing in deep- water habitats, with underwater cameras attached to the fishing line. On each fishing trip, three to seven sites would be fished per day based on distance between the sampling sites and weather, with an average of five sites per day at sea and an average of 15 days at sea per vessel. At each site, one vertical fishing line would be deployed from the commercial fishing vessel with a surface float and bottom weight for a 30 minute soak time. Twelve #9 hooks would be attached to the bottom 2 m of the line and manual snapper reels would be used to retrieve the line. A GoPro camera encased in a light-weight pressure- tested housing and a light would be attached to a small, neutrally buoyant fitting on the vertical line. This camera array would be attached to the fishing line at two separate points, approximately 3 m above the bottom weight. Project activities would be conducted from September 1, 2018, through August 1, 2020. The majority of sampling would occur each year in September and October. Sampling would occur at approximately 75 sites at each of the following locations in the EEZ off Puerto Rico: Western region: From Isabela to Puerto Real, including Isla de Desecheo Marine Reserve, within 12 miles of any point of land in Puerto Rico, from depths of 100-500 m. Northeast region: From San Juan to Fajardo, extending out to Isla de Culebra, within 12 miles of any point of land in Puerto Rico, from depths of 100-500 m. Southeast region: From Patillas to Buena Vista, extending out to Isla de Vieques, within 12 miles of any point of land in Puerto Rico, from depths of 100-500 m. The applicant will target queen and blackfin snappers, but anticipates encountering other species. All queen and blackfin snappers caught during the EFP would be retained, and the gonads and otoliths would be extracted for subsequent analysis by NMFS, Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and the University of South Carolina. Length measurements would be recorded for all targeted and incidental species except for species for which harvest is prohibited under Federal law (i.e., goliath and Nassau groupers, and midnight, rainbow, and blue parrotfishes). These species would be returned immediately to the water with a minimum of harm. In order to minimize the negative biological effects of bringing these deep-water species to the surface, the commercial fishermen would have venting tools onboard their vessels to properly vent fish being released to facilitate their return to depth. Based on catch and effort information from the commercial sector in Puerto Rico, the applicant anticipates harvesting up to 100 specimens of both queen and blackfin snappers in each of the three sampling regions, each year. Under the EFP, the applicant would be allowed to fish for and possess blackfin snapper during the October 1 through December 31 seasonal closure in place for vermilion, black, silk, or blackfin snappers (50 CFR 622.435(a)(1)(iii)). In addition, under the EFP, the applicant would be allowed to fish for and possess queen and blackfin snappers in or from the Bajo de Sico closed area, which is located in the project's western area off Puerto Rico, during the October 1 to March 31 closure period (50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(iv)). Based on the sampling plan, the applicant anticipates making a maximum of 10 fishing trips over the 2 year period of the EFP to the Bajo de Sico closed area during the months of October through March. Based on catch and effort information from the commercial sector in Puerto Rico, the applicant also anticipates catching up to 100 fish of the following species from each of the three sampling regions each year, as incidental catch: Black, silk, vermilion, and wenchman snappers (Snapper Unit 1); coney, graysby, red hind, and rock hind groupers (Grouper Unit 3); black, red, tiger, and yellowfin groupers (Grouper Unit 4), and misty and yellowedge groupers (Grouper Unit 5). It is possible that the applicant may also incidentally catch cardinal snapper, which is in Snapper Unit 2 with queen snapper, as they are targeting queen snapper and these species are frequently caught together. Some of these incidental species (namely, red, black, tiger, yellowfin, yellowedge, and red hind groupers and vermilion, black, and silk snappers) are also subject to seasonal closures (50 CFR [[Page 32845]] 622.435(a)(1)(i) & (ii) & (iii)). The applicant does not intend to retain any of these species caught during the respective seasonal closures. However, the EFP would allow the applicant to possess these species during those closure periods for sufficient time to collect and record length measurements, consistent with the goals of the EFP. If these species were caught outside of a closed season, the contracted commercial fishers would be able retain them, consistent with applicable law. These species also may be encountered in the Bajo de Sico closed area (50 CFR 622.435(a)(2)(iv)), and the EFP would allow the applicant to possess the species during the seasonal area closure for sufficient time to collect and record length measurements. No species caught as incidental catch during the seasonal or area closures would be retained during the EFP. NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration based on a preliminary review. Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition on conducting sampling activities 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 annual reports summarizing the amount of reef fish species harvested during the seasonal and area closures, 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 the 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: July 10, 2018. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-15074 Filed 7-13-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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artificial intelligence (AI), advanced and b. Have you been able to identify any equipment for schools and universities,
quantum computing, and autonomous causes for these difficulties in finding immigration and visa reform, etc.)?
systems. qualified staff (high competition for a 9. What approaches do you think
specific talent pool, lack of experienced would most effectively stimulate the
Request for Information supply of qualified workers for the
individuals, educational programs not
Respondents are encouraged—but not directly aligned with your needs, etc.) semiconductor industry over the long
required—to respond to any or all of the 3. Are there certain factors relating to term (e.g., professional development
following questions, and may address workforce needs that your company or opportunities for K–12 teachers and K–
related topics. Please identify the organization prioritizes when locating a 12 student programs such as camps,
questions or topic areas each of your new facility, for example a strong base competitions and projects in the
comments addresses. The following of existing talent, a robust local semiconductor space)?
questions cover the major areas about educational ecosystem, etc.? 10. Although apprenticeship has, in
which NIST seeks comment. These 4. How do you see the work force the past, been available mostly to those
questions are directed towards domestic needs of your company or organization in the traditional trades, efforts are now
semiconductor manufacturers, changing over the next 5 years, 10 years, underway to expand apprenticeship
associated supporting industries, 15 years? into new fields, including advanced
educational institutions, and their a. Do you think that certain levels of manufacturing, IT, healthcare, energy
stakeholders. Responses may include education will be more important? supply and distribution, banking and
estimates. Please indicate where the b. Are there fields of training that you finance and engineering (in partnership
response is an estimate. think will be more important? with four-year institutions). Have you
Respondents may organize their 5. As the industry continues to evolve considered engaging in apprenticeship
submissions in response to this RFI in and develop and integrate new training to prepare your workforce?
any manner, and all responses that technologies (e.g., new computing Why or why not?
comply with the requirements listed in paradigms, new material systems, 11. Are there examples of
the DATES and ADDRESSES sections of broader use of AI) are there skillsets that partnerships with local educational
this notice will be considered. you see as becoming more important? institutions (e.g., a work-study program)
Comments containing references, a. Do you have an opinion on the that you use to support your operations?
studies, research, and other empirical types of training needed to develop 12. Are there types of support (grants,
data that are not widely published these skillsets for the future? economic development incentives or
should include electronic copies of the other benefits) from federal, state and
b. From your experience are there
referenced materials. Do not include in local government agencies that have
types of partnerships with federal
comments or otherwise submit helped enable your workforce? Of these
agencies and/or educational institutions
proprietary or confidential information. types of support what makes them most
that would be helpful to prepare this
Comments that contain profanity, effective?
workforce for the future?
vulgarity, threats, or inappropriate Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278s.
6. Are there certain obstacles that you
language or content will not be
see as the biggest impediment to Kevin A. Kimball,
considered.
meeting your workforce needs? For
Chief of Staff.
Basic Information example, a lack of aligned educational
[FR Doc. 2018–15077 Filed 7–13–18; 8:45 am]
Briefly describe your company or programs (including internship and
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
organization in terms of: apprenticeship opportunities), a lack of
a. What is the name of your company collaboration with such educational
or organization? programs, a lack of students in science
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
b. How is your company or and engineering, a lack of interest in
organization involved with the your industry, a lack of facilities with National Oceanic and Atmospheric
semiconductor industry (e.g., industry appropriate equipment to train workers Administration
association, university, company (e.g., community colleges without
access to fabrication equipment/ RIN 0648–XG304
involved in semiconductor design,
fabrication, package test and assembly, facilities), or other issues? Please
describe. Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
or other)? Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
Workforce Challenges and Needs Potential Workforce Solutions Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S.
7. Are there specific approaches your Virgin Islands; Exempted Fishing
1. When hiring technical staff, for Permit
what types of positions do you company or organization utilizes to
encounter the most difficultly in finding address your workforce needs? For AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
qualified employees? example, tailored partnerships and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
a. Have you been able to identify any curricula with regional universities and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
causes for these recruitment difficulties community colleges, internship or Commerce.
(lack of appropriate educational apprenticeship programs, training or ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
programs, lack of collaboration between retraining of displaced workers, or other application for an exempted fishing
industry and educational institutions, approaches? permit; request for comments.
8. Are there certain approaches or
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
competition within your industry,
competition for talent from outside your actions that would most effectively SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt
industry, etc.) stimulate the supply of qualified of an application for an exempted
2. Are there specific educational workers for the semiconductor industry fishing permit (EFP) from the NMFS
levels that are needed for your current in the near term (e.g., targeted Panama City, FL laboratory. If granted,
workforce? scholarships including internships/ the EFP would authorize NMFS or
a. Are there some educational levels apprenticeships, loan repayment NMFS contracted commercial fishers
where it is harder to find qualified staff? incentives, procurement of specialized aboard their commercial fishing vessels
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622.435(a)(1)(i) & (ii) & (iii)). The DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE mammal biology and ecology,
applicant does not intend to retain any population dynamics and modeling,
of these species caught during the National Oceanic and Atmospheric commercial fishing technology and
respective seasonal closures. However, Administration practices, and stocks taken under
the EFP would allow the applicant to RIN 0648–XG299 section 101(b) of the MMPA. The SRGs
possess these species during those provide expert reviews of draft marine
closure periods for sufficient time to Nominations to the Marine Mammal mammal stock assessment reports and
collect and record length measurements, Scientific Review Groups other information related to the matters
consistent with the goals of the EFP. If identified in section 117(d)(1) of the
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries MMPA, including:
these species were caught outside of a Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and A. Population estimates and the
closed season, the contracted Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), population status and trends of marine
commercial fishers would be able retain Commerce. mammal stocks;
them, consistent with applicable law. ACTION: Notice; request for nominations. B. Uncertainties and research needed
These species also may be encountered regarding stock separation, abundance,
in the Bajo de Sico closed area (50 CFR SUMMARY: As required by of the Marine or trends, and factors affecting the
622.435(a)(2)(iv)), and the EFP would Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the distribution, size, or productivity of the
allow the applicant to possess the Secretary of Commerce established three stock;
species during the seasonal area closure independent regional scientific review C. Uncertainties and research needed
for sufficient time to collect and record groups (SRGs) to provide advice on a regarding the species, number, ages,
length measurements. No species caught range of marine mammal science and gender, and reproductive status of
as incidental catch during the seasonal management issues. NMFS conducted a marine mammals;
or area closures would be retained membership review of the Alaska, D. Research needed to identify
during the EFP. Atlantic, and Pacific SRGs, and is modifications in fishing gear and
soliciting nominations for new members practices likely to reduce the incidental
NMFS finds this application warrants to fill vacancies and gaps in expertise. mortality and serious injury of marine
further consideration based on a mammals in commercial fishing
DATES: Nominations must be received
preliminary review. Possible conditions by August 15, 2018. operations;
the agency may impose on this permit, E. The actual, expected, or potential
ADDRESSES: Nominations can be
if it is granted, include but are not impacts of habitat destruction,
emailed to Shannon.Bettridge@
limited to, a prohibition on conducting including marine pollution and natural
noaa.gov, or mailed to: Marine Mammal
sampling activities within marine and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, environmental change, on specific
protected areas, marine sanctuaries, or Office of Protected Resources, National marine mammal species or stocks, and
special management zones, without Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East- for strategic stocks, appropriate
additional authorization, and requiring West Highway, Silver Spring, MD conservation or management measures
compliance with best practices in the 20910–3226, Attn: SRGs. to alleviate any such impacts; and
event of interactions with any protected F. Any other issue which the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
species. NMFS may also require annual Secretary or the groups consider
Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected appropriate.
reports summarizing the amount of reef Resources, 301–427–8402,
fish species harvested during the SRG members collectively serve as
Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov. independent advisors to NMFS and the
seasonal and area closures, as well as Information about the SRGs, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
during the period of effectiveness of any the SRG Terms of Reference, is available provide their expert review and
issued EFP. Additionally, NMFS would at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ recommendations through participation
require any sea turtles taken national/marine-mammal-protection/ in the SRG. Members attend annual
incidentally during the course of the scientific-review-groups. meetings and undertake activities as
activities to be handled with due care to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section independent persons providing
prevent injury to live specimens, 117(d) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1386(d)) expertise in their subject areas.
observed for activity, and returned to directs the Secretary of Commerce to Members are not appointed as
the water. establish three independent regional representatives of professional
A final decision on issuance of the SRGs to advise the Secretary (authority organizations or particular stakeholder
EFP will depend on NMFS’ review of delegated to NMFS). The Alaska SRG groups, including government entities,
public comments received on the advises on marine mammals that occur and are not permitted to represent or
application, consultations with the in waters off Alaska that are under the advocate for those organizations,
affected state(s), the Council, and the jurisdiction of the United States. The groups, or entities during SRG meetings,
U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination Pacific SRG advises on marine discussions, and deliberations.
mammals that occur in waters off the SRG membership is voluntary; and,
that it is consistent with all applicable
U.S. West Coast, Hawaiian Islands, and except for reimbursable travel and
laws.
the U.S. Territories in the Central and related expenses, service is without pay.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Western Pacific that are under the The term of service for SRG members is
Dated: July 10, 2018. jurisdiction of the United States. The three years, and members may serve up
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Atlantic SRG advises on marine to three consecutive terms if
mammals that occur in waters off the reappointed.
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. NMFS annually reviews the expertise
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Territories in the Caribbean that are available on the SRG and identifies gaps
[FR Doc. 2018–15074 Filed 7–13–18; 8:45 am] under the jurisdiction of the United in the expertise that is needed to
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P States. provide advice pursuant to section
SRGs members are highly qualified 117(d) of the MMPA. In conducting the
individuals with expertise in marine reviews, NMFS attempts to achieve, to
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Document Created: 2018-07-14 00:53:53
Document Modified: 2018-07-14 00:53:53
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received no later than August 15, 2018. | |
| Contact | Sarah Stephenson, 727-824-5305; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 32843 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XG30 |
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