[Federal Register: September 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 171)]
[Notices]
[Page 51448-51450]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03se08-39]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XK05
Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public workshops.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops
and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification
Workshops to be held in October, November, and December 2008. Certain
fishermen and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet
new regulatory requirements and maintain valid permits. Specifically,
the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all
federally permitted Atlantic shark dealers. Also, the Protected Species
Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop is mandatory for
vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline,
or gillnet gear, and have also been issued shark or swordfish limited
access permits. Additional free workshops will be held in 2009 and
announced in the Federal Register.
DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held October
9, November 6, and December 4, 2008.
The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification
Workshops will be held October 14, November 19 and 25, and December 17,
2008.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details.
ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held in
Norfolk, VA; Dania Beach, FL; and Panama City, FL.
The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification
Workshops will be held in Kenner, LA; Kitty Hawk, NC; Indian Rocks
Beach, FL; and Dedham, MA.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details on workshop
locations.
[[Page 51449]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Fairclough by phone:(727) 824-
5399, or by fax: (727) 824-5398.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The workshop schedules, registration
information, and a list of frequently asked questions regarding these
workshops are posted on the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/
hms/workshops/.
Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop
Effective December 31, 2007, an Atlantic shark dealer may not
receive, purchase, trade, or barter for Atlantic shark unless a valid
Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate is on the premises
of each business listed under the shark dealer permit (71 FR 58057;
October 2, 2006). Dealers who attend and successfully complete a
workshop will be issued a certificate for each place of business that
is permitted to receive sharks.
Dealers may send a proxy to an Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshop, however, if a dealer opts to send a proxy, the dealer must
designate a proxy for each place of business covered by the dealer's
permit which first receives Atlantic sharks. Only one certificate will
be issued to each proxy. A proxy must be a person who: is currently
employed by a place of business covered by the dealer's permit; is a
primary participant in the identification, weighing, and/or first
receipt of fish as they are offloaded from a vessel; and fills out
dealer reports. After December 31, 2007, an Atlantic shark dealer may
not renew a Federal shark dealer permit unless a valid Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshop certificate for each business location which
first receives Atlantic sharks has been submitted with the permit
renewal application. Additionally, trucks or other conveyances which
are extensions of a dealer's place of business must possess a copy of a
valid dealer or proxy Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop
certificate. Sixteen free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops were
held in 2007.
Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations
1. October 9, 2008, from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Mary D. Pretlow Anchor
Branch Library, 111 W. Ocean View Avenue, Meeting Room 1, Norfolk, VA
23503.
2. November 6, 2008, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nova Southeastern
University Oceanagraphic Center, 800 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL
33004.
3. December 4, 2008, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., NMFS Panama City
Laboratory, 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, FL 32408.
Registration
To register for a scheduled Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop,
please contact Eric Sander by email at esander@peoplepc.com or by phone
at (386) 852-8588.
Registration Materials
To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct
permits, participants will need to bring the following items to the
workshop:
Atlantic shark dealer permit holders must bring proof that the
individual is an agent of the business (such as articles of
incorporation), a copy of the applicable permit, and proof of
identification.
Atlantic shark dealer proxies must bring documentation from the
shark dealer acknowledging that the proxy is attending the workshop on
behalf of the Atlantic shark dealer, a copy of the appropriate permit,
and proof of identification.
Workshop Objectives
The shark identification workshops are designed to reduce the
number of unknown and improperly identified sharks reported in the
dealer reporting form and increase the accuracy of species-specific
dealer-reported information. Reducing the number of unknown and
improperly identified sharks will improve quota monitoring and the data
used in stock assessments. These workshops will train shark dealer
permit holders or their proxies to properly identify Atlantic shark
carcasses.
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop
Effective January 1, 2007, shark limited access and swordfish
limited access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear,
must submit a copy of their Protected Species Safe Handling, Release,
and Identification Workshop certificate in order to renew either permit
(71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). As such, vessel owners who have not
attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate must attend one of
the workshops offered in October, November, and December 2008 to fish
with or renew either permit. Additionally, new shark and swordfish
limited access permit applicants must attend a Protected Species Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and must submit a copy
of their workshop certificate before such permits will be issued.
In addition to certifying permit holders, all longline and gillnet
vessel operators fishing on a vessel issued a limited access swordfish
or limited access shark permit are required to attend a Protected
Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop. Vessels
that have been issued a limited access swordfish or limited access
shark permit may not fish unless both the vessel owner and operator
have valid workshop certificates. Vessel operators must possess on
board the vessel valid workshop certificates for both the vessel owner
and the operator at all times. Seven free Protected Species Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops were held in 2006, and
34 were held in 2007.
Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations
1. October 14, 2008, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hilton New Orleans
Airport, 901 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70062.
2. November 19, 2008, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 5353
North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
3. November 25, 2008, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Holiday Inn Habourside,
401 2nd Street, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785.
4. December 17, 2008, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hilton Boston/Dedham,
25 Allied Drive, Dedham, MA 02026.
Registration
To register for a scheduled Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshop, please contact Aquatic Release
Conservation ((877) 411-4272), 1640 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach, FL
32117.
Registration Materials
To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct
permits, participants will need to bring the following items with them
to the workshop:
Individual vessel owners must bring a copy of the appropriate
permit(s), a copy of the vessel registration or documentation, and
proof of identification.
Representatives of a business owned or co-owned vessel must bring
proof that the individual is an agent of the business (such as articles
of incorporation), a copy of the applicable permit(s), and proof of
identification.
Vessel operators must bring proof of identification.
Workshop Objectives
The protected species safe handling, release, and identification
workshops are designed to teach longline and gillnet fishermen the
required techniques for the safe handling and release of entangled and/
or hooked protected species, such as sea turtles,
[[Page 51450]]
marine mammals, and smalltooth sawfish. Identification of protected
species will also be taught at these workshops in an effort to improve
reporting. Additionally, individuals attending these workshops will
gain a better understanding of the requirements for participating in
these fisheries. The overall goal for these workshops is to provide
participants the skills needed to reduce the mortality of protected
species, which may prevent additional regulations on these fisheries in
the future.
Grandfathered Permit Holders
Participants in the industry-sponsored workshops on safe handling
and release of sea turtles that were held in Orlando, FL (April 8,
2005) and in New Orleans, LA (June 27, 2005) were issued a NOAA
workshop certificate in December 2006 that is valid for three years.
Grandfathered permit holders must include a copy of this certificate
when renewing limited access shark and limited access swordfish permits
each year. Failure to provide a valid NOAA workshop certificate may
result in a permit denial.
Dated: August 27, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-20422 Filed 9-2-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S