31292 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 108 / Wednesday, June 6, 2007 / Notices 

Background 

The regulations that govern exempted 

fishing, at 50 CFR 600.745(b) and 697.22 

allow the Regional Administrator to 

authorize for limited testing, public 

display, data collection, exploration, 

health and safety, environmental cleanup, and/or hazardous removal purposes, 

and the targeting or incidental harvest of 

managed species that would otherwise 

be prohibited. An EFP to authorize such 

activity may be issued, provided there is 

adequate opportunity for the public to 

comment on the EFP application, the 

conservation goals and objectives of 

Federal management of the American 

lobster resource are not compromised, 

and issuance of the EFP is beneficial to 

the management of the species. 

The American lobster fishery is one of 

the most valuable fisheries in the 

northeastern United States. In 2005, 

approximately 87 million pounds 

(39,712 metric tons) of American lobster 

were landed with an ex-vessel value of 

approximately 414 million dollars. 

Operating under the Atlantic States 

Marine Fisheries Commission’s 

interstate management process, 

American lobster are managed in state 

waters under Amendment 3 to the 

American Lobster Interstate Fishery 

Management Plan (Amendment 3). In 

Federal waters of the Exclusive 

Economic Zone (EEZ), lobster is 

managed under Federal regulations at 

50 CFR part 697. Amendment 3, and 

compatible Federal regulations, 

established a framework for area 

management, which includes industry 

participation in the development of a 

management program which suits the 

needs of each lobster management area 

while meeting targets established in the 

Interstate Fisheries Management 

Program. The industry, through area 

management teams, with the support of 

state agencies, have played a vital role 

in advancing the area management 

program. 

American lobster experience very 

high fishing mortality rates throughout 

their range, from Canada to Cape 

Hatteras, North Carolina. Although 

harvest and population abundance are 

near record levels due to high recent 

recruitment and favorable 

environmental conditions, there is 

significant risk of a sharp drop in 

abundance, and such a decline would 

have serious implications. To facilitate 

the development of effective 

management tools, extensive monitoring 

and detailed data on the biology and 

composition of lobsters throughout the 

range of the resource are necessary. To 

facilitate effective management, this 

proposed EFP would monitor egg 

growth and development of berried 

lobsters in three study areas using 

traditional lobster trap gear. 

Proposed EFP 

The EFP proposes to continue the 

collection of statistical and scientific 

information as part of a project, 

originally announced in the Federal 

Register on October 21, 2004 (69 FR 

19165), that is designed to monitor 

berried lobsters to collect data that will 

assist in the assessment of the lobster 

resource and in the development of 

management practices appropriate to 

the fishery. Previous data collected in 

2005 and 2006 from tagged berried 

lobsters that were monitored for eggdevelopment stages, indicated a 

percentage of berried females are 

carrying eggs that are not fertilized. This 

continuation of the research will focus 

on quantifying fertilization success, and 

monitor egg growth and development. 

Each of the maximum of 13 

commercial fishing vessels in 

possession of Federal lobster permits 

involved in this monitoring and data 

collection program would collect a 

maximum of ten eggs from each berried 

lobster harvested, up to a maximum of 

50 berried lobster per vessel, using 

traditional lobster trap gear. Removal of 

a maximum of ten eggs from each 

berried lobster should have no impact 

on the health or survival of the lobsters, 

since lobsters typically experience 

significantly greater rates of daily egg 

loss throughout their 13-month 

incubation period, with cumulative egg 

loss as high as 36 percent. Participating 

vessels would collect data from each of 

the three general study areas in the 

vicinity of Portsmouth, NH, the 

northern edge of Georges Bank, and in 

the vicinity of Veatch and Hydrographer 

Canyons along the southern edge of 

Georges Bank. The participating vessels 

may retain on deck egg bearing female 

lobsters, in addition to legal lobsters, for 

the purpose of collecting a maximum of 

ten eggs from each berried lobster to 

allow researchers to determine what 

percentage of eggs are fertilized, and to 

estimate the egg developmental stage, 

and time to maturity. All berried 

lobsters would be returned to the sea as 

quickly as possible after data collection. 

Pursuant to 50 CFR 600.745(b)(3)(v), the 

Regional Administrator may attach 

terms and conditions to the EFP 

consistent with the purpose of the 

exempted fishing. 

This project would not involve the 

authorization of any additional lobster 

trap gear. All traps fished by the 

participating vessels would comply 

with all applicable lobster regulations 

specified at 50 CFR part 697. To allow 

for the removal of a maximum of ten 

eggs from each berried lobster, the EFP 

would waive the American lobster 

prohibition on removal of eggs specified 

at 50 CFR 697.7(c)(1)(iv). All sample 

collections would be conducted by a 

maximum of 13 federally permitted 

commercial fishing vessels, during the 

course of regular commercial fishing 

operations. There would not be 

observers or researchers onboard every 

participating vessel. 

This project, including the lobster 

handling protocols, was initially 

developed in consultation with UNH 

scientists. To the greatest extent 

practicable, these handling protocols are 

designed to avoid unnecessary adverse 

environmental impact on lobsters 

involved in this project, while achieving 

the data collection objectives of this 

project. 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 

Dated: May 31, 2007. 

James P. Burgess 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–10765 Filed 6–5–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

Meeting: Climate Change Science 

Program (CCSP) Product Development 

Committee (CPDC) for Synthesis and 

Assessment Product 3.3 

AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Research (OAR), National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA), Department of 

Commerce (DOC). 

ACTION: Notice of open meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Climate Change Science 

Program (CCSP) Product Development 

Committee for Synthesis and 

Assessment Product 3.3 (CPDC–S&A 

3.3) was established by a Decision 

Memorandum dated October 17, 2006. 

CPDC–S&A 3.3 is the Federal Advisory 

Committee charged with responsibility 

to develop a draft Synthesis and 

Assessment Product that addresses 

CCSP Topic 3.3: ‘‘Weather and Climate 

Extremes in a Changing Climate’’. 

Place: The meeting will be held at the 

Aspen Global Change Institute, 100 East 

Francis St. Aspen, Colorado, 81611. 

Time and Dates: The meeting will 

convene at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 25, 

2007 and adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on 

Thursday, June 28, 2007. Meeting 

information will be available online on 

the CPDC–S&A 3.3 Web site (http:// 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 108 / Wednesday, June 6, 2007 / Notices 31293 

www.climate.noaa.gov/index.jsp?pg=./ 

ccsp/33.jsp). Please note that meeting 

location, times, and agenda topics 

described below are subject to change. 

Status: The meeting will be open to 

public participation and will include a 

30-minute public comment period on 

June 25 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (check 

Web site to confirm this time and the 

room in which the meeting will be 

held). The CPDC–S&A 3.3 expects that 

public statements presented at its 

meetings will not be repetitive of 

previously submitted verbal or written 

statements. In general, each individual 

or group making a verbal presentation 

will be limited to a total time of five (5) 

minutes. Written comments (at least 35 

copies) should be received by the 

CPDC–S&A 3.3 Designated Federal 

Official (DFO) by June 18, 2007 to 

provide sufficient time for review. 

Written comments received after June 

18 will be distributed to the CPDC–S&A 

3.3, but may not be reviewed prior to 

the meeting date. Seats will be available 

to the public on a first-come, first-served 

basis. 

Matters to be Considered: The 

meeting will (1) formulate responses to 

the published NRC review report on the 

First Draft of Synthesis and Assessment 

Product 3.3 and revise the First Draft 

accordingly; (2) finalize plans for 

completion and submission of the 

Second Draft of Synthesis and 

Assessment Product 3.3 to the Climate 

Change Science Program Office for the 

public comment period. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. 

Christopher D. Miller, CPDC–S&A 3.3 

DFO and the Program Manager, NOAA/ 

OAR/Climate Program Office, Climate 

Change Data and Detection Program 

Element, 1315 East-West Highway, 

Room 12239, Silver Spring, Maryland 

20910; telephone 301–734–1241, e-mail: 

Christopher.D.Miller@noaa.gov. 

Dated: May 31, 2007. 

Terry Bevels, 

Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

[FR Doc. 07–2801 Filed 6–1–07; 10:21 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–KB–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[XRIN: 0648–XA66] 

Western Pacific Fishery Management 

Council; Public Meetings 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of public meetings and 

hearings. 

SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery 

Management Council (Council) will 

hold its 138th meeting to consider and 

take actions on fishery management 

issues in the Western Pacific Region. 

DATES: The 138th Council meeting and 

public hearings will be held on June 19 

- 22, 2007. For specific times and the 

agenda, see SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION. 

ADDRESSES: The 138th Council meeting 

and public hearings will be held at the 

Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Drive, 

Honolulu, HI 96814–4722; telephone: 

(808) 955–4811. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; 

telephone: (808) 522–8220. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 

addition to the agenda items listed here, 

the Council will hear recommendations 

from other Council advisory groups. 

Public comment periods will be 

provided throughout the agenda. The 

order in which agenda items are 

addressed may change. The Council will 

meet as late as necessary to complete 

scheduled business. 

Schedule and Agenda for Council 

Standing Committee Meetings 

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 

Standing Committee 

1. 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Marianas 

Archipelago Ecosystem Standing 

Committee 

2. 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Hawaii 

Archipelago Ecosystem Standing 

Committee 

3. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - American 

Samoa Archipelago Ecosystem Standing 

Committee 

4. 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Pelagics and 

International Ecosystem Standing 

Committee 

5. 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Program 

Planning/Research Standing Committee 

6. 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Executive/ 

Budget Standing Committee 

The agenda during the full Council 

meeting will include the items listed 

here. 

Schedule and Agenda for Council 

Meeting 

Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 9 a.m. - 9 

p.m. 

1. Introductions 

2. Approval of Agenda 

3. Approval of 137th Meeting Minutes 

4. Agency Reports 

A. NMFS 

1. Pacific Islands Regional Office 

(PIRO) 

2. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science 

Center (PIFSC) 

B. NOAA General Counsel 

C. United States Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS) 

5. Mariana Archipelago 

A. Island Area Reports 

1. Commonwealth of the Northern 

Mariana Islands (CNMI) 

2. Guam 

B. Enforcement Reports 

1. CNMI Enforcement Agency Report 

2. Guam Enforcement Agency Report 

3. United States Coast Guard (USCG) 

Enforcement Report 

4. NMFS Office for Law Enforcement 

(OLE) Report 

5. Status of Violations 

C. CNMI Marine Conservation Plan 

(MCP) 

D. Mariana Community Initiatives and 

New Issues 

E. Education and Outreach Initiatives 

F. Scientific and Statistical Committee 

(SSC) Recommendations 

G. Standing Committee 

Recommendations 

H. Public Comment 

I. Council Discussion and Action 

6. American Samoa Archipelago 

A. Island Area Reports 

B. Enforcement Reports 

1. Agency Enforcement Report 

2. U.S.C.G. Enforcement Report 

3. NMFS OLE Report 

4. Status of Violations 

C. Report on American Samoa 

Longline Workshop 

D. Education and Outreach Initiatives 

E. Advisory Panel (AP) 

Recommendations 

F. Regional Ecosystem Advisory 

Committee (REAC) Report 

G. SSC Recommendations 

H. Standing Committee 

Recommendations 

I. Public Comment 

J. Council Discussion and Action 

7. Hawaii Archipelago and Pacific 

Remote Island Areas (PRIA) 

A. Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) 

Bottomfish (ACTION ITEM) 

1. Report on MHI Bottomfish Working 

Groups and Meetings 

a. Public Meetings 

b. Agency Workshop, Working Groups 

and Outreach 

c. Enforcement Training and 

Compliance Workshop 

2. Seasonal Closure, Total Allowable 

Catch (TAC), Permits and Reporting 

3. Permits and Reporting Details 

4. Federal Recreational Bag Limits 

5. Inclusion of State of Hawaii 

Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas 

(BRFA) in Federal Waters 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES