[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 68561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20003]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 101106F]


Schedule for Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and 
Identification Workshops

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: NMFS will conduct an additional Protected Species Safe 
Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop in December, 2006 in 
Madeira Beach, FL. These workshops are 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. 
Vessel owners and operators whose permits expire in January 2007 must 
attend a workshop in 2006. Additional workshops will be held throughout 
2007; however, vessel owners and operators whose permits expire in the 
winter or spring of 2007 are welcome to attend workshops in 2006.

DATES: The added workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 
December 27, 2006. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of all 
workshops in December 2006.

ADDRESSES: The added workshop will be held at the City of Madeira Beach 
Town Hall, 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach, FL 33708. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of all workshops in December 2006.
    The workshop schedule and a list of frequently asked questions 
regarding these workshops are posted on the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/workshops/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the 
workshop requirement, please contact Greg Fairclough by phone:(727) 
824-5399, or by fax: (727) 824-5398.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective January 1, 2007, shark limited 
access and swordfish limited access permit holders that use 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 whose permits expire in January 2007 must attend one of the 
seven free workshops offered in 2006. Vessel owners and operators whose 
permits expire after January 2007 may attend a workshop to be scheduled 
in 2007 or one of the workshops offered in 2006 (see schedule below). 
Vessel owners and operators must attend a workshop and submit a copy of 
their certificates at the time of permit renewal. New shark and 
swordfish limited access permit applicants must attend a Protected 
Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and 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 with 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 and 
that have longline or gillnet gear onboard 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.
    To ensure the workshop certificate is linked to the correct permit, 
you will need to bring the following items with you to the workshop.
    Individual vessel owners must bring: proof of identification, a 
copy of the appropriate permit(s), and a copy of the vessel 
registration or documentation.
    Representatives of a business owned or co-owned vessel must bring: 
proof that the individual is an agent of the business, a copy of the 
applicable permit(s), and proof of identification.
    Vessel operators must bring: proof of identification.
    Participants in the industry-sponsored workshops concerning the 
safe handling and release of sea turtles that were held in Orlando, FL 
(April 8, 2005), and New Orleans, LA (June 27, 2005), will be issued a 
workshop certificate in December 2006 that will be 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 workshop 
certificate may result in a permit denial.
    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, 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. The 
workshops on December 6, 8, and 14 were previously announced on October 
2, 2006 (71 FR 58057).

Workshop Dates, Times, And Locations

    1. December 6, 2006, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Seminole Community 
Library at St. Petersburg College, Seminole Campus, 9200 113th Street 
N., Seminole, FL 33772.
    2. December 8, 2006, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Aquatic Release 
Conservation, 1870 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32117.
    3. December 14, 2006, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. New Orleans Airport 
Garden Inn, 4535 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70065.
    4. December 27, 2006, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. City of Madeira Beach 
Town Hall, 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach, FL 33708.

Registration

    To sign up for a scheduled workshop, please contact Aquatic Release 
Conservation (877) 411-4272, 1870 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32117.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    Dated: November 20, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-20003 Filed 11-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S