[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51448-51450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20422]


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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 [email protected] 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