[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 38 (Friday, February 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8913-8914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4283]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XN27


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 April, May, and June of 2009. Certain fishermen 
and shark dealers are required to attend a workshop to meet regulatory 
requirements and maintain valid permits. Specifically, the Atlantic 
Shark Identification Workshop is mandatory for all federally permitted 
Atlantic shark dealers. 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 April 
22, May 7, and June 4, 2009.
    The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification 
Workshops will be held April 22, April 29, May 6, May 20, June 17, and 
June 24, 2009.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details.

ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops will be held in 
South Boston, MA; Vero Beach, FL; and Old Jefferson (New Orleans), LA.
    The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification 
Workshops will be held in Manahawkin, NJ; Panama City, FL; Kitty Hawk, 
NC; Ocean City, MD; Key Largo, FL; and Houston, TX.
    See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details on workshop 
locations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Pearson 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 Workshops

    Since December 31, 2007, Atlantic shark dealers have been 
prohibited from receiving, purchasing, trading, or bartering for 
Atlantic sharks unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop 
certificate is on the premises of each business listed under the shark 
dealer permit which first receives Atlantic sharks (71 FR 58057; 
October 2, 2006). Dealers who attend and successfully complete a 
workshop are issued a certificate for each place of business that is 
permitted to receive sharks. These certificate(s) are valid for three 
years.
    Currently permitted 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. Atlantic shark dealers are prohibited from renewing 
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. The certificate(s) are valid for three years. 
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. Approximately 
30 free Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops have been conducted 
since January 2007.

Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations

    1. April 22, 2009, from 1 p.m.-5 p.m., South Boston Public Library, 
646 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127.
    2. May 7, 2009, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Leisure Square--TUFF Room, 3705 
16th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
    3. June 4, 2009, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jefferson Parrish Library--
Rosedale Branch, 4036 Jefferson Highway, Old Jefferson, LA 70121.

Registration

    To register for a scheduled Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop, 
please contact Eric Sander by e-mail 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 permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a specific business 
location, 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 Workshops

    Since January 1, 2007, shark limited access and swordfish limited 
access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear, have been 
required to 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). These certificate(s) are 
valid for three years. As such, vessel owners who have not already 
attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or if their 
certificate(s) are due to expire in 2009, must attend one of the 
workshops offered in 2009 to fish with or renew either permit. 
Additionally, new shark and swordfish limited access permit applicants 
who intend to fish with

[[Page 8914]]

longline or gillnet gear must attend a Protected Species Safe Handling, 
Release, and Identification Workshop and submit a copy of their 
workshop certificate before either of the 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 and receive 
a certificate. The certificate(s) are valid for three years. 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 onboard at all times. Approximately 60 
free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification 
Workshops have been conducted since 2006.

Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations

    1. April 22, 2009, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 151 Route 72 
East, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.
    2. April 29, 2009, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1101 
North Highway 231, Panama City, FL 32405.
    3. May 6, 2009, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 North 
Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
    4. May 20, 2009, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Princess Bayside Hotel, 4801 
Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842.
    5. June 17, 2009, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 99701 Overseas 
Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037.
    6. June 24, 2009, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 8611 Airport 
Boulevard, Houston, TX 77061.

Registration

    To register for a scheduled Protected Species Safe Handling, 
Release, and Identification Workshop, please contact Angler 
Conservation Education at (877) 411-4272, 1640 Mason Avenue, 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, marine mammals, and 
smalltooth sawfish. The proper 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 of these workshops is to provide participants with 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. 
These workshop certificates may be expiring in 2009. Vessel owners and 
operators whose certificates expire prior to permit renewal in 2009 
must attend a workshop, successfully complete the course, and obtain a 
new certificate in order to renew their limited access shark and 
limited access swordfish permits. Failure to provide a valid NOAA 
workshop certificate could result in a permit denial.

    Dated: February 24, 2009.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-4283 Filed 2-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P