[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 8304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3733]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XS88


Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and 
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops; 
Correction

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

ACTION: Notice of public workshops; correction.

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SUMMARY: Due to an unanticipated temporary closure of the Princess 
Bayside Hotel in Ocean City, MD, NMFS is changing the location of its 
March 24, 2010, Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and 
Identification Workshop that was announced in the Federal Register on 
December 8, 2009. The locations of the remaining workshops in February 
and March 2010 remain unchanged. The Protected Species Safe Handling, 
Release, and Identification 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. Additional free workshops will be held in 2010 and announced 
in the Federal Register.

DATES: The dates and times for the remaining Protected Species Safe 
Handling, Release and Identification Workshops in February and March 
2010 have not been changed and will be held February 24, March 10, and 
March 24, 2010. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details.

ADDRESSES: The remaining Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and 
Identification workshops will be held in Boston, MA; Galveston, TX; and 
Ocean City, MD. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the corrected Ocean 
City, MD, workshop location.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Pearson by phone:(727) 824-
5399, or by fax: (727) 824-5398.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Correction

    In the Federal Register of December 8, 2009, in FR Doc. E9-29258, 
on page 64665, in the third column, correct the location of the sixth 
workshop listed under the heading ``Workshop Dates, Times, and 
Locations'' to read:

Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations

    6. March 24, 2010, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Princess Royal Hotel, 9100 
Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842.

Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop

    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 vessel owners 
whose certificate(s) will expire prior to the next permit renewal, must 
attend a workshop to fish with, or renew, their swordfish and shark 
limited access permits. Additionally, new shark and swordfish limited 
access permit applicants who intend to fish with 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. Approximately 78 free 
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops 
have been conducted since 2006.
    At least one operator on vessels using longline or gillnet gear 
must be issued, and possess on board, a valid Protected Species Safe 
Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop certificate issued to 
that operator, in addition to having on board a valid workshop 
certificate issued to the vessel owner. Both vessel owner and operator 
certificates are valid for three years. As such, vessel operators who 
have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, 
or vessel operators whose certificate(s) will expire prior to their 
next fishing trip, must attend a workshop to operate a vessel with 
swordfish and shark limited access permits.

Registration

    To register for a scheduled Protected Species Safe Handling, 
Release, and Identification Workshop, please contact Angler 
Conservation Education at (386) 852-9137.

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 
swordfish and/or shark 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 swordfish and/or shark 
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.

    Dated: February 18, 2010.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-3733 Filed 3-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S