[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 96 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 27389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10631]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB093]


Taking of Threatened or Endangered Marine Mammals Incidental to 
Commercial Fishing Operations; Issuance of Permits; Correction

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

ACTION: Notice; correction.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is correcting a notice that appeared in the Federal 
Register on May 6, 2021, that issues permits for a period of 3 years to 
authorize the incidental, but not intentional, take of specific 
Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed marine mammal species or stocks 
under section 101(a)(5)(E) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 
in certain U.S. commercial fisheries. There is an error in the 
description of the Category III fisheries that do not require section 
101(a)(5)(E) authorization.

DATES: This notice is applicable May 20, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzie Teerlink, NMFS Alaska Region, 
(907) 586-7240, [email protected]; Diana Kramer, NMFS Pacific 
Islands Region, (808) 725-5167, [email protected]; Kara Shervanick, 
NMFS Southeast Region, (727) 824-5350, [email protected]; or 
Caroline Good, NMFS Office of Protected Resources, (301) 427-8402, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a notice on May 6, 2021 (86 
FR 24384) issuing permits to five fisheries to authorize the incidental 
take of ESA-listed marine mammal species or stocks under section 
101(a)(5)(E) of the MMPA. The permits are effective for a 3-year period 
beginning May 6, 2021.
    The notice incorrectly stated: ``The HI shallow-set longline/
Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI shallow-set component) changed 
classification from Category II to Category III in the 2021 LOF (86 FR 
3028, January 14, 2021).'' (86 FR 24384, 24386).
    The Category II HI shallow-set longline fishery and the HI shallow-
set component of the Western Pacific pelagic longline fisheries were 
not reclassified as Category III fisheries on the 2021 LOF (see 86 FR 
3028, January 14, 2021). These two fisheries remain Category II 
fisheries on the LOF. As we stated in our Federal Register notice of 
the issuance of MMPA section 101(a)(5)(E) permits, we had previously 
determined that these fisheries meet the definition of a Category III 
with respect to ESA-listed stocks or species because they have a remote 
likelihood of or no known incidental mortality of serious injury of 
ESA-listed marine mammals, and therefore did not require permits. (86 
FR 24384, 24386)
    However, the Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific 
cod longline fishery was reclassified as a Category III fishery on the 
2021 LOF (86 FR 3028, January 14, 2021). As we stated in our Federal 
Register notice for issuance of the permits, we previously determined 
this fishery was considered a Category III commercial fishery with 
respect to ESA-listed stocks or species, so this change in 
classification does not change our determination.
    NMFS is publishing this notice to correct these errors and state 
that the AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod longline fishery 
changed classification from Category II to Category III on the 2021 
List of Fisheries (LOF) while the Category II HI shallow-set longline 
fishery and the HI shallow-set component of the Western Pacific pelagic 
longline fishery did not change classification (86 FR 3028, January 14, 
2021). These fisheries were already considered Category III commercial 
fisheries with respect to ESA-listed stocks or species, so these 
corrections do not change our proposed determinations.

    Dated: May 17, 2021.
Catherine Marzin,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-10631 Filed 5-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P