[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 6352-6353] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-3724] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [I.D. 020896A] Gulf of Maine Aquaculture-Pinniped Interaction Task Force; Hearing AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; public hearing; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Gulf of Maine Aquaculture-Pinniped Interaction Task Force (Task Force) was established to advise NMFS of issues and problems regarding pinnipeds interacting in a dangerous or damaging manner with aquaculture resources in the Gulf of Maine. That advice comprises the Task Force's final report to NMFS, which is complete and is available to the public upon request (see ADDRESSES). NMFS is required by the MMPA to consider the Task Force report and to prepare a separate report to Congress that will recommend alternatives to mitigate the effects of the aquaculture-pinniped interactions. To that end, NMFS is seeking public comment on the Task Force report, and will hold a public hearing. DATES: Comments on the Task Force report must be submitted on or before March 21, 1996. The hearing will be held on February 20, 1996 in two sessions from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:30-8:00 p.m. Sessions will be extended if necessary. ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the Washington County Technical College, Marine Trade Center, RR#1, Eastport, ME, 04631-9618. Written comments should be sent to, and copies of the Task Force report are available from Chief, Marine Mammal Division, [[Page 6353]] Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Morris (508) 281-9388, or Dr. Edward Cyr (301) 713-2319. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The salmon aquaculture industry in the northeastern United States has grown substantially in the last decade and so have regional populations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus). The seals occasionally attack the salmon pens. Industry proponents claim the losses caused by the seals are substantial and the frequency of attacks has increased in recent years. Seals are protected under the MMPA, and the actions salmon growers can take to protect their pens are thereby limited to non- lethal deterrence measures. Per MMPA section 120(h), a seven-member Task Force was established by NMFS to examine the issues and problems associated with pinniped- aquaculture interactions in the Gulf of Maine. Task Force members were selected from the aquaculture industry, state government, the scientific community, and conservation organizations. The Task Force convened three times for multi-day meetings, visited pen-sites, conducted public hearings, met with salmon growers, conducted surveys, and reviewed literature related to the issue. The Task Force prepared a report consisting its findings along with recommendations to mitigate the seal predation, all of which represent the consensus of the Task Force. The report includes measures the Task Force believes would mitigate problems due to interactions. At the hearing, the public will have an opportunity to provide oral or written testimony regarding the Task Force report. Persons planning to speak at the hearing must provide a written copy of their testimony to the NMFS representative at the hearing. Task Force members will be at the hearing to answer questions regarding the report and the Task Force process. The hearing is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Arrangements for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids will be made if NMFS is notified of such needs at least three days prior to the hearing (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Dated: February 13, 1996. Ann Terbush, Chief, Permits Division, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-3724 Filed 2-16-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F