[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]



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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.

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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