Notices. Notice of Issuance of an Amended Export Trade Certificate of Review, Application No

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BILLING CODE 3510-DS-M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration, Commerce. Export Trade Certificate of Review ACTION: Notice of Issuance of an Amended Export Trade Certificate of Review, Application No. 05-A0001. SUMMARY: On July 11, 2006, The U.S. Department of Commerce issued an amended Export Trade Certificate of Review to Central America Poultry Export Quota, Inc. (“CA-PEQ”). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey C. Anspacher, Director, Export Trading Company Affairs, International Trade Administration,

(202)482-5131 (this is not a toll-free number) or E-mail at *oetca@ita.doc.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title III of the Export Trading Company Act of 1982 (15 U.S.C. 4001-21) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue Export Trade Certificates of Review. The regulations implementing Title III are found at 15 CFR Part 325 (2005). Export Trading Company Affairs (“ETCA”) is issuing this notice pursuant to 15 CFR 325.6(b), which requires the U.S. Department of Commerce to publish a summary of the certification in the **Federal Register** . Under Section 305(a) of the Act and 15 CFR 325.11(a), any person aggrieved by the Secretary's determination may, within 30 days of the date of this notice, bring an action in any appropriate district court of the United States to set aside the determination on the ground that the determination is erroneous. Description of Amended Certificate The original CA-PEQ Certificate (No. 05-00001) was issued on January 30, 2006 (71 FR 6753, February 9, 2006). CA-PEQ's Export Trade Certificate of Review has been amended to: 1. Add the following association as a new “Member” of the Certificate within the meaning of § 325.2(1) of the Regulations (15 CFR 325.2(1)): Federacion de Avicultores de Honduras (“FEDAVIH”), San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The effective date of the amended certificate is April 12, 2006. A copy of the amended certificate will be kept in the International Trade Administration's Freedom of Information Records Inspection Facility, Room 4100, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. Dated: July 11, 2006. Jeffrey C. Anspacher, Director, Export Trading Company Affairs. [FR Doc. E6-11110 Filed 7-13-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 070706A] Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit Related to Horseshoe Crabs AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, is considering issuing an Exempted Fishing Permit to Limuli Laboratories of Cape May Court House, NJ, to conduct the sixth year of an exempted fishing operation otherwise restricted by regulations prohibiting the harvest of horseshoe crabs in the Carl N. Schuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve (Reserve) located 3 nautical miles

(nm)seaward from the mouth of the Delaware Bay. If granted, the EFP would allow the harvest of 10,000 horseshoe crabs for biomedical purposes and require, as a condition of the EFP, the collection of data related to the status of horseshoe crabs within the Reserve. This notice also invites comments on the issuance of the EFP to Limuli Laboratories. DATES: Written comments on this action must be received on or before July 31, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Alan Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Mark the outside of the envelope “Comments on Horseshoe Crab EFP Proposal.” Comments may also be sent via fax to

(301)713-0596. Comments on this notice may also be submitted by e-mail to: *Horseshoe-Crab.EFP@noaa.gov* . Include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: Horseshoe Crab EFP Proposal. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Meyer, Fishery Management Biologist,

(301)713-2334. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The regulations that govern exempted fishing, at 50 CFR 600.745(b) and 697.22, allow a Regional Administrator or the Director of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries to authorize for limited testing, public display, data collection, exploration, health and safety, environmental clean-up and/or hazardous removal purposes, the targeting or incidental harvest of managed species that would otherwise be prohibited. Accordingly, an EFP to authorize such activity may be issued, provided: there is adequate opportunity for the public to comment on the EFP application, the conservation goals and objectives of the fishery management plan are not compromised, and issuance of the EFP is beneficial to the management of the species. The Reserve was established on March 7, 2001, to protect the Atlantic coast stock of horseshoe crabs and to support the effectiveness of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Interstate Fishery Management Plan (ISFMP) for horseshoe crabs. The final rule (February 5, 2001; 66 FR 8906) prohibited fishing for and possession of horseshoe crabs in the Reserve on a vessel with a trawl or dredge gear aboard while in the Reserve. While the rule did not allow for any biomedical harvest or the collection of fishery dependent data, NMFS stated in the comments and responses section that it would consider issuing EFPs for the biomedical harvest of horseshoe crabs in the Reserve. The biomedical industry collects horseshoe crabs, removes approximately 30 percent of their blood, and returns them alive to the water. Approximately 10 percent do not survive the bleeding process. The blood contains a reagent called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate

(LAL)that is used to test injectable drugs and medical devices for bacteria and bacterial by-products. Presently, there is no alternative to the LAL derived from horseshoe crabs. NMFS manages horseshoe crabs in the exclusive economic zone in close cooperation with the Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Commission's Horseshoe Crab Management Board met on April 21, 2000, and again on December 16, 2003, and recommended to NMFS that biomedical companies with a history of collecting horseshoe crabs in the Reserve be given an exemption to continue their historic levels of collection not to exceed a combined harvest total of 10,000 crabs annually. In 2000, the Commission's Horseshoe Crab Plan Review Team reported that biomedical harvest of up to 10,000 horseshoe crabs should be allowed to continue in the Reserve given that the resulting mortality should be only about 1,000 horseshoe crabs (10 percent mortality during bleeding process). Also in 2000, the Commission's Horseshoe Crab Stock Assessment Committee Chairman recommended that, in order to protect the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab population from over-harvest or excessive collection mortality, no more than a maximum of 20,000 horseshoe crabs should be collected for biomedical purposes from the Reserve. In addition to the direct mortality of horseshoe crabs that are bled, it can be expected that more than 20,000 horseshoe crabs will be trawled up and examined for LAL processing. This is because horseshoe crab trawl catches usually include varied sizes and sexes of horseshoe crabs and large female horseshoe crabs are the ones usually selected for LAL processing. The remaining horseshoe crabs are released at sea with some unknown amount of mortality. Although unknown, this mortality is expected to be negligible. Collection of horseshoe crabs for biomedical purposes from the Reserve is necessary because of the low numbers of horseshoe crabs found in other areas along the New Jersey Coast from July through early November and because of the critical role horseshoe crab blood plays in health care. In conjunction with the biomedical harvest, NMFS is considering requiring that scientific data be collected from the horseshoe crabs taken in the Reserve as a condition of receiving an EFP. Since the Reserve was first established, the only fishery data from the Reserve were under EFPs issued to Limuli Laboratories for the past five years, and under Scientific Research Activity Letter of Acknowledgment issued Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Science on September 4, 2001 (for collections from September 1-October 31, 200l), on September 24, 2002 (for collections from September 24-November 15, 2002), on August 14, 2003 (for collections from September 1-October 31, 2003), on September 15, 2004 (for collections from September 15-October 31, 2004), and on September 9, 2005 (for collections from September 9-October 30, 2005). Further data are needed to improve the understanding of the horseshoe crab population in the Delaware Bay area and to better manage the horseshoe crab resource under the cooperative state/Federal management program. The data collected through the EFP will be provided to NMFS, the Commission, and to the State of New Jersey. Results from 2005 EFP Limuli Laboratories applied for an EFP to collect horseshoe crabs for biomedical and data collection purposes from the Reserve in 2005. The EFP application specified that:

(1)the same methods would be used in 2005 that were used in years 2001-2004,

(2)15 percent of the bled horseshoe crabs would be tagged - an increase from 10 percent, and

(3)there had not been any sighting or capture of marine mammals or endangered species in the trawling nets of fishing vessels engaged in the collection of horseshoe crabs since 1993. In 2005, a Supplemental Environmental Assessment was completed and found that there was no significant impacts in conducting the EFP. An EFP was issued to Limuli Laboratories on July 12, 2005, which allowed them to collect horseshoe crabs in the Reserve until November 30, 2005. A total of 5,480 horseshoe crabs were collected in the Reserve during the late summer and early fall of 2005. Of these, 4,681 animals were used for the manufacture of LAL. Female horseshoe crab activity levels were 75 percent active and 25 percent very active, while males were 59 percent active and 41 percent very active. The remaining 799 animals were rejected; 373 crabs (6.8 percent) were unresponsive due to collecting, transporting and handling (presumed dead), and 426 animals (7.9 percent) were rejected for biomedical use due to lethargy or injury. Horseshoe crabs were collected on 11 days (9 days in August and 2 days in September), and were transported to the laboratory for the bleeding operation and inspected for sex, size, injuries and responsiveness. Three to four tows were conducted during each fishing trip with the tows lasting no more than 30 minutes to avoid impacting loggerhead turtles. Horseshoe crabs were unloaded at Two Mile Dock, Wildwood Crest, New Jersey and at County Dock, Ocean City, Maryland and transported to the laboratory by truck. Since large horseshoe crabs, which are generally females, are used for LAL processing, most of the crabs transported to the laboratory were females. Of those 4,681 processed for LAL, 100 female and 100 male crabs were measured (inter-ocular distances and prosoma widths), weighed, aged, and tagged to establish baseline morphometrics and ages, prior to being released. An additional 625 female bled animals were tagged for a total of 825 animals or 17.6 percent. The average measurements for the female horseshoe crabs were 161.64 mm (166.32 mm in 2004) for the inter-ocular distance, 260.4 mm (264.90 mm in 2004) for the prosoma width and 2.08 kg (2.39 kg in 2004) for the weight. The average measurements for the male horseshoe crabs were 127.14 mm for the inter-ocular distance, 217.52 mm for the prosoma width and 1.02 kg for the weight. No male horseshoe crabs were measured in 2004. Encrusting organisms (bryozoans, barnacles, slipper shells, and sand tub worms) were found on 18 (9 percent) of the female animals and 28 (14 percent) of the horseshoe crabs examined. Eight (4 percent) of the female horseshoe crabs had broken tails, four had dents in their prosomas, and one had a malformed right wing prosoma. Eight (4 percent) of the males had broken tails and one had a hole on the right side of the prosoma. Horseshoe crabs were aged in 2005 using Dr. Carl N. Schuster Jr.'s criteria of aging by appearance: female horseshoe crabs - virgin (65 percent), young (4 percent), young/medium (29 percent), and old (2 percent); male horseshoe crabs - virgin (8 percent), young (52 percent), young/medium (24 percent), and old (16 percent) . This finding supports the basis for the Reserve, which was established to protect young horseshoe crabs. In 2005, a total of 825 horseshoe crabs from the Reserve were tagged and released at the water's edge on Highs Beach, New Jersey. The beach was checked frequently, following release, to ensure the crabs had returned to the water. Seventeen live recoveries and seven dead recoveries were documented. The live recoveries were found along the shores of the Delaware Bay (Fowlers Beach, Kitts Hummock and Slaughter Beach in Delaware and Cape May, Del Haven, East Point, Egg Island, Higbees and Thompson in New Jersey). One horseshoe crab was observed along the Atlantic coast off Sea Isle City in New Jersey. Data collected under the EFP were supplied to NMFS, the Commission, and the State of New Jersey. Proposed 2005 EFP Limuli Laboratories proposes to conduct an exempted fishery operation using the same means, methods, and seasons utilized during the EFPs in 2001-2005, as described below under terms and conditions. Limuli proposes to continue to tag 15 percent of the bled horseshoe crabs as they did in 2005, up from 10 percent during years 2001-2003. The proposed EFP would exempt three commercial vessels from regulations at 50 CFR 697.7(e), which prohibit fishing for horseshoe crabs in the Reserve under § 697.23(f)(1) and prohibit possession of horseshoe crabs on a vessel with a trawl or dredge gear aboard in the same Reserve. Limuli Laboratories, in cooperation with the State of New Jersey's Division of Fish and Wildlife, submitted an application for an EFP on July 5, 2006. NMFS has made a preliminary determination that the subject EFP contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. NMFS has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Federal horseshoe crab regulations and the Commission's Horseshoe Crab ISFMP. Regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b)(3)(v) authorize NMFS to attach terms and conditions to the EFP consistent with: the purpose of the exempted fishery, the objectives of horseshoe crab regulations and fisheries management plan, and other applicable law. NMFS is considering adding the following terms and conditions to the EFP: 1. Limiting the number of horseshoe crabs collected in the Reserve to no more than 500 crabs per day and to a total of no more than 10,000 crabs per year; 2. Requiring collections to take place over a total of approximately 20 days during the months of July, August, September, October, and November. Horseshoe crabs are readily available in harvestable concentrations nearshore earlier in the year, and offshore in the Reserve from July through November; 3. Requiring that a 5 1/2 inch (14.0 cm) flounder net be used by the vessel to collect the horseshoe crabs. This condition would allow for continuation of traditional harvest gear and adds to the consistency in the way horseshoe crabs are harvested for data collection; 4. Limiting trawl tow times to 30 minutes as a conservation measure to protect sea turtles, which are expected to be migrating through the area during the collection period, and are vulnerable to bottom trawling; 5. Restricting the hours of fishing to daylight hours only, approximately from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to aid law enforcement. NMFS also is considering a requirement that the State of New Jersey Law Enforcement be notified daily as to when and where the collection will take place; 6. Requiring that the collected horseshoe crabs be picked up from the fishing vessels at docks in the Cape May Area and transported to local laboratories, bled for LAL, and released alive the following morning into the Lower Delaware Bay; and 7. Requiring that any turtle take be reported to NMFS, NERO Assistant Regional Administrator of Protected Resources Division (phone,

(978)281-9328) within 24 hours of returning from the trip in which the incidental take occurred. Also as part of the terms and conditions of the EFP, for all horseshoe crabs bled for LAL, NMFS is considering a requirement that the EFP holder provide data on sex ratio and daily numbers, and tag 15 percent of the horseshoe crabs harvested. Also, the EFP holder may be required to examine at least 200 horseshoe crabs for: morphometric data, by sex (e.g., interocular (I/O) distance and weight), and level of activity, as measured by a response or by distance traveled after release on a beach. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.* Dated: July 10, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-11067 Filed 7-13-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 071106E] Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Closed Session Advisory Panel Selection Committee Conference Call. SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Advisory Panel Selection Committee via Conference Call to select participants for Ad Hoc Shrimp Effort AP, SEDAR NGO AP, and review AP Member Violations Material for recommendation to the Council. DATES: The conference call will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2006, from 11 a.m. EDT to 12 noon EDT. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held via Closed Session conference call. *Council address* : Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, Florida 33607. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Wayne Swingle, Executive Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: 813.348.1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Advisory Panel Selection Committee via Conference Call to select participants for Ad Hoc Shrimp Effort AP, SEDAR NGO AP, and review AP Member Violations Material in a closed session conference call on Thursday, August 3, 2006, at 11 a.m. EDT. The Committee recommendations will be presented to the Council at the August 14-18, 2006, Council Meeting in Baton Rouge, LA. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Tina Trezza at the Council (see ADDRESSES ) at least five working days prior to the meeting. Dated: July 11, 2006. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-11161 Filed 7-13-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 071106C] Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; Southeastern Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Steering Committee Meeting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of the SEDAR Steering Committee Meeting. SUMMARY: The SEDAR Steering Committee will meet to discuss the SEDAR schedule; consider modifications to the SEDAR process; discuss the assessment update process; and establish the assessment schedule for 2006 and 2007. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION . DATES: The SEDAR Steering Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, August 2, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef, 5 Estate Bakkeroe, St. Thomas, USVI, 00802. Phone:

(340)776-8500 / Fax:

(340)715-6191. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Carmichael, SEDAR Coordinator, SEDAR/SAFMC, One Southpark Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, S.C., 29407; phone

(843)571-4366 or toll free

(866)SAFMC-10; FAX

(843)769-4520. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils; in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission; implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks. The SEDAR Steering Committee provides oversight of the SEDAR process, establishes assessment priorities, and provides coordination between assessment efforts and management activities. The SEDAR Steering Committee meets twice annually. During this meeting the Steering Committee will consider benchmark assessments during 2007-2011 and update assessments in 2007 and 2008. The Committee will receive the report of the king mackerel mixing subcommittee and the evaluation of research and monitoring needs for scheduled assessments. The Committee will review the update process, consider the time allotted to complete benchmark assessments, evaluate options for securing review panel chairs, evaluate review panel products, and clarify assessment presentation procedures. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council office at the address listed above at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. Dated: July 11, 2006. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-11159 Filed 7-13-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 071106D] Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeastern Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of SEDAR Data, Assessment, and Review Workshops for Gulf of Mexico red grouper. SUMMARY: The SEDAR assessment of the Gulf of Mexico stock of red grouper will be developed through a series of three workshops: a Data Workshop, an Assessment Workshop, and a Review Workshop. This is the twelfth SEDAR. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION . DATES: The Data Workshop will take place July 24-28, 2006; the Assessment Workshop will take place October 16-20, 2006; the Review Workshop will take place January 29-February 2, 2007. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION . ADDRESSES: The Data Workshop will be held at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 First Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Phone

(727)894-5000. The Assessment Workshop will be held at the Doubletree Coconut Grove, 2649 South Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33133. Phone

(305)858-2500. The Review Workshop will be held at the Doubletree Atlanta Buckhead, 3342 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta GA 30326. Phone

(404)231-1234. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Atran, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC), 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa FL 33607. Phone:

(813)348-1630. John Carmichael, SEDAR Coordinator, One Southpark Circle # 306, Charleston, SC 29414.

(843)571-4366. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. SEDAR includes three workshops: 1) Data Workshop, 2) Stock Assessment Workshop and 3) Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a data report which compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The product of the Stock Assessment Workshop is a stock assessment report which describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The assessment is independently peer reviewed at the Review Workshop. The products of the Review Workshop are a Consensus Summary documenting Panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data, and an Advisory Report summarizing stock status and recommending management criteria. Participants for SEDAR Workshops, appointed by the regional Fishery Management Councils, the SERO, and the SEFSC, include data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and NGO's; International experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. SEDAR workshops are open to the public. SEDAR 12 Workshop Schedule July 24-28, 2006; SEDAR 12 Data Workshop July 24, 2006: 1 p.m.-8 p.m.; July 25-27, 2006: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; July 28, 2006: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. An assessment data set and associated documentation will be developed during the Data Workshop. Participants will evaluate all available data and select appropriate sources for providing information on life history characteristics, catch statistics, discard estimates, length and age composition, and fishery dependent and fishery independent measures of stock abundance. October 16-20, 2006. SEDAR 12 Assessment Workshop October 16, 2006: 1 p.m.-8 p.m.; October 17-19, 2006: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; October 20, 2006: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Using datasets provided by the Data Workshop, participants will develop population models to evaluate stock status, estimate population benchmarks and Sustainable Fisheries Act criteria, and project future conditions. Participants will recommend the most appropriate methods and configurations for determining stock status and estimating population parameters. Participants will prepare a workshop report, compare and contrast various assessment approaches, and determine whether the assessments are adequate for submission to the review panel. January 29-February 2, 2007. SEDAR 12 Review Workshop January 29, 2007: 1 p.m.-8 p.m.; January 30-February 1, 2007: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; February 2, 2007: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The Review Workshop is an independent peer review of the assessment developed during the Data and Assessment Workshops. Workshop Panelist appointed by the Center for Independent Experts

(CIE)will review the assessment and document their comments and recommendations in a Consensus Summary. The Panel will summarize recommended population parameter estimates in an Advisory Report. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES ) at least 5 business days prior to each workshop. Dated: July 11, 2006. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-11160 Filed 7-13-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 051605B] Endangered Species; Permit No. 1486 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit modification. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Harold M. Brundage has been issued a modification to scientific research Permit No. 1486. ADDRESSES: The modification and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521; and Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (978)281-9328; fax (978)281-9394. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Guan or Tammy Adams, (301)713-2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 23, 2004, notice was published in the **Federal Register** (69 FR 56998) that an modification of Permit No. 1486, issued on December 29, 2004 (69 FR 77998), had been requested by Mr. Brundage. The requested modification has been issued under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226). Issuance of this modification, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such modification

(1)Was applied for in good faith,

(2)will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered or threatened species, and

(3)is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: July 10, 2006. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-11133 Filed 7-13-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 070506C] Vessel Monitoring Systems; Approved Mobile Transmitting Unit for Vessels Issued Permits to Operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of approved vessel monitoring system. SUMMARY: This document provides notice of vessel monitoring systems

(VMS)approved by NOAA for use by vessels issued permits to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument and sets forth relevant features of the VMS. ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the list of NOAA-approved VMS mobile transmitting units and NOAA-approved VMS communications service providers, or information regarding the status of VMS systems being evaluated by NOAA for approval, write to NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement (OLE), 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 415, Silver Spring, MD 20910. To submit a completed and signed checklist, mail or fax it to NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement, 8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 415, Silver Spring, MD 20910, fax 301-427-0049. For more addresses regarding approved VMS, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, under the heading “VMS Provider Address”. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For current listing information contact Mark Oswell, Outreach Specialist, phone 301-427-2300, fax 301-427-2055. For questions regarding VMS installation, and status of evaluations, contact Jonathan Pinkerton, National VMS Program Manager, phone 301-427-2300; fax 301-427-0049. The public may acquire this notice, installation/activation checklists, and relevant updates by calling the VMS support center, phone 888-219-9228, fax 301-427-0049. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. VMS Mobile Transceiver Unit Thrane & Thrane Sailor 3026D Gold VMS The Thrane & Thrane Sailor 3026D Gold VMS (TT-3026D) has been found to meet the minimum technical requirements for vessels issued permits to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. The address for the Thrane & Thrane distributor contact is provided in this notice under the heading VMS Provider Address. The TT-3026D Gold VMS features an integrated GPS/Inmarsat-C unit and a marine grade monitor with keyboard and integrated mouse. The unit is factory pre-configured for NMFS VMS operations (non-Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (non-GMDSS)). Satellite commissioning services are provided by Thrane & Thrane personnel. Automatic GPS position reporting starts after transceiver installation and power activation onboard the vessel. The unit is an integrated transceiver/antenna/GPS design using a floating 10 to 32 VDC power supply. The unit is configured for automatic reduced position transmissions when the vessel is stationary (i.e., in port). It allows for port stays without power drain or power shut down. The unit restarts normal position transmission automatically when the vessel goes to sea. The TT-3026D provides operation down to +/-15 degree angles. The unit has the capability of two-way communications to send formatted forms and to receive e-mail and other messages. A configuration option is available to automatically send position reports to a private address, such as a fleet management company. A vessel owner may purchase this system by contacting the entity identified in this notice under the heading “VMS Provider Address”. The owner should identify himself or herself as a vessel owner issued a permit to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, so the transceiver set can be properly configured. To use the TT-3026D the vessel owner will need to establish an Inmarsat-C system use contract with an approved Inmarsat-C communications service provider. The owner will be required to complete the Inmarsat-C “Registration for Service Activation for Maritime Mobile Earth Station.” The owner should consult with Thrane & Thrane when completing this form. Thrane & Thrane personnel will perform the following services before shipment:

(1)configure the transceiver according to OLE specifications for vessels issued permits to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument;

(2)download the predetermined NMFS position reporting and broadcast command identification numbers into the unit;

(3)test the unit to ensure operation when installation has been completed on the vessel; and

(4)forward the Inmarsat service provider and the transceiver identifying information to OLE. II. Inmarsat-C Communications Providers It is recommended, for vendor warranty and customer service purposes, that the vessel owner keep for his or her records and that Telenor and Xantic have on record the following identifying information:

(1)Signed and dated receipts and contracts;

(2)transceiver serial number; 3) Telenor or Xantic customer number, user name and password;

(4)e-mail address of transceiver;

(5)Inmarsat identification number;

(6)owner name;

(7)vessel name;

(8)vessel documentation or registration number; and

(9)mobile earth station license (FCC license). The OLE will provide an installation and activation checklist that the vessel owner must follow. The vessel owner must sign a statement on the checklist certifying compliance with the installation procedures and return the checklist to OLE. Installation can be performed by experienced crew or by an electronics specialist, and the installation cost is paid by the owner. The owner may confirm the TT-3026D operation and communications service to ensure that position reports are automatically sent to and received by OLE before leaving on a trip under VMS. The OLE does not regard the vessel as meeting requirements until position reports are automatically received. For confirmation purposes, contact the NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement, 8484 Georgia Ave, Suite 415, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 888-219-9228, fax 301-427-0049. Telenor Satellite Services Inmarsat-C is a store-and-forward data messaging service. Inmarsat-C allows users to send and receive information virtually anywhere in the world, on land, at sea, and in the air. Inmarsat-C supports a wide variety of applications including Internet, e-mail, position and weather reporting, a free daily news service, and remote equipment monitoring and control. Mariners can use Inmarsat-C free of charge to send critical safety at sea messages as part of the U.S. Coast Guard's Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue system and of the NOAA Shipboard Environmental Acquisition System programs. Telenor Vessel Monitoring System Services is being sold through Thrane & Thrane, Inc. For the Thrane & Thrane and Telenor addresses, look inside this notice under the heading “VMS Provider Address”. Xantic Xantic is a provider Vessel Monitoring Services to the maritime industry. By installing an approved OLE Inmarsat-C transceiver on the vessel, vessels can send and receive e-mail, to and from land, while the transceiver automatically sends vessel position reports to OLE, and is fully compliant with the International Coast Guard Search and Rescue Centers. Xantic Vessel Monitoring System Services are being sold through Thrane & Thrane, Inc. For the Thrane & Thrane and Xantic addresses, look in this notice under the heading “VMS Provider Address”. For Telenor and Xantic, Thrane & Thrane customer service supports the security and privacy of vessel accounts and messages with the following:

(a)password authentication for vessel owners or agents and for OLE to prevent unauthorized changes or inquiries; and

(b)separation of private messages from OLE messages. (OLE requires VMS-related position reports, only.) Billing is separated between accounts for the vessel owner and the OLE. VMS position reports and vessel-initiated messaging are paid for by the vessel owner. Messaging initiated from OLE operations center is paid for by NOAA. Thrane & Thrane provides customer service for Telenor and Xantic users to support and establish two-way transmission of transceiver unit configuration commands between the transceiver and land-based control centers. This supports OLE's message needs and, optionally, the crew's private message needs. The vessel owner can configure automatic position reports to be sent to a private address, such as to a fleet management company. Vessel owners wishing to use Telenor or Xantic services will need to purchase an Inmarsat-C transceiver approved for vessels issued permits to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. The owner will need to complete an Inmarsat-C system use contract with Telenor or Xantic, including a mobile earth station license (FCC requirement). The transceiver will need to be commissioned with Inmarsat according to Telenor or Xantic's instructions. The owner should refer to and follow the configuration, installation, and service activation procedures for the specific transceiver purchased. III. VMS Provider Address For TT-3026D, Telenor, or Xantic information contact Ronald Lockerby, Marine Products, Thrane & Thrane , Inc., 509 Viking Drive, Suite K, L & M, Virginia Beach, VA 23452; voice: 757-463-9557; fax: 757-463-9581, e-mail: *rdl@tt.dk.com* ; website: *http://www.landseasystems.com* . Dated: July 11, 2006. William T. Hogarth, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06-6253 Filed 7-12-06; 1:01 pm]

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