80 FR 55338 - New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 178 (September 15, 2015)

Page Range		55338-55339
FR Document		2015-23107

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) will hold a three-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55338-55339]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23107]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) 
will hold a three-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England 
fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 
September 29-October 1, 2015, starting at 8:30 a.m. on each of the 
meeting days.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Radisson Plymouth Harbor 
Hotel, 180 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360; telephone: (508) 747-4900; 
fax: (508) 746-2609; or online at www.radisson.com/plymouth-hotel-ma-02360/maplyhar.
    Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council; phone: (978) 465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Agenda

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

    After introductions and any announcements, the Council meeting will 
open with the swearing-in of new and reappointed Council members by the 
Regional Administrator of NOAA's Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries 
Office (GARFO). The full Council will then elect its 2015-16 officers 
to be followed by brief reports from the NEFMC Chairman and Executive 
Director, the GARFO Regional Administrator, the Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, 
NOAA General Counsel and its Office of Law Enforcement, and 
representatives of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and 
U.S Coast Guard. Next, the public will have an opportunity to make 
brief comments on items that are relevant to Council business but 
otherwise not listed on the published agenda.
    Following a break at 12 p.m., the NEFMC will receive reports from 
its oversight committees. The Atlantic

[[Page 55339]]

Herring Committee will provide recommendations and the Council will 
take final action on the fishery's 2016-18 specifications. These will 
include an overfishing level (OFL) and acceptable biological catch 
(ABC) based on Scientific and Statistical Committee advice, quotas for 
each of the four Atlantic herring management areas as well as monthly 
quota allocations, research set-asides, and annual gear/area-specific 
catch caps for river herring and shad. The day will conclude with the 
Council's Observer Committee report. This group will ask for approval 
of a Draft Environmental Assessment and draft omnibus amendment that 
would establish provisions for industry-funded monitoring (IFM) across 
all federally-managed fisheries in the Greater Atlantic region and 
address monitoring requirements on Atlantic herring vessels. 
Additionally, the discussion will include consideration of Observer 
Committee and Herring Committee recommendations regarding the inclusion 
of any additional management measures in the action, the selection of 
preferred alternatives, and approval of the Draft Omnibus IFM Amendment 
for public comment.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

    Wednesday's session will begin with the receipt of recommendations 
from the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee on a Georges 
Bank yellowtail flounder OFL and ABC for fishing years 2016-17; and an 
ABC recommendation for the species in the Northeast skate complex for 
fishing years 2016-18. Next, a summary of the 2015 Transboundary 
Resources Assessment Committee's recent stock assessments for Eastern 
Georges Bank cod, Eastern Georges Bank haddock, and Georges Bank 
yellowtail flounder will be presented. This will be followed by a 
discussion of and a decision on the Transboundary Management Guidance 
Committee's (TMGC) recommendations for the 2016 quotas for these same 
stocks. The Council may also discuss other TMGC issues. The Council's 
Groundfish Committee report will follow and will contain a number of 
elements: (1) Final Council action on Amendment 18 to the Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which focuses on 
accumulation limits and fleet diversity; (2) an update on the 
development of Framework Adjustment 55 to the Northeast Multispecies 
(Groundfish) Plan, which would set specifications for all groundfish 
stocks for fishing years 2016-18, and include the quotas for the three 
U.S./Canada stocks mentioned above for 2016 only; and (3) relative to 
Framework 55, consider including a proposal to establish a new sector 
in the groundfish fishery and possible changes that might streamline 
the current at-sea monitoring program.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

    The final meeting day will begin with a briefing by Dr. Jason Link 
of NOAA Fisheries on the agency's Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management 
Strategy. The Council's Habitat Committee will discuss the possibility 
of initiating a framework adjustment that would allow hydraulic clam 
dredging in some portions of the Great South Channel and the Georges 
Shoal Habitat Management Areas approved by the Council in Omnibus EFH 
Amendment 2 and review the status of and new information associated 
with the development of an Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment. A 
discussion of management priorities for 2016 will occur just prior to a 
lunch break.
    After the break, the Scallop Committee will ask the Council to 
identify preferred alternatives in Amendment 19 to the Sea Scallop FMP. 
The action is intended to expedite the implementation date of the sea 
scallop fishery specifications each year. An update on the development 
of fishing year 2016 specifications and default measures for fishing 
year 2017 is also scheduled. The Council will spend the remainder of 
the day on its Small Mesh Multispecies Program and the Northeast skate 
complex. During the Small Mesh Program agenda item the Council will: 
(1) Receive a summary of the annual monitoring report for the three 
species in this group, red, silver, and offshore hake, all of which are 
managed via the Groundfish Plan; (2) consider an interim adjustment to 
the fishery specifications for red hake; and (3) review and approve a 
draft scoping document for Amendment 22 to the Groundfish Plan, which 
would address limited access in this fishery. During the skate 
discussion, the Council will receive an update on the status of the 
seven skate species in the complex and recent catches. A decision may 
also be made about initiating a framework adjustment that would allow 
the Skate Committee to take the lead in developing specifications for 
fishing years 2016-17.
    Although other non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda 
may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be 
the subject of formal action during this meeting. Council action will 
be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and 
any issues arising after publication of this notice that require 
emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
provided that the public has been notified of the Council's intent to 
take final action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days 
prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: September 10, 2015.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-23107 Filed 9-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Notices 55339

Herring Committee will provide Framework 55, consider including a Stevens Act, provided that the public
recommendations and the Council will proposal to establish a new sector in the has been notified of the Council’s intent
take final action on the fishery’s 2016– groundfish fishery and possible changes to take final action to address the
18 specifications. These will include an that might streamline the current at-sea emergency.
overfishing level (OFL) and acceptable monitoring program.
Special Accommodations
biological catch (ABC) based on
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Scientific and Statistical Committee This meeting is physically accessible
advice, quotas for each of the four The final meeting day will begin with to people with disabilities. Requests for
Atlantic herring management areas as a briefing by Dr. Jason Link of NOAA sign language interpretation or other
well as monthly quota allocations, Fisheries on the agency’s Ecosystem- auxiliary aids should be directed to
research set-asides, and annual gear/ Based Fisheries Management Strategy. Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at least
area-specific catch caps for river herring The Council’s Habitat Committee will 5 days prior to the meeting date.
and shad. The day will conclude with discuss the possibility of initiating a
Dated: September 10, 2015.
the Council’s Observer Committee framework adjustment that would allow
hydraulic clam dredging in some Tracey L. Thompson,
report. This group will ask for approval
portions of the Great South Channel and Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
of a Draft Environmental Assessment Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
and draft omnibus amendment that the Georges Shoal Habitat Management
Areas approved by the Council in [FR Doc. 2015–23107 Filed 9–14–15; 8:45 am]
would establish provisions for industry-
funded monitoring (IFM) across all Omnibus EFH Amendment 2 and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

federally-managed fisheries in the review the status of and new
Greater Atlantic region and address information associated with the
development of an Omnibus Deep-Sea DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
monitoring requirements on Atlantic
herring vessels. Additionally, the Coral Amendment. A discussion of
Patent and Trademark Office
discussion will include consideration of management priorities for 2016 will
Observer Committee and Herring occur just prior to a lunch break. [Docket No.: PTO–P–2015–0062]
Committee recommendations regarding After the break, the Scallop
the inclusion of any additional Committee will ask the Council to Streamlined, Expedited Patent Appeal
management measures in the action, the identify preferred alternatives in Pilot for Small Entities
selection of preferred alternatives, and Amendment 19 to the Sea Scallop FMP.
The action is intended to expedite the AGENCY: United States Patent and
approval of the Draft Omnibus IFM Trademark Office, Commerce.
Amendment for public comment. implementation date of the sea scallop
fishery specifications each year. An ACTION: Notice.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015 update on the development of fishing
year 2016 specifications and default SUMMARY: The United States Patent and
Wednesday’s session will begin with
measures for fishing year 2017 is also Trademark Office (USPTO) has a
the receipt of recommendations from
scheduled. The Council will spend the procedure under which an application
the Council’s Scientific and Statistical
remainder of the day on its Small Mesh will be advanced out of turn (accorded
Committee on a Georges Bank yellowtail
Multispecies Program and the Northeast special status) for examination if the
flounder OFL and ABC for fishing years
skate complex. During the Small Mesh applicant files a petition to make special
2016–17; and an ABC recommendation
for the species in the Northeast skate Program agenda item the Council will: with the appropriate showing. The
complex for fishing years 2016–18. (1) Receive a summary of the annual USPTO is providing a temporary basis
Next, a summary of the 2015 monitoring report for the three species (the Streamlined, Expedited Patent
Transboundary Resources Assessment in this group, red, silver, and offshore Appeal Pilot for Small Entities) under
Committee’s recent stock assessments hake, all of which are managed via the which a small or micro entity appellant
for Eastern Georges Bank cod, Eastern Groundfish Plan; (2) consider an interim may have an ex parte appeal to the
Georges Bank haddock, and Georges adjustment to the fishery specifications Patent Trial and Appeal Board (Board)
Bank yellowtail flounder will be for red hake; and (3) review and approve accorded special status if the appellant
presented. This will be followed by a a draft scoping document for has only a single appeal pending before
discussion of and a decision on the Amendment 22 to the Groundfish Plan, the Board and the appellant agrees to
Transboundary Management Guidance which would address limited access in streamline the appeal. Specifically, the
Committee’s (TMGC) recommendations this fishery. During the skate discussion, appeal must not involve any claim
for the 2016 quotas for these same the Council will receive an update on subject to a rejection for lack of written
stocks. The Council may also discuss the status of the seven skate species in description, enablement, or best mode,
other TMGC issues. The Council’s the complex and recent catches. A or for indefiniteness, and the appellant
Groundfish Committee report will decision may also be made about must agree to the disposition of all
follow and will contain a number of initiating a framework adjustment that claims subject to each ground of
elements: (1) Final Council action on would allow the Skate Committee to rejection as a single group and waive
Amendment 18 to the Northeast take the lead in developing any request for an oral hearing. The
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan specifications for fishing years 2016–17. Streamlined, Expedited Patent Appeal
(FMP), which focuses on accumulation Although other non-emergency issues Pilot for Small Entities will allow small
limits and fleet diversity; (2) an update not contained in this agenda may come or micro entity appellants who
streamline their appeals to have greater
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

on the development of Framework before this Council for discussion, those
Adjustment 55 to the Northeast issues may not be the subject of formal control over the priority with which
Multispecies (Groundfish) Plan, which action during this meeting. Council their appeals are decided.
would set specifications for all action will be restricted to those issues DATES: Effective Date: September 18,
groundfish stocks for fishing years specifically listed in this notice and any 2015.
2016–18, and include the quotas for the issues arising after publication of this Duration: The Streamlined, Expedited
three U.S./Canada stocks mentioned notice that require emergency action Patent Appeal Pilot for Small Entities is
above for 2016 only; and (3) relative to under section 305(c) of the Magnuson- being adopted on a temporary basis and

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:09:05
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:09:05

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of public meeting.
Dates		The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, September 29-October 1, 2015, starting at 8:30 a.m. on each of the meeting days.
Contact		Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; phone: (978) 465-0492.
FR Citation		80 FR 55338

80 FR 55338 - New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 178 (September 15, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration