81 FR 21321 - Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 69 (April 11, 2016)

Page Range		21321-21322
FR Document		2016-08221

This notice sets forth the proposed schedule and agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21321-21322]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08221]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE536


Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of open public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the proposed schedule and agenda of a 
forthcoming meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). 
The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.

DATES: The meeting will be held April 25-27, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 
p.m.

ADDRESSES:  The meeting will be held at the Hotel Monaco Portland, 506 
SW. Washington Street, Portland, OR 97204; 503-222-0001.

[[Page 21322]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Lukens, MAFAC Executive 
Director; (301) 427-8004; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As required by section 10(a)(2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, notice is hereby given 
of a meeting of MAFAC. The MAFAC was established by the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary), and, since 1971, advises the Secretary on all 
living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the 
Department of Commerce. The complete charter and summaries of prior 
meetings are located online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/.

Matters To Be Considered

    This meeting time and agenda are subject to change.
    The meeting is convened to hear presentations and discuss policies 
and guidance on the following topics: Proposed Columbia Basin 
Partnership Task Force, hatchery genetic management plans, draft 
National Bycatch Reduction Strategy, fishing community and coastal 
resilience, and strategic planning. The meeting will include updates on 
electronic monitoring on the west coast, recreational fishing regional 
implementation plans, and the budget outlook for FY2016-2017; 
discussion of various MAFAC administrative and organizational matters; 
and may include meetings of standing subcommittees and working groups.

Special Accommodations

    The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Heidi Lovett; 301-427-8034 by April 15, 2016.

    Dated: April 5, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08221 Filed 4-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices 21321

fund an at-sea monitoring (ASM) To further examine these issues and All catch of groundfish stocks
program. Amendment 16 also included develop EM, TNC submitted a complete allocated to sectors by vessels would be
a provision that allows electronic application for an EFP on March 17, deducted from the sector’s annual catch
monitoring (EM) to be used to satisfy 2016, to enable data collection activities entitlement for each NE multispecies
this monitoring requirement, provided and catch monitoring that the stock. Legal-sized regulated groundfish
NMFS deems the technology sufficient regulations on commercial fishing would be retained and landed, as
for the purposes of catch accounting. would otherwise restrict. The EFP required by the FMP. Undersized
There are likely different visions for would support an EM study intended to groundfish would be handled according
what an EM system entails, but improve the functionality of EM to the EM project guidelines in view of
generally EM incorporates video systems, optimize fish handling cameras and returned to the sea as
cameras, sensors, and electronic protocols by participating fishermen, quickly as possible. All other species
reporting systems into a vessel’s fishing and continue development of EM as a would be handled per normal
operations. Depending on the program monitoring tool for the groundfish commercial fishing operations. No legal-
design, EM has the potential to reduce fishery. Results of this study would be size regulated groundfish would be
the expenses associated with monitoring used to inform the approval and discarded, unless otherwise permitted
groundfish sectors, and, at the same implementation of EM in the fishery. through regulatory exemptions granted
time, increase accountability and The EFP would exempt participating to the participating vessel’s sector.
monitoring in the fishery. However, vessels from adhering to its sector’s If approved, the applicant may
moving away from human observers has monitoring plan, which requires the request minor modifications and
its trade-offs; the types and quality of deployment of ASMs on sector trips extensions to the EFP throughout the
data can be different between EM and selected for ASM coverage. While year. EFP modifications and extensions
ASMs. Simply stated, EM may be a participating in the EM study, vessels may be granted without further notice if
suitable replacement to ASM, provided would use EM to replace ASMs when they are deemed essential to facilitate
EM has the ability to identify species, selected for ASM coverage. EM would completion of the proposed research
and verify weights and counts of not replace Northeast Fishery Observer and have minimal impacts that do not
discards in the groundfish fishery. Program (NEFOP) observers. change the scope or impact of the
For the groundfish fishery, the Approximately 20 sector vessels would initially approved EFP request. Any
program designs being considered are participate in this project, including fishing activity conducted outside the
participants from the Georges Bank Cod scope of the exempted fishing activity
the ‘‘audit model’’ and the ‘‘maximized
Fixed Gear Sector, the Maine Coast would be prohibited.
retention model.’’ The audit model
Community Sector, the Northeast
would use EM to verify discards Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Fishery Sector 11, and possibly
reported by a captain on a vessel trip Dated: April 6, 2016.
additional sectors as well.
report. Under the maximized retention Under the EFP, vessels would declare Emily H. Menashes,
model, vessels would be required to sector trips in the Pre-Trip Notification Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
retain most fish species (e.g., allocated System, as required by the FMP. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
groundfish stocks), be allowed to However, if selected for ASM coverage, [FR Doc. 2016–08256 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
discard others (e.g., protected species), the vessel would be issued an ASM BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
and EM would be used to ensure waiver and instead be required to turn
compliance with discarding regulations. on the EM system for the entire fishing
NMFS has not yet approved EM as a trip. If selected for NEFOP coverage, the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
suitable alternative to ASM for the vessel would fish with a NEFOP
groundfish fishery. However, there have observer and would also turn on the EM National Oceanic and Atmospheric
been several efforts in recent years to system for the entire trip. A third-party Administration
develop EM as a monitoring tool in the provider would review 100 percent of
fishery. RIN 0648–XE536
the video from each EM trip, and NMFS
NMFS has been collaborating with would audit the provider(s) to verify the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Gulf accuracy of the EM data collected. For Meeting
of Maine Research Institute, the Maine sector monitoring, NMFS uses a
Coast Fishermen’s Association, the Cape combination of the discard data AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, collected from NEFOP observers and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
and Ecotrust Canada to implement a ASMs to estimate discards. For vessels Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
program that uses EM for monitoring in participating in this EFP, NMFS would Commerce.
the groundfish fishery. NMFS has been use the EM data collected in place of the ACTION: Notice of open public meeting.
building database infrastructure and ASM data. All other catch monitoring
processing tools for data collected from SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the
under the EFP would be consistent with
EM video footage, conducting proposed schedule and agenda of a
standard sector monitoring, such as
comparative analysis to the existing forthcoming meeting of the Marine
using dealer-reported landings and
catch monitoring systems in the fishery, Fisheries Advisory Committee
vessel trip reports.
and addressing additional legal and Across all participants, TNC expects (MAFAC). The members will discuss
logistical hurdles. However, there are approximately 900 total trips and provide advice on issues outlined
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

some challenges that remain that will throughout the 2016 fishing year. If the
require additional EM data and analysis target observer coverage was set at 14 below.
to resolve. For example, an EM program percent, as proposed in Framework DATES: The meeting will be held April
must specify how much video needs to Adjustment 55 to the NE Multispecies 25–27, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
be reviewed to satisfy the monitoring FMP, this would result in ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
objectives, and best practices need to be approximately 126 EM trips. Some of the Hotel Monaco Portland, 506 SW.
developed for species that are difficult these trips would have a NEFOP Washington Street, Portland, OR 97204;
to identify using EM. observer onboard as well. 503–222–0001.

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21322 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: information under the provisions of the information on recreational landings of
Jennifer Lukens, MAFAC Executive Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. West Atlantic sailfish which is
Director; (301) 427–8004; email: Chapter 35). unavailable from other established
Jennifer.Lukens@noaa.gov. Agency: National Oceanic and monitoring programs. Collection of
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). sailfish catch information is authorized
required by section 10(a)(2) of the Title: Atlantic Highly Migratory under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 Species Recreational Landings and purposes of stock management.
U.S.C. App. 2, notice is hereby given of Bluefin Tuna Catch Reports. Affected Public: Individuals or
a meeting of MAFAC. The MAFAC was OMB Control Number: 0648–0328. households; business or other for-profit
established by the Secretary of Form Number(s): None. organizations.
Type of Request: Regular (extension of Frequency: Daily, biweekly, monthly,
Commerce (Secretary), and, since 1971,
a currently approved information annual.
advises the Secretary on all living
collection).
marine resource matters that are the Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
Number of Respondents: 13,402.
responsibility of the Department of Average Hours per Response: 5 This information collection request
Commerce. The complete charter and minutes for an initial call-in or internet may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow
summaries of prior meetings are located report; 5 minutes for a confirmation call; the instructions to view Department of
online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ 10 minutes for a landing card; 1 hour for Commerce collections currently under
ocs/mafac/. a weekly or biweekly state report; and review by OMB.
4 hours for an annual state report. Written comments and
Matters To Be Considered
Burden Hours: 1,586. recommendations for the proposed
This meeting time and agenda are Needs and Uses: This request is for information collection should be sent
subject to change. extension of a currently approved within 30 days of publication of this
The meeting is convened to hear notice to OIRA_Submission@
information collection.
presentations and discuss policies and Catch reporting from recreational and omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806.
guidance on the following topics: commercial hand-gear fisheries provides
Proposed Columbia Basin Partnership Dated: April 5, 2016.
important data used to monitor catches Sarah Brabson,
Task Force, hatchery genetic of Atlantic highly migratory species
management plans, draft National NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
(HMS) and supplements other existing
Bycatch Reduction Strategy, fishing data collection programs. Data collected
[FR Doc. 2016–08165 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
community and coastal resilience, and through this program are used for both BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
strategic planning. The meeting will domestic and international fisheries
include updates on electronic management and stock assessment
monitoring on the west coast, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
purposes.
recreational fishing regional Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) catch
implementation plans, and the budget National Oceanic and Atmospheric
reporting provides real-time catch Administration
outlook for FY2016–2017; discussion of information used to monitor the BFT
various MAFAC administrative and fishery. Under the Atlantic Tunas Evaluation of State Coastal
organizational matters; and may include Convention Act of 1975 (ATCA, 16 Management Programs and National
meetings of standing subcommittees and U.S.C. 971), the United States is Estuarine Research Reserves
working groups. required to adopt regulations, as
Special Accommodations necessary and appropriate, to AGENCY: Office for Coastal Management
implement recommendations of the (OCM), National Ocean Service (NOS),
The meeting is physically accessible National Oceanic and Atmospheric
International Commission for the
to people with disabilities. Requests for Administration (NOAA), Department of
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT),
sign language interpretation or other Commerce (DOC).
including recommendations on a
auxiliary aids should be directed to
specified BFT quota. BFT catch ACTION: Notice.
Heidi Lovett; 301–427–8034 by April
reporting helps the U.S. monitor this
15, 2016. SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and
quota and supports scientific research
Dated: April 5, 2016. consistent with ATCA and the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Samuel D. Rauch III, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Office for Coastal Management will hold
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Conservation and Management Act two separate public meetings to solicit
Regulatory Programs, National Marine (Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 comments on the performance
Fisheries Service. et seq.). Recreational anglers and evaluation of the Oregon Coastal
[FR Doc. 2016–08221 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] commercial hand-gear fishermen are Management Program and the
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P required to report specific information Narragansett Bay National Estuarine
regarding their catch of BFT. Research Reserve. Notice is also hereby
Atlantic billfish and swordfish are given of the availability of the final
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE managed internationally by ICCAT and evaluation findings for Maryland,
nationally under ATCA and the Puerto Rico and Ohio Coastal
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Magnuson-Stevens Act. This collection Management Programs.
Administration
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

provides information needed to monitor DATES: Oregon Coastal Management
the recreational catch of Atlantic blue Program Evaluation: The public meeting
Submission for OMB Review;
and white marlin, which is applied to will be held on May 24, 2016, and
Comment Request
the recreational limit established by written comments must be received on
The Department of Commerce will ICCAT, and the recreational catch of or before June 10, 2016.
submit to the Office of Management and North Atlantic swordfish, which is Narragansett Bay National Estuarine
Budget (OMB) for clearance the applied to the U.S. quota established by Research Reserve Evaluation: The
following proposal for collection of ICCAT. This collection also provides public meeting will be held on June 28,

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Document Created: 2016-04-09 00:11:35
Document Modified: 2016-04-09 00:11:35

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 open public meeting.
Dates		The meeting will be held April 25-27, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact		Jennifer Lukens, MAFAC Executive Director; (301) 427-8004; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 21321
RIN Number		0648-XE53

81 FR 21321 - Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 69 (April 11, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration