82 FR 25777 - New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 106 (June 5, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 106 (June 5, 2017)
| Page Range | 25777-25778 | |
| FR Document | 2017-11556 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 106 (Monday, June 5, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 25777-25778] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-11556] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF463 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, June 20, 21, and 22, 2017, beginning at 9 a.m. on June 20, 8:30 a.m. on June 21, and 8:30 a.m. on June 22. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, ME 04101; telephone: (207) 775-2311; online at http://www.innbythebay.com. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone: (978) 465-0492; www.nefmc.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492, ext. 113. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda Tuesday, June 20, 2017 After introductions and brief announcements, the meeting will begin with reports from the Council Chairman and Executive Director, NMFS's Regional Administrator for the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO), liaisons from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, representatives from NOAA General Counsel and the Office of Law Enforcement, and staff from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the U.S Coast Guard. Following these reports, the Council will hear from [[Page 25778]] its Whiting Committee, which will provide a brief progress report on Amendment 22 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The amendment is being developed to potentially limit access to the small-mesh multispecies fishery. Next, the Council will review and discuss the status of Amendment 6 to the Monkfish FMP. This amendment initially was intended to consider potential catch share management approaches for the monkfish fishery. The Council also will discuss and approve research priorities for the Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program. The Groundfish Committee report then will commence with a preview of the extensive afternoon agenda. Discussion of the first agenda item potentially could begin prior to lunch. For this item, the Council will receive a summary of the scoping comments for Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23 and discuss the amendment's purpose and need, as well as the likely range of alternatives. Following the lunch break, the Council will resume the groundfish monitoring discussion if necessary and spend the remainder of the afternoon on groundfish. The Council will initiate Framework Adjustment 57 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP, which will include: (1) 2018-2020 fishery specifications and other management measures; (2) 2018 total allowable catches (TACs) for U.S./Canada stocks of Eastern Georges Bank (GB) cod, Eastern GB haddock, and GB yellowtail flounder; (3) Atlantic halibut accountability measures (AMs); and (4) recreational management measures. The Council will review a draft letter with comments on the Marine Recreational Information Program Strategic Plan. Finally, the Council will consider comments on the interim final rule for 2017 and 2018 Sector Operations Plans, including whether measures or restrictions should be recommended for Sector IX due to misreporting by sector vessels. The Council then will adjourn for the day. Wednesday, June 21, 2017 The second day of the meeting will begin with a presentation on NMFS's Stock Assessment Improvement Plan (SAIP), which will be immediately followed by a presentation on NMFS's guidance regarding the use of Best Scientific Information Available (BSIA). The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) then will provide: (1) Comments on both the SAIP and BSIA; (2) comments on the Council's draft five-year research recommendations; and (3) a progress report on terms of reference for operational stock assessments when models are not feasible. The Council will discuss and consider the SSC's comments on NMFS's SAIP and BSIA guidance. Next, the Council will receive an Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Report with an update on developing a worked example of harvest control rules for ecosystem management. This item will be followed by the Skate Committee report. The Council is scheduled to: (1) Take final action on Framework Adjustment 4 to the Northeast Skate Complex FMP to modify the skate bait trigger and possession limits currently in place for the fishery; and (2) initiate Framework Adjustment 5 to allow barndoor skate landings and develop fishing year 2018-2019 specifications. Members of the public then will be able to speak during an open comment period on issues that relate to Council business but are not included on the published agenda for this meeting. The Council asks the public to limit remarks to 3-5 minutes. After a lunch break, the Scallop Committee first will present a report on the Limited Access General Category (LAGC) Individual Fishing Quota Five-Year Review. The Council then will approve research priorities for the 2018-2019 Scallop RSA Program. Next, the Council will receive a progress report on the development of Framework Adjustment 29, which includes: (1) Fishery specifications for the 2018 fishing year and default specifications for 2019; (2) flatfish AMs for the scallop fishery; (3) Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Management Area issues; and (4) Closed Area I Scallop Access Area modifications to be consistent with pending habitat area revisions. Finally, the Council will discuss and potentially request a control date to address movement between the LAGC NGOM and LAGC incidental permit categories. The day will end with a NMFS presentation and update on the Fishery Dependent Data Visioning Project. Thursday, June 22, 2017 The third day of the meeting will begin with an overview of draft alternatives for a Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology omnibus framework adjustment that is being developed to address assigning at- sea observers to the lobster pot fleet in an unbiased manner through the Northeast Fishery Observer Program. The Council then will hold a Habitat Committee meeting as a Committee of the Whole to review public comments on the Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment and develop final recommendations for Council consideration. Once the Committee of the Whole adjourns, the Habitat Committee report will get underway, starting with the Council taking final action on the Coral Amendment. Also under habitat, the Council will review and approve comments to the Department of the Interior on: (1) National monument designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906, including the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument; and (2) potential environmental effects of offshore oil development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. Following a lunch break, the Council may resume the habitat discussion if necessary. Then, the Council will develop comments on NMFS's Draft Council Conflict of Interest Policy Directives. The Council next will review Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act reauthorization legislation and potentially develop Council positions on the draft legislation. The Council will close out the meeting with ``other business.'' Although non-emergency issues not contained on 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 the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency. The public also should be aware that the meeting will be recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is available upon request. 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: May 31, 2017. Jeffrey N. Lonergan, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-11556 Filed 6-2-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 106 / Monday, June 5, 2017 / Notices 25777
Stock Assessment Improvement Plan developed to address assigning at-sea Dated: May 30, 2017.
(SAIP), which will be immediately observers to the lobster pot fleet in an Tracey L. Thompson,
followed by a presentation on NMFS’s unbiased manner through the Northeast Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
guidance regarding the use of Best Fishery Observer Program. The Council Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Scientific Information Available (BSIA). then will hold a Habitat Committee [FR Doc. 2017–11477 Filed 6–2–17; 8:45 am]
The Scientific and Statistical Committee meeting as a Committee of the Whole to BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
(SSC) then will provide: (1) Comments review public comments on the
on both the SAIP and BSIA; (2) Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment
comments on the Council’s draft five- and develop final recommendations for DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
year research recommendations; and (3)
Council consideration. Once the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
a progress report on terms of reference
Committee of the Whole adjourns, the Administration
for operational stock assessments when
models are not feasible. The Council Habitat Committee report will get
underway, starting with the Council RIN 0648–XF463
will discuss and consider the SSC’s
comments on NMFS’s SAIP and BSIA taking final action on the Coral
New England Fishery Management
guidance. Next, the Council will receive Amendment. Also under habitat, the Council; Public Meeting
an Ecosystem-Based Fishery Council will review and approve
Management Report with an update on comments to the Department of the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
developing a worked example of harvest Interior on: (1) National monument Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
control rules for ecosystem designations under the Antiquities Act Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
management. This item will be followed of 1906, including the Northeast Commerce.
by the Skate Committee report. The Canyons and Seamounts Marine ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
Council is scheduled to: (1) Take final National Monument; and (2) potential SUMMARY: The New England Fishery
action on Framework Adjustment 4 to environmental effects of offshore oil Management Council (Council, NEFMC)
the Northeast Skate Complex FMP to development on the Atlantic Outer will hold a three-day meeting to
modify the skate bait trigger and Continental Shelf. consider actions affecting New England
possession limits currently in place for
the fishery; and (2) initiate Framework Following a lunch break, the Council fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
Adjustment 5 to allow barndoor skate may resume the habitat discussion if (EEZ).
landings and develop fishing year 2018– necessary. Then, the Council will DATES: The meeting will be held on
2019 specifications. Members of the develop comments on NMFS’s Draft Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday,
public then will be able to speak during Council Conflict of Interest Policy June 20, 21, and 22, 2017, beginning at
an open comment period on issues that Directives. The Council next will review 9 a.m. on June 20, 8:30 a.m. on June 21,
relate to Council business but are not Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and 8:30 a.m. on June 22.
included on the published agenda for Conservation and Management Act ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
this meeting. The Council asks the reauthorization legislation and the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring
public to limit remarks to 3–5 minutes. potentially develop Council positions Street, Portland, ME 04101; telephone:
After a lunch break, the Scallop on the draft legislation. The Council (207) 775–2311; online at http://
Committee first will present a report on will close out the meeting with ‘‘other www.innbythebay.com.
the Limited Access General Category business.’’ Council address: New England
(LAGC) Individual Fishing Quota Five- Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
Year Review. The Council then will Although non-emergency issues not Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950;
approve research priorities for the 2018– contained on this agenda may come telephone: (978) 465–0492;
2019 Scallop RSA Program. Next, the before this Council for discussion, those www.nefmc.org.
Council will receive a progress report on issues may not be the subject of formal
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the development of Framework action during this meeting. Council
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
Adjustment 29, which includes: (1) action will be restricted to those issues
New England Fishery Management
Fishery specifications for the 2018 specifically listed in this notice and any Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492, ext.
fishing year and default specifications issues arising after publication of this 113.
for 2019; (2) flatfish AMs for the scallop notice that require emergency action
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
fishery; (3) Northern Gulf of Maine under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-
(NGOM) Management Area issues; and Stevens Act, provided the public has Agenda
(4) Closed Area I Scallop Access Area been notified of the Council’s intent to Tuesday, June 20, 2017
modifications to be consistent with take final action to address the
pending habitat area revisions. Finally, emergency. The public also should be After introductions and brief
the Council will discuss and potentially announcements, the meeting will begin
aware that the meeting will be recorded.
request a control date to address with reports from the Council Chairman
Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy
movement between the LAGC NGOM and Executive Director, NMFS’s
of the recording is available upon
and LAGC incidental permit categories. Regional Administrator for the Greater
request. Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
The day will end with a NMFS
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
presentation and update on the Fishery Special Accommodations (GARFO), liaisons from the Northeast
Dependent Data Visioning Project. Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and
This meeting is physically accessible Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Thursday, June 22, 2017 to people with disabilities. Requests for Council, representatives from NOAA
The third day of the meeting will sign language interpretation or other General Counsel and the Office of Law
begin with an overview of draft auxiliary aids should be directed to Enforcement, and staff from the Atlantic
alternatives for a Standardized Bycatch Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at least States Marine Fisheries Commission
Reporting Methodology omnibus 5 days prior to the meeting date. and the U.S Coast Guard. Following
framework adjustment that is being these reports, the Council will hear from
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![25778 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 106 / Monday, June 5, 2017 / Notices
its Whiting Committee, which will for operational stock assessments when Habitat Committee report will get
provide a brief progress report on models are not feasible. The Council underway, starting with the Council
Amendment 22 to the Northeast will discuss and consider the SSC’s taking final action on the Coral
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan comments on NMFS’s SAIP and BSIA Amendment. Also under habitat, the
(FMP). The amendment is being guidance. Next, the Council will receive Council will review and approve
developed to potentially limit access to an Ecosystem-Based Fishery comments to the Department of the
the small-mesh multispecies fishery. Management Report with an update on Interior on: (1) National monument
Next, the Council will review and developing a worked example of harvest designations under the Antiquities Act
discuss the status of Amendment 6 to control rules for ecosystem of 1906, including the Northeast
the Monkfish FMP. This amendment management. This item will be followed
Canyons and Seamounts Marine
initially was intended to consider by the Skate Committee report. The
National Monument; and (2) potential
potential catch share management Council is scheduled to: (1) Take final
approaches for the monkfish fishery. action on Framework Adjustment 4 to environmental effects of offshore oil
The Council also will discuss and the Northeast Skate Complex FMP to development on the Atlantic Outer
approve research priorities for the modify the skate bait trigger and Continental Shelf.
Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program. possession limits currently in place for Following a lunch break, the Council
The Groundfish Committee report then the fishery; and (2) initiate Framework may resume the habitat discussion if
will commence with a preview of the Adjustment 5 to allow barndoor skate necessary. Then, the Council will
extensive afternoon agenda. Discussion landings and develop fishing year 2018– develop comments on NMFS’s Draft
of the first agenda item potentially 2019 specifications. Members of the Council Conflict of Interest Policy
could begin prior to lunch. For this public then will be able to speak during Directives. The Council next will review
item, the Council will receive a an open comment period on issues that Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
summary of the scoping comments for relate to Council business but are not Conservation and Management Act
Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23 included on the published agenda for reauthorization legislation and
and discuss the amendment’s purpose this meeting. The Council asks the potentially develop Council positions
and need, as well as the likely range of public to limit remarks to 3–5 minutes.
After a lunch break, the Scallop on the draft legislation. The Council
alternatives.
Following the lunch break, the Committee first will present a report on will close out the meeting with ‘‘other
Council will resume the groundfish the Limited Access General Category business.’’
monitoring discussion if necessary and (LAGC) Individual Fishing Quota Five- Although non-emergency issues not
spend the remainder of the afternoon on Year Review. The Council then will contained on this agenda may come
groundfish. The Council will initiate approve research priorities for the 2018– before this Council for discussion, those
Framework Adjustment 57 to the 2019 Scallop RSA Program. Next, the issues may not be the subject of formal
Northeast Multispecies FMP, which will Council will receive a progress report on action during this meeting. Council
include: (1) 2018–2020 fishery the development of Framework action will be restricted to those issues
specifications and other management Adjustment 29, which includes: (1) specifically listed in this notice and any
measures; (2) 2018 total allowable Fishery specifications for the 2018 issues arising after publication of this
catches (TACs) for U.S./Canada stocks fishing year and default specifications notice that require emergency action
of Eastern Georges Bank (GB) cod, for 2019; (2) flatfish AMs for the scallop
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-
Eastern GB haddock, and GB yellowtail fishery; (3) Northern Gulf of Maine
Stevens Act, provided the public has
flounder; (3) Atlantic halibut (NGOM) Management Area issues; and
accountability measures (AMs); and (4) (4) Closed Area I Scallop Access Area been notified of the Council’s intent to
recreational management measures. The modifications to be consistent with take final action to address the
Council will review a draft letter with pending habitat area revisions. Finally, emergency. The public also should be
comments on the Marine Recreational the Council will discuss and potentially aware that the meeting will be recorded.
Information Program Strategic Plan. request a control date to address Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy
Finally, the Council will consider movement between the LAGC NGOM of the recording is available upon
comments on the interim final rule for and LAGC incidental permit categories. request.
2017 and 2018 Sector Operations Plans, The day will end with a NMFS
Special Accommodations
including whether measures or presentation and update on the Fishery
restrictions should be recommended for Dependent Data Visioning Project. This meeting is physically accessible
Sector IX due to misreporting by sector to people with disabilities. Requests for
Thursday, June 22, 2017
vessels. The Council then will adjourn sign language interpretation or other
for the day. The third day of the meeting will
auxiliary aids should be directed to
begin with an overview of draft
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 alternatives for a Standardized Bycatch Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at least
The second day of the meeting will Reporting Methodology omnibus 5 days prior to the meeting date.
begin with a presentation on NMFS’s framework adjustment that is being Dated: May 31, 2017.
Stock Assessment Improvement Plan developed to address assigning at-sea Jeffrey N. Lonergan,
(SAIP), which will be immediately observers to the lobster pot fleet in an Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
followed by a presentation on NMFS’s unbiased manner through the Northeast Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
guidance regarding the use of Best Fishery Observer Program. The Council [FR Doc. 2017–11556 Filed 6–2–17; 8:45 am]
Scientific Information Available (BSIA). then will hold a Habitat Committee
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
The Scientific and Statistical Committee meeting as a Committee of the Whole to
(SSC) then will provide: (1) Comments review public comments on the
on both the SAIP and BSIA; (2) Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment
comments on the Council’s draft five- and develop final recommendations for
year research recommendations; and (3) Council consideration. Once the
a progress report on terms of reference Committee of the Whole adjourns, the
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jun 02, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_25883/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-11-14 10:00:28
Document Modified: 2018-11-14 10:00:28
| 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, June 20, 21, and 22, 2017, beginning at 9 a.m. on June 20, 8:30 a.m. on June 21, and 8:30 a.m. on June 22. | |
| Contact | Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492, ext. 113. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 25777 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF46 |
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