82 FR 34284 - Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 140 (July 24, 2017)

Page Range		34284-34285
FR Document		2017-15492

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a four-day meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of Mexico fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 140 (Monday, July 24, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 140 (Monday, July 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34284-34285]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15492]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF564

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will
hold a four-day meeting to consider actions affecting the Gulf of
Mexico fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday, August 7 through Thursday,
August 10, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Marriott Plaza, located
at 555 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78205; telephone: (210) 229-
1000.
Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 N.

[[Page 34285]]

Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348-1630.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Gregory, Executive Director,
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348-1630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Agenda

Monday, August 7, 2017; 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Administrative/Budget Committee will review and approve the
Final 2017 Budget Funding Report, and review of SOPPS guidance on
Advisory Panel Appointments; and, the Education and Outreach Committee
will review and discuss the technical committee report from their
August 2017 meeting. After the lunch break, the Gulf SEDAR Committee
will hold a discussion on the 2017 Extended Recreational Red Snapper
Season; and review the SEDAR Assessment Schedule. The Sustainable
Fisheries Committee will receive a presentation on the protocol for
authorizing Sea Turtle Release Gear and review a discussion paper. This
Committee will also receive updates on Lionfish Research, Actions and
Efforts by Federal and State Agencies.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Reef Fish Management Committee will review and discuss taking
final action on Framework Action--Greater Amberjack Annual Catch Limit
(ACL) and Management Measures; discuss draft Amendment 42--Federal Reef
Fish Headboard Survey Vessels and Final Action on Referendum
Eligibility Requirements, and draft Amendment 41--Federal Charter-For-
Hire Reef Fish Management Discussion and Final Action on Referendum
Eligibility Requirements. The committee will receive a Review of the
For-Hire Permit Moratorium and Transfers; discuss draft Framework
Action to modify the Annual Catch Target (ACT) for Red Snapper Federal
For-Hire and Private Angler Components; and receive a presentation on
the Grouper-Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program 5-year
review. The committee will end the day reviewing a revised options
paper for Amendment 36B--Modifications to Commercial IFQ Programs and
NMFS' response regarding referendum requirements for auctions and
discuss the next steps for the Ad Hoc Red Snapper IFQ Advisory Panel.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017; 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The Reef Fish Management Committee will reconvene and review
options papers for Status Determination Criteria and Optimum Yield (OY)
for Reef Fish Stocks, and draft documents on State Management of
Recreational Red Snapper for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
The Full Council will convene mid-morning (approximately 10:45
a.m.) with a call to order, announcements, introductions; adoption of
agenda; and approval of minutes. The Council will review Exempted
Fishing Permit (EFPs) Applications, and a summary of public comments;
and, receive a presentation from Texas Law Enforcement. After lunch,
the Council will receive public testimony from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30
p.m. on the following agenda items: Final Action on Framework Action--
Greater Amberjack ACL and Management Measures; Final Action on
Referendum Eligibility Requirements for Reef Fish Amendment 42--Reef
Fish Management for Headboat Survey Vessels; and Final Action on
Referendum Eligibility Requirements for Reef Fish Amendment 41--
Allocation-Based Management for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels;
and, open testimony on any other fishery issues or concerns.

Thursday, August 10, 2017; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Council will receive reports from the following Management
Committees: Reef Fish, Gulf SEDAR, Administrative/Budget, Sustainable
Fisheries, and Outreach and Education. Upon returning from lunch, the
Council will review and vote on Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP)
Applications, if any; and receive updates from the South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission,
U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department of
State. Under Other Business, the Council will receive an update and
next steps for the Generic For-Hire Electronic Reporting Amendment.

Meeting Adjourns

You may listen in to the August 2017 Council Meeting via webinar by
registering at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2332013968662616323. After registering, you will receive a confirmation
email containing information about joining the webinar.
The timing and order in which agenda items are addressed may change
as required to effectively address the issue. The latest version will
be posted on the Council's file server, which can be accessed by going
to the Council's Web site at http://www.gulfcouncil.org and clicking on
FTP Server under Quick Links. For meeting materials, select the
``Briefing Books/Briefing Book 2017-08'' folder on Gulf Council file
server. The username and password are both ``gulfguest''. The meetings
will be webcast over the internet. A link to the webcast will be
available on the Council's Web site, http://www.gulfcouncil.org.
Although other non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda
may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be
the subjects 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 Kathy Pereira (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days
prior to the meeting date.

Dated: July 19, 2017.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-15492 Filed 7-21-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

34284 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 140 / Monday, July 24, 2017 / Notices

Teresa Marie IV. Phase 3 would include split between Georges Bank and the Gulf with the 4.5-inch (11.43-cm) codend,
ten 8-day trips occurring from August of Maine targeting haddock and redfish, would only occur within the sector
through December 2017. Trips would be respectively. Targeted redfish fishing, redfish exemption area (Table 1).

TABLE 1—PROPOSED EFP TRIPS
Number of Location
Phase DAS per trip Season Target species
trips (statistical areas)

1 ...................... 1 5 August/September ................... 512, 513, 515 (3 days) ............ Redfish.
521, 522 (2 days) .................... Haddock.
2 ...................... 1 5 August/September ................... 512, 513, 515 (3 days) ............ Redfish.
521, 522 (2 days) .................... Haddock.
3 ...................... 10 8 August–October ....................... 521, 522 (5 days) .................... Haddock.
512, 513, 515 (3 days) ............ Redfish.
October–December ................. 512, 513, 515 (5 days) ............ Redfish.
521, 522 (3 days) .................... Haddock.

The applicant has stated that boats’ checker pens would be measured. modifications and extensions to the EFP
estimating anticipated catch for this Catches emptied into these pens would throughout the year. EFP modifications
project using the off-bottom trawl is a be estimated by recording the depth of and extensions may be granted without
challenging exercise given a lack of the catch in each pen. Efforts would be further notice if they are deemed
historical evidence using a trawl of this made to spread the catch evenly in these essential to facilitate completion of the
design. Subsequently, catch from the pens, and up to 10 measurements of proposed research and have minimal
Teresa Marie IV using a haddock catch depth would be recorded in each impacts that do not change the scope or
separator trawl in fishing year 2016 was pen in random locations. This would impact of the initially approved EFP
used to estimate anticipated catch using provide an estimate of total catch request. Any fishing activity conducted
the off-bottom trawl. The average catch volume. Legal-sized haddock are placed outside the scope of the exempted
of haddock per trip was 5,500 pounds on a conveyor belt and then filleted. A fishing activity would be prohibited.
(2,495-kg) in the Gulf of Maine, 6,400 subsample of the total catch would be Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
pounds (2,903-kg) in the Eastern U.S./ taken from the checker pens to estimate
Dated: July 19, 2017.
Canada management area of Georges total catch, including cod and other
Bank, and 22,300 pounds (10,115-kg) in non-target species by weight. All fish in Emily H. Menashes,
Georges Bank West. The average catch the subsample would be weighed, and Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
of redfish in the Gulf of Maine was length measurements would be taken for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
2,000 pounds (907-kg) per trip. The cod and other non-target catch. All [FR Doc. 2017–15487 Filed 7–21–17; 8:45 am]
average catch of cod per trip was 180 bycatch would be returned to the sea as BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
pounds (82-kg) in the Gulf of Maine, 70 soon as practicable following data
pounds (32-kg) in the Eastern U.S./ collection. Exemption from minimum
Canada management area of Georges sizes would support catch sampling DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bank, and 530 pounds (240-kg) in activities, and ensure the vessel is not
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Georges Bank West. The off-bottom in conflict with possession regulations
Administration
trawl is expected to catch at least as while collecting catch data. All trips
much haddock as a bottom trawl, with would otherwise be conducted in a RIN 0648–XF564
substantial reductions in cod catch, and manner consistent with normal
the complete elimination of flatfish commercial fishing conditions and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
catch. If these ratios are not realized the catch consistent with the Northeast Council; Public Meeting
applicant has indicated that the off- Multispecies FMP would be retained for AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
bottom trawl would be deemed sale. Trips not accompanied by GMRI Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
unsuccessful and the project may be researchers would be required to carry Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
abandoned. an At-Sea Monitor (ASM), Northeast Commerce.
All trips would carry a GMRI sampler, Fishery Observer Program (NEFOP) ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
an assigned at-sea observer, or an observer, or privately contracted data
independently contracted data collection technician. On trips assigned SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery
collection technician. In Phases 1 and 2, to carry an ASM or observer by NEFOP, Management Council (Council) will
a GMRI sampler would be onboard to normal sampling protocols would be hold a four-day meeting to consider
document the operational performance carried out. The vessel is responsible for actions affecting the Gulf of Mexico
of the off-bottom trawl, and sample notifying its monitoring provider of fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
catch. In Phase 3, a GMRI sampler upcoming research trips and ensuring a (EEZ).
would be onboard the F/V Teresa Marie research technician is present on all EFP DATES: The meeting will be held on
IV during at least two fishing trips. An trips not selected for observer coverage Monday, August 7 through Thursday,
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

assigned at-sea observer or independent through Pre-trip Notification System August 10, 2017.
contracted data collection technician (PTNS). ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place
would collect data during remaining GMRI needs this exemption to allow at the Marriott Plaza, located at 555
trips with the off-bottom trawl. The them to conduct testing of a net South Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX
volume of the catch is anticipated to be configuration that is prohibited by the 78205; telephone: (210) 229–1000.
large, so subsampling protocols have current regulations. If approved, the Council address: Gulf of Mexico
been developed. The dimensions of the applicant may request minor Fishery Management Council, 2203 N.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 140 / Monday, July 24, 2017 / Notices 34285

Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL Wednesday, August 9, 2017; 8:30 a.m.– Council’s file server, which can be
33607; telephone: (813) 348–1630. 5:30 p.m. accessed by going to the Council’s Web
The Reef Fish Management site at http://www.gulfcouncil.org and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Committee will reconvene and review clicking on FTP Server under Quick
Douglas Gregory, Executive Director, Links. For meeting materials, select the
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management options papers for Status Determination
Criteria and Optimum Yield (OY) for ‘‘Briefing Books/Briefing Book 2017–08’’
Council; telephone: (813) 348–1630. folder on Gulf Council file server. The
Reef Fish Stocks, and draft documents
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: on State Management of Recreational username and password are both
Red Snapper for Louisiana, Mississippi, ‘‘gulfguest’’. The meetings will be
Agenda webcast over the internet. A link to the
and Alabama.
Monday, August 7, 2017; 10:30 a.m.–5 The Full Council will convene mid- webcast will be available on the
p.m. morning (approximately 10:45 a.m.) Council’s Web site, http://
with a call to order, announcements, www.gulfcouncil.org.
The Administrative/Budget Although other non-emergency issues
introductions; adoption of agenda; and
Committee will review and approve the not contained in this agenda may come
approval of minutes. The Council will
Final 2017 Budget Funding Report, and before this Council for discussion, those
review Exempted Fishing Permit (EFPs)
review of SOPPS guidance on Advisory issues may not be the subjects of formal
Applications, and a summary of public
Panel Appointments; and, the Education action during this meeting. Council
comments; and, receive a presentation
and Outreach Committee will review action will be restricted to those issues
from Texas Law Enforcement. After
and discuss the technical committee specifically listed in this notice and any
lunch, the Council will receive public
issues arising after publication of this
report from their August 2017 meeting. testimony from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
notice that require emergency action
After the lunch break, the Gulf SEDAR on the following agenda items: Final
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-
Committee will hold a discussion on the Action on Framework Action—Greater
Stevens Act, provided that the public
2017 Extended Recreational Red Amberjack ACL and Management
has been notified of the Council’s intent
Snapper Season; and review the SEDAR Measures; Final Action on Referendum
to take final action to address the
Assessment Schedule. The Sustainable Eligibility Requirements for Reef Fish
emergency.
Fisheries Committee will receive a Amendment 42—Reef Fish Management
presentation on the protocol for for Headboat Survey Vessels; and Final Special Accommodations
authorizing Sea Turtle Release Gear and Action on Referendum Eligibility This meeting is physically accessible
review a discussion paper. This Requirements for Reef Fish Amendment to people with disabilities. Requests for
Committee will also receive updates on 41—Allocation-Based Management for sign language interpretation or other
Lionfish Research, Actions and Efforts Federally Permitted Charter Vessels; auxiliary aids should be directed to
and, open testimony on any other Kathy Pereira (see ADDRESSES) at least 5
by Federal and State Agencies.
fishery issues or concerns. days prior to the meeting date.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017; 8:30 a.m.–5 Thursday, August 10, 2017; 8:30 a.m.– Dated: July 19, 2017.
p.m. 4 p.m. Tracey L. Thompson,
The Reef Fish Management The Council will receive reports from Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Committee will review and discuss the following Management Committees: Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
taking final action on Framework Reef Fish, Gulf SEDAR, Administrative/ [FR Doc. 2017–15492 Filed 7–21–17; 8:45 am]
Action—Greater Amberjack Annual Budget, Sustainable Fisheries, and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Catch Limit (ACL) and Management Outreach and Education. Upon
Measures; discuss draft Amendment returning from lunch, the Council will
42—Federal Reef Fish Headboard review and vote on Exempted Fishing DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Survey Vessels and Final Action on Permit (EFP) Applications, if any; and
Referendum Eligibility Requirements, receive updates from the South Atlantic Office of the Secretary
and draft Amendment 41—Federal Fishery Management Council, Gulf [Transmittal No. 17–08]
Charter-For-Hire Reef Fish Management States Marine Fisheries Commission,
Discussion and Final Action on U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification
Referendum Eligibility Requirements. Service, and the Department of State.
Under Other Business, the Council will AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation
The committee will receive a Review of Agency, Department of Defense.
receive an update and next steps for the
the For-Hire Permit Moratorium and
Generic For-Hire Electronic Reporting ACTION: Notice.
Transfers; discuss draft Framework
Amendment.
Action to modify the Annual Catch SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is
Target (ACT) for Red Snapper Federal Meeting Adjourns publishing the unclassified text of a
For-Hire and Private Angler You may listen in to the August 2017 section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification.
Components; and receive a presentation Council Meeting via webinar by FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
on the Grouper-Tilefish Individual registering at https:// Kathy Valadez, (703) 697–9217 or
Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program 5-year attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ Pamela Young, (703) 697–9107; DSCA/
review. The committee will end the day 2332013968662616323. After DSA–RAN.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

reviewing a revised options paper for registering, you will receive a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
Amendment 36B—Modifications to confirmation email containing 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is
Commercial IFQ Programs and NMFS’ information about joining the webinar. published to fulfill the requirements of
response regarding referendum The timing and order in which agenda section 155 of Public Law 104–164
requirements for auctions and discuss items are addressed may change as dated July 21, 1996. The following is a
the next steps for the Ad Hoc Red required to effectively address the issue. copy of a letter to the Speaker of the
Snapper IFQ Advisory Panel. The latest version will be posted on the House of Representatives, Transmittal

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Document Created: 2017-07-22 01:20:19
Document Modified: 2017-07-22 01:20:19

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 a public meeting.
Dates		The meeting will be held on Monday, August 7 through Thursday, August 10, 2017.
Contact		Douglas Gregory, Executive Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348-1630.
FR Citation		82 FR 34284
RIN Number		0648-XF56

82 FR 34284 - Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 140 (July 24, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration