82 FR 44388 - New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 183 (September 22, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 183 (September 22, 2017)
| Page Range | 44388-44389 | |
| FR Document | 2017-20236 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 44388-44389] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-20236] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF698 New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific & Statistical Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. DATES: This meeting will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2017 beginning at 10 a.m. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Boston Logan, 100 Boardman Street, Boston, MA 02128; phone: (617) 567- 6789. 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; telephone: (978) 465-0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda The Committee will review information provided by the Council's Scallop Plan Development Team (PDT) and recommend the overfishing levels (OFLs) and acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for Atlantic sea scallops for fishing years 2018-19 (default). They will also review information provided by the Council's Whiting PDT and recommend the OFLs and ABCs for the northern and southern stocks of silver hake and separately for red hake for fishing years 2018-20. Other business will be discussed as needed. 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 [[Page 44389]] 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, Executive Director, at (978) 465- 0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 19, 2017. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-20236 Filed 9-21-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![44388 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 183 / Friday, September 22, 2017 / Notices
percent is applied to the 32 kg of halibut to the EFP activities would be subject to DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
that are sampled in the factory, resulting review and approval by NMFS.
in a halibut mortality of 28.8 kg in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
This EFP would be valid upon
factory. In this example, the total Administration
issuance in 2018 until either the end of
halibut mortality for the haul is 212.8
2019 or when the annual halibut RIN 0648–XF698
kg.
The halibut mortality data collected mortality apportionment is reached in
areas of the BSAI and GOA open to New England Fishery Management
by observers would be available to Council; Public Meeting
NMFS in near-real time for inseason directed fishing by the various sectors.
management in 2018 and 2019. In EFP-authorized fishing activities would AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
addition to the observer samples, under not be expected to change the nature or Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
the 2018 EFP, at the discretion of the duration of the groundfish fishery, gear Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
vessel operator, vessel crew could used, or the amount or species of fish Commerce.
conduct a census (a full count) of caught by the participants. ACTION: Notice; public meeting.
halibut in the factory, after they have The fieldwork that would be
been available to the observer for SUMMARY: The New England Fishery
conducted under this EFP is not Management Council (Council) is
sampling, to compare observer estimates expected to have a significant impact on
of total halibut and census results. scheduling a public meeting of its
the human environment as detailed in Scientific & Statistical Committee to
In 2018, EFP participants would
continue to operate under a single catch the categorical exclusion prepared for consider actions affecting New England
handling and accounting method for all this action (see ADDRESSES). fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
hauls on a fishing trip designated as an In accordance with § 679.6, NMFS has (EEZ). Recommendations from this
EFP trip. Operators of participating determined that the application group will be brought to the full Council
vessels would still have a way to opt out warrants further consideration and has for formal consideration and action, if
of sorting on deck when it is potentially forwarded the application to the appropriate.
unsafe or when the vessel has located a Council to initiate consultation. The DATES: This meeting will be held on
fishing area where halibut bycatch is Council is scheduled to consider the Thursday, October 12, 2017 beginning at
very low. EFP application during its October 2017 10 a.m.
This proposed action would exempt meeting, which will be held at the ADDRESSES:
participating catcher/processors from Hilton Hotel, Anchorage AK. The EFP Meeting address: The meeting will be
selected 50 CFR part 679 prohibitions, application will also be provided to the held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Boston
and monitoring and observer Council’s Scientific and Statistical Logan, 100 Boardman Street, Boston,
requirements. Should the Regional Committee for review at the October MA 02128; phone: (617) 567–6789.
Administrator issue a permit based on Council address: New England
Council meeting. The applicant has
this EFP application, the conditions of Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
been invited to appear in support of the
the permit will be designed to minimize Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
halibut mortality and any potential for application.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
biasing estimates of groundfish and Public Comments
halibut mortality. Vessels participating Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
in EFP fishing may be exempt from, at Interested persons may comment on New England Fishery Management
minimum, the following regulations: the application at the February 2016 Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492.
1. The prohibition against interfering Council meeting during public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
with or biasing the sampling procedure testimony or until October 10, 2017. Agenda
employed by an observer including Information regarding the meeting is
physical, mechanical, or other sorting or available at the Council’s Web site at The Committee will review
discarding of catch before sampling, at information provided by the Council’s
http://www.npfmc.org. Copies of the
§ 679.7(g)(2); Scallop Plan Development Team (PDT)
application and categorical exclusion
2. the requirements to weigh all catch and recommend the overfishing levels
are available for review from NMFS (see (OFLs) and acceptable biological catches
by an Amendment 80 vessel on a ADDRESSES). Comments also may be
NMFS-approved scale at § 679.93(c)(1) (ABCs) for Atlantic sea scallops for
submitted directly to NMFS (see fishing years 2018–19 (default). They
and by all vessels at § 679.28(b); and
ADDRESSES) by the end of the comment will also review information provided
3. the requirement to return all
prohibited species, or parts thereof, to period (see DATES). by the Council’s Whiting PDT and
the sea immediately, with a minimum of Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. recommend the OFLs and ABCs for the
injury, regardless of its condition at northern and southern stocks of silver
Dated: September 18, 2017.
§ 679.21(b)(2)(ii). hake and separately for red hake for
In 2020, the AKSC would be required Emily H. Menashes, fishing years 2018–20. Other business
to submit to NMFS a report of the EFP Acting Director, Office of Sustainable will be discussed as needed.
results after EFP experimental fishing Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Although non-emergency issues not
has ended in 2019. The report would [FR Doc. 2017–20187 Filed 9–21–17; 8:45 am] contained on this agenda may come
include a comparison of halibut BILLING CODE 3510–22–P before this Council for discussion, those
mortality from halibut sampled during issues may not be the subject of formal
the EFP and an estimate of halibut action during this meeting. Council
mortality under standard IPHC halibut action will be restricted to those issues
mortality rates for those target fisheries. specifically listed in this notice and any
Under the EFP, participants would be issues arising after publication of this
limited to their groundfish allocations notice that require emergency action
under the 2016 harvest specifications. under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-
The amount of halibut mortality applied Stevens Act, provided the public has
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 183 / Friday, September 22, 2017 / Notices 44389
been notified of the Council’s intent to 10; FAX 843/769–4520; email: Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
take final action to address the kim.iverson@safmc.net. Commerce.
emergency. The public also should be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for
aware that the meeting will be recorded. Information and Education AP will exempted fishing permit.
Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy review and provide recommendations
of the recording is available upon on the Council’s transition to a new SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt
request. fishing regulations mobile application of an exempted fishing permit (EFP)
and the development of the Council’s application from the International
Special Accommodations Halibut Commission (IPHC). If granted,
online Fishermen’s Forum. The AP will
This meeting is physically accessible also receive presentations and have the this EFP would allow crew members on
to people with disabilities. Requests for opportunity to provide a selected hook-and-line vessel targeting
sign language interpretation or other recommendations on the Council’s Pacific cod in the western Aleutian
auxiliary aids should be directed to recreational reporting projects, Islands in winter to collect biological
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at specifically the MyFishCount samples from incidentally caught
(978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to Recreational Reporting Project, the For- halibut and release those fish back to
the meeting date. Hire Electronic Reporting Outreach the water in a timely manner to increase
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Project, and the use of iAngler for survivability. Biological samples
possible recreational reporting collected would include a fork length
Dated: September 19, 2017.
opportunities. Additionally, the AP will measurement and a small tissue sample
Tracey L. Thompson, from the caudal fin for genetic analysis.
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
receive program updates from the
Council’s Citizen Science Program and A NMFS-trained fishery observer would
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. assign a viability category for each
[FR Doc. 2017–20236 Filed 9–21–17; 8:45 am]
the Marine Resource Education
Program. sampled halibut as per existing IPHC/
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Although other non-emergency issues NMFS protocols. The objective of the
not on the agenda may come before this EFP application is to confirm or reject
group for discussion, those issues may results of a previous genetic stock
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE structure study which indicated that
not be the subject of formal action
during this meeting. Actions will be Pacific halibut in the western Aleutian
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
restricted to those issues specifically Islands are genetically distinct from the
Administration
listed in this notice and any issues remainder of the eastern Pacific
RIN 0648–XF703 arising after publication of this notice population. This experiment has the
that require emergency action under potential to promote the objectives of
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Conservation and Management Act and
Public Meetings the Northern Pacific Halibut Act.
Act, provided the public has been
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries notified of the Council’s intent to take DATES: Comments on this EFP
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and final action to address the emergency. application must be submitted to NMFS
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on or before October 10, 2017. The
Commerce. Special Accommodations North Pacific Fishery Management
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting of the This meeting is accessible to people Council (Council) will consider the
South Atlantic Fishery Management with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary application at its meeting from October
Council’s (Council) Information & aids should be directed to the SAFMC 2, 2017, through October 10, 2017, in
Education Advisory Panel (AP). office (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 Anchorage, AK.
business days prior to the meeting. ADDRESSES: The Council meeting will be
SUMMARY: The Council’s Information held at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel, 500
Note: The times and sequence specified in
and Education AP will meet to address this agenda are subject to change. W 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501. The
outreach efforts and communication agenda for the Council meeting is
needs. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. available at http://www.npfmc.org. You
DATES: The Information and Education Dated: September 19, 2017. may submit comments on this
AP meeting will be held Tuesday, Tracey L. Thompson, document, identified by NOAA–NMFS–
October 10, 2017, from 1:30 p.m. until 2017–0114, by any of the following
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
5 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. methods:
Wednesday, October 11, 2017.
[FR Doc. 2017–20237 Filed 9–21–17; 8:45 am] • Electronic Submission: Submit all
ADDRESSES: electronic public comments via the
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Meeting address: The meeting will be Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
held at the Hilton Garden, 5265 www.regulations.gov/
International Boulevard, North DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-
Charleston, SC 29418. 0114, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
Council address: South Atlantic National Oceanic and Atmospheric complete the required fields, and enter
Fishery Management Council, 4055 Administration or attach your comments.
Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. • Mail: Submit written comments to
Charleston, SC 29405. RIN 0648–XF681
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Iverson, Public Information Officer, Zone off Alaska; Application for an Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
South Atlantic Fishery Management Exempted Fishing Permit Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
201, N. Charleston, SC 29405; phone AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Instructions: Comments sent by any
843/571–4366 or toll free 866/SAFMC– Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and other method, to any other address or
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Document Created: 2017-09-22 01:52:48
Document Modified: 2017-09-22 01:52:48
| 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; public meeting. | |
| Dates | This meeting will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2017 beginning at 10 a.m. | |
| Contact | Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 44388 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF69 |
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