83 FR 2144 - New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 10 (January 16, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 10 (January 16, 2018)
| Page Range | 2144-2145 | |
| FR Document | 2018-00567 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 2144-2145] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-00567] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF946 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 two-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 30, and Wednesday, January 31, 2018, beginning at 10 a.m. on January 30 and 9 a.m. on January 31. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Harborside, 250 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801; telephone: (603) 431-2300; online at www.sheratonportsmouth.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, January 30, 2018 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 (ASMFC) and U.S. Coast Guard. Next, the Council will receive an industry-funded monitoring briefing from GARFO that includes: (1) An update with preliminary results on the agency's electronic monitoring project aboard midwater trawl vessels participating in the Atlantic herring and mackerel fisheries; and (2) information on industry-funded monitoring service providers. The Skate Committee will report next. The Council is expected to initiate Framework Adjustment 6 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to consider adjustments to the skate wing possession limit. After a lunch break, members of the public will have the opportunity 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. The Habitat Committee will report after the public comment period. The Council is scheduled to take final action on coral protection measures for the continental slope and canyons south of Georges Bank in its Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment. The Council took final action on coral protection measures for the Gulf of Maine in June of 2017. In other habitat-related business, the Council will: (1) Review NMFS's decision on Omnibus Habitat Amendment 2 and discuss how it relates to the Council's 2018 habitat priorities; and (2) review comments on offshore wind projects. The Council then will hear from its Research Steering Committee and first review and possibly approve the committee's recommendations for potential improvements to the Council's research priority-setting process. The Council also will receive an update on issues related to the Northeast Cooperative Research Program and be briefed on management reviews of completed research projects. Following these actions, the Council will adjourn for the day. Wednesday, January 31, 2018 The second day of the meeting will begin with a closed session in order for the Council to consult on Scientific and Statistical Committee appointments for 2018-20. The first item of business in the open session will be an update on the ongoing external review of Council operations, known as the Council Program Review. Next, the Council will receive a report on the latest meeting of the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel and discuss several issues related to the workings of the panel, including NEFSC engagement and previous/future studies and projects. This discussion will be followed by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation-funded report on implementing electronic monitoring in New England's groundfish fishery. The Council then will receive a presentation on the NEFSC's ``2007-2015 Final Report on the Performance of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery,'' followed by the Scientific and Statistical Committee's report, which is centered on providing overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch recommendations for Atlantic halibut to the Council. Following a lunch break, the Council will begin its Groundfish Committee report, which will cover recreational fishery measures and the Council's Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23. On the recreational end, the Council will: (1) Provide recommendations to GARFO on fishing year 2018 recreational measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock; (2) possibly consult with GARFO on fishing year 2018 recreational measures for Georges Bank cod; and (3) consider recommending a new control date for the party/charter fishery. Regarding Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, which is focused on monitoring in the groundfish fishery, the Council will: (1) Receive a progress report on the amendment's development; and (2) discuss the [[Page 2145]] possibility of holding a groundfish workshop or establishing a working group dedicated to monitoring issues. Finally, the Council will close out the meeting with ``other business.'' Although non-emergency issues not contained on this agenda may come before the 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 Fishery Conservation and Management 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: January 10, 2018. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-00567 Filed 1-12-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![2144 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Notices
considered during this period. Speakers ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Amendment 2 and discuss how it
who wish to expand upon their oral the Sheraton Harborside, 250 Market relates to the Council’s 2018 habitat
statements, those who had wished to Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801; priorities; and (2) review comments on
speak but could not be accommodated telephone: (603) 431–2300; online at offshore wind projects. The Council
on the agenda, and those who were www.sheratonportsmouth.com. then will hear from its Research
unable to attend in person are invited to Council Address: New England Steering Committee and first review and
submit written statements to VCAT, Fishery Management Council, 50 Water possibly approve the committee’s
NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 1060, Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950; recommendations for potential
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, via fax at telephone: (978) 465–0492; improvements to the Council’s research
301–216–0529 or electronically by email www.nefmc.org. priority-setting process. The Council
to stephanie.shaw@nist.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: also will receive an update on issues
All visitors to the NIST site are Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, related to the Northeast Cooperative
required to pre-register to be admitted. New England Fishery Management Research Program and be briefed on
Please submit your name, time of Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492, ext. management reviews of completed
arrival, email address and phone 113. research projects. Following these
number to Stephanie Shaw by 5:00 p.m. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
actions, the Council will adjourn for the
Eastern Time, Monday, January 29, day.
2018. Non-U.S. citizens must submit Agenda
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
additional information; please contact Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Ms. Shaw. Ms. Shaw’s email address is The second day of the meeting will
stephanie.shaw@nist.gov and her phone After introductions and brief begin with a closed session in order for
number is 301–975–2667. For announcements, the meeting will begin the Council to consult on Scientific and
with reports from the Council Chairman Statistical Committee appointments for
participants attending in person, please
and Executive Director, NMFS’s 2018–20. The first item of business in
note that federal agencies, including
Regional Administrator for the Greater the open session will be an update on
NIST, can only accept a state-issued
Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office the ongoing external review of Council
driver’s license or identification card for
(GARFO), liaisons from the Northeast operations, known as the Council
access to federal facilities if such license
Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and Program Review. Next, the Council will
or identification card is issued by a state
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management receive a report on the latest meeting of
that is compliant with the REAL ID Act
Council, representatives from NOAA the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel and
of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–13), or by a state
General Counsel and the Office of Law discuss several issues related to the
that has an extension for REAL ID
Enforcement, and staff from the Atlantic workings of the panel, including NEFSC
compliance. NIST currently accepts States Marine Fisheries Commission engagement and previous/future studies
other forms of federal-issued (ASMFC) and U.S. Coast Guard. Next, and projects. This discussion will be
identification in lieu of a state-issued the Council will receive an industry- followed by a National Fish and
driver’s license. For detailed funded monitoring briefing from Wildlife Foundation-funded report on
information please contact Ms. Shaw at GARFO that includes: (1) An update implementing electronic monitoring in
301–975–2667 or visit: http://nist.gov/ with preliminary results on the agency’s New England’s groundfish fishery. The
public_affairs/visitor/. electronic monitoring project aboard Council then will receive a presentation
Kevin Kimball, midwater trawl vessels participating in on the NEFSC’s ‘‘2007–2015 Final
Chief of Staff. the Atlantic herring and mackerel Report on the Performance of the
[FR Doc. 2018–00566 Filed 1–12–18; 8:45 am]
fisheries; and (2) information on Northeast Multispecies Fishery,’’
industry-funded monitoring service followed by the Scientific and Statistical
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
providers. The Skate Committee will Committee’s report, which is centered
report next. The Council is expected to on providing overfishing limit and
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE initiate Framework Adjustment 6 to the acceptable biological catch
Northeast Skate Complex Fishery recommendations for Atlantic halibut to
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Management Plan (FMP) to consider the Council.
Administration adjustments to the skate wing Following a lunch break, the Council
possession limit. will begin its Groundfish Committee
RIN 0648–XF946 After a lunch break, members of the report, which will cover recreational
New England Fishery Management public will have the opportunity to fishery measures and the Council’s
Council; Public Meeting speak during an open comment period Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23.
on issues that relate to Council business On the recreational end, the Council
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries but are not included on the published will: (1) Provide recommendations to
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and agenda for this meeting. The Council GARFO on fishing year 2018
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), asks the public to limit remarks to 3–5 recreational measures for Gulf of Maine
Commerce. minutes. The Habitat Committee will cod and haddock; (2) possibly consult
ACTION: Notice of public meeting. report after the public comment period. with GARFO on fishing year 2018
The Council is scheduled to take final recreational measures for Georges Bank
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery action on coral protection measures for cod; and (3) consider recommending a
Management Council (Council, NEFMC) the continental slope and canyons south new control date for the party/charter
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
will hold a two-day meeting to consider of Georges Bank in its Omnibus Deep- fishery. Regarding Amendment 23 to the
actions affecting New England fisheries Sea Coral Amendment. The Council Northeast Multispecies Fishery
in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). took final action on coral protection Management Plan, which is focused on
DATES: The meeting will be held on measures for the Gulf of Maine in June monitoring in the groundfish fishery,
Tuesday, January 30, and Wednesday, of 2017. In other habitat-related the Council will: (1) Receive a progress
January 31, 2018, beginning at 10 a.m. business, the Council will: (1) Review report on the amendment’s
on January 30 and 9 a.m. on January 31. NMFS’s decision on Omnibus Habitat development; and (2) discuss the
VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:48 Jan 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM 16JAN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_2154/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2018 / Notices 2145
possibility of holding a groundfish DATES: Comments or requests for a the Snake River basin for nearly 20
workshop or establishing a working public hearing on the applications must years. The permit would continue to
group dedicated to monitoring issues. be received at the appropriate address or cover the following actions: One general
Finally, the Council will close out the fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later fish population inventory; one project
meeting with ‘‘other business.’’ than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on designed to monitor fish health
Although non-emergency issues not February 15, 2018. throughout the state; two projects
contained on this agenda may come ADDRESSES: Written comments on the looking at natural and hatchery Chinook
before the Council for discussion, those applications should be sent to the salmon production (in which sockeye
issues may not be the subject of formal Protected Resources Division, NMFS, may rarely be captured); one project
action during this meeting. Council 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, monitoring natural steelhead; and one
action will be restricted to those issues Portland, OR 97232–1274. Comments project centering on monitoring sockeye
specifically listed in this notice and any may also be sent via fax to 503–230– salmon recovery in Idaho. Much of the
issues arising after publication of this 5441 or by email to nmfs.nwr.apps@ work being conducted under these
notice that require emergency action noaa.gov (include the permit number in projects is covered by other ESA
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson- the subject line of the fax or email). authorizations; the work contemplated
Stevens Fishery Conservation and here is only the work that portion of the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob
Management Act, provided the public research that may affect sockeye salmon.
Clapp, Portland, OR (ph.: 503–231–
has been notified of the Council’s intent The purposes of the research are
2314), Fax: 503–230–5441, email:
to take final action to address the therefore to monitor listed salmonid
Robert.Clapp@noaa.gov). Permit
emergency. The public also should be health, help guide sockeye salmon
application instructions are available
aware that the meeting will be recorded. recovery operations, and to rescue
from the address above, or online at
Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy sockeye salmon in need imperiled by
https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov.
of the recording is available upon circumstances such as being trapped by
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: low flows. The benefits to the salmon
request.
Species Covered in This Notice would come in the form of information
Special Accommodations
to help guide resource managers in
This meeting is physically accessible The following listed species are
restoring the listed fish and, as stated,
to people with disabilities. Requests for covered in this notice:
in directly rescuing them from peril.
sign language interpretation or other Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus
The fish would be captured by various
auxiliary aids should be directed to tshawytscha): Endangered upper
methods—screw traps, electrofishing,
Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at least Columbia River (UCR); threatened
hook-and-line-angling, mid-water
5 days prior to the meeting date. Snake River (SR) spring/summer (spr/
trawl—and most captured fish would
sum), threatened SR fall-run.
Dated: January 10, 2018. immediately be released. The
Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened
Tracey L. Thompson, researchers do not intend to kill any of
UCR; threatened SR; threatened middle
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable the captured fish, but a few may die as
Columbia River (MCR).
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Sockeye salmon (O. nerka): an inadvertent result of the research.
[FR Doc. 2018–00567 Filed 1–12–18; 8:45 am] Endangered SR. Permit 1134–7R
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Authority The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish
Commission (CRITFC) is seeking to
Scientific research permits are issued
renew for five years a permit under
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A)
which they have been conducting
of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric research for nearly 20 years. The permit
regulations governing listed fish and
Administration would continue covering five study
wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222–226).
projects that, among them, would
RIN 0648–XF945 NMFS issues permits based on findings
annually take adult and juvenile
that such permits: (1) Are applied for in
threatened SR spring/summer Chinook
Endangered and Threatened Species; good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, salmon and adult and juvenile
Take of Anadromous Fish would not operate to the disadvantage threatened SR steelhead in the Snake
of the listed species that are the subject River basin. There have been some
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
of the permit; and (3) are consistent changes in the research over the last ten
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
with the purposes and policy of section years; nonetheless, the projects
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
2 of the ESA. The authority to take proposed are largely continuations of
Commerce.
listed species is subject to conditions set ongoing research. They are: Project 1—
ACTION: Notice; applications for one new forth in the permits.
scientific research permit and five Adult Spring/summer and Fall Chinook
Anyone requesting a hearing on an Salmon and Summer Steelhead Ground
scientific research permit renewals. application listed in this notice should and Aerial Spawning Ground Surveys;
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that set out the specific reasons why a Project 2—Cryopreservation of Spring/
NMFS has received six scientific hearing on that application would be summer Chinook Salmon and Summer
research permit application requests appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such Steelhead Gametes; Project 3—Adult
relating to Pacific salmon and steelhead. hearings are held at the discretion of the Chinook Salmon Abundance Monitoring
The proposed research is intended to Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, Using Video Weirs, Acoustic Imaging,
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
increase knowledge of species listed NMFS. and passive integrated transponder (PIT)
under the Endangered Species Act Applications Received tag Detectors in the South Fork Salmon
(ESA) and to help guide management River; Project 4—Snorkel, Seine, fyke
and conservation efforts. The Permit 1124–6R net, Minnow Trap, and Electrofishing
applications may be viewed online at: The IDFG is seeking to renew for five Surveys and Collection of Juvenile
https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/ years a permit under which they have Chinook Salmon and Steelhead; and
preview_open_for_comment.cfm. been conducting six research projects in Project 5—Juvenile Anadromous
VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:48 Jan 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM 16JAN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_2154/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-01-13 02:02:29
Document Modified: 2018-01-13 02:02:29
| 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, January 30, and Wednesday, January 31, 2018, beginning at 10 a.m. on January 30 and 9 a.m. on January 31. | |
| Contact | Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492, ext. 113. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 2144 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF94 |
2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR