SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Agenda

The Habitat Committee will meet to consider how past and potential future scientific surveys and studies within two Dedicated Habitat Research Areas (Stellwagen DHRA, Georges Bank DHRA) address habitat research questions posed by the Council via Omnibus Habitat Amendment 2 and develop a recommendation to the Habitat Committee as to whether to request administrative removal of either designation. The Committee will also discuss scope, structure, and information sources for a review of the clam dredge exemption program within the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area and suggest refinements to the approach. They also plan to review draft essential fish habitat designations for groundfish, small mesh, and Atlantic sea scallops, and comment on spatial coverage of maps, key descriptions of habitat use to include in text, and additional information sources or experts that could be considered/consulted to improve each designation. Species list: Acadian redfish, American plaice, Atlantic halibut, Atlantic sea scallop, Atlantic wolffish, haddock, ocean pout, offshore hake, pollock, red hake, silver hake, white hake, windowpane flounder, winter flounder, witch flounder, and yellowtail flounder. At least 12 of the 16 species in the 2026 framework will be available for review at this meeting. The Committee will also receive an Ocean Planning update. Other business will be discussed, if necessary.

Although non-emergency issues not contained on the 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 Cate O'Keefe, Ph.D., Executive Director, at (978) 465-0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority:16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

91 FR 30286