New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 24247-24248 [2015-10081]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices Fraud (NOC Committee) is seeking public input on principles to be used in determining seafood species ‘‘at risk’’ for IUU fishing and seafood fraud. DATES: Comments must be received by June 8, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2014–0090, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20140090, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Danielle Rioux, 1315 East-West Highway; Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by the NOC Committee. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. The NOC Committee will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Rioux, 301–427–8516. According to NOAA, in 2013, U.S. fishers landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish worth $5.5 billion. Globally, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud undermine the sustainability of U.S. and global seafood stocks and negatively impact general ecosystem health. At the same time, IUU fishing and fraudulent seafood products distort legal markets and unfairly compete with the products of law-abiding fishers and seafood industries. On March 15, 2015, the Presidential Task Force on Combating IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud (Task Force), cochaired by the Departments of Commerce and State, took an historic step to address these issues and published its action plan to implement Task Force recommendations (https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/iuu/ taskforce.html). mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Apr 29, 2015 Jkt 235001 This plan articulates the aggressive steps that Federal agencies will take to implement the recommendations the Task Force made to the President in December 2014 on a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The plan identifies actions that will strengthen enforcement, create and expand partnerships with state and local governments, industry, and nongovernmental organizations, and create a risk-based traceability program to track seafood from harvest to entry into U.S. commerce, including the use of existing traceability mechanisms. The work the Task Force began will continue under the oversight of the NOC Committee. This notice is the first step in implementing Task Force Recommendations 14 and 15, ‘‘Identifying current at risk species threatened by IUU fishing and seafood fraud.’’ Once ‘‘at-risk’’ species have been determined, the NOC Committee will transmit the list to agencies for appropriate action. This list will form the basis for the species addressed in the first phase of the risk-based seafood traceability program, as described in the Task Force Action Plan. With this notice, the NOC Committee is soliciting comment on what principles should be used to determine the seafood species ‘‘at risk’’ for IUU fishing and seafood fraud. Recommended principles should be measurable (i.e., there should be a reasonable amount of existing data to assess), and be applicable to domestic and/or international fisheries. For example, possible principles could include assessing the extent to which species are known to have: • significant domestic or international enforcement-related concerns, such as substantial numbers of violations of relevant regulations or conservation and management measures, significant challenges or limitations in existing enforcement regimes, or repeated reports of IUU activity; • catches that are mis-reported or not reported according to the reporting procedures of the relevant international regional fisheries management organizations or national authorities, particularly when they are of high economic value; • a human health risk when substituted for other species; and • instances of being substituted for other species in order to avoid tariffs or to sell a lower value fish at a higher price. Following the public comment period, the NOC Committee will take PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24247 the input received into consideration as it develops a draft list of principles to be used in determining species ‘‘at risk’’ for IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The draft list of principles will then be used to create a draft list of ‘‘at-risk’’ species. Both the draft list of principles and the draft list of ‘‘at-risk’’ species will be published in the Federal Register for public comment in July 2015. Dated: April 27, 2015. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–10125 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD923 New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Risk Policy Working Group 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 Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton, 407 Squire Road, Revere, MA 02151; Phone: (781) 284–7200; Fax: (781) 289–3176. 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: The items of discussion on the agenda are to discuss implementation of the Councils Risk Policy across all Council-managed species. The group will also continue work on development of the Risk Policy ‘‘operational handbook’’ to address the application of the Risk Policy. Additionally they will discuss the application of the Risk Policy in the Atlantic Herring FMP and develop related recommendations. The group SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM 30APN1 24248 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices will also plan for future work. They will discuss as other business as necessary. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before these groups for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. 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 MagnusonStevens Act, provided 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 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: April 27, 2015. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–10081 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD879 Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; affirmative finding annual renewal. AGENCY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has issued an affirmative finding annual renewal for the Government of Guatemala under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding annual renewal will allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Guatemalan-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Guatemalan jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding annual renewal was based on review of mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Apr 29, 2015 Jkt 235001 documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Guatemala and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). DATES: The affirmative finding annual renewal is effective from April 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. Phone: 562–980–3264 Email: justin.greenman@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., allows for importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine vessels in the ETP under certain conditions. If requested by the harvesting nation, the Assistant Administrator will determine whether to make an affirmative finding based upon documentary evidence provided by the government of the harvesting nation, the IATTC, or the Department of State. The affirmative finding process requires that the harvesting nation is meeting its obligations under the IDCP and obligations of membership in the IATTC. Every 5 years, the government of the harvesting nation must request a new affirmative finding and submit the required documentary evidence directly to the Assistant Administrator. On an annual basis, NMFS reviews the affirmative finding and determines whether the harvesting nation continues to meet the requirements. A nation may provide information related to compliance with IDCP and IATTC measures directly to NMFS on an annual basis or may authorize the IATTC to release the information to NMFS to annually renew an affirmative finding determination without an application from the harvesting nation. An affirmative finding will be terminated, in consultation with the Secretary of State, if the Assistant Administrator determines that the requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no longer being met or that a nation is consistently failing to take enforcement actions on violations, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the IDCP. As a part of the affirmative finding process set forth in 50 CFR 216.24(f), the Assistant Administrator considered documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Guatemala and obtained from the IATTC and has determined that Guatemala has met the MMPA’s requirements to receive an affirmative finding annual renewal. After consultation with the Department of State, the Assistant PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Administrator issued an affirmative finding annual renewal to Guatemala, allowing the continued importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and products derived from yellowfin tuna harvested in the ETP by Guatemalanflag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Guatemalan jurisdiction through March 31, 2015. Guatemala’s 5-year affirmative finding will remain valid through March 31, 2015. Dated: April 24, 2015. Eileen Sobeck, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–10162 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD878 Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; affirmative finding annual renewal. AGENCY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has issued an affirmative finding annual renewal for the Government of El Salvador under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding annual renewal will allow yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Salvadoran-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Salvadoran jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding annual renewal was based on review of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of El Salvador and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). DATES: The affirmative finding annual renewal is effective from April 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Justin Greenman, West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. Phone: 562–980–3264 Email: justin.greenman@noaa.gov. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM 30APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24247-24248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10081]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD923


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice; public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is 
scheduling a public meeting of its Risk Policy Working Group 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 Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton, 407 
Squire Road, Revere, MA 02151; Phone: (781) 284-7200; Fax: (781) 289-
3176.
    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: The items of discussion on the agenda are to 
discuss implementation of the Councils Risk Policy across all Council-
managed species. The group will also continue work on development of 
the Risk Policy ``operational handbook'' to address the application of 
the Risk Policy. Additionally they will discuss the application of the 
Risk Policy in the Atlantic Herring FMP and develop related 
recommendations. The group

[[Page 24248]]

will also plan for future work. They will discuss as other business as 
necessary.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before these groups for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
of formal action during these meetings. 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.

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: April 27, 2015.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10081 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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