Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting, 27236-27237 [2017-12256]

Download as PDF 27236 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 113 / Wednesday, June 14, 2017 / Notices the Secretary, the Department must make a suitability determination for all DEC nominees. After completion of a vetting process, the Secretary selects nominees for appointment to local DECs. DEC members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce. Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512, 15 U.S.C. 4721. Dated: June 6, 2017. Laura Barmby, District Export Council Program Manager. [FR Doc. 2017–12250 Filed 6–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–FP–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF475 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application from the Coonamessett Farm Foundation to conduct a scallop survey contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notice intended to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 29, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods: • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line ‘‘CFF NGOM Survey EFP.’’ • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on CFF NGOM Survey EFP.’’ mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978–282–8456. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Jun 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 The Coonamessett Farm Foundation submitted a complete application on May 23, 2017, to conduct an optical and dredge survey in the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area. The project titled ‘‘An Optical Assessment of Sea Scallop Abundance and Distribution in Select Areas of the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area’’ would be funded through the Scallop Research Set-Aside Program. The primary survey instrument would be the HabCam imaging system, consisting of a camera that continuously takes photos and a side scanning sonar, that would be towed approximately 2.5 meters above the ocean floor. A scallop survey dredge would also be deployed to enable collection of biological information. The vessel would be exempt from the Atlantic sea scallop days-at-sea (DAS) allocations at 50 CFR 648.53(b); NGOM management program requirements at § 648.62; crew size restrictions at § 648.51(c); dredge gear restrictions at § 648.51(b); and observer program requirements at § 648.11(g). The vessel would also be temporarily exempt from possession limits and minimum size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subparts B and D through O, for biological sampling purposes only. These exemptions would support an abundance survey of the NGOM Scallop Management Area. The primary survey instrument will be the HabCam imaging system, but a scallop survey dredge would be deployed to enable collection of biological information. One vessel would conduct the survey in early July 2017 over the course of four days-at-sea. Researchers would conduct 3 dredge tows per day for a maximum of 12 tows using the NMFS survey dredge. The survey dredge is 8 feet (2.4 m) in width equipped with 2-inch (5.1-cm) rings, 4inch (10.2-cm) diamond twine top, and a 1.5-inch (3.8-cm) diamond mesh liner. All tows would be conducted at speeds between 4.8 to 5.1 knots (2.5 to 2.6 m/ s) for 10–15 minutes. The dredge tow locations would be determined during the optical survey using the HabCam system based on scallop abundance. This survey would provide scallop biomass estimates that would support scallop resource management in the NGOM Management Area. The survey will occur in parts of Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey’s Ledge that are open to commercial scallop fishing. No dredge tows will occur in a habitat closed area. In addition to collecting Habcam image data, scientific personnel will record detailed catch information on scallops, finfish, and invertebrates from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 dredge tows. No fish or scallops will be retained for commercial purposes, but frozen samples of scallop meats may be retained. All bycatch would be returned to the sea as soon as practicable following data collection. These exemptions will allow CFF to conduct experimental dredge towing without being charged DAS, as well as deploy gear that is not consistent with current scallop regulations. Participating vessels need crew size waivers to accommodate science personnel. Exemption from possession limit and minimum sizes would ensure the vessel is not in conflict with possession regulations while collecting catch data. The project would also be exempt from the sea scallop observer program requirements because activities conducted on the trip are not consistent with normal fishing operations. If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 9, 2017. Margo B. Schulze-Haugen, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–12317 Filed 6–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF476 Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 51 preassessment webinar for Gulf of Mexico gray snapper. AGENCY: The SEDAR 51 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico gray snapper will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\14JNN1.SGM 14JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 113 / Wednesday, June 14, 2017 / Notices The SEDAR 51 pre-assessment webinar will be held June 27, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held via webinar. The webinar is open to members of the public. Those interested in participating should contact Julie A. Neer at SEDAR (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) to request an invitation providing webinar access information. Please request webinar invitations at least 24 hours in advance of each webinar. SEDAR address: 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie A. Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; (843) 571– 4366; email: Julie.neer@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a multistep process including: (1) Data Workshop, (2) a series of assessment webinars, and (3) A Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a report that compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The assessment webinars produce a report that describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The product of the Review Workshop is an Assessment Summary documenting panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. Participants for SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, HMS Management Division, and Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and NGO’s; International experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. The items of discussion during the post-Data Workshop webinar are as follows: mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Jun 13, 2017 Jkt 241001 1. Panelists will present finalized data for review and recommendation. 2. Panelists will begin discussing the modeling framework and initial model recommendations Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified 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 intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 business days prior to each workshop. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 8, 2017. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–12256 Filed 6–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF477 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. AGENCY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (MAFMC) Atlantic Bluefish Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting, jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Atlantic Bluefish Advisory Panel. DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For agenda details, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held via webinar with a telephone-only SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 27237 connection option. Details on the proposed agenda, webinar listen-in access, and briefing materials will be posted at the MAFMC’s Web site: www.mafmc.org. Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone: (302) 674–2331 or on their Web site at www.mafmc.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, telephone: (302) 526–5255. The purpose of this meeting is for the Advisory Panels to create a fishery performance report (FPR). The intent of this report is to facilitate a venue for structured input from the Advisory Panels for the Atlantic Bluefish specifications process. The FPR will be used by the MAFMC’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Atlantic Bluefish Monitoring Committee (MC), when reviewing (at future meetings in July), and if necessary revising, the current measures designed to achieve the recommended Atlantic Bluefish catch and landings limits for 2018. In addition, the MAFMC and ASMFC will consider input from the Advisory Panels in August when reviewing these specifications. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Actions 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to M. Jan Saunders, (302) 526–5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: June 8, 2017. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–12255 Filed 6–13–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\14JNN1.SGM 14JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27236-27237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12256]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF476


Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and 
Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 51 pre-assessment webinar for Gulf of Mexico 
gray snapper.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The SEDAR 51 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico gray snapper 
will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a 
Review Workshop.

[[Page 27237]]


DATES: The SEDAR 51 pre-assessment webinar will be held June 27, 2017, 
from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES:
    Meeting address: The meeting will be held via webinar. The webinar 
is open to members of the public. Those interested in participating 
should contact Julie A. Neer at SEDAR (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT) to request an invitation providing webinar access information. 
Please request webinar invitations at least 24 hours in advance of each 
webinar.
    SEDAR address: 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, 
SC 29405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie A. Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; 
(843) 571-4366; email: Julie.neer@safmc.net.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and 
Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA 
Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions 
have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) 
process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks 
in the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a multi-step process including: (1) 
Data Workshop, (2) a series of assessment webinars, and (3) A Review 
Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a report that compiles 
and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are 
appropriate for assessment analyses. The assessment webinars produce a 
report that describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, 
estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, 
and recommends research and monitoring needs. The product of the Review 
Workshop is an Assessment Summary documenting panel opinions regarding 
the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. 
Participants for SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, 
South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils and NOAA 
Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, HMS Management Division, and 
Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include data 
collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, 
biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including 
fishermen, environmentalists, and NGO's; International experts; and 
staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies.
    The items of discussion during the post-Data Workshop webinar are 
as follows:
    1. Panelists will present finalized data for review and 
recommendation.
    2. Panelists will begin discussing the modeling framework and 
initial model recommendations
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to 
those issues specifically identified 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 intent to 
take final action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 
business days prior to each workshop.

    Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are 
subject to change.


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

    Dated: June 8, 2017.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12256 Filed 6-13-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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