Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings, 21836-21837 [2020-08267]

Download as PDF jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 21836 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 76 / Monday, April 20, 2020 / Notices otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Massey, West Coast Region, NMFS, (562) 436–2462, lynn.massey@ noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action is authorized by the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745, which allow NMFS Regional Administrators to authorize exempted fishing permits (EFPs) to test fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited. On April 6, 2020, the California Wetfish Producers Association (CWPA) submitted an EFP application to NMFS requesting an exemption from the prohibition on directed fishing for Pacific sardine as part of an industrybased scientific collection effort. The CWPA requested to directly harvest up to 640 metric tons (mt) of Pacific sardine during the remainder of the 2019–2020 fishing year, as well as 740 mt during the upcoming 2020–2021 fishing year, which will begin on July 1, 2020. Directed fishing for Pacific sardine, with exceptions for the minor directed fisheries, the live bait fishery, and EFP activities, is currently prohibited off the U.S. West Coast (84 FR 31222; July 1, 2019) and on April 6, 2020, the Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to keep the primary directed fishery closed for the 2020–2021 season as well. The primary directed fishery for Pacific sardine has been closed since 2015, and consequently, scientists at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) have a limited amount of fishery-dependent data to use in their annual stock assessment. The goal of this EFP project is to provide additional biological data (i.e., age and length data from directed harvest) for potential use in the 2021 and 2022 stock assessments for Pacific sardine. Under this EFP project, six participating vessels would target Pacific sardine off the coasts of southern and central California with the goal of obtaining a minimum of six point sets during mid-May to June 30, 2020. During the 2020–2021 fishing year, the same six vessels would target sardine with the goal of obtaining a minimum of six point sets during July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, and a minimum of six point sets during January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021. A portion of each point set (i.e., an individual haul of fish captured with a purse seine net) would be retained for biological sampling, and the remainder VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:34 Apr 17, 2020 Jkt 250001 would be sold by the participating fishermen and processors to offset research costs and avoid unnecessary discard. EFP landings would be offloaded at ports in Monterey/Moss Landing, California (for central California landings) or Long Beach/San Pedro, California (for southern California landings), and the portion of fish retained for biological sampling would be received by staff at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. NMFS does not expect any adverse biological impacts from this EFP project. Any harvest under this EFP would count against the annual catch limit (ACL) for Pacific sardine in both fishing years when EFP activities would occur. On July 1, 2019, NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 31222) to implement Pacific sardine harvest specifications for the 2019–2020 fishing year off the U.S. West Coast. This final rule included a 4,514mt ACL and a prohibition on directed fishing for Pacific sardine with exceptions for the minor directed fisheries, the live bait fishery, and EFP activities. As of March 31, 2020, approximately 3,300 mt of the 4,514-mt ACL for the 2019–2020 fishing year remained unharvested. Based on existing and likely fishing pressure over the next three months, NMFS does not expect landings to approach the ACL. If NMFS does not issue this EFP, then the 640-mt request for EFP catch would be available for harvest by other permissible fishing activities prior to the end of the current fishing year, which ends on June 30, 2020. After publication of this document in the Federal Register, NMFS may approve and issue permits to participating vessels after the close of the public comment period. NMFS will consider comments submitted in deciding whether to approve the application as requested. NMFS may approve the application in its entirety or may make any alterations needed to achieve the goals of the EFP project. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 14, 2020. He´le`ne M.N. Scalliet, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–08215 Filed 4–17–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA136 Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Pacific Pelagics Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Plan Team (PT) to discuss fishery management issues and develop recommendations to the Council for future management of pelagic fisheries in the Western Pacific region. DATES: The Pelagic PT will be held on May 6–8, 2020. For specific times and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held by web conference. Audio and visual portions of the web conference can be accessed at: https://wprfmc.webex.com/ join/info.wpcouncilnoaa.gov. Web conference access information will also be posted on the Council’s website at www.wpcouncil.org. For assistance with the web conference connection, contact the Council office at (808) 522–8220. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone (808) 522–8220. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Pelagic PT meeting will be held on May 6–8, 2020, and run each day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST) (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Samoa Standard Time (SST); 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 7–9, 2020, Chamorro Standard Time (ChST)). Public comment periods will be provided in the agenda. The order in which agenda items are addressed may change. The meetings will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled business. SUMMARY: Agenda for the Pelagic Plan Team Meeting Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. HST (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. SST; Thursday, May 7, 2020, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ChST) 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of Draft Agenda, 2018 Report, and Assignment of Rapporteurs 3. Review 2019 Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report Modules A. Fishery Data Modules i. American Samoa ii. CNMI E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 76 / Monday, April 20, 2020 / Notices iii. Guam iv. Hawaii v. International vi. Recreational/Non-Commercial Fisheries B. Ecosystem Chapter i. Environmental & Climate Variables ii. Habitat iii. Marine Planning 4. Public Comment DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Thursday, May 7, 2020, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. HST (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. SST; Friday, May 8, 2020, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ChST) AGENCY: 5. Continued: Review 2019 Annual SAFE Report Modules B. Ecosystem Chapter iv. Socioeconomics v. Protected Species 6. SAFE Report Discussion A. Discussion: Data Integration B. Web-Interface of the Annual SAFE Report C. 2019 Report Region Wide Improvements & Recommendations 7. Impacts of COVID–19 on Pelagic Fisheries 8. Community Participation in Hawaii Commercial Pelagic Fisheries 9. Pelagics FEP Council Action Items A. Electronic Reporting in Hawaii Longline Fishery B. Hawaii Small-boat Fishery Management C. Requirements for October 1 Start-date for Shallow-set Longline Fishery 10. Public Comment Friday, May 8, 2020, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. HST (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. SST; Saturday, May 9, 2020, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ChST) 11. Status of Endangered Species Act Consultations and Development of Reasonable and Prudent Measures (RPMs) for the Hawaii Deep-Set and American Samoa Longline Fisheries 12. Hawaii Shallow-Set Longline Fishery RPM Working Group 13. Transformative Ecosystem-Based Management Workshop 14. Update on Seabird Mitigation Measures 15. Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology 16. Workshop on Area-Based Management of Blue Water Fisheries 17. Pelagic Plan Team Recommendations 18. Public Comment 19. Other Business Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522–8220 (voice) or (808) 522– 8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 15, 2020. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–08267 Filed 4–17–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:34 Apr 17, 2020 Jkt 250001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA120] Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public online meeting. The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Habitat Committee (HC) and Salmon Technical Team will hold a meeting, which is open to the public. DATES: The online meeting will be held Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at 9 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, and will end at 10:30 a.m. on the same day. ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held online. To attend the meeting: (1) Join the meeting by using this link: https:// meetings.ringcentral.com/join; (2) enter the Meeting ID provided in the meeting announcement (see www.pcouncil.org) and click JOIN; (3) You will be prompted to either download the RingCentral meetings application or join the meeting without a download via your web browser; (4) enter your name and click JOIN; (5) You may connect to the audio portion of the meeting via ‘‘computer audio’’ using a headset or opt to dial into the meeting via telephone using the TOLL number (s) provided on the screen; and (6) Once connected, you will be in the meeting, seeing other participants and a shared screen, if applicable. Technical Information and System Requirements: PC-based attendees are required to use Windows® 10, 8; Mac®-based attendees are required to use Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer; Mobile attendees are required to use iPhone®, iPad®, AndroidTM phone or Android tablet (See the RingCentral mobile apps in your app store). You may send an email to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@ noaa.gov) or contact him at (503) 820– 2280, extension 412 for technical assistance. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Gilden, Pacific Council; telephone: (503) 820–2418. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Major topics include, but are not limited to, discussing habitat-related limiting factors for Klamath River Fall Chinook SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21837 and Sacramento River Fall Chinook that may have contributed to the overfished determination and considering a timeline and work plan for the HC to develop recommendations for Pacific Council consideration to address relevant issues. Public comments during the webinar will be received from attendees at the discretion of the HC Chair. Although non-emergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda may be discussed, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any issues arising after publication of this document 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 Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@ noaa.gov; (503) 820–2412) at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 15, 2020. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–08263 Filed 4–17–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA119] Marine Mammals and Endangered Species National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits and permit amendments. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that permits and permit amendments have been issued to the following entities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). ADDRESSES: The permits and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 76 (Monday, April 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21836-21837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08267]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA136


Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a meeting of the Pacific Pelagics Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) 
Plan Team (PT) to discuss fishery management issues and develop 
recommendations to the Council for future management of pelagic 
fisheries in the Western Pacific region.

DATES: The Pelagic PT will be held on May 6-8, 2020. For specific times 
and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held by web conference. Audio and 
visual portions of the web conference can be accessed at: https://wprfmc.webex.com/join/info.wpcouncilnoaa.gov. Web conference access 
information will also be posted on the Council's website at 
www.wpcouncil.org. For assistance with the web conference connection, 
contact the Council office at (808) 522-8220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone (808) 522-8220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Pelagic PT meeting will be held on May 
6-8, 2020, and run each day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time 
(HST) (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Samoa Standard Time (SST); 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 
May 7-9, 2020, Chamorro Standard Time (ChST)). Public comment periods 
will be provided in the agenda. The order in which agenda items are 
addressed may change. The meetings will run as late as necessary to 
complete scheduled business.

Agenda for the Pelagic Plan Team Meeting

Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. HST (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
SST; Thursday, May 7, 2020, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ChST)

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Draft Agenda, 2018 Report, and Assignment of 
Rapporteurs
3. Review 2019 Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) 
Report Modules
    A. Fishery Data Modules
    i. American Samoa
    ii. CNMI

[[Page 21837]]

    iii. Guam
    iv. Hawaii
    v. International
    vi. Recreational/Non-Commercial Fisheries
    B. Ecosystem Chapter
    i. Environmental & Climate Variables
    ii. Habitat
    iii. Marine Planning
4. Public Comment

Thursday, May 7, 2020, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. HST (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. SST; 
Friday, May 8, 2020, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ChST)

5. Continued: Review 2019 Annual SAFE Report Modules
    B. Ecosystem Chapter
    iv. Socioeconomics
    v. Protected Species
6. SAFE Report Discussion
    A. Discussion: Data Integration
    B. Web-Interface of the Annual SAFE Report
    C. 2019 Report Region Wide Improvements & Recommendations
7. Impacts of COVID-19 on Pelagic Fisheries
8. Community Participation in Hawaii Commercial Pelagic Fisheries
9. Pelagics FEP Council Action Items
    A. Electronic Reporting in Hawaii Longline Fishery
    B. Hawaii Small-boat Fishery Management
    C. Requirements for October 1 Start-date for Shallow-set 
Longline Fishery
10. Public Comment

Friday, May 8, 2020, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. HST (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. SST; 
Saturday, May 9, 2020, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ChST)

11. Status of Endangered Species Act Consultations and Development 
of Reasonable and Prudent Measures (RPMs) for the Hawaii Deep-Set 
and American Samoa Longline Fisheries
12. Hawaii Shallow-Set Longline Fishery RPM Working Group
13. Transformative Ecosystem-Based Management Workshop
14. Update on Seabird Mitigation Measures
15. Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology
16. Workshop on Area-Based Management of Blue Water Fisheries
17. Pelagic Plan Team Recommendations
18. Public Comment
19. Other Business

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522-8220 
(voice) or (808) 522-8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting 
date.

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

    Dated: April 15, 2020.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08267 Filed 4-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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