Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for Guam; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund, 55642-55643 [2020-19885]

Download as PDF 55642 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 9, 2020 / Notices Fishing Permit (EFP) to conduct a lobster and Jonah crab monitoring study that Federal regulations would otherwise restrict. The purpose of this study is to collect pre-construction data on the abundance, size, and distribution of lobster and Jonah crab in the South Fork wind farm lease area and adjacent waters. The EFP would authorize the eight participating vessels (3 active and 5 back up vessels) to deploy 4 standard and 6 ventless traps per 10-pot trawl. The project consists of two survey periods from August 2020 through November 2020 and May 2021 through November 2021. Each vessel would take three one-day trips during the survey periods; one day to set traps, one day for sampling and resetting, and another day of additional sampling. Soak time between trips will be five days. CFRF staff will be on board for the sampling trips. All gear would be Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan compliant. Survey traps will be separate from each vessel’s commercial lobster traps and will have unique identification markers. To reduce the potential risk to right whales, CFRF has agreed to report if line and/or trawls are missing, apply distinct gear marking colors to the research trawls, and use 1,700 lb breaking strength buoy lines. All catch during sampling trips would be retained temporarily to collect biological data and returned promptly to the ocean. No catch from the research traps would be landed for sale. If approved, CFRF may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the study. 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: September 2, 2020. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–19864 Filed 9–8–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Sep 08, 2020 Jkt 250001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA342] Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for Guam; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of agency decision. AGENCY: NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for Guam. DATES: This agency decision is effective from August 4, 2020, through August 3, 2023. ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the MCP, identified by NOAA–NMFS– 2020–0115, from the Federal eRulemaking Portal, https:// www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20200115, or from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, 808–522–8220, https:// www.wpcouncil.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David O’Brien, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808–725–5038. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 204(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), and in consultation with the Council, to negotiate and enter into a Pacific Insular Area fishery agreement (PIAFA). A PIAFA would allow foreign fishing within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to American Samoa, Guam, or the Northern Mariana Islands. The Governor of the Pacific Insular Area to which the PIAFA applies must request the PIAFA. The Secretary of State may negotiate and enter the PIAFA after consultation with, and concurrence of, the applicable Governor. Before entering into a PIAFA, the applicable Governor, with concurrence of the Council, must develop and submit to the Secretary a 3-year MCP providing details on uses for any funds collected by the Secretary under the PIAFA. NMFS is the designee of the Secretary for MCP review and approval. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires payments received under a PIAFA to be deposited into the United States SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Treasury and then conveyed to the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for which funds were collected. In the case of violations by foreign fishing vessels in the EEZ around any Pacific Insular Area, amounts received by the Secretary attributable to fines and penalties imposed under the MagnusonStevens Act, including sums collected from the forfeiture and disposition or sale of property seized subject to its authority, are deposited into the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area adjacent to the EEZ in which the violation occurred, after direct costs of the enforcement action are subtracted. The Pacific Insular Area government may use funds deposited into the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for fisheries enforcement and for implementation of an MCP. Federal regulations at 50 CFR 665.819 authorize NMFS to specify catch limits for longline-caught bigeye tuna for U.S. territories. NMFS may also authorize each territory to allocate a portion of that limit to U.S. longline fishing vessels that are permitted to fish under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific (FEP). Payments collected under specified fishing agreements are deposited into the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund, and any funds attributable to a particular territory may be used only for implementation of that territory’s MCP. An MCP must be consistent with the Council’s FEPs, must identify conservation and management objectives (including criteria for determining when such objectives have been met), and must prioritize planned marine conservation projects. At its June 2020 meeting, the Council reviewed and concurred with the MCP. On July 24, 2020, the Governor of Guam submitted the MCP to NMFS for review and approval. The MCP contains the following six conservation and management objectives: 1. Fisheries resource assessment, research and monitoring; 2. Effective surveillance and enforcement mechanisms; 3. Promote ecosystems approach to fisheries management, climate change; 4. Public participation, research, education and outreach, and local capacity; 5. Domestic fisheries development; 6. Recognizing the importance of island cultures and traditional fishing practices and community based management. Please refer to the MCP for projects and activities designed to meet each objective, the evaluative criteria, and priority rankings. E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM 09SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 175 / Wednesday, September 9, 2020 / Notices This notice announces that NMFS has reviewed the MCP and determined that it satisfies the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Accordingly, NMFS has approved the MCP for the 3year period from August 4, 2020, through August 3, 2023. This MCP supersedes the one approved previously for August 4, 2017, through August 3, 2020 (82 FR 38876, August 16, 2017). Dated: September 3, 2020. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–19885 Filed 9–8–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA466] New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Committee Meeting via webinar 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 webinar will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 9.30 a.m. Webinar registration URL information: https:// attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 7996552764995088399. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held via webinar. 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: SUMMARY: Agenda The Committee will meet to review Framework 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and recommend final preferred alternatives. Framework 8 is considering fishery specifications for fishing years 2021–23 and adjusting measures in the herring VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Sep 08, 2020 Jkt 250001 plan that potentially inhibit the mackerel fishery from achieving optimum yield. There will also be an initial discussion of potential work priorities for 2021 for the herring plan. Other business will be discussed as 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 MagnusonStevens 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, Executive Director, at (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 3, 2020. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–19914 Filed 9–8–20; 8:45 am] 55643 Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, SAFMC; phone: (843) 571–4366 or toll free: (866) SAFMC–10; fax: (843) 769– 4520; email: kim.iverson@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AP meeting is open to the public and will be available via webinar as it occurs. Registration is required. Webinar registration information, a public comment form, and other meeting materials will be posted to the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmcmeetings/current-advisory-panelmeetings/ as it becomes available. During the meeting the Snapper Grouper AP will provide information to develop a fishery performance report for gag. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) 5 days prior to the meeting. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 3, 2020. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–19913 Filed 9–8–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BILLING CODE 3510–22–P National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [RTID 0648–XA393] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting [RTID 0648–XA458] South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) will hold a meeting of the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (AP) on September 24, 2020. DATES: The Snapper Grouper AP will meet on September 24, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held via webinar. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR)ss 68 Data Plenary Webinar III for Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic scamp grouper. AGENCY: The SEDAR 68 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic scamp grouper will consist of a series of data and assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. SUMMARY: The SEDAR 68 Data Plenary Webinar III will be held September 24, 2020, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. DATES: E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM 09SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55642-55643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19885]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA342]


Pacific Island Fisheries; Marine Conservation Plan for Guam; 
Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund

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

ACTION: Notice of agency decision.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) 
for Guam.

DATES: This agency decision is effective from August 4, 2020, through 
August 3, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the MCP, identified by NOAA-NMFS-
2020-0115, from the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0115, or from the 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., 
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, 808-522-8220, https://www.wpcouncil.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David O'Brien, Sustainable Fisheries, 
NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808-725-5038.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 204(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), and in consultation with the 
Council, to negotiate and enter into a Pacific Insular Area fishery 
agreement (PIAFA). A PIAFA would allow foreign fishing within the U.S. 
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to American Samoa, Guam, or the 
Northern Mariana Islands. The Governor of the Pacific Insular Area to 
which the PIAFA applies must request the PIAFA. The Secretary of State 
may negotiate and enter the PIAFA after consultation with, and 
concurrence of, the applicable Governor.
    Before entering into a PIAFA, the applicable Governor, with 
concurrence of the Council, must develop and submit to the Secretary a 
3-year MCP providing details on uses for any funds collected by the 
Secretary under the PIAFA. NMFS is the designee of the Secretary for 
MCP review and approval. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires payments 
received under a PIAFA to be deposited into the United States Treasury 
and then conveyed to the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for which 
funds were collected.
    In the case of violations by foreign fishing vessels in the EEZ 
around any Pacific Insular Area, amounts received by the Secretary 
attributable to fines and penalties imposed under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, including sums collected from the forfeiture and disposition or 
sale of property seized subject to its authority, are deposited into 
the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area adjacent to the EEZ in which 
the violation occurred, after direct costs of the enforcement action 
are subtracted. The Pacific Insular Area government may use funds 
deposited into the Treasury of the Pacific Insular Area for fisheries 
enforcement and for implementation of an MCP.
    Federal regulations at 50 CFR 665.819 authorize NMFS to specify 
catch limits for longline-caught bigeye tuna for U.S. territories. NMFS 
may also authorize each territory to allocate a portion of that limit 
to U.S. longline fishing vessels that are permitted to fish under the 
Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific 
(FEP). Payments collected under specified fishing agreements are 
deposited into the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund, and any 
funds attributable to a particular territory may be used only for 
implementation of that territory's MCP. An MCP must be consistent with 
the Council's FEPs, must identify conservation and management 
objectives (including criteria for determining when such objectives 
have been met), and must prioritize planned marine conservation 
projects.
    At its June 2020 meeting, the Council reviewed and concurred with 
the MCP. On July 24, 2020, the Governor of Guam submitted the MCP to 
NMFS for review and approval. The MCP contains the following six 
conservation and management objectives:
    1. Fisheries resource assessment, research and monitoring;
    2. Effective surveillance and enforcement mechanisms;
    3. Promote ecosystems approach to fisheries management, climate 
change;
    4. Public participation, research, education and outreach, and 
local capacity;
    5. Domestic fisheries development;
    6. Recognizing the importance of island cultures and traditional 
fishing practices and community based management.
    Please refer to the MCP for projects and activities designed to 
meet each objective, the evaluative criteria, and priority rankings.

[[Page 55643]]

    This notice announces that NMFS has reviewed the MCP and determined 
that it satisfies the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 
Accordingly, NMFS has approved the MCP for the 3-year period from 
August 4, 2020, through August 3, 2023. This MCP supersedes the one 
approved previously for August 4, 2017, through August 3, 2020 (82 FR 
38876, August 16, 2017).

    Dated: September 3, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-19885 Filed 9-8-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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