Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Pacific Island Fisheries; Public Meeting, 76535-76536 [2020-26317]

Download as PDF TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices shark research fishery. The HMS Management Division will provide the list of qualified applicants without identifying information to the SEFSC. The SEFSC will then evaluate the list of qualified applicants and, based on the temporal and spatial needs of the research objectives, the availability of observers, the availability of qualified applicants, and the available quota for a given year, will randomly select qualified applicants to conduct the prescribed research. Where there are multiple qualified applicants that meet the criteria, permittees will be randomly selected through a lottery system. If a public meeting is deemed necessary, NMFS will announce details of a public selection meeting in a subsequent Federal Register notice. Once the selection process is complete, NMFS will notify the selected applicants and issue the shark research fishery permits. The shark research fishery permits will be valid through December 31, 2021, unless otherwise specified. If needed, NMFS will communicate with the shark research fishery permit holders to arrange a captain’s meeting to discuss the research objectives and protocols. NMFS usually holds mandatory captain’s meetings before observers are placed on vessels and may hold one for the 2021 shark research fishery in early 2021. Once the fishery starts, the shark research fishery permit holders must contact the NMFS or designee to arrange the placement of a NMFS-approved observer for each shark research trip, and in the beginning, to arrange the installation of the specific EM sensors. Additionally, selected applicants are expected to allow observers the opportunity to perform their duties as required and assist observers as necessary. At the end of the fishery, shark research fishery permit holders must contact NMFS or a designee to arrange for the removal of the EM sensors. A shark research fishery permit will only be valid for the vessel and owner(s) and terms and conditions listed on the permit, and, thus, cannot be transferred to another vessel or owner(s). Shark research fishery permit holders must carry a NMFS-approved observer in order to land sandbar sharks. Issuance of a shark research permit does not guarantee that the permit holder will be assigned a NMFS-approved observer on any particular trip. Rather, issuance indicates that a vessel may be issued a NMFS-approved observer for a particular trip, and on such trips, may be allowed to harvest Atlantic sharks, including sandbar sharks, in excess of the retention limits described in 50 CFR VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 635.24(a). These retention limits will be based on available quota, number of vessels participating in the 2021 shark research fishery, the research objectives set forth by the shark board, the extent of other restrictions placed on the vessel, and may vary by vessel and/or location. When not operating under the auspices of the shark research fishery, the vessel would still be able to land LCS, SCS, and pelagic sharks subject to existing retention limits on trips without a NMFS-approved observer. Additionally, during those times, the vessel would not need to operate the EM sensors. NMFS annually invites commercial shark permit holders (directed and incidental) to submit an application to participate in the shark research fishery. Permit applications can be found on the HMS Management Division’s website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantichighly-migratory-species/atlantichighly-migratory-species-permits-andreporting-forms or by calling (301) 427– 8503. Final decisions on the issuance of a shark research fishery permit will depend on the submission of all required information by the deadline (see DATES), and NMFS’ review of applicant information as outlined above. The 2021 shark research fishery will start after the opening of the shark fishery and under available quotas as published in a separate Federal Register final rule. Dated: November 24, 2020. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–26325 Filed 11–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA678] Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Pacific Island Fisheries; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. AGENCY: NMFS and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) of a 2020 stock assessment update for seven deep-water bottomfish species (‘‘Deep 7’’ bottomfish complex) in the Main Hawaiian Islands. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76535 The WPSAR panel will meet on December 16–17, 2020. For specific times and agenda, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. DATES: The meeting will be held by web conference via WebEx. Audio and visual portions for all of the web conferences can be accessed at: https:// wprfmc.webex.com/join/ info.wpcouncilnoaa.gov. Web conference access information and instructions for providing public comments will be posted on the Council website at www.wpcouncil.org. For assistance with the web conference connection, contact the Council office at (808) 552–8220. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty Simonds, Executive Director, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council; telephone: (808) 522–8220. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) conducted a stock assessment update for the Main Hawaiian Island Deep 7 bottomfish complex. PIFSC previously conducted a Benchmark stock assessment for the Deep 7 bottomfish in 2018 using a Bayesian surplus production model fit to commercial catch and effort data and independent survey biomass estimates. This assessment update used the methodology of the 2018 benchmark assessment and updated it with data through 2019. PIFSC used this assessment update to estimate biomass and stock status of the Deep 7 bottomfish complex through time, and evaluated stock status against the maximum sustainable yield based reference points described in the Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaii Archipelago. The 2020 assessment update provides projections to inform setting of acceptable biological catch and annual catch limits for 2021– 24. The WPSAR panel will meet virtually beginning at 9 a.m., Hawaii Standard Time (HST), each day. A public comment period will be provided at the end of the first day. The agenda order may change and the meeting will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled business. ADDRESSES: Meeting Agenda Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. HST 1. Introduction 2. Review objectives and terms of reference 3. Review of stock assessment updates 4. Summary of comments and analysis during desktop phase 5. Questions to presenters 6. Public comment E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1 76536 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 230 / Monday, November 30, 2020 / Notices Thursday, December 17, 2020, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. HST 7. Panel presentation on the review results and recommendations 8. Questions to reviewers 9. Adjourn Agenda Monday, December 14, 2020 and Wednesday, December 16, 2020 Special Accommodations This virtual meeting will be accessible to people with disabilities. Please direct request for accommodations to the Council Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: November 24, 2020. Diane M. DeJames-Daly, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–26317 Filed 11–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P The agenda will include (a) draft Climate Change Taskforce workplan; (b) planning for future meetings and activities; and (c) other business. The agenda is subject to change, and the latest version will be posted at https:// meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/ 1804 prior to the meeting, along with meeting materials. Connection Information You can attend the meeting online using a computer, tablet, or smart phone; or by phone only. Connection information will be posted online at: https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/ Details/1804. Public Comment Public comment letters will be accepted and should be submitted electronically to https:// meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/ 1804. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. [RTID 0648–XA684] North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Climate Change Taskforce will meet December 14, 2020 and December 16, 2020, via webconference. SUMMARY: The meeting will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020, and Wednesday, December 16, 2020, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Alaska Time. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be a webconference. Join online through the link at https://meetings.npfmc.org/ Meeting/Details/1804. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1007 W 3rd Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501–2252; telephone: (907) 271–2809. Instructions for attending the meeting are given under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, below. TKELLEY on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES DATES: Dr. Diana Stram, Council staff; phone: (907) 271–2809 and email: diana.stram@ noaa.gov. For technical support please contact our administrative staff; email: npfmc.admin@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:03 Nov 27, 2020 Jkt 253001 Dated: November 24, 2020. Diane M. DeJames-Daly, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–26318 Filed 11–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Alaska Region Permit Family of Forms National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00023 To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before January 29, 2021. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at Adrienne.thomas@noaa.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 0648– 0206 in the subject line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Gabrielle Aberle 586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 I. Abstract The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Alaska Region, is requesting extension of a currently approved information collection for the applications for the Federal Fisheries Permit, the Federal Processor Permit, and the Exempted Fishing Permit. NMFS requires a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) or Federal Processor Permit (FPP) for participation in the groundfish fisheries of the exclusive economic zone off Alaska. NMFS issues an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to allow groundfish fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited under regulations for groundfish fishing. EFPs are issued to support projects that could benefit the groundfish fisheries and the environment and result in gathering information not otherwise available through research or commercial fishing operations. Regulations governing these permits are at 50 CFR 600.745, 679.4, and 679.6. Operators of vessels and managers of processors must have a permit on board or on site when fishing, receiving, buying, or processing groundfish and non-groundfish species. The permit information provides harvest gear types; descriptions of vessels, shoreside processors, and stationary floating processors; and expected fishery activity levels. The information requested on the permit applications is used for fisheries management and regulatory compliance by NMFS Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS Restricted Access Management Program, NMFS Observer Program, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. Section 303(b)(1) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act specifically recognizes the need for permit issuance. Requiring E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 230 (Monday, November 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76535-76536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26317]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA678]


Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Pacific Island 
Fisheries; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice; public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) will convene a Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review 
(WPSAR) of a 2020 stock assessment update for seven deep-water 
bottomfish species (``Deep 7'' bottomfish complex) in the Main Hawaiian 
Islands.

DATES: The WPSAR panel will meet on December 16-17, 2020. For specific 
times and agenda, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held by web conference via WebEx. Audio 
and visual portions for all of the web conferences can be accessed at: 
https://wprfmc.webex.com/join/info.wpcouncilnoaa.gov. Web conference 
access information and instructions for providing public comments will 
be posted on the Council website at www.wpcouncil.org. For assistance 
with the web conference connection, contact the Council office at (808) 
552-8220.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science 
Center (PIFSC) conducted a stock assessment update for the Main 
Hawaiian Island Deep 7 bottomfish complex. PIFSC previously conducted a 
Benchmark stock assessment for the Deep 7 bottomfish in 2018 using a 
Bayesian surplus production model fit to commercial catch and effort 
data and independent survey biomass estimates. This assessment update 
used the methodology of the 2018 benchmark assessment and updated it 
with data through 2019.
    PIFSC used this assessment update to estimate biomass and stock 
status of the Deep 7 bottomfish complex through time, and evaluated 
stock status against the maximum sustainable yield based reference 
points described in the Council's Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the Hawaii 
Archipelago. The 2020 assessment update provides projections to inform 
setting of acceptable biological catch and annual catch limits for 
2021-24.
    The WPSAR panel will meet virtually beginning at 9 a.m., Hawaii 
Standard Time (HST), each day. A public comment period will be provided 
at the end of the first day. The agenda order may change and the 
meeting will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled business.

Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, December 16, 2020, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. HST

1. Introduction
2. Review objectives and terms of reference
3. Review of stock assessment updates
4. Summary of comments and analysis during desktop phase
5. Questions to presenters
6. Public comment

[[Page 76536]]

Thursday, December 17, 2020, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. HST

7. Panel presentation on the review results and recommendations
8. Questions to reviewers
9. Adjourn

Special Accommodations

    This virtual meeting will be accessible to people with 
disabilities. Please direct request for accommodations to the Council 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 5 days prior to 
the meeting date.

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

    Dated: November 24, 2020.
Diane M. DeJames-Daly,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-26317 Filed 11-27-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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