Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 82446-82447 [2020-27971]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 244 / Friday, December 18, 2020 / Notices
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:
Kit
Dahl, Staff Officer, Pacific Council;
telephone: (503) 820–2422.
The EWG
has been tasked with updating the
Pacific Council’s Fishery Ecosystem
Plan. The Pacific Council directed the
EWG to complete a draft of Chapter 3,
prepare a preliminary draft of Chapter 4,
and an outline of Chapter 5 for review
at its March 2021 meeting. The primary
focus of this work session will be
reviewing work completed to date and
planning the tasks necessary to
complete this assignment. The EWG
may also discuss other matters on the
Pacific Council’s March 2021 meeting
agenda, particularly other ecosystem or
administrative items.
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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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: December 15, 2020.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
[FR Doc. 2020–27973 Filed 12–17–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0649–XA703]
Gulf of Mexico 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 Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council (Council) will
hold a 3-day meeting via webinar of its
Standing, Reef Fish, Mackerel,
Socioeconomic and Ecosystem
Scientific and Statistical Committees
(SSC)
SUMMARY:
The meeting will be held on
Tuesday, January 5, 2021 to Thursday,
January 7, 2021. See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for specific times.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place
via webinar; you may register by visiting
www.gulfcouncil.org and clicking on the
SSC meeting on the calendar.
Council address: Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council, 4107 W
Spruce Street, Suite 200, Tampa, FL
33607; telephone: (813) 348–1630.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ryan Rindone, Lead Fishery Biologist,
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council; ryan.rindone@gulfcouncil.org,
telephone: (813) 348–1630.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Tuesday, January 5, 2021; 9 a.m.–5
p.m., EST
The meeting will begin with
Introductions and Adoption of Agenda,
Approval of Verbatim Minutes and
Meeting Summary from September 14–
15, 2020 webinar meeting and October
30, 2020 joint webinar meeting with the
South Atlantic SSC, review Scope of
Work, selection of SSC Representative
for the January 25–28, 2021 Gulf
Council Meeting.
The Committees will review SEDAR
70: Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack
Stock Assessment; SEDAR 70 Stock
Assessment Report, Presentation and
Projections, Something’s Fishy and
Stock Assessment Executive Summary.
The Committees will then discuss the
Sea Grant/NMFS Greater Amberjack
Research Program, and adjourn for the
day.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021; 9 a.m.–5
p.m., EST
The Committees will review and hold
discussions on Red Grouper
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Recreational Landings Data, followed by
a Review of Council Proposed Interim
Analysis Schedule. The Committees
will then review Red Snapper Supply
Chains and Markets, followed by the
Great Red Snapper Count (GRSC),
including a presentation, the project
report, and a discussion on SEFSC
integration of GRSC data into the
interim analysis process. The
Committees will then review Testing
assumptions about sex change and
spatial management in the protogynous
gag grouper, Mycteroperca microlepis,
and then adjourn for the day.
Thursday, January 7, 2021; 9 a.m.–3
p.m., EST
The Committees will review a
presentation and background materials
on Gulf of Mexico Habitat Research, and
will then discuss. The Committees will
then review a Request for Participants:
SEDAR 79: Southeastern U.S. Mutton
Snapper.
The Committees will consider
carryover of uncaught commercial quota
for Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
managed species; and, will review a
presentation on 2020 Commercial
landings for IFQ species, consider
updated ABC recommendations for IFQ
species in 2021 and receive a summary
presentation on Carryover Provisions
and Framework Modifications.
Lastly, the Committee will discuss
Other Business items and receive public
comment.
—Meeting Adjourns
The meeting will be broadcast via
webinar. You may register for the
webinar by visiting www.gulfcouncil.org
and clicking on the SSC meeting on the
calendar.
The Agenda is subject to change, and
the latest version along with other
meeting materials will be posted on
www.gulfcouncil.org as they become
available.
Although other non-emergency issues
not on the agenda may come before the
Scientific and Statistical Committees for
discussion, in accordance with the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
those issues may not be the subject of
formal action during this meeting.
Actions of the Scientific and Statistical
Committee will be restricted to those
issues specifically identified in the
agenda 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 action to
address the emergency.
E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM
18DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 244 / Friday, December 18, 2020 / Notices
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 15, 2020.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–27971 Filed 12–17–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XA593]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone off Alaska; North Pacific
Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel
Prices
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notification of standard exvessel prices.
AGENCY:
NMFS publishes standard exvessel prices for groundfish and halibut
for the calculation of the observer fee
under the North Pacific Observer
Program (Observer Program). This
notice is intended to provide
information to vessel owners,
processors, registered buyers, and other
Observer Program participants about the
standard ex-vessel prices that will be
used to calculate the observer fee for
landings of groundfish and halibut
made in 2021. NMFS will send invoices
to processors and registered buyers
subject to the fee by January 15, 2022.
Fees are due to NMFS on or before
February 15, 2022.
DATES: The standard prices are valid on
January 1, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general questions about the observer fee
and standard ex-vessel prices, contact
Abby Jahn at (907)586–7445. For
questions about the fee billing process,
contact Charmaine Weeks at (907)586–
7231. Additional information about the
Observer Program is available on NMFS
Alaska Region’s website at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/
fisheries-observers/north-pacificobserver-program.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
Background
Regulations at 50 CFR part 679,
subpart E, governing the Observer
Program, require the deployment of
NMFS-certified observers (observers)
and electronic monitoring (EM) systems
to collect information necessary for the
conservation and management of the
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Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish
and halibut fisheries. Fishery managers
use information collected by observers
to monitor quotas, manage groundfish
and prohibited species catch, and
document and reduce fishery
interactions with protected resources.
Scientists use observer-collected
information for stock assessments and
marine ecosystem research.
The Observer Program includes two
observer coverage categories: the partial
coverage category and the full coverage
category. All groundfish and halibut
vessels and processors subject to
observer coverage are included in one of
these two categories. Defined at 50 CFR
679.51, the partial coverage category
includes vessels and processors that are
not required to have an observer or EM
at all times, and the full coverage
category includes vessels and processors
required to have all of their fishing and
processing activity observed. Vessels
and processors in the full coverage
category arrange and pay for observer
services from a permitted observer
provider. Observer coverage and EM for
the partial coverage category is funded
through a system of fees based on the
ex-vessel value of groundfish and
halibut. Throughout this notice, the
term ‘‘processor’’ refers to shoreside
processors, stationary floating
processors, and catcher/processors in
the partial coverage category.
Landings Subject to Observer Coverage
Fee
Pursuant to section 313 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is
authorized to assess a fee on all landings
accruing against a Federal total
allowable catch (TAC) for groundfish or
a commercial halibut quota made by
vessels that are subject to Federal
regulations and not included in the full
coverage category. A fee is only assessed
on landings of groundfish from vessels
designated on a Federal Fisheries Permit
or from vessels landing individual
fishing quota (IFQ) or community
development quota (CDQ) halibut or
IFQ sablefish. Within the subset of
vessels subject to the observer fee, only
landings accruing against an IFQ
allocation or a Federal TAC for
groundfish are included in the fee
assessment. A table with additional
information about which landings are
subject to the observer fee is at
§ 679.55(c) and on page 2 of an
informational bulletin titled ‘‘Observer
Fee Collection’’ that can be downloaded
from the NMFS Alaska Region website
at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
resource/document/observer-fee-
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82447
collection-north-pacific-groundfish-andhalibut-fisheries-observer.
Fee Determination
A fee equal to 1.65 percent of the exvessel value will be assessed on the
landings of groundfish and halibut
subject to the fee beginning on January
1, 2021. The fee is increased from 1.25
percent to 1.65 percent to support
observer and electronic monitoring
deployment at rates more likely to meet
the Council’s and NMFS’ monitoring
objectives (85 FR 41424, July 10, 2020).
Ex-vessel value is determined by
multiplying the standard price for
groundfish by the round weight
equivalent for each species, gear, and
port combination, and the standard
price for halibut by the headed and
gutted weight equivalent. Standard
prices are determined by aggregating
prices by species, gear, and area
grouping to arrive at an average price
per pound for each grouping. NMFS
reviews each vessel landing report and
determines whether the reported
landing is subject to the observer fee
and, if so, which groundfish species in
the landing are subject to the observer
fee. All IFQ or CDQ halibut in a landing
subject to the observer fee will be
included in the observer fee calculation.
For any landed groundfish or halibut
subject to the observer fee, NMFS will
apply the appropriate standard ex-vessel
prices for the species, gear type, and
port, and calculate the observer fee
associated with the landing.
Processors and registered buyers can
access the landing-specific, observer fee
information through NMFS Web
Application (https://
alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/webapps/efish/
login) or eLandings (https://
elandings.alaska.gov/). Observer fee
information is either available
immediately or within 24 hours after a
landing report is submitted
electronically. A time lag occurs for
some landings because NMFS must
process each landing report through the
catch accounting system to determine
which groundfish in a landing accrues
against a Federal TAC and are subject to
the observer fee.
Under the fee system, catcher vessel
owners split the fee with the registered
buyers or owners of shoreside or
stationary floating processors. While the
owners of catcher vessels and
processors in the partial coverage
category are each responsible for paying
their portion of the fee, the owners of
shoreside or stationary floating
processors and registered buyers are
responsible for collecting the fees from
catcher vessels, and remitting the full
fee to NMFS. Owners of catcher/
E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM
18DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 244 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82446-82447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27971]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0649-XA703]
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will
hold a 3-day meeting via webinar of its Standing, Reef Fish, Mackerel,
Socioeconomic and Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC)
DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 to
Thursday, January 7, 2021. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific
times.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place via webinar; you may register by
visiting www.gulfcouncil.org and clicking on the SSC meeting on the
calendar.
Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 4107 W
Spruce Street, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348-1630.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Rindone, Lead Fishery Biologist,
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council;
[email protected], telephone: (813) 348-1630.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Tuesday, January 5, 2021; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., EST
The meeting will begin with Introductions and Adoption of Agenda,
Approval of Verbatim Minutes and Meeting Summary from September 14-15,
2020 webinar meeting and October 30, 2020 joint webinar meeting with
the South Atlantic SSC, review Scope of Work, selection of SSC
Representative for the January 25-28, 2021 Gulf Council Meeting.
The Committees will review SEDAR 70: Gulf of Mexico Greater
Amberjack Stock Assessment; SEDAR 70 Stock Assessment Report,
Presentation and Projections, Something's Fishy and Stock Assessment
Executive Summary. The Committees will then discuss the Sea Grant/NMFS
Greater Amberjack Research Program, and adjourn for the day.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., EST
The Committees will review and hold discussions on Red Grouper
Recreational Landings Data, followed by a Review of Council Proposed
Interim Analysis Schedule. The Committees will then review Red Snapper
Supply Chains and Markets, followed by the Great Red Snapper Count
(GRSC), including a presentation, the project report, and a discussion
on SEFSC integration of GRSC data into the interim analysis process.
The Committees will then review Testing assumptions about sex change
and spatial management in the protogynous gag grouper, Mycteroperca
microlepis, and then adjourn for the day.
Thursday, January 7, 2021; 9 a.m.-3 p.m., EST
The Committees will review a presentation and background materials
on Gulf of Mexico Habitat Research, and will then discuss. The
Committees will then review a Request for Participants: SEDAR 79:
Southeastern U.S. Mutton Snapper.
The Committees will consider carryover of uncaught commercial quota
for Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) managed species; and, will review a
presentation on 2020 Commercial landings for IFQ species, consider
updated ABC recommendations for IFQ species in 2021 and receive a
summary presentation on Carryover Provisions and Framework
Modifications.
Lastly, the Committee will discuss Other Business items and receive
public comment.
--Meeting Adjourns
The meeting will be broadcast via webinar. You may register for the
webinar by visiting www.gulfcouncil.org and clicking on the SSC meeting
on the calendar.
The Agenda is subject to change, and the latest version along with
other meeting materials will be posted on www.gulfcouncil.org as they
become available.
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come
before the Scientific and Statistical Committees for discussion, in
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action
during this meeting. Actions of the Scientific and Statistical
Committee will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in
the agenda 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 action to address the
emergency.
[[Page 82447]]
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 15, 2020.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-27971 Filed 12-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
