New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 1481-1483 [2021-00160]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 5 / Friday, January 8, 2021 / Notices Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone: (843) 571–4366; email: Kathleen.howington@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 threestep process including: (1) Data Workshop; (2) Assessment Process utilizing webinars; and (3) Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a data report which compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The product of the Assessment Process is a stock assessment report which describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The assessment is independently peer reviewed at the Review Workshop. The product of the Review Workshop is a 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, Highly Migratory Species 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 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); international experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. The items of discussion at the SEDAR 66 South Atlantic Tilefish Assessment Webinar II are as follows: • Finalize any data discussions if needed • Continue discussion on base model configuration • Discuss proposed changes to model, sensitivity runs, and projections 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:23 Jan 07, 2021 Jkt 253001 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 This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the SAFMC office (see ADDRESSES) at least 10 business 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: January 5, 2021. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–00159 Filed 1–7–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA786] Marine Mammals; File No. 25417 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Ed Charles, Silverback Films, 1 St. Augustine’s Yard, Gaunts Lane, Bristol, BS1 5DE, United Kingdom, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on marine mammals. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before February 8, 2021. ADDRESSES: These documents are available upon written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include File No. 25417 in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@ noaa.gov. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jordan Rutland or Shasta McClenahan, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1481 authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.). The applicant proposes to film marine mammals in California to obtain footage for a Netflix documentary series on the migration of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). Up to 600 gray whales, 672 killer whales (Orcinus orca), 200 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 1,000 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 1,000 Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), 2,000 common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), 10 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), 150 Dall’s porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli), 2,000 short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 1,000 long-beaked common dolphins (D. capensis), 1,000 northern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphis borealis), 1,000 Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), and 30 Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; Eastern distinct population segment) may be filmed annually from vessels, unmanned aircraft systems, or underwater divers. The permit would expire on May 20, 2022. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: January 5, 2021. Julia Marie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–00177 Filed 1–7–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA776] New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\08JAN1.SGM 08JAN1 1482 ACTION: Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 5 / Friday, January 8, 2021 / Notices Notice of public meeting. The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) will hold a three-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Due to federal and state travel restrictions and updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to COVID–19, this meeting will be conducted entirely by webinar. SUMMARY: The webinar meeting will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, January 26, January 27, and January 28, 2021, beginning at 9 a.m. each day. The first day will start off with a meeting of the Council’s Groundfish Committee. When the committee concludes its business and adjourns, the full Council will convene its January 2021 meeting. ADDRESSES: All meeting participants and interested parties can register to join the webinar at https:// attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 2437948643327117067. The Council will use this same webinar link for both the Groundfish Committee meeting and the full Council meeting. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone: (978) 465–0492; www.nefmc.org. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492, ext. 113. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES Tuesday, January 26, 2021 The day will begin with a meeting of the Council’s Groundfish Committee, which will: (1) Receive the Groundfish Advisory Panel’s latest report; (2) discuss and vote on the last component of Framework Adjustment 61—a proposed universal sector exemption to allow fishing for redfish; (3) receive the Recreational Advisory Panel’s latest report; (4) discuss and develop recommendations on fishing year 2021 recreational measures for Gulf of Maine cod and Gulf of Maine haddock; (5) receive a summary of public feedback on developing a strawman proposal for a potential limited entry program for party/charter vessels in the recreational groundfish fishery plus discuss the proposal and next steps; (6) receive an update on work to revise acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rules for groundfish stocks; (7) receive an update VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:23 Jan 07, 2021 Jkt 253001 on Cod Stock Structure Working Groups; and (8) discuss other business as needed. Following the lunch break, the Groundfish Committee will continue to work through its agenda. Immediately after the committee adjourns, the full Council will convene to discuss the Groundfish Committee Report and: (1) Take final action on a universal sector exemption to allow fishing for redfish, which is part of Framework Adjustment 61 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and vote to submit the framework to NMFS; and (2) take action on any other issues resulting from Groundfish Committee recommendations. After this discussion, the Council will adjourn for the day. Wednesday, January 27, 2021 After introductions and brief announcements, the Council will receive reports on recent activities from its Chairman and Executive Director, NMFS’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) Regional Administrator, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Director, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaison, staff from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), and representatives from NOAA General Counsel, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and NMFS’s Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel. Next, the Council will hear from the Scallop Committee and receive a brief overview of 2020 Gulf of Maine scallop survey results. Then, the Council will take final action on Framework Adjustment 33 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP, which contains 2021 fishery specifications, 2020 default specifications, measures to mitigate impacts on Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder, plus other measures. Finally, the Council may discuss adding listening or scoping sessions for a limited access leasing program to its list of 2021 scallop priorities. If it does so, the Council also may consider deleting a previously approved scallop priority in exchange. Following the lunch break, the Council will receive a brief EcosystemBased Fishery Management (EBFM) progress report on steps needed to conduct informational workshops about EBFM using public outreach materials, focusing on potential application to a Georges Bank example Fishery Ecosystem Plan (eFEP). The Council then will hear from NEFSC’s Northeast Fishery Monitoring and Research Division, which will provide an overview of (1) current division organization; (2) the status of ongoing PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 responsibilities; (3) at-sea monitoring and observer program activities, funding status, and impacts due to COVID–19; and (4) a cooperative research update. Next, the Council will receive a presentation on the Science Center’s cost survey for commercial fishing businesses, including: (1) An overview of survey methods and data collected to date; (2) a discussion on challenges and opportunities; and (3) efforts to solicit industry feedback while planning for next cost survey. The Council will close out the day with a report on the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel’s January 14, 2021 meeting. Thursday, January 28, 2021 The Council will begin the third day of its meeting with a NEFSC presentation on the peer reviewed results of the Index-Based Methods and Control Rules 2020 Research Track Assessment. Next, the Council will discuss small-mesh Northeast multispecies (whiting). First, the Council will take final action on smallmesh multispecies specifications for the 2021–23 fishing years. Second, the Council may discuss adding a 2021 whiting priority to (1) analyze factors for why the northern whiting fishery is not achieving optimum yield (OY), and (2) recommend measures to allow greater resource utilization. The Council also may consider deleting a previously approved whiting priority in exchange for adding a new one if it takes action. Following this discussion, members of the public will have the opportunity to speak during an open comment period on issues that relate to Council business but are not included on the published agenda for this meeting. The Council asks the public to limit remarks to 3–5 minutes. These comments will be received through the webinar. A guide for how to publicly comment through the webinar is available on the Council website at https://s3.amazonaws.com/ nefmc.org/NEFMC-meeting-remoteparticipation_generic.pdf. Next, the Council will receive a brief update on offshore energy development and ongoing/future habitat-related work and priorities. This will be followed by a presentation from NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on North Atlantic right whales. The presentation will cover: (1) The Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and proposed rule; and (2) the Draft Batched Biological Opinion for right whales covering 10 fisheries. The Council will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer comments on these items. The Council then will take up other business, which is when it will E:\FR\FM\08JAN1.SGM 08JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 5 / Friday, January 8, 2021 / Notices briefly discuss and approve a draft letter to NMFS supporting the investigation of using vessel monitoring system (VMS) notifications rather than Federal Register notices to announce area closures for the Atlantic herring fishery. The Council also will discuss other business as needed. Finally, the Council will close out the open portion of its meeting and go into closed session to discuss 2021–23 appointments to the Scientific and Statistical Committee. Although non-emergency issues not contained on this agenda may come before the 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 Fishery Conservation and Management 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 being conducted entirely by webinar. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) Dated: January 5, 2021. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–00160 Filed 1–7–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA735] Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Training Activities in the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for a Letter of Authorization; request for comments and information. tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:23 Jan 07, 2021 Jkt 253001 authorization to take marine mammals incidental to training activities in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Temporary Maritime Activities Area (TMAA) Study Area for a period of seven years, from April 2022 through April 2029. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of the Navy’s request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy’s application and request. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than January 29, 2021. ADDRESSES: Comments on the applications should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Comments should be sent to ITP.Davis@noaa.gov. Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ national/marine-mammal-protection/ incidental-take-authorizations-militaryreadiness-activities without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leah Davis, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. An electronic copy of the Navy’s application may be obtained online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ national/marine-mammal-protection/ incidental-take-authorizations-militaryreadiness-activities. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1483 marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. An authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘. . . an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’ means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: Any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance, which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering (Level B harassment). The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. L. 108–136) removed the ‘‘small numbers’’ and ‘‘specified geographical region’’ limitations and amended the definition of ‘‘harassment’’ as it applies to a ‘‘military readiness activity’’ to read as follows (Section 3(18)(B) of the MMPA): (i) Any act that injures or has the significant potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A Harassment); or (ii) Any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned or significantly altered (Level B Harassment). On August 13, 2018, the E:\FR\FM\08JAN1.SGM 08JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1481-1483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00160]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA776]


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

[[Page 1482]]


ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) 
will hold a three-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England 
fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Due to federal and 
state travel restrictions and updated guidance from the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention related to COVID-19, this meeting will 
be conducted entirely by webinar.

DATES: The webinar meeting will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and 
Thursday, January 26, January 27, and January 28, 2021, beginning at 9 
a.m. each day. The first day will start off with a meeting of the 
Council's Groundfish Committee. When the committee concludes its 
business and adjourns, the full Council will convene its January 2021 
meeting.

ADDRESSES: All meeting participants and interested parties can register 
to join the webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2437948643327117067. The Council will use this same webinar link for 
both the Groundfish Committee meeting and the full Council meeting.
    Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone: (978) 465-0492; 
www.nefmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492, ext. 
113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Agenda

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

    The day will begin with a meeting of the Council's Groundfish 
Committee, which will: (1) Receive the Groundfish Advisory Panel's 
latest report; (2) discuss and vote on the last component of Framework 
Adjustment 61--a proposed universal sector exemption to allow fishing 
for redfish; (3) receive the Recreational Advisory Panel's latest 
report; (4) discuss and develop recommendations on fishing year 2021 
recreational measures for Gulf of Maine cod and Gulf of Maine haddock; 
(5) receive a summary of public feedback on developing a strawman 
proposal for a potential limited entry program for party/charter 
vessels in the recreational groundfish fishery plus discuss the 
proposal and next steps; (6) receive an update on work to revise 
acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rules for groundfish stocks; 
(7) receive an update on Cod Stock Structure Working Groups; and (8) 
discuss other business as needed.
    Following the lunch break, the Groundfish Committee will continue 
to work through its agenda. Immediately after the committee adjourns, 
the full Council will convene to discuss the Groundfish Committee 
Report and: (1) Take final action on a universal sector exemption to 
allow fishing for redfish, which is part of Framework Adjustment 61 to 
the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and vote to 
submit the framework to NMFS; and (2) take action on any other issues 
resulting from Groundfish Committee recommendations. After this 
discussion, the Council will adjourn for the day.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

    After introductions and brief announcements, the Council will 
receive reports on recent activities from its Chairman and Executive 
Director, NMFS's Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) 
Regional Administrator, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) 
Director, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaison, staff 
from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), and 
representatives from NOAA General Counsel, NOAA's Office of Law 
Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and NMFS's Highly Migratory Species 
Advisory Panel. Next, the Council will hear from the Scallop Committee 
and receive a brief overview of 2020 Gulf of Maine scallop survey 
results. Then, the Council will take final action on Framework 
Adjustment 33 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP, which contains 2021 
fishery specifications, 2020 default specifications, measures to 
mitigate impacts on Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and northern 
windowpane flounder, plus other measures. Finally, the Council may 
discuss adding listening or scoping sessions for a limited access 
leasing program to its list of 2021 scallop priorities. If it does so, 
the Council also may consider deleting a previously approved scallop 
priority in exchange.
    Following the lunch break, the Council will receive a brief 
Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management (EBFM) progress report on steps 
needed to conduct informational workshops about EBFM using public 
outreach materials, focusing on potential application to a Georges Bank 
example Fishery Ecosystem Plan (eFEP). The Council then will hear from 
NEFSC's Northeast Fishery Monitoring and Research Division, which will 
provide an overview of (1) current division organization; (2) the 
status of ongoing responsibilities; (3) at-sea monitoring and observer 
program activities, funding status, and impacts due to COVID-19; and 
(4) a cooperative research update. Next, the Council will receive a 
presentation on the Science Center's cost survey for commercial fishing 
businesses, including: (1) An overview of survey methods and data 
collected to date; (2) a discussion on challenges and opportunities; 
and (3) efforts to solicit industry feedback while planning for next 
cost survey. The Council will close out the day with a report on the 
Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel's January 14, 2021 meeting.

Thursday, January 28, 2021

    The Council will begin the third day of its meeting with a NEFSC 
presentation on the peer reviewed results of the Index-Based Methods 
and Control Rules 2020 Research Track Assessment. Next, the Council 
will discuss small-mesh Northeast multispecies (whiting). First, the 
Council will take final action on small-mesh multispecies 
specifications for the 2021-23 fishing years. Second, the Council may 
discuss adding a 2021 whiting priority to (1) analyze factors for why 
the northern whiting fishery is not achieving optimum yield (OY), and 
(2) recommend measures to allow greater resource utilization. The 
Council also may consider deleting a previously approved whiting 
priority in exchange for adding a new one if it takes action. Following 
this discussion, members of the public will have the opportunity to 
speak during an open comment period on issues that relate to Council 
business but are not included on the published agenda for this meeting. 
The Council asks the public to limit remarks to 3-5 minutes. These 
comments will be received through the webinar. A guide for how to 
publicly comment through the webinar is available on the Council 
website at https://s3.amazonaws.com/nefmc.org/NEFMC-meeting-remote-participation_generic.pdf. Next, the Council will receive a brief 
update on offshore energy development and ongoing/future habitat-
related work and priorities. This will be followed by a presentation 
from NOAA's Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on North 
Atlantic right whales. The presentation will cover: (1) The Atlantic 
Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) and proposed rule; and (2) the Draft Batched Biological Opinion 
for right whales covering 10 fisheries. The Council will have an 
opportunity to ask questions and offer comments on these items. The 
Council then will take up other business, which is when it will

[[Page 1483]]

briefly discuss and approve a draft letter to NMFS supporting the 
investigation of using vessel monitoring system (VMS) notifications 
rather than Federal Register notices to announce area closures for the 
Atlantic herring fishery. The Council also will discuss other business 
as needed. Finally, the Council will close out the open portion of its 
meeting and go into closed session to discuss 2021-23 appointments to 
the Scientific and Statistical Committee.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained on this agenda may come 
before the 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 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. 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 being conducted entirely by webinar. Requests for 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Thomas A. Nies (see ADDRESSES) at 
least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

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

    Dated: January 5, 2021.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-00160 Filed 1-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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