Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Advisory Panel, 64186-64188 [2021-25097]
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64186
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 17, 2021 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XB541]
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Northeast Skate Complex;
Withdrawal of the Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for Amendment 5
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of withdrawal.
AGENCY:
The New England Fishery
Management Council initiated
development of Amendment 5 to the
Northeast Skate Complex Fishery
Management Plan in 2016. A notice of
intent to develop an environmental
impact statement for this action was
published in January 2017, followed by
a second notice and round of scoping in
late December 2020. However, in
September 2021, the Council voted to
discontinue work on Amendment 5 and
pursue the remaining alternatives
through newly initiated Framework
Adjustment 9. The remaining
alternatives in this framework are
largely administrative and not expected
to have significant impacts on the
fishery or human environment.
Therefore, NMFS is withdrawing the
notice of intent and no longer intends to
prepare an environmental impact
statement.
SUMMARY:
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
17:11 Nov 16, 2021
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Dated: November 12, 2021.
Michael Ruccio,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–25094 Filed 11–16–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Cynthia Ferrio, Fishery Policy Analyst,
(978) 281–9180.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2016,
the New England Fishery Management
Council initiated development of
Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate
Complex Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) to consider limited access in the
skate fishery. The Council published a
notice of intent (NOI) to develop an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for this amendment, in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act,
to analyze the impacts of any proposed
management measures (82 FR 825;
January 4, 2017). Throughout this initial
development and scoping process, the
range of proposed alternatives changed.
A second NOI was published (85 FR
84304; December 28, 2020), and
additional scoping hearings were held
in 2021.
The comments received throughout
the development process during both
rounds of scoping hearings, and at
VerDate Sep<11>2014
multiple Skate Advisory Panel, Skate
Committee, and Council meetings, were
mixed in support of, and opposition to,
limiting access to the skate fishery.
Ultimately, after careful consideration of
the public comments received and
extensive examination of the
alternatives analyzed, the Council voted
to no longer develop limited access
alternatives in Amendment 5 at its April
2021 meeting. Further, at its meeting in
September 2021, the Council voted to
discontinue work on Amendment 5
completely and to pursue the remaining
alternatives addressing changes to
permit provisions and clarifying the
FMP goals and objectives through the
newly initiated Framework Adjustment
9. Framework 9 is expected to be
implemented in mid-2022.
These remaining alternatives that will
be considered in Framework 9 are
largely administrative and are not
expected to have significant impacts on
the fishery or affected environment.
Consequently, the Council and NMFS
have determined that it is not necessary
to prepare an EIS for Framework 9 and
will instead continue development of
the remaining framework alternatives
with an appropriate NEPA document.
Therefore, NMFS is informing the
public that work on Amendment 5 is
complete, and that we are withdrawing
the NOI and draft EIS from further
consideration.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XB512
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
Advisory Panel
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of
nominations.
AGENCY:
NMFS solicits nominations
for the Atlantic Highly Migratory
Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP).
NMFS consults with and considers the
comments and views of the HMS AP
when preparing and implementing
Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) or
FMP amendments for Atlantic tunas,
SUMMARY:
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swordfish, sharks, and billfish.
Nominations are being sought to fill
approximately one-third (12) of the seats
on the HMS AP for 3-year
appointments. Individuals with
definable interests in the recreational
and commercial fishing and related
industries, environmental community,
academia, and non-governmental
organizations are considered for
membership on the HMS AP. NMFS
also intends to fill an additional
vacancy on the HMS AP for the
remainder of a term that expires on
December 31, 2023.
DATES: Nominations must be received
on or before December 17, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit
nominations and requests for the
Advisory Panel Statement of
Organization, Practices, and Procedures
by email to HMSAP.Nominations@
noaa.gov. Include in the subject line the
following identifier: ‘‘HMS AP
Nominations.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Cooper at (301) 427–8503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic
HMS fisheries are managed under the
dual authority of both the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA;
16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The 2006
Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery
Management Plan (2006 Consolidated
HMS FMP) and its amendments are
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR
part 635.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires
the establishment of an AP for each
FMP for Atlantic HMS, i.e., tunas,
swordfish, billfish, and sharks. 16
U.S.C. 1854(g)(1)(A)–(B). Since the
inception of the AP in 1998, NMFS has
consulted with and considered the
comments and views of AP members
when preparing and implementing
Atlantic HMS FMPs or FMP
amendments. In this notice, NMFS
solicits nominations for the Atlantic
HMS AP. Nominations are being sought
to fill approximately one-third (12) of
the seats on the HMS AP for 3-year
appointments. Individuals with
definable interests in the recreational
and commercial fishing and related
industries, environmental community,
academia, and non-governmental
organizations are considered for
membership on the HMS AP as
described below. NMFS also intends to
select a nominee to fill an additional
academic vacancy on the HMS AP for
the remainder of a term that expires on
December 31, 2023. This vacancy is the
result of a sitting HMS AP member
E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 17, 2021 / Notices
moving to the HMS AP seat designated
for the ICCAT Advisory Committee
Chair.
Procedures and Guidelines
A. Nomination Procedures for
Appointments to the Advisory Panel
Nomination packages should include:
1. The name of the nominee and a
description of his/her interest in HMS
or HMS fisheries, or in particular
species of sharks, swordfish, tunas, or
billfish;
2. Contact information, including
mailing address, phone, and email of
the nominee;
3. A statement of background and/or
qualifications;
4. A written commitment that the
nominee shall actively participate in
good faith, and consistent with ethics
obligations, in the meetings and tasks of
the HMS AP; and
5. A list of outreach resources that the
nominee has at his/her disposal to
communicate qualifications for HMS AP
membership.
Qualification for membership
includes one or more of the following:
(1) Experience in HMS recreational
fisheries; (2) experience in HMS
commercial fisheries; (3) experience in
fishery-related industries (e.g., marinas,
bait and tackle shops); (4) experience in
the scientific community working with
HMS; and/or (5) representation of a
private, non-governmental, regional,
national, or international organization
that represents marine fisheries, or
environmental, governmental, or
academic interests regarding HMS.
Tenure for the HMS AP
Member tenure will be for 3 years,
with approximately one-third of the
members’ terms expiring on December
31 of each year. Nominations are sought
for terms beginning January 2022 and
expiring December 2024. NMFS also
intends to select a nominee to fill an
additional vacancy for the remainder of
a term that expires on December 31,
2023.
B. Participants
Nominations for the HMS AP will be
accepted to allow representation from
commercial and recreational fishing
interests, academic/scientific interests,
and the environmental/nongovernmental organization community,
for individuals who are knowledgeable
about Atlantic HMS and/or Atlantic
HMS fisheries. Current representation
on the HMS AP, as shown in Table 1,
consists of 12 members representing
commercial interests, 12 members
representing recreational interests, 4
members representing environmental
interests, 4 academic representatives,
and the International Commission for
the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
64187
(ICCAT) Advisory Committee Chair.
NMFS seeks to fill 4 commercial, 4
recreational, 3 academic, and 1
environmental organization vacancies
for terms starting in 2022. In addition to
these 12 vacancies, NMFS also intends
to select a nominee to fill an academic
vacancy for the remainder of the term
that expires on December 31, 2023. This
vacancy is the result of a sitting HMS
AP member moving to the HMS AP seat
designated for the ICCAT Advisory
Committee Chair.
In filling vacancies, NMFS will seek
to maintain the current representation
from each of the sectors. NMFS also
considers species expertise and
representation from the fishing regions
(Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast,
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean) to
ensure the diversity and balance of the
HMS AP. Table 1 includes the current
representation on the HMS AP by
sector, region, and species with terms
that are expiring identified in bold. It is
not meant to indicate that NMFS will
only consider persons who have
expertise in the species or fishing
regions that are listed. Rather, NMFS
will aim toward having as diverse and
balanced an AP as possible. The intent
is to have a group that, as a whole,
reflects an appropriate and equitable
balance and mix of interests given the
responsibilities of the HMS AP.
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TABLE 1—CURRENT REPRESENTATION ON THE HMS AP BY SECTOR, REGION, AND SPECIES
Sector
Fishing region
Species
Academic * ................
Academic ..................
Academic ..................
Academic ..................
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Commercial ...............
Environmental ...........
Environmental ...........
Environmental ...........
Environmental ...........
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
All ..................................................................
All ..................................................................
Gulf of Mexico/Southeast .............................
Southeast .....................................................
Mid-Atlantic ...................................................
Mid-Atlantic ...................................................
Gulf of Mexico ..............................................
Gulf of Mexico ..............................................
Northeast ......................................................
Gulf of Mexico/Southeast .............................
Gulf of Mexico ..............................................
Northeast ......................................................
Northeast/Southeast/Gulf of Mexico ............
Southeast .....................................................
Southeast .....................................................
Northeast ......................................................
All ..................................................................
All ..................................................................
All ..................................................................
Caribbean .....................................................
Northeast ......................................................
Northeast ......................................................
Mid-Atlantic ...................................................
Southeast .....................................................
Gulf of Mexico ..............................................
All ..................................................................
Mid-Atlantic ...................................................
Southeast/Mid Atlantic ..................................
Northeast ......................................................
Gulf of Mexico/Southeast .............................
Swordfish/Tuna .........
Tuna ..........................
Shark .........................
Swordfish/HMS .........
HMS/Shark ................
Swordfish/Tuna .........
Shark .........................
Sharks .......................
Tuna ..........................
Swordfish/Tuna .........
Tuna ..........................
Tuna ..........................
HMS/Tuna .................
Shark .........................
Swordfish/Tuna .........
Swordfish/Tuna .........
Tuna ..........................
HMS ..........................
Shark .........................
HMS ..........................
HMS ..........................
Tuna/Sharks ..............
HMS ..........................
Billfish ........................
HMS ..........................
Billfish ........................
Shark .........................
Billfish ........................
Tuna/Shark ...............
HMS ..........................
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Date
appointed
1/1/2021
1/1/2019
1/1/2019
1/1/2019
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2021
1/1/2021
1/1/2021
1/1/2021
1/1/2021
1/1/2019
1/1/2019
1/1/2019
1/1/2019
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2021
1/1/2019
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2020
1/1/2021
1/1/2021
1/1/2021
1/1/2019
1/1/2019
E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM
17NON1
Date term
expires
12/31/2023
12/31/2021
12/31/2021
12/31/2021
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
12/31/2023
12/31/2023
12/31/2023
12/31/2023
12/31/2023
12/31/2021
12/31/2021
12/31/2021
12/31/2021
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
12/31/2023
12/31/2021
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
12/31/2023
12/31/2023
12/31/2023
12/31/2021
12/31/2021
Member status
Active.
Expiring.
Expiring.
Expiring.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Expiring.
Expiring.
Expiring.
Expiring.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Expiring.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Active.
Expiring.
Expiring.
64188
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 17, 2021 / Notices
TABLE 1—CURRENT REPRESENTATION ON THE HMS AP BY SECTOR, REGION, AND SPECIES—Continued
Sector
Fishing region
Species
Recreational ..............
Recreational ..............
Mid-Atlantic ...................................................
Southeast .....................................................
HMS ..........................
HMS/Billfish ...............
Date
appointed
1/1/2019
1/1/2019
Date term
expires
12/31/2021
12/31/2021
Member status
Expiring.
Expiring.
Note: Terms that are expiring or associated with current members stepping down are identified in bold and marked as ‘‘Expiring’’. * Designates
term shift to the HMS AP seat designated for the ICCAT Advisory Committee Chair.
Five additional members on the HMS
AP include one member representing
each of the following Councils: New
England Fishery Management Council,
the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council, the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, the Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Council,
and the Caribbean Fishery Management
Council. The HMS AP also includes 22
ex-officio participants: 20
representatives of the coastal states and
2 representatives of the interstate
commissions (the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission and the Gulf
States Marine Fisheries Commission).
NMFS will provide the necessary
administrative support, including
technical assistance, for the HMS AP.
However, NMFS will not compensate
participants with monetary support of
any kind. Depending on availability of
funds, members may be reimbursed for
travel costs related to the HMS AP
meetings.
C. Meeting Schedule
Meetings of the HMS AP will be held
as frequently as necessary but are
routinely held twice each year. In recent
years, meetings have been held once in
the spring, and once in the fall. The
meetings may be held in conjunction
with public hearings.
Dated: November 12, 2021.
Michael Ruccio,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–25097 Filed 11–16–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
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[RTID 0648–XB535]
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
Exempted Fishing, Scientific Research,
Display, and Shark Research Fishery
Permits; Letters of Acknowledgment
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:11 Nov 16, 2021
Jkt 256001
Notice of intent; request for
comments.
ACTION:
NMFS announces its intent to
issue exempted fishing permits (EFPs),
scientific research permits (SRPs),
display permits, letters of
acknowledgment (LOAs), and shark
research fishery permits for Atlantic
highly migratory species (HMS) in 2022.
EFPs and related permits would
authorize collection of a limited number
of Atlantic HMS, including tunas,
swordfish, billfishes, and sharks, from
Federal waters in the Atlantic Ocean,
Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico for
the purposes of scientific research, data
collection, the investigation of bycatch,
and public display, among other things.
LOAs acknowledge that scientific
research activity aboard a scientific
research vessel is being conducted.
Generally, EFPs and related permits
would be valid from the date of issuance
through December 31, 2022, unless
otherwise specified in the permit,
subject to the terms and conditions of
individual permits.
DATES: Written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered by NMFS when issuing EFPs
and related permits, and must be
received on or before December 17,
2021.
SUMMARY:
Comments may be
submitted electronically via the Federal
e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA–
NMFS–2021–0108 in the Search box.
Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete
the required fields, and enter or attach
your comments.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
ADDRESSES:
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A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Cockrell, phone: (301) 427–8503,
email: craig.cockrell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic
HMS fisheries are managed under the
dual authority of both the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA;
16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The 2006
Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery
Management Plan (2006 Consolidated
HMS FMP) and its amendments are
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR
part 635. The regulations specific to
HMS EFPs and related permits can be
found at § 635.32.
NMFS issues EFPs and related
permits where Atlantic HMS regulations
(e.g., fishing seasons, prohibited species,
authorized gear, closed areas, and
minimum sizes) may otherwise prohibit
the collection of live animals and/or
biological samples for data collection
and public display purposes or may
otherwise prohibit certain fishing
activities that NMFS has an interest in
permitting or acknowledging. Consistent
with 50 CFR 600.745 and 635.32, the
NMFS Regional Administrator or
Director may authorize, for limited
testing, public display, data collection,
exploratory fishing, compensation
fishing, conservation engineering,
health and safety surveys,
environmental cleanup, and/or hazard
removal purposes, the target or
incidental harvest of species managed
under a fishery management plan (FMP)
or fishery regulations that would
otherwise be prohibited. These permits
exempt permit holders from the specific
portions of the regulations that may
otherwise prohibit the collection of
Atlantic HMS for public education,
public display, or scientific research.
Collection of Atlantic HMS under EFPs,
SRPs, display permits, and shark
research fishery permits represents a
small portion of the overall fishing
mortality for Atlantic HMS, and this
mortality is counted against the relevant
quota, as appropriate and applicable.
The terms and conditions of individual
permits are unique; however, all permits
E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64186-64188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25097]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XB512
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Advisory Panel
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of nominations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS solicits nominations for the Atlantic Highly Migratory
Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP). NMFS consults with and considers the
comments and views of the HMS AP when preparing and implementing
Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) or FMP amendments for Atlantic tunas,
swordfish, sharks, and billfish. Nominations are being sought to fill
approximately one-third (12) of the seats on the HMS AP for 3-year
appointments. Individuals with definable interests in the recreational
and commercial fishing and related industries, environmental community,
academia, and non-governmental organizations are considered for
membership on the HMS AP. NMFS also intends to fill an additional
vacancy on the HMS AP for the remainder of a term that expires on
December 31, 2023.
DATES: Nominations must be received on or before December 17, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit nominations and requests for the Advisory
Panel Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures by email to
[email protected]. Include in the subject line the following
identifier: ``HMS AP Nominations.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cooper at (301) 427-8503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under the
dual authority of both the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The 2006
Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated
HMS FMP) and its amendments are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR
part 635.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the establishment of an AP for
each FMP for Atlantic HMS, i.e., tunas, swordfish, billfish, and
sharks. 16 U.S.C. 1854(g)(1)(A)-(B). Since the inception of the AP in
1998, NMFS has consulted with and considered the comments and views of
AP members when preparing and implementing Atlantic HMS FMPs or FMP
amendments. In this notice, NMFS solicits nominations for the Atlantic
HMS AP. Nominations are being sought to fill approximately one-third
(12) of the seats on the HMS AP for 3-year appointments. Individuals
with definable interests in the recreational and commercial fishing and
related industries, environmental community, academia, and non-
governmental organizations are considered for membership on the HMS AP
as described below. NMFS also intends to select a nominee to fill an
additional academic vacancy on the HMS AP for the remainder of a term
that expires on December 31, 2023. This vacancy is the result of a
sitting HMS AP member
[[Page 64187]]
moving to the HMS AP seat designated for the ICCAT Advisory Committee
Chair.
Procedures and Guidelines
A. Nomination Procedures for Appointments to the Advisory Panel
Nomination packages should include:
1. The name of the nominee and a description of his/her interest in
HMS or HMS fisheries, or in particular species of sharks, swordfish,
tunas, or billfish;
2. Contact information, including mailing address, phone, and email
of the nominee;
3. A statement of background and/or qualifications;
4. A written commitment that the nominee shall actively participate
in good faith, and consistent with ethics obligations, in the meetings
and tasks of the HMS AP; and
5. A list of outreach resources that the nominee has at his/her
disposal to communicate qualifications for HMS AP membership.
Qualification for membership includes one or more of the following:
(1) Experience in HMS recreational fisheries; (2) experience in HMS
commercial fisheries; (3) experience in fishery-related industries
(e.g., marinas, bait and tackle shops); (4) experience in the
scientific community working with HMS; and/or (5) representation of a
private, non-governmental, regional, national, or international
organization that represents marine fisheries, or environmental,
governmental, or academic interests regarding HMS.
Tenure for the HMS AP
Member tenure will be for 3 years, with approximately one-third of
the members' terms expiring on December 31 of each year. Nominations
are sought for terms beginning January 2022 and expiring December 2024.
NMFS also intends to select a nominee to fill an additional vacancy for
the remainder of a term that expires on December 31, 2023.
B. Participants
Nominations for the HMS AP will be accepted to allow representation
from commercial and recreational fishing interests, academic/scientific
interests, and the environmental/non-governmental organization
community, for individuals who are knowledgeable about Atlantic HMS
and/or Atlantic HMS fisheries. Current representation on the HMS AP, as
shown in Table 1, consists of 12 members representing commercial
interests, 12 members representing recreational interests, 4 members
representing environmental interests, 4 academic representatives, and
the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
(ICCAT) Advisory Committee Chair. NMFS seeks to fill 4 commercial, 4
recreational, 3 academic, and 1 environmental organization vacancies
for terms starting in 2022. In addition to these 12 vacancies, NMFS
also intends to select a nominee to fill an academic vacancy for the
remainder of the term that expires on December 31, 2023. This vacancy
is the result of a sitting HMS AP member moving to the HMS AP seat
designated for the ICCAT Advisory Committee Chair.
In filling vacancies, NMFS will seek to maintain the current
representation from each of the sectors. NMFS also considers species
expertise and representation from the fishing regions (Northeast, Mid-
Atlantic, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean) to ensure the
diversity and balance of the HMS AP. Table 1 includes the current
representation on the HMS AP by sector, region, and species with terms
that are expiring identified in bold. It is not meant to indicate that
NMFS will only consider persons who have expertise in the species or
fishing regions that are listed. Rather, NMFS will aim toward having as
diverse and balanced an AP as possible. The intent is to have a group
that, as a whole, reflects an appropriate and equitable balance and mix
of interests given the responsibilities of the HMS AP.
Table 1--Current Representation on the HMS AP by Sector, Region, and Species
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date term
Sector Fishing region Species Date appointed expires Member status
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Academic *........................... All......................... Swordfish/Tuna......... 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Academic............................. All......................... Tuna................... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Academic............................. Gulf of Mexico/Southeast.... Shark.................. 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Academic............................. Southeast................... Swordfish/HMS.......... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Commercial........................... Mid-Atlantic................ HMS/Shark.............. 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Commercial........................... Mid-Atlantic................ Swordfish/Tuna......... 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Commercial........................... Gulf of Mexico.............. Shark.................. 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Commercial........................... Gulf of Mexico.............. Sharks................. 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Commercial........................... Northeast................... Tuna................... 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Commercial........................... Gulf of Mexico/Southeast.... Swordfish/Tuna......... 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Commercial........................... Gulf of Mexico.............. Tuna................... 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Commercial........................... Northeast................... Tuna................... 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Commercial........................... Northeast/Southeast/Gulf of HMS/Tuna............... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Mexico.
Commercial........................... Southeast................... Shark.................. 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Commercial........................... Southeast................... Swordfish/Tuna......... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Commercial........................... Northeast................... Swordfish/Tuna......... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Environmental........................ All......................... Tuna................... 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Environmental........................ All......................... HMS.................... 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Environmental........................ All......................... Shark.................. 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Environmental........................ Caribbean................... HMS.................... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Recreational......................... Northeast................... HMS.................... 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Recreational......................... Northeast................... Tuna/Sharks............ 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Recreational......................... Mid-Atlantic................ HMS.................... 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Recreational......................... Southeast................... Billfish............... 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Recreational......................... Gulf of Mexico.............. HMS.................... 1/1/2020 12/31/2022 Active.
Recreational......................... All......................... Billfish............... 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Recreational......................... Mid-Atlantic................ Shark.................. 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Recreational......................... Southeast/Mid Atlantic...... Billfish............... 1/1/2021 12/31/2023 Active.
Recreational......................... Northeast................... Tuna/Shark............. 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Recreational......................... Gulf of Mexico/Southeast.... HMS.................... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
[[Page 64188]]
Recreational......................... Mid-Atlantic................ HMS.................... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
Recreational......................... Southeast................... HMS/Billfish........... 1/1/2019 12/31/2021 Expiring.
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Note: Terms that are expiring or associated with current members stepping down are identified in bold and marked as ``Expiring''. * Designates term
shift to the HMS AP seat designated for the ICCAT Advisory Committee Chair.
Five additional members on the HMS AP include one member
representing each of the following Councils: New England Fishery
Management Council, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council, and the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. The
HMS AP also includes 22 ex-officio participants: 20 representatives of
the coastal states and 2 representatives of the interstate commissions
(the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Gulf States
Marine Fisheries Commission).
NMFS will provide the necessary administrative support, including
technical assistance, for the HMS AP. However, NMFS will not compensate
participants with monetary support of any kind. Depending on
availability of funds, members may be reimbursed for travel costs
related to the HMS AP meetings.
C. Meeting Schedule
Meetings of the HMS AP will be held as frequently as necessary but
are routinely held twice each year. In recent years, meetings have been
held once in the spring, and once in the fall. The meetings may be held
in conjunction with public hearings.
Dated: November 12, 2021.
Michael Ruccio,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25097 Filed 11-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
