Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments 15 and 16 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan, 50829-50830 [2023-16440]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 147 / Wednesday, August 2, 2023 / Proposed Rules 0 and 55 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip if the respective LCS management group(s) is open per §§ 635.27 and 635.28. Such persons may not retain, possess, or land sandbar sharks. At the start of each fishing year, the default commercial retention limit is 55 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip unless NMFS determines otherwise and files with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of an inseason adjustment. During the fishing year, NMFS may adjust the retention limit per the inseason trip limit adjustment criteria listed in paragraph (a)(8) of this section. * * * * * * * * * * 3. In § 635.27, revise paragraphs (b)(2) introductory text and (b)(3) introductory text to read as follows: ■ § 635.27 Quotas. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 * * * * * (b) * * * (2) Annual and inseason adjustments of commercial quotas. NMFS will publish in the Federal Register any annual or inseason adjustments to the base annual commercial overall, regional, or sub-regional quotas. Unless the opening date of a commercial shark fishery is adjusted under paragraph (b)(3) of this section, on January 1 of each year, base quotas, as established in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, will be available, and any adjustments will be published in the Federal Register. Within a fishing year or at the start of a fishing year, NMFS may transfer quotas between regions and sub-regions of the same species or management group, as appropriate, based on the criteria in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section. * * * * * (3) Opening commercial fishing season. Unless adjusted under this paragraph (b)(3), the commercial shark fisheries will open on January 1 of each year under the base quotas, as established in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. If NMFS determines a commercial shark fishery or a part of a commercial shark fishery should open on a date other than January 1, NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of the opening date(s) of the relevant overall, regional, or sub-regional shark fishery(ies) for the relevant species or management group(s). Before making any decisions, NMFS would consider the following criteria and other relevant factors in establishing the opening date(s): * * * * * VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:34 Aug 01, 2023 Jkt 259001 4. In § 635.28, revise paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) to read as follows: ■ § 635.28 Fishery closures. * * * * * (b) * * * (2) Non-linked quotas. If the overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota of a species or management group is not linked to another species or management group and that overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota is available, then that overall, regional, and/or sub-regional commercial fishery for the shark species or management group will open as specified in § 635.27(b). When NMFS calculates that the overall, regional, and/or subregional landings for a shark species and/or management group, as specified in § 635.27(b)(1), has reached or is projected to reach 80 percent of the applicable available overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota as specified in § 635.27(b)(1) and is projected to reach 100 percent of the relevant quota by the end of the fishing season, NMFS will file for publication with the Office of the Federal Register a closure action, as applicable, for that shark species and/ or shark management group that will be effective no fewer than 4 days from date of filing. From the effective date and time of the closure until the start of the following fishing year or until NMFS announces, via the publication of a notice in the Federal Register, that additional overall, regional, and/or subregional quota is available and the season is reopened, the overall, regional, and/or sub-regional fisheries for that shark species or management group are closed. (3) Linked quotas. As specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quotas of some shark species and/or management groups are linked to the overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quotas of other shark species and/or management groups. For each pair of linked species and/or management groups, if the overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota specified in § 635.27(b)(1) is available for each pair of linked species and/or management groups, then the overall, regional, and/ or sub-regional commercial fishery for both of the linked species and/or management groups will open as specified in § 635.27(b)(1). When NMFS calculates that the overall, regional, and/or sub-regional landings for any species and/or management group of a linked group have reached or are projected to reach 80 percent of the applicable available overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota as specified in § 635.27(b)(1) and are projected to PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 50829 reach 100 percent of the relevant quota before the end of the fishing season, NMFS will file for publication with the Office of the Federal Register a closure action for all of the species and/or management groups in that linked group that will be effective no fewer than 4 days from date of filing. From the effective date and time of the closure until the start of the following fishing year or until NMFS announces, via the publication of a notice in the Federal Register, that additional overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota is available and the season is reopened, the overall, regional, and/or subregional fishery for all species and/or management groups in that linked group is closed. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2023–15967 Filed 8–1–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [RTID 0648–XD183] Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments 15 and 16 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of additional public hearing locations. AGENCY: On May 5, 2023, NMFS published a proposed rule for Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) on spatial fisheries management and electronic monitoring cost allocation. On May 8, 2023, NMFS published a notice of intent for scoping of Amendment 16 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on shark management. In both actions, NMFS announced several public hearings and webinars to provide the opportunity for public comment. This notice announces that NMFS is adding a public hearing for both Amendment 15 and Amendment 16 based on public interest. DATES: NMFS will hold one additional public hearing on Draft Amendment 15 and its proposed rule and another public hearing on the scoping document for Amendment 16. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for all meeting dates and times. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02AUP1.SGM 02AUP1 50830 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 147 / Wednesday, August 2, 2023 / Proposed Rules in the Amendment 15 proposed rule (May 5, 2023, 88 FR 29050) and Amendment 16 notice of intent (May 8, 2023, 88 FR 29617) for the other public hearings and conference calls dates, times, and locations. ADDRESSES: NMFS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule for Amendment 15 and its proposed rule in Panama City, FL, and a public hearing on the scoping document for Amendment 16 in San Juan, PR. For specific location, date and time see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. Electronic copies of the draft document for Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/ amendment-15-2006-consolidated-hmsfishery-management-plan-spatialfisheries-management-and) and the scoping document for Amendment 16 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/ scoping-amendment-16-2006consolidated-atlantic-highly-migratoryspecies-fishery-management) may be obtained on the internet. Guy DuBeck (Guy.DuBeck@noaa.gov), Steve Durkee (Steve.Durkee@noaa.gov), Larry Redd (Larry.Redd@noaa.gov), and Karyl Brewster-Geisz (Karyl.Brewster-Geisz@ noaa.gov), by email, or by phone at (301) 427–8503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its amendments are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635. On May 5, 2023, NMFS published a proposed rule (88 FR 29050) for Draft Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on spatial fisheries management and electronic monitoring cost allocation. On May 8, 2023, NMFS published a notice of intent (88 FR 29617) for scoping of Amendment 16 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on shark management. In both actions, NMFS announced public hearings and webinars to provide the opportunity for public comment. Due to requests for additional public hearings, NMFS has decided conduct an additional public hearing for Draft Amendment 15 and its proposed rule in Panama City, FL, and an additional public hearing for scoping for Amendment 16 in San Juan, PR (Table 1). None of the other public hearing timing or locations have changed. TABLE 1—DATES, TIMES, AND LOCATIONS OF UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS AND CONFERENCE CALLS Rulemaking Venue Date/time Street address/webinar information Amendment 16 .................... Public ................................. Hearing .............................. Public Hearing ................... August 16, 2023, 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. August 29, 2023, 5 p.m.–8 p.m. Embassy Suites, 8000 Jose M. Tartak Avenue, San Juan, PR 00979. National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, FL 32408. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 Amendment 15 .................... The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants to conduct themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each meeting, a representative of NMFS will explain the ground rules (e.g., all comments are to be directed to the Agency; attendees will be called to give their comments in the order in which they registered to speak; each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; and attendees should not interrupt one another). The in-person meeting locations will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Guy DuBeck or Steve Durkee at 301–427–8503, at least 7 days prior to the meeting. A NMFS representative will attempt to structure the meeting so that all attending members of the public will be able to comment if they so choose, regardless of the controversial nature of the subject matter. If attendees do not respect the ground rules they will be asked to leave the meeting. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:34 Aug 01, 2023 Jkt 259001 Dated: July 28, 2023. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–16440 Filed 8–1–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 RIN 0648–BM28 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 32; Modifications to Non-Trawl Area Management Measures National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Announcement of availability of proposed fishery management plan amendment; request for comments. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 32 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, Amendment 32 would: create a new type of Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Area that prohibits fishing with non-trawl bottom contact gear for all groundfish fisheries and the non-tribal directed commercial halibut fishery; remove the Cowcod Conservation Area seaward of California for commercial and recreational groundfish non-trawl fisheries; create and authorize the use of Groundfish Exclusion Areas as a new type of Groundfish Conservation Area; authorize the use of Block Area Closures for groundfish non-trawl fisheries, and make necessary administrative changes to relevant sections of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. Altogether, these changes are anticipated to provide additional fishing opportunity to groundfish non-trawl fishery sectors while continuing to protect rebuilding yelloweye rockfish and mitigating fishing impacts to sensitive areas. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02AUP1.SGM 02AUP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50829-50830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16440]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[RTID 0648-XD183]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments 15 and 16 to the 
2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management 
Plan

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

ACTION: Notice of additional public hearing locations.

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

SUMMARY: On May 5, 2023, NMFS published a proposed rule for Amendment 
15 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) on spatial fisheries management and electronic 
monitoring cost allocation. On May 8, 2023, NMFS published a notice of 
intent for scoping of Amendment 16 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on 
shark management. In both actions, NMFS announced several public 
hearings and webinars to provide the opportunity for public comment. 
This notice announces that NMFS is adding a public hearing for both 
Amendment 15 and Amendment 16 based on public interest.

DATES: NMFS will hold one additional public hearing on Draft Amendment 
15 and its proposed rule and another public hearing on the scoping 
document for Amendment 16. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for all 
meeting dates and times. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

[[Page 50830]]

in the Amendment 15 proposed rule (May 5, 2023, 88 FR 29050) and 
Amendment 16 notice of intent (May 8, 2023, 88 FR 29617) for the other 
public hearings and conference calls dates, times, and locations.

ADDRESSES: NMFS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule for 
Amendment 15 and its proposed rule in Panama City, FL, and a public 
hearing on the scoping document for Amendment 16 in San Juan, PR. For 
specific location, date and time see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.
    Electronic copies of the draft document for Amendment 15 to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-15-2006-consolidated-hms-fishery-management-plan-spatial-fisheries-management-and) and the scoping document for Amendment 16 to 
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/scoping-amendment-16-2006-consolidated-atlantic-highly-migratory-species-fishery-management) may be obtained on the internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Guy DuBeck ([email protected]), 
Steve Durkee ([email protected]), Larry Redd ([email protected]), 
and Karyl Brewster-Geisz ([email protected]), by email, or 
by phone at (301) 427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under the authority of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention 
Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its 
amendments are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
    On May 5, 2023, NMFS published a proposed rule (88 FR 29050) for 
Draft Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on spatial 
fisheries management and electronic monitoring cost allocation. On May 
8, 2023, NMFS published a notice of intent (88 FR 29617) for scoping of 
Amendment 16 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on shark management. In 
both actions, NMFS announced public hearings and webinars to provide 
the opportunity for public comment. Due to requests for additional 
public hearings, NMFS has decided conduct an additional public hearing 
for Draft Amendment 15 and its proposed rule in Panama City, FL, and an 
additional public hearing for scoping for Amendment 16 in San Juan, PR 
(Table 1). None of the other public hearing timing or locations have 
changed.

              Table 1--Dates, Times, and Locations of Upcoming Public Hearings and Conference Calls
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Street address/webinar
             Rulemaking                       Venue                 Date/time                information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment 16.......................  Public................  August 16, 2023, 5:30   Embassy Suites, 8000 Jose
                                     Hearing...............   p.m.-8:30 p.m.          M. Tartak Avenue, San
                                                                                      Juan, PR 00979.
Amendment 15.......................  Public Hearing........  August 29, 2023, 5      National Marine Fisheries
                                                              p.m.-8 p.m.             Service, Southeast
                                                                                      Fisheries Science Center,
                                                                                      3500 Delwood Beach Road,
                                                                                      Panama City, FL 32408.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants to conduct 
themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each meeting, a 
representative of NMFS will explain the ground rules (e.g., all 
comments are to be directed to the Agency; attendees will be called to 
give their comments in the order in which they registered to speak; 
each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; and attendees 
should not interrupt one another). The in-person meeting locations will 
be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign 
language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to 
Guy DuBeck or Steve Durkee at 301-427-8503, at least 7 days prior to 
the meeting. A NMFS representative will attempt to structure the 
meeting so that all attending members of the public will be able to 
comment if they so choose, regardless of the controversial nature of 
the subject matter. If attendees do not respect the ground rules they 
will be asked to leave the meeting.

    Dated: July 28, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-16440 Filed 8-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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