New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 61572-61574 [2023-19317]

Download as PDF 61572 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2023 / Notices (1) An explanation that the activities to be conducted under the requested renewal IHA are identical to the activities analyzed under the initial IHA, are a subset of the activities, or include changes so minor (e.g., reduction in pile size) that the changes do not affect the previous analyses, mitigation and monitoring requirements, or take estimates (with the exception of reducing the type or amount of take); and (2) A preliminary monitoring report showing the results of the required monitoring to date and an explanation showing that the monitoring results do not indicate impacts of a scale or nature not previously analyzed or authorized. Upon review of the request for renewal, the status of the affected species or stocks, and any other pertinent information, NMFS determines that there are no more than minor changes in the activities, the mitigation and monitoring measures will remain the same and appropriate, and the findings in the initial IHA remain valid. Dated: September 1, 2023. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–19327 Filed 9–6–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD321] Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 79 Post-Data Workshop webinar for Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Mutton Snapper. AGENCY: The SEDAR 79 assessment process for Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic mutton snapper will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: The SEDAR 79 Post-Data Workshop webinar will be held September 25, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern Time. The established times may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:19 Sep 06, 2023 Jkt 259001 discussion relevant to the assessment process. Such adjustments may result in the meeting being extended from or completed prior to the time established by this notice. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held via webinar. The webinar is open to members of the public. Those interested in participating should contact Julie A. Neer at SEDAR (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below) to request an invitation providing webinar access information. Please request webinar invitations at least 24 hours in advance of each webinar. SEDAR address: 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405. Julie A. Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; (843) 571– 4366; email: Julie.neer@safmc.net. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 multistep process including: (1) Data Workshop, (2) a series of assessment webinars, and (3) a Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a report that compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The assessment webinars produce a report that describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The product of the Review Workshop is an Assessment 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, HMS 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 NGO’s; International experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The items of discussion during the Post-Data Workshop webinar are as follows: Panelists will review the data sets being considered for the assessment. 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 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 The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 business days prior to each workshop. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 1, 2023. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–19314 Filed 9–6–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD336] New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) will hold a four-day hybrid meeting with both in-person and remote participation to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday, September 25, 2023 through Thursday, September 28, 2023. The meetings will begin at 12 p.m. on Monday, and 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. ADDRESSES: SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07SEN1.SGM 07SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2023 / Notices Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Hotel 1620, 180 Water Street, Plymouth, MA 02360; telephone (508) 747–4900; online at https:// www.hotel1620.com. Join the webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/1732414043779454039. 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: Cate O’Keefe, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492, ext. 113. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Agenda Monday, September 25, 2023 After brief announcements, the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) Regional Administrator will swear in new and reappointed Council members. Then, the Council will hold its annual election of officers before receiving reports on recent activities from its Chair and Executive Director, the GARFO Regional Administrator, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Director, the NOAA Office of General Counsel, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaison, and representatives from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and the NMFS Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel. Next, the Council will receive a presentation from GARFO on the development of a Draft Regional Equity and Environmental Justice (EEJ) Strategy. GARFO will seek Council input on EEJ engagement issues for potential inclusion in the draft strategy. This will be followed by a presentation on the preliminary Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report covering fishing year 2022 catches and economic trends for small-mesh multispecies (whiting). NOAA Fisheries then will provide a presentation on a procedural directive related to Section 304(f) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which provides guidance on fishery management plan authority for stocks across more than one Council’s jurisdiction. The Council will engage in a discussion on this topic. As the last item of business for the day, the Council will take up East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning. The Council will VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:19 Sep 06, 2023 Jkt 259001 discuss next steps and the formation of two groups to support implementation of the outcomes from the Climate Change Scenario Planning Summit. Tuesday, September 26, 2023 The Council will begin the second day of its meeting with the Scallop Committee report, starting with a preliminary overview of 2023 scallop surveys and a progress report on Framework Adjustment 38 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The framework includes 2024 fishery specifications, 2025 default specifications, and other measures. The Council also will approve the Scallop Survey Working Group’s guiding principles. The Northeast Fisheries Science Center will be up next with an overview of NEFSC fishery independent surveys. The presentation will cover: (1) past survey performance; (2) 2023 survey season issues; (3) survey contingency plans; and (4) future scheduling for the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow bottom trawl surveys and R/V Hugh R. Sharp scallop surveys. The Council will receive input from the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel and engage in a question-and-answer session on the NEFSC fishery independent survey overview. After the lunch break, the Council will discuss an action related to the Northern Edge of Georges Bank. The Council will receive an initial presentation on draft alternatives to potentially authorize scallop fishery access to the Habitat Management Area on the Northern Edge and offer suggestions for revisions to the draft alternatives. The Habitat Committee report will follow with two items: (1) a progress report on the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Review, which is being conducted to revise the EFH components of the Council’s fishery management plans; and (2) an update on regional offshore wind activities and other habitat-related work. The Northeast Fisheries Science Center then will provide a presentation on the peerreviewed results of the June 2023 Management Track Stock Assessments for Atlantic deep-sea red crab, longfin inshore squid, bluefish, scup, and summer flounder. The Council will discuss Atlantic deep-sea red crab next to address specifications for the 2024– 2027 fishing years. The Council will hear the Scientific and Statistical Committee’s (SSC) recommendations on overfishing limits (OFLs) and acceptable biological catches (ABCs) for the fishery and then take final action on the specifications. At the conclusion of this PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61573 discussion, the Council will adjourn for the day. Wednesday, September 27, 2023 The Council will lead off the third day of its meeting by receiving a presentation on the peer-reviewed results of the 2023 Atlantic Cod Research Track Assessment, which will be followed by a question-and-answer opportunity. The U.S. Co-Chair of the Transboundary Resources Assessment Committee (TRAC) then will provide a presentation on the 2023 assessment results and related updates for Eastern Georges Bank cod, Eastern Georges Bank haddock, and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder. The Scientific and Statistical Committee Chair will provide the SSC’s recommendations on OFLs and ABCs for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder for fishing years 2024 and 2025. The Council then will review and approve the Transboundary Management Guidance Committee’s recommendations for 2024–2025 total allowable catches (TACs) for shared U.S./Canada resources on Georges Bank. Next, the Council will receive the SSC’s recommendations on OFLs and ABCs for: (1) Gulf of Maine haddock for fishing years 2024 and 2025; and (2) white hake for fishing years 2024 and 2025, along with feedback on the white hake rebuilding plan options. Part 1 of the Groundfish Committee report will follow. The Council will receive a progress report on Framework Adjustment 66 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) FMP, which includes (1) 2024–2025 TACs for U.S./ Canada shared resources on Georges Bank; (2) 2024–2025 specifications for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, white hake, and Gulf of Maine haddock; (3) 2024–2026 specifications for redfish, northern windowpane, and southern windowpane; (4) a revised white hake rebuilding plan; (5) Atlantic halibut issues; and (6) extending removal of the sector management uncertainty buffer for white hake and Gulf of Maine haddock until the next specifications cycle. Following the lunch break, the Council will take up Part 2 of the Groundfish Committee report, which will cover two items. First will be a presentation on a recent facilitated meeting to revise groundfish ABC control rules. Any revisions will be made through Framework Adjustment 68 to the Groundfish FMP. Second, the Council will receive an update on the Atlantic Cod Management Transition Plan. The Council then will review and discuss recommended changes to its Risk Policy as identified in Terms of Reference 1 and 2, including potential E:\FR\FM\07SEN1.SGM 07SEN1 61574 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2023 / Notices ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 revisions to the goals and objectives. The Council also will discuss how revisions to the groundfish ABC control rules may relate to the Risk Policy Working Group’s directive. Next, 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 both in person and 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/NEFMCmeeting-remote-participation_ generic.pdf. As the last order of business for the day, the Council will receive a brief overview of NOAA’s Draft Technical Guidance for National Standard 1 Reference Points and Status Determinations. This will include SSC input and an opportunity for Council comments. Thursday, September 28, 2023 The Council will lead off the fourth day of its meeting with the Atlantic Herring Committee report. The Council will receive a progress report on work to revisit the vacated Inshore Midwater Trawl Restricted Area that was part of Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring FMP. The Council potentially may initiate a framework adjustment to develop alternatives to minimize user conflicts for Atlantic herring. GARFO’s Protected Resources Division then will provide a brief recap of the timeline for implementing Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) modifications. The On-Demand Fishing Gear Conflict Working Group then will provide an update on recent activities. The Council will approve the working group’s terms of reference. Next, the Council will receive an update on a joint New England/Mid-Atlantic Council action to reduce monkfish and dogfish large-mesh gillnet fishery interactions with Atlantic sturgeon. The Council will implement the monkfish changes through Framework Adjustment 15 to the Monkfish FMP. The Council also will receive a presentation on recommendations to improve the Monkfish Research SetAside (RSA) Program’s effectiveness. The Council will discuss and approve these RSA recommendations. Following the lunch break, The Council will receive an update on Framework Adjustment 12 to the Northeast Skate Complex FMP, which proposes 2024–2025 fishery VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:19 Sep 06, 2023 Jkt 259001 specifications and measures to expand the possession of smooth and barndoor skates. The Council then will take up the Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management (EBFM) Committee report and discuss next steps in using the EBFM prototype management strategy evaluation (pMSE) final report to engage stakeholders in potential 2024 deepdive workshops about EBFM. Finally, the Council will hold its initial discussion on 2024 Council Priorities before closing out the meeting with other business. 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 physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Executive Director Cate O’Keefe (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 1, 2023. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–19317 Filed 9–6–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Application Package for Data Collection Instruments for the AmeriCorps Seniors COVID Effects on Senior Volunteering and on AmeriCorps Seniors Programs Evaluation Notice of information collection; request for comment. ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Corporation for National and SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Community Service (operating as AmeriCorps) is proposing a new information collection. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the ADDRESSES section by November 6, 2023. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods: (1) Electronically through www.regulations.gov (preferred method) (2) By mail sent to: AmeriCorps, Attention Melissa Gouge, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC, 20525. (3) By hand delivery or by courier to the AmeriCorps mailroom at the mail address given in paragraph (2) above, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments submitted in response to this notice may be made available to the public through regulations.gov. For this reason, please do not include in your comments information of a confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or proprietary information. If you send an email comment, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the internet. Please note that responses to this public comment request containing any routine notice about the confidentiality of the communication will be treated as public comment that may be made available to the public, notwithstanding the inclusion of the routine notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Gouge, 202–606–6736, or by email at mgouge@cns.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: Data Collection Instruments for AmeriCorps Seniors Covid Effects Evaluation. OMB Control Number: TBD. Type of Review: New. Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 2,915. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,135. Abstract: The purpose of this new information collection is to gather data for a national evaluation to assess how AmeriCorps Seniors programs have changed since Covid–19, and the impact of the programmatic changes in service delivery have on AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers and communities served by the programs. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or E:\FR\FM\07SEN1.SGM 07SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61572-61574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19317]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD336]


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council, NEFMC) 
will hold a four-day hybrid meeting with both in-person and remote 
participation to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in 
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on Monday, September 25, 2023 through 
Thursday, September 28, 2023. The meetings will begin at 12 p.m. on 
Monday, and 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

ADDRESSES: 

[[Page 61573]]

    Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Hotel 1620, 180 
Water Street, Plymouth, MA 02360; telephone (508) 747-4900; online at 
https://www.hotel1620.com. Join the webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1732414043779454039.
    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: Cate O'Keefe, Executive Director, New 
England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492, ext. 
113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Agenda

Monday, September 25, 2023

    After brief announcements, the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries 
Office (GARFO) Regional Administrator will swear in new and reappointed 
Council members. Then, the Council will hold its annual election of 
officers before receiving reports on recent activities from its Chair 
and Executive Director, the GARFO Regional Administrator, the Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Director, the NOAA Office of General 
Counsel, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaison, and 
representatives from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 
(ASMFC), the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, the 
Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries 
Organization (NAFO), the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and 
the NMFS Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel. Next, the Council 
will receive a presentation from GARFO on the development of a Draft 
Regional Equity and Environmental Justice (EEJ) Strategy. GARFO will 
seek Council input on EEJ engagement issues for potential inclusion in 
the draft strategy. This will be followed by a presentation on the 
preliminary Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report 
covering fishing year 2022 catches and economic trends for small-mesh 
multispecies (whiting). NOAA Fisheries then will provide a presentation 
on a procedural directive related to Section 304(f) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which provides 
guidance on fishery management plan authority for stocks across more 
than one Council's jurisdiction. The Council will engage in a 
discussion on this topic. As the last item of business for the day, the 
Council will take up East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning. The 
Council will discuss next steps and the formation of two groups to 
support implementation of the outcomes from the Climate Change Scenario 
Planning Summit.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

    The Council will begin the second day of its meeting with the 
Scallop Committee report, starting with a preliminary overview of 2023 
scallop surveys and a progress report on Framework Adjustment 38 to the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The framework 
includes 2024 fishery specifications, 2025 default specifications, and 
other measures. The Council also will approve the Scallop Survey 
Working Group's guiding principles. The Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center will be up next with an overview of NEFSC fishery independent 
surveys. The presentation will cover: (1) past survey performance; (2) 
2023 survey season issues; (3) survey contingency plans; and (4) future 
scheduling for the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow bottom trawl surveys and 
R/V Hugh R. Sharp scallop surveys. The Council will receive input from 
the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel and engage in a question-and-answer 
session on the NEFSC fishery independent survey overview.
    After the lunch break, the Council will discuss an action related 
to the Northern Edge of Georges Bank. The Council will receive an 
initial presentation on draft alternatives to potentially authorize 
scallop fishery access to the Habitat Management Area on the Northern 
Edge and offer suggestions for revisions to the draft alternatives. The 
Habitat Committee report will follow with two items: (1) a progress 
report on the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Review, which is being 
conducted to revise the EFH components of the Council's fishery 
management plans; and (2) an update on regional offshore wind 
activities and other habitat-related work. The Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center then will provide a presentation on the peer-reviewed 
results of the June 2023 Management Track Stock Assessments for 
Atlantic deep-sea red crab, longfin inshore squid, bluefish, scup, and 
summer flounder. The Council will discuss Atlantic deep-sea red crab 
next to address specifications for the 2024-2027 fishing years. The 
Council will hear the Scientific and Statistical Committee's (SSC) 
recommendations on overfishing limits (OFLs) and acceptable biological 
catches (ABCs) for the fishery and then take final action on the 
specifications. At the conclusion of this discussion, the Council will 
adjourn for the day.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

    The Council will lead off the third day of its meeting by receiving 
a presentation on the peer-reviewed results of the 2023 Atlantic Cod 
Research Track Assessment, which will be followed by a question-and-
answer opportunity. The U.S. Co-Chair of the Transboundary Resources 
Assessment Committee (TRAC) then will provide a presentation on the 
2023 assessment results and related updates for Eastern Georges Bank 
cod, Eastern Georges Bank haddock, and Georges Bank yellowtail 
flounder. The Scientific and Statistical Committee Chair will provide 
the SSC's recommendations on OFLs and ABCs for Georges Bank yellowtail 
flounder for fishing years 2024 and 2025. The Council then will review 
and approve the Transboundary Management Guidance Committee's 
recommendations for 2024-2025 total allowable catches (TACs) for shared 
U.S./Canada resources on Georges Bank. Next, the Council will receive 
the SSC's recommendations on OFLs and ABCs for: (1) Gulf of Maine 
haddock for fishing years 2024 and 2025; and (2) white hake for fishing 
years 2024 and 2025, along with feedback on the white hake rebuilding 
plan options. Part 1 of the Groundfish Committee report will follow. 
The Council will receive a progress report on Framework Adjustment 66 
to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) FMP, which includes (1) 
2024-2025 TACs for U.S./Canada shared resources on Georges Bank; (2) 
2024-2025 specifications for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, white 
hake, and Gulf of Maine haddock; (3) 2024-2026 specifications for 
redfish, northern windowpane, and southern windowpane; (4) a revised 
white hake rebuilding plan; (5) Atlantic halibut issues; and (6) 
extending removal of the sector management uncertainty buffer for white 
hake and Gulf of Maine haddock until the next specifications cycle.
    Following the lunch break, the Council will take up Part 2 of the 
Groundfish Committee report, which will cover two items. First will be 
a presentation on a recent facilitated meeting to revise groundfish ABC 
control rules. Any revisions will be made through Framework Adjustment 
68 to the Groundfish FMP. Second, the Council will receive an update on 
the Atlantic Cod Management Transition Plan. The Council then will 
review and discuss recommended changes to its Risk Policy as identified 
in Terms of Reference 1 and 2, including potential

[[Page 61574]]

revisions to the goals and objectives. The Council also will discuss 
how revisions to the groundfish ABC control rules may relate to the 
Risk Policy Working Group's directive. Next, 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 both in person and 
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.
    As the last order of business for the day, the Council will receive 
a brief overview of NOAA's Draft Technical Guidance for National 
Standard 1 Reference Points and Status Determinations. This will 
include SSC input and an opportunity for Council comments.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

    The Council will lead off the fourth day of its meeting with the 
Atlantic Herring Committee report. The Council will receive a progress 
report on work to revisit the vacated Inshore Midwater Trawl Restricted 
Area that was part of Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring FMP. The 
Council potentially may initiate a framework adjustment to develop 
alternatives to minimize user conflicts for Atlantic herring. GARFO's 
Protected Resources Division then will provide a brief recap of the 
timeline for implementing Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan 
(ALWTRP) modifications. The On-Demand Fishing Gear Conflict Working 
Group then will provide an update on recent activities. The Council 
will approve the working group's terms of reference. Next, the Council 
will receive an update on a joint New England/Mid-Atlantic Council 
action to reduce monkfish and dogfish large-mesh gillnet fishery 
interactions with Atlantic sturgeon. The Council will implement the 
monkfish changes through Framework Adjustment 15 to the Monkfish FMP. 
The Council also will receive a presentation on recommendations to 
improve the Monkfish Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program's effectiveness. 
The Council will discuss and approve these RSA recommendations.
    Following the lunch break, The Council will receive an update on 
Framework Adjustment 12 to the Northeast Skate Complex FMP, which 
proposes 2024-2025 fishery specifications and measures to expand the 
possession of smooth and barndoor skates. The Council then will take up 
the Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management (EBFM) Committee report and 
discuss next steps in using the EBFM prototype management strategy 
evaluation (pMSE) final report to engage stakeholders in potential 2024 
deep-dive workshops about EBFM. Finally, the Council will hold its 
initial discussion on 2024 Council Priorities before closing out the 
meeting with other business.
    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 physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Executive Director Cate O'Keefe (see ADDRESSES) 
at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 1, 2023.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-19317 Filed 9-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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