South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings, 70936-70937 [2023-22658]

Download as PDF 70936 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2023 / Notices Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a public webinar to collect input on summer flounder commercial mesh regulations and exemptions. DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. EDT. For agenda details, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held via webinar. Connection information will be posted prior to the meeting at www.mafmc.org. Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone: (302) 674–2331; www.mafmc.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, telephone: (302) 526–5255. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MidAtlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will host a webinar to collect public input on multiple summer flounder commercial trawl mesh regulations topics, as described below. The Council is seeking feedback to consider whether modifications to these measures may be needed and will review these topics at the December 2023 Council meeting jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board (Board). The first issue is the minimum mesh size requirements for the commercial summer flounder trawl fishery. The Fishery Management Plan (FMP) currently allows two options for summer flounder minimum mesh sizes: 5.5-inch diamond or 6.0-inch square. The Council and Board have previously reviewed information suggesting that the selectivity of the 6.0″ square mesh is not equivalent to that of the 5.5″ diamond mesh, and the 6.0″ square mesh may be retaining too many undersized summer flounder. Additional input is being sought from industry on use patterns of these two minimum mesh sizes, factors influencing choice of mesh, cost of modifications to mesh size regulations, and whether modifications to the minimum mesh size may be necessary. There are two exemptions to the minimum mesh size regulations that are also under review for Council and Board consideration in December 2023: (1) the Small Mesh Exemption Program, and (2) lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Oct 12, 2023 Jkt 262001 the flynet exemption. Vessels landing more than 200 lb of summer flounder east of longitude 72° 30.0′ W, from November 1 through April 30, and using mesh smaller than 5.5-inch diamond or 6.0-inch square are required to obtain a small mesh exemption program (SMEP) permit from NMFS. The exemption is designed to allow vessels to retain some bycatch of summer flounder while operating in other small-mesh fisheries. This exemption program is being reviewed to determine whether it is still meeting its original intention, and if changes to the SMEP are needed relative to the area, timing, possession limit, or other aspects of the program. Vessels fishing with a two-seam otter trawl flynet are also exempt from the minimum mesh size requirements. Exempt flynets have large mesh in the wings that measure 8 to 64 inches, the belly of the net has 35 or more meshes that are at least 8 inches, and the mesh decreases in size throughout the body of the net, sometimes to 2 inches or smaller. Previous Council and Board discussions have suggested that the flynet exemption is being used to fish with ‘‘high rise’’ nets that may not meet the regulatory definition of flynets, pointing to a potential enforcement and compliance issues and/or a need to revise the regulatory language. The Council is seeking additional input from industry on how these two exemptions are used and any recommendations for modifications to the program, including consideration of whether they are still needed. The primary target audience for this webinar includes: (a) any commercial industry participant using trawl gear to fish for summer flounder, (b) commercial fishing industry participants utilizing either of the summer flounder mesh size exemptions while targeting any species, (c) any stakeholder with knowledge of these gear types and their use, and (d) any member of the public who wishes to provide comments or recommendations on these regulations. Additional information, background documents, and instructions for providing written comments will be posted to the Council’s website at: https:// www.mafmc.org/. Dated: October 6, 2023. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Special Accommodations Framework Amendment 13 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics FMP The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Shelley Spedden, (302) 526–5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. The Council is considering action to address updated scientific information on the Atlantic Spanish mackerel stock provided through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) 78 stock assessment (2022). The assessment, which included revised PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2023–22662 Filed 10–12–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD456] South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of scoping meetings. AGENCY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a series of scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to Framework Amendment 13 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region. The amendment addresses Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel catch levels. DATES: The scoping meetings will be held via webinar on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 6 p.m. ADDRESSES: Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N Charleston, SC 29405. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Wiegand, Fishery Social Scientist, SAFMC; phone: (843) 571– 4366 or toll free: (866) SAFMC–10; fax: (843) 769–4520; email: christina.wiegand@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scoping meetings will be conducted via webinar. Registration is required. The public scoping document, online public comment form, and webinar registration information will be posted on the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/ public-hearings-and-scoping/ as it becomes available. Public comments must be received by 5 p.m. on November 10, 2023. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2023 / Notices recreational landings based on the Marine Recreational Information Program’s newer Fishing Effort Survey method, indicated that the Atlantic Spanish mackerel stock was not overfished nor undergoing overfishing. The amendment currently includes actions to update catch levels to be consistent with SEDAR 78 and the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee recommendations. During the scoping meetings, Council staff will present an overview of the draft framework amendment and will be available for informal discussions and to answer questions via webinar. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record to record their comments for consideration by the Council. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES) 3 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: October 6, 2023. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–22658 Filed 10–12–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD453] Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 87 Post Data Workshop Webinar for Gulf of Mexico White, Pink, and Brown Shrimp. AGENCY: The SEDAR 87 assessment process of Gulf of Mexico white, pink, and brown shrimp will consist of a Data Workshop, and a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. DATES: The SEDAR 87 Post Data Workshop webinar will be held November 6, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Time. ADDRESSES: lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Oct 12, 2023 Jkt 262001 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) 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie A. Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; (843) 571– 4366; email: Julie.neer@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 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. The items of discussion during the Post Data Workshop webinar are as follows: Participants will discuss and finalize any outstanding data issues remaining from the Data Workshop. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 70937 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 These meetings are 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: October 6, 2023. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–22660 Filed 10–12–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD455] 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’s is convening its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. DATES: This hybrid meeting will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023, beginning at 9:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 100 Boardman Street, Boston, MA 02128, (617) 567–6789. Webinar registration information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/114112148113299549. Call in SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70936-70937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22658]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD456]


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of scoping meetings.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a series of scoping meetings via webinar pertaining to Framework 
Amendment 13 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory 
Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region. The 
amendment addresses Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel catch 
levels.

DATES: The scoping meetings will be held via webinar on Monday, October 
30, 2023, at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 6 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Council address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 
4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N Charleston, SC 29405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Wiegand, Fishery Social 
Scientist, SAFMC; phone: (843) 571-4366 or toll free: (866) SAFMC-10; 
fax: (843) 769-4520; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scoping meetings will be conducted via 
webinar. Registration is required. The public scoping document, online 
public comment form, and webinar registration information will be 
posted on the Council's website at: https://safmc.net/public-hearings-and-scoping/ as it becomes available. Public comments must be received 
by 5 p.m. on November 10, 2023.

Framework Amendment 13 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics FMP

    The Council is considering action to address updated scientific 
information on the Atlantic Spanish mackerel stock provided through the 
Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) 78 stock assessment 
(2022). The assessment, which included revised

[[Page 70937]]

recreational landings based on the Marine Recreational Information 
Program's newer Fishing Effort Survey method, indicated that the 
Atlantic Spanish mackerel stock was not overfished nor undergoing 
overfishing. The amendment currently includes actions to update catch 
levels to be consistent with SEDAR 78 and the Council's Scientific and 
Statistical Committee recommendations.
    During the scoping meetings, Council staff will present an overview 
of the draft framework amendment and will be available for informal 
discussions and to answer questions via webinar. Members of the public 
will have an opportunity to go on record to record their comments for 
consideration by the Council.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the 
Council office (see ADDRESSES) 3 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: October 6, 2023.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22658 Filed 10-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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