Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review Workshops Advisory Panel, 71336-71338 [2023-22788]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2023 / Notices
chartered under the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, on
February 17, 1971. The Committee
meets twice a year, and holds
supplementary meetings when
necessary, as determined by NMFS or
the Committee Chair. MAFAC is
comprised of 15 to 21 individuals.
Members are highly qualified, diverse
individuals with experience in
commercial, recreational, aquaculture,
and non-commercial fisheries and
businesses; seafood industry, including
processing, marketing, restaurants and
related industries; marine, ecosystems,
or protected resources management and
conservation; and human dimensions or
social sciences associated with living
marine resources and working
waterfronts. Members may be from
tribes or indigenous groups,
environmental organizations, academia,
consumer groups, and other living
marine resource interest groups from all
U.S. geographical regions, including the
Western Pacific and Caribbean. NMFS
strives to ensure MAFAC members
represent a diversity of individuals and
interests.
A MAFAC member cannot be a
Federal employee; a state official, their
designee, or an appointed member of a
regional fishery management council;
registered Federal lobbyist; or agent of a
foreign principal. Selected candidates
must pass a security check and submit
a financial disclosure form. Membership
is voluntary and, except for
reimbursable travel and related
expenses, service is without pay.
Each nomination must include the
nominee’s name, address, telephone
number, and email address; a cover
letter describing the nominee’s interest
in serving on the Committee and
qualifications; and their curriculum
vitae or resume. Up to three letters of
support may be submitted. Selfnominations will be accepted.
Nominations should be sent to Katie
Zanowicz (see ADDRESSES) and must be
received by Friday, December 15, 2023.
The full text of the Committee Charter
and its current membership can be
viewed at the NMFS web page at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
national/partners/marine-fisheriesadvisory-committee-charter.
Dated: October 11, 2023.
Heidi Lovett,
Acting Designated Federal Officer, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–22786 Filed 10–13–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID: 0648–XV195]
Membership of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration
Performance Review Board
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice of membership of the
2023 NOAA Performance Review Board.
AGENCY:
NOAA announces the
appointment of members who will serve
on the 2023 NOAA Performance Review
Board (PRB). The NOAA PRB is
responsible for reviewing performance
appraisals and ratings of Senior
Executive Service (SES), Senior Level
(SL), and Scientific and Professional
(ST) members and making written
recommendations to the appointing
authority on retention and
compensation matters, including
performance-based pay adjustments,
awarding of bonuses, and reviewing
recommendations for potential
Presidential Rank Award nominees. The
appointment of members to the NOAA
PRB will be for a period of 2 years.
DATES: The effective date of service of
the 10 appointees to the NOAA
Performance Review Board is October
23–27, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Charles A. McLeod, Human Resources
Specialist, Executive Resources
Division, Office of Human Capital
Services, NOAA, 1305 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland
20910, 301–628–1883 or
Charles.mcleod@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
names and positions of the members for
the 2023 NOAA PRB are set forth below:
• Juliana Blackwell, Chair: Director,
Office of National Geodetic Survey,
National Ocean Service, NOAA
• Michelle McClure, Vice-Chair:
Director, Pacific Marine
Environmental Laboratory, NOAA
• James St. Pierre: Acting Director,
Information Technology Laboratory,
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
• Jonathan Hare: Science and Research
Director, Northeast Region, National
Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA
• Timothy Greten: Director, Office of
Facilities, National Weather Service,
NOAA
• Deirdre Jones: Chief Administrative
Officer, NOAA
SUMMARY:
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• Makeda Okolo: Director, Office of
Legislative & Intergovernmental
Affairs, NOAA
• Elsayed Talaat: Office of Projects,
Partnerships and Analysis, National
Environmental Satellite, Data and
Information Service, NOAA
• Kevin Kimball: Chief of Staff,
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
• Kenneth Harding: Chief Operating
Officer, National Weather Service,
NOAA
• Bruce Pitts: Deputy Chief
Administrative Officer, NOAA
• Jennifer Mahoney: Director, Global
Systems Laboratory, Office of Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research, NOAA
• Timothy Walsh: Director, Joint Polar
Satellite Systems, National
Environmental Satellite, Data and
Information Service, NOAA
• Karen Hyun, Chief of Staff, NOAA
Richard W. Spinrad,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023–22731 Filed 10–13–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–12–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD384]
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
Southeast Data, Assessment, and
Review Workshops Advisory Panel
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; nominations for shark
stock assessment Advisory Panel.
AGENCY:
NMFS solicits nominations
for the Atlantic Highly Migratory
Species (HMS) Southeast Data,
Assessment, and Review (SEDAR)
Workshops Advisory Panel, also known
as the ‘‘SEDAR Pool.’’ The SEDAR Pool
is comprised of a group of individuals
who may be selected to consider data
and advise NMFS regarding the
scientific information including, but not
limited to, data and models used in
stock assessments for oceanic sharks in
the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and
Caribbean Sea. Nominations are being
sought for 5-year appointments (2024–
2029). Individuals with definable
interests in the recreational and
commercial fishing and related
industries, environmental community,
academia, and non-governmental
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2023 / Notices
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
organizations will be considered for
membership on the SEDAR Pool.
DATES: Nominations must be received
on or before November 15, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit
nominations and request the SEDAR
Pool Statement of Organization,
Practices, and Procedures electronically
via email to SEDAR.pool@noaa.gov.
Additional information on SEDAR
and the SEDAR guidelines can be found
at https://sedarweb.org/. The terms of
reference for the SEDAR Pool, along
with a list of current members, can be
found at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highlymigratory-species/southeast-dataassessment-and-review-and-atlantichighly.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karyl Brewster-Geisz at 301–425–8503
or Delisse Ortiz at 301–427–8530.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic
HMS fisheries (tunas, billfish,
swordfish, and sharks) 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 Atlantic HMS Fishery
Management Plan (2006 Consolidated
HMS FMP) and its amendments are
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR
part 635.
Background
Section 302(g)(2) of the MagnusonStevens Act states that each Council
shall establish such advisory panels as
are necessary or appropriate to assist it
in carrying out its functions under the
Act. For the purposes of this section,
NMFS applies the above provision to
Atlantic HMS management (see section
304(g)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
which provides that the Secretary will
prepare FMPs for HMS and consult with
Advisory Panels under section 302(g)
for such FMPs). As such, NMFS has
established the SEDAR Pool under this
section. The SEDAR Pool currently
consists of 36 individuals, each of
whom may be selected to review data
and advise NMFS regarding the
scientific information including, but not
limited to, data and models used in
stock assessments for oceanic sharks in
the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and
Caribbean Sea. While the SEDAR Pool
was created specifically for Atlantic
oceanic sharks, it may be expanded to
include other HMS, as needed.
The primary responsibility of
individuals in the SEDAR Pool is to
review, at SEDAR workshops, the
scientific information including, but not
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limited to, data and models used in
stock assessments that are used to
advise NMFS about the conservation
and management of Atlantic HMS
specifically, but not limited to, Atlantic
sharks. Individuals in the SEDAR Pool,
if selected for a particular workshop,
may participate in the various data,
assessment, and review workshops
during the SEDAR process of any HMS
stock assessment. In order to ensure that
the review is unbiased, individuals who
participated in a data and/or assessment
workshop for a particular stock
assessment will not be allowed to serve
as SEDAR Pool reviewers for the same
stock assessment. However, these
individuals may be asked to attend the
review workshop to answer specific
questions from the reviewers concerning
the data and/or assessment workshops.
Members of the SEDAR Pool may serve
as members of other Advisory Panels
concurrent with, or following, their
service on the SEDAR Pool.
Procedures and Guidelines
A. Participants
The SEDAR Pool is comprised of
individuals representing the commercial
and recreational fishing communities
for Atlantic sharks, the environmental
community active in the conservation
and management of Atlantic sharks, and
the academic community that have
relevant expertise either with sharks
and/or stock assessment methodologies
for marine fish species. In addition,
individuals who may not necessarily
work directly with sharks, but who are
involved in fisheries with similar life
history, biology, and fishery issues may
be part of the SEDAR Pool. Members of
the SEDAR Pool must have
demonstrated experience in the
fisheries, related industries, research,
teaching, writing, conservation, or
management of marine organisms. The
distribution of representation among the
interested parties is not defined or
limited.
Additional members of the SEDAR
Pool may also include representatives
from each of the 5 Atlantic Regional
Fishery Management Councils, each of
the 18 Atlantic states, both the U.S.
Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and
each of the relevant interstate
commissions: the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission and the Gulf
States Marine Fisheries Commission.
If NMFS requires additional members
to ensure a diverse pool of individuals
for data or assessment workshops,
NMFS may request individuals to
become members of the SEDAR Pool
outside of the annual nomination
period.
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71337
SEDAR Pool members serve at the
discretion of the Secretary. Not all
members will attend each SEDAR
workshop. Rather, NMFS will invite
certain members to participate at
specific stock assessment workshops
dependent on their ability to participate,
discuss, and offer scientific input and
advice regarding the species being
assessed.
NMFS is not obligated to fulfill any
requests (e.g., requests for an assessment
of a certain species) that may be made
by the SEDAR Pool or its individual
members. Members of the SEDAR Pool
who are invited to attend stock
assessment workshops will not be
compensated for their services, but may
be reimbursed for their travel-related
expenses to attend such workshops.
B. Nomination Procedures for
Appointments to the SEDAR Pool
Member tenure will be for 5 years.
Nominations are sought for terms
beginning early in 2024 and expiring in
2029. Nomination packages should
include:
1. The name, address, phone number,
and email of the applicant or nominee;
2. A description of the applicant’s or
nominee’s interest in Atlantic shark
stock assessments or the Atlantic shark
fishery;
3. A statement of the applicant’s or
nominee’s background and/or
qualifications; and
4. A written commitment that the
applicant or nominee shall participate
actively and in good faith in the tasks
of the SEDAR Pool, as requested.
C. Meeting Schedule
Individual members of the SEDAR
Pool meet to participate in stock
assessments at the discretion of the
Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS.
Stock assessment timing, frequency, and
relevant species will vary depending on
the needs determined by NMFS and
SEDAR staff. In 2024, NMFS will
continue assessing the status of the
hammerhead shark species in the
hammerhead shark management group.
Following the completion of the
hammerhead assessments, NMFS
anticipates beginning the assessment
process for one or more of the following
species of sharks: finetooth, spinner,
bull, and/or tiger.
During an assessment year, meetings
and meeting logistics will be
determined according to the SEDAR
Guidelines. All meetings are open for
observation by the public.
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71338
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2023 / Notices
Dated: October 11, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–22788 Filed 10–13–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD302]
Taking and Importing Marine
Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Geophysical Surveys
Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the
Gulf of Mexico
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of Letter of
Authorization.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA), as amended, its implementing
regulations, and NMFS’ MMPA
Regulations for Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to Geophysical
Surveys Related to Oil and Gas
Activities in the Gulf of Mexico,
notification is hereby given that a Letter
of Authorization (LOA) has been issued
to bp Exploration and Production Inc.
(bp) for the take of marine mammals
incidental to geophysical survey activity
in the Gulf of Mexico.
DATES: The LOA is effective from
November 1, 2023, through July 31,
2024.
SUMMARY:
The LOA, LOA request, and
supporting documentation are available
online at: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/
incidental-take-authorization-oil-andgas-industry-geophysical-surveyactivity-gulf-mexico. In case of problems
accessing these documents, please call
the contact listed below (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jenna Harlacher, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
ADDRESSES:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
the Secretary of Commerce to allow,
upon request, the incidental, but not
intentional, taking of small numbers of
marine mammals by U.S. citizens who
engage in a specified activity (other than
commercial fishing) within a specified
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17:03 Oct 13, 2023
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geographical region if certain findings
are made and either regulations are
issued or, if the taking is limited to
harassment, a notice of a proposed
authorization is provided to the public
for review.
An authorization for incidental
takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
that the taking will have a negligible
impact on the species or stock(s), will
not have an unmitigable adverse impact
on the availability of the species or
stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
relevant), and if the permissible
methods of taking and requirements
pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring
and reporting of such takings are set
forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact
resulting from the specified activity that
cannot be reasonably expected to, and is
not reasonably likely to, adversely affect
the species or stock through effects on
annual rates of recruitment or survival.
Except with respect to certain
activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: any act of
pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i)
has the potential to injure a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has
the potential to disturb a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild by causing disruption of behavioral
patterns, including, but not limited to,
migration, breathing, nursing, breeding,
feeding, or sheltering (Level B
harassment).
On January 19, 2021, we issued a final
rule with regulations to govern the
unintentional taking of marine
mammals incidental to geophysical
survey activities conducted by oil and
gas industry operators, and those
persons authorized to conduct activities
on their behalf (collectively ‘‘industry
operators’’), in U.S. waters of the Gulf of
Mexico (GOM) over the course of 5
years (86 FR 5322, January 19, 2021).
The rule was based on our findings that
the total taking from the specified
activities over the 5-year period will
have a negligible impact on the affected
species or stock(s) of marine mammals
and will not have an unmitigable
adverse impact on the availability of
those species or stocks for subsistence
uses. The rule became effective on April
19, 2021.
Our regulations at 50 CFR 217.180 et
seq. allow for the issuance of LOAs to
industry operators for the incidental
take of marine mammals during
geophysical survey activities and
prescribe the permissible methods of
taking and other means of effecting the
least practicable adverse impact on
marine mammal species or stocks and
their habitat (often referred to as
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
mitigation), as well as requirements
pertaining to the monitoring and
reporting of such taking. Under 50 CFR
217.186(e), issuance of an LOA shall be
based on a determination that the level
of taking will be consistent with the
findings made for the total taking
allowable under these regulations and a
determination that the amount of take
authorized under the LOA is of no more
than small numbers.
Summary of Request and Analysis
Bp plans to conduct a Zero Offset
vertical seismic profile (VSP) survey
within Mississippi Canyon Block 956.
See section 1.1 of bp’s application for a
map. Bp plans to use a 12-element,
2,400 cubic inch (in3) airgun array.
Approximate water depths of the survey
area is 2,000 meters (m). Please see bp’s
application for additional detail.
Consistent with the preamble to the
final rule, the survey effort proposed by
bp in its LOA request was used to
develop LOA-specific take estimates
based on the acoustic exposure
modeling results described in the
preamble (86 FR 5322, 5398, January 19,
2021). In order to generate the
appropriate take number for
authorization, the following information
was considered: (1) survey type; (2)
location (by modeling zone 1); (3)
number of days; and (4) season.2 The
acoustic exposure modeling performed
in support of the rule provides 24-hour
exposure estimates for each species,
specific to each modeled survey type in
each zone and season.
No VSP surveys were included in the
modeled survey types, and use of
existing proxies (i.e., 2D, 3D NAZ, 3D
WAZ, Coil) is generally conservative for
use in evaluation of these survey types.
Summary descriptions of these modeled
survey geometries are available in the
preamble to the proposed rule (83 FR
29212, 29220, June 22, 2018). Coil was
selected as the best available proxy
survey type for bp’s VSP survey because
the spatial coverage of the planned
surveys is most similar to the coil
survey pattern. For the planned survey,
the seismic source array will be
deployed from a drilling rig at or near
the borehole, with the seismic receivers
(i.e., geophones) deployed in the
borehole on wireline at specified depth
intervals. The zero offset VSP will be
stationary. The coil survey pattern in
the model was assumed to cover
approximately 144 square kilometers
1 For purposes of acoustic exposure modeling, the
GOM was divided into seven zones. Zone 1 is not
included in the geographic scope of the rule.
2 For purposes of acoustic exposure modeling,
seasons include winter (December–March) and
summer (April–November).
E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71336-71338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22788]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD384]
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Highly Migratory
Species Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review Workshops Advisory Panel
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; nominations for shark stock assessment Advisory Panel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS solicits nominations for the Atlantic Highly Migratory
Species (HMS) Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Workshops
Advisory Panel, also known as the ``SEDAR Pool.'' The SEDAR Pool is
comprised of a group of individuals who may be selected to consider
data and advise NMFS regarding the scientific information including,
but not limited to, data and models used in stock assessments for
oceanic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
Sea. Nominations are being sought for 5-year appointments (2024-2029).
Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and commercial
fishing and related industries, environmental community, academia, and
non-governmental
[[Page 71337]]
organizations will be considered for membership on the SEDAR Pool.
DATES: Nominations must be received on or before November 15, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit nominations and request the SEDAR Pool
Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures electronically via
email to [email protected].
Additional information on SEDAR and the SEDAR guidelines can be
found at https://sedarweb.org/. The terms of reference for the SEDAR
Pool, along with a list of current members, can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/southeast-data-assessment-and-review-and-atlantic-highly.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karyl Brewster-Geisz at 301-425-8503
or Delisse Ortiz at 301-427-8530.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic HMS fisheries (tunas, billfish,
swordfish, and sharks) 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 Atlantic HMS Fishery
Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) and its amendments are
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
Background
Section 302(g)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act states that each
Council shall establish such advisory panels as are necessary or
appropriate to assist it in carrying out its functions under the Act.
For the purposes of this section, NMFS applies the above provision to
Atlantic HMS management (see section 304(g)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act, which provides that the Secretary will prepare FMPs for HMS and
consult with Advisory Panels under section 302(g) for such FMPs). As
such, NMFS has established the SEDAR Pool under this section. The SEDAR
Pool currently consists of 36 individuals, each of whom may be selected
to review data and advise NMFS regarding the scientific information
including, but not limited to, data and models used in stock
assessments for oceanic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico,
and Caribbean Sea. While the SEDAR Pool was created specifically for
Atlantic oceanic sharks, it may be expanded to include other HMS, as
needed.
The primary responsibility of individuals in the SEDAR Pool is to
review, at SEDAR workshops, the scientific information including, but
not limited to, data and models used in stock assessments that are used
to advise NMFS about the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS
specifically, but not limited to, Atlantic sharks. Individuals in the
SEDAR Pool, if selected for a particular workshop, may participate in
the various data, assessment, and review workshops during the SEDAR
process of any HMS stock assessment. In order to ensure that the review
is unbiased, individuals who participated in a data and/or assessment
workshop for a particular stock assessment will not be allowed to serve
as SEDAR Pool reviewers for the same stock assessment. However, these
individuals may be asked to attend the review workshop to answer
specific questions from the reviewers concerning the data and/or
assessment workshops. Members of the SEDAR Pool may serve as members of
other Advisory Panels concurrent with, or following, their service on
the SEDAR Pool.
Procedures and Guidelines
A. Participants
The SEDAR Pool is comprised of individuals representing the
commercial and recreational fishing communities for Atlantic sharks,
the environmental community active in the conservation and management
of Atlantic sharks, and the academic community that have relevant
expertise either with sharks and/or stock assessment methodologies for
marine fish species. In addition, individuals who may not necessarily
work directly with sharks, but who are involved in fisheries with
similar life history, biology, and fishery issues may be part of the
SEDAR Pool. Members of the SEDAR Pool must have demonstrated experience
in the fisheries, related industries, research, teaching, writing,
conservation, or management of marine organisms. The distribution of
representation among the interested parties is not defined or limited.
Additional members of the SEDAR Pool may also include
representatives from each of the 5 Atlantic Regional Fishery Management
Councils, each of the 18 Atlantic states, both the U.S. Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico, and each of the relevant interstate commissions: the
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Gulf States Marine
Fisheries Commission.
If NMFS requires additional members to ensure a diverse pool of
individuals for data or assessment workshops, NMFS may request
individuals to become members of the SEDAR Pool outside of the annual
nomination period.
SEDAR Pool members serve at the discretion of the Secretary. Not
all members will attend each SEDAR workshop. Rather, NMFS will invite
certain members to participate at specific stock assessment workshops
dependent on their ability to participate, discuss, and offer
scientific input and advice regarding the species being assessed.
NMFS is not obligated to fulfill any requests (e.g., requests for
an assessment of a certain species) that may be made by the SEDAR Pool
or its individual members. Members of the SEDAR Pool who are invited to
attend stock assessment workshops will not be compensated for their
services, but may be reimbursed for their travel-related expenses to
attend such workshops.
B. Nomination Procedures for Appointments to the SEDAR Pool
Member tenure will be for 5 years. Nominations are sought for terms
beginning early in 2024 and expiring in 2029. Nomination packages
should include:
1. The name, address, phone number, and email of the applicant or
nominee;
2. A description of the applicant's or nominee's interest in
Atlantic shark stock assessments or the Atlantic shark fishery;
3. A statement of the applicant's or nominee's background and/or
qualifications; and
4. A written commitment that the applicant or nominee shall
participate actively and in good faith in the tasks of the SEDAR Pool,
as requested.
C. Meeting Schedule
Individual members of the SEDAR Pool meet to participate in stock
assessments at the discretion of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
NMFS. Stock assessment timing, frequency, and relevant species will
vary depending on the needs determined by NMFS and SEDAR staff. In
2024, NMFS will continue assessing the status of the hammerhead shark
species in the hammerhead shark management group. Following the
completion of the hammerhead assessments, NMFS anticipates beginning
the assessment process for one or more of the following species of
sharks: finetooth, spinner, bull, and/or tiger.
During an assessment year, meetings and meeting logistics will be
determined according to the SEDAR Guidelines. All meetings are open for
observation by the public.
[[Page 71338]]
Dated: October 11, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22788 Filed 10-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
