Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC); Joint Public Meeting, 12318-12319 [2024-03306]

Download as PDF 12318 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 33 / Friday, February 16, 2024 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Table 7 demonstrates the number of animals that could be exposed to the received noise levels that could cause harassment for the work in Lutak Inlet. Our analysis shows that less than 6.8 percent of each affected stock could be taken by harassment. The numbers of animals to be taken for these stocks will be considered small relative to the relevant stock’s abundances, even if each estimated taking occurred to a new individual—an extremely unlikely scenario. Based on the analysis contained herein of the activity (including the mitigation and monitoring measures) and the anticipated take of marine mammals, NMFS finds that small numbers of marine mammals will be taken relative to the population size of the affected species or stocks. Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis and Determination In order to issue an IHA, NMFS must find that the specified activity will not have an ‘‘unmitigable adverse impact’’ on the subsistence uses of the affected marine mammal species or stocks by Alaskan Natives. NMFS has defined ‘‘unmitigable adverse impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact resulting from the specified activity: (1) That is likely to reduce the availability of the species to a level insufficient for a harvest to meet subsistence needs by (i) causing the marine mammals to abandon or avoid hunting areas, (ii) directly displacing subsistence users; or (iii) placing physical barriers between the marine mammals and the subsistence hunters; and (2) that cannot be sufficiently mitigated by other measures to increase the availability of marine mammals to allow subsistence needs to be met. In the Haines area sea lions and harbor seals are available for subsistence harvest under the MMPA. Limited subsistence harvests of marine mammals near the community of Haines has occurred in the past, with the most recent recorded/documented harvests of marine mammals in Haines in 2012 and in nearby Klukwan in 2014. The activity will take place in Lutak Inlet, and no activities overlap with current subsistence hunting areas; therefore, there are no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals adversely impacted by this action. The project is not likely to adversely impact the availability of any marine mammal species or stocks that are commonly used for subsistence purposes or to impact subsistence harvest of marine mammals in the region. Based on the description of the specified activity, the measures described to minimize adverse effects VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:24 Feb 15, 2024 Jkt 262001 on the availability of marine mammals for subsistence purposes, and the mitigation and monitoring measures, NMFS has determined that there will not be an unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence uses from Haines Borough’s activities. Dated: February 12, 2024. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Endangered Species Act DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE There are two marine mammal species (Mexico DPS humpback whale and western DPS Steller sea lion) that NMFS is authorizing take in the project area that are listed as threatened and endangered under the ESA. The NMFS Alaska Regional Office issued a Biological Opinion under section 7 of the ESA, on the issuance of an IHA to Haines Borough under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA by the NMFS Permits and Conservation Division. The Biological Opinion concluded that the action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of western DPS Steller sea lions, and is not likely to destroy or adversely modify Mexico DPS humpback whale and western DPS Steller sea lion critical habitats. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Environmental Policy Act To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216–6A, NMFS must evaluate our proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an IHA) and alternatives with respect to potential impacts on the human environment. This action is consistent with categories of activities identified in Categorical Exclusion B4 (IHAs with no anticipated serious injury or mortality) of the Companion Manual for NAO 216– 6A, which do not individually or cumulatively have the potential for significant impacts on the quality of the human environment and for which we have not identified any extraordinary circumstances that would preclude this categorical exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS has determined that the issuance of this IHA qualifies to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review. Authorization NMFS has issued an IHA to Haines Borough for the potential harassment of small numbers of six marine mammal species incidental to the Lutak Dock replacement project in Haines, AK, that includes the previously explained mitigation, monitoring and reporting requirements. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2024–03251 Filed 2–15–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P [RTID 0648–XD731] Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC); Joint Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. AGENCY: The MAFMC and NEFMC will jointly hold a public meeting (webinar) of the Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Advisory Panels to review potential sturgeon bycatch reduction measures. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for agenda details. DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ADDRESSES: Webinar connection information will be posted to the MAFMC’s website calendar 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. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, telephone: (302) 526–5255. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Councils’ Monkfish and Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panels will meet jointly to discuss: The range of sturgeon bycatch reduction alternatives; the draft impact analyses for the alternatives; recommendations for the Councils and their Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Committees; and other business, as necessary. Special Accommodations 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. E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM 16FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 33 / Friday, February 16, 2024 / Notices Dated: February 13, 2024. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–03306 Filed 2–15–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD730] Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory bodies will meet March 5–11, 2024 in Fresno, CA and via webinar. The Council meeting will be live streamed with the opportunity to provide public comment remotely. The following groups will meet in person in Fresno: Salmon Technical Team, Salmon Advisory Subpanel, Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel, Ecosystem Workgroup, Enforcement Consultants, Habitat Committee, Groundfish Management Team, Groundfish Advisory Subpanel, and the Scientific and Statistical Committee. DATES: The Pacific Council Advisory Bodies will meet on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The Pacific Council meeting General Session will begin on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 9 a.m. Pacific time, reconvening at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 7 through Monday, March 11, 2024. All meetings are open to the public, except for a Closed Session held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 6, to address litigation and personnel matters. The Pacific Council will meet as late as necessary each day to complete its scheduled business. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: Meetings of the Pacific Council and its advisory entities will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Fresno Convention Center, 2233 Ventura Street, Fresno, CA; telephone: (559) 268–1000. Specific meeting information, including directions on joining the meeting, connecting to the live stream broadcast, and system requirements will be provided in the meeting announcement on the Pacific Council’s website (see www.pcouncil.org). You may send an email to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:24 Feb 15, 2024 Jkt 262001 (kris.kleinschmidt@noaa.gov) or contact him at (503) 820–2412 for technical assistance. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Merrick Burden, Executive Director, Pacific Council; telephone: (503) 820– 2418 or (866) 806–7204 toll-free, or access the Pacific Council website, www.pcouncil.org, for the proposed agenda and meeting briefing materials. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The March 6–11, 2024 meeting of the Pacific Council General Session will be streamed live on the internet. The broadcasts begin initially at 9 a.m. PT Wednesday, March 6, and 8 a.m. Thursday, March 7 through Monday, March 11, 2024. Broadcasts end when business for the day is complete. Only the audio portion and presentations displayed on the screen at the Pacific Council meeting will be broadcast. The audio portion for the public is listenonly except that an opportunity for oral public comment will be provided prior to Council Action on each agenda item. Additional information and instructions on joining or listening to the meeting can be found on the Pacific Council’s website (see www.pcouncil.org). The following items are on the Pacific Council agenda, but not necessarily in this order. Agenda items noted as ‘‘Final Action’’ refer to actions requiring the Council to transmit a proposed fishery management plan, proposed plan amendment, or proposed regulations to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, under Sections 304 or 305 of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Additional detail on agenda items, Council action, and advisory entity meeting times, are described in Agenda Item A.3, Proposed Council Meeting Agenda, and will be in the advance March 2024 briefing materials and posted on the Pacific Council website at www.pcouncil.org no later than Tuesday, February 13, 2024. A. Call to Order 1. Opening Remarks 2. Roll Call 3. Agenda 4. Executive Director’s Report B. Open Comment Period 1. Comments on Non-Agenda Items C. Salmon Management 1. National Marine Fisheries Service Report 2. Review of 2023 Fisheries and Summary of 2024 Stock Forecasts 3. Klamath Dam Removal Update 4. Klamath River Fall Chinook Workgroup Report and 2024 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12319 Management Options—Final Guidance 5. Identify Management Objectives and Preliminary Definition of 2024 Management Alternatives 6. Recommendations for 2024 Management Alternative Analysis 7. Further Direction for 2024 Management Alternatives 8. Further Direction for 2024 Management Alternatives 9. Adopt 2024 Management Alternatives for Public Review 10. Appoint Salmon Hearing Officers D. Habitat Issues 1. Current Habitat Issues E. Cross Fishery Management Plan (FMP) 1. Council and Scientific and Statistical Committee Discussion 2. Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Coral Restoration and Research Plan—Range of Alternatives and Preliminary Preferred Alternative 3. Marine Planning F. Groundfish Management 1. National Marine Fisheries Service Report and Electronic Monitoring Update 2. Consideration of Additional California Quillback Rockfish Analyses and Adopt Rebuilding Analysis 3. Initial Stock Assessment Plan and Terms of Reference 4. Trawl Cost Recovery Annual Report 5. Implementation of the 2024 Pacific Whiting Fishery under the U.S./ Canada Agreement 6. Fixed Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction— Preliminary Preferred Alternative 7. 2025–26 Fisheries Analysis Update and Adopt California Quillback Rockfish Harvest Specifications and Rebuilding Parameters 8. Inseason Adjustments—Final Action G. Pacific Halibut Management 1. International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Report 2. Incidental Catch Recommendations: Options for Salmon Troll and Final Action for Fixed Gear Sablefish Fisheries H. Ecosystem Management 1. California Current Ecosystem Status Report 2. Fishery Ecosystem Plan Initiative 4—Progress Review 3. Climate and Communities Initiative Review and Prioritize Tasks I. Highly Migratory Species Management 1. National Marine Fisheries Service Report 2. International Management Activities 3. Highly Migratory Species Roadmap E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM 16FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12318-12319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03306]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD731]


Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and New England 
Fishery Management Council (NEFMC); Joint Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice; public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The MAFMC and NEFMC will jointly hold a public meeting 
(webinar) of the Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Advisory Panels to review 
potential sturgeon bycatch reduction measures. See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for agenda details.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, from 1 p.m. 
to 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Webinar connection information will be posted to the MAFMC's 
website calendar 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 Councils' Monkfish and Spiny Dogfish 
Advisory Panels will meet jointly to discuss: The range of sturgeon 
bycatch reduction alternatives; the draft impact analyses for the 
alternatives; recommendations for the Councils and their Spiny Dogfish 
and Monkfish Committees; and other business, as necessary.

Special Accommodations

    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.


[[Page 12319]]


    Dated: February 13, 2024.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03306 Filed 2-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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