New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 22126-22127 [2024-06746]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 22126 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 62 / Friday, March 29, 2024 / Notices cannot be issued an incidental take authorization. IPHC activity and requested take authorization is described in AFSC’s application. The requested regulations would be the second incidental take regulations issued to AFSC, following regulations in place from 2019–2024. Monitoring reports submitted by AFSC are available online at: https://www.fisheries. noaa.gov/action/incidental-takeauthorization-noaa-fisheries-afscfisheries-and-ecosystem-research. governing the incidental taking of marine mammals by AFSC, if appropriate. Specified Activities The Federal Government has a responsibility to conserve and protect living marine resources in U.S. federal waters and has also entered into a number of international agreements and treaties related to the management of living marine resources in international waters outside the United States. NOAA has the primary responsibility for managing marine fin and shellfish species and their habitats, with that responsibility delegated within NOAA to NMFS. In order to direct and coordinate the collection of scientific information needed to make informed management decisions, Congress created six Regional Fisheries Science Centers, each a distinct organizational entity and the scientific focal point within NMFS for region-based, Federal fisheries-related research. This research is aimed at monitoring fish stock recruitment, abundance, survival and biological rates, geographic distribution of species and stocks, ecosystem process changes, and marine ecological research. The AFSC is the research arm of NMFS in U.S. waters off of Alaska. As noted above, the IPHC is an international organization dedicated to conducting research in support of increasing and maintaining knowledge of halibut biology and stock assessment. Research is aimed at monitoring fish stock recruitment, survival and biological rates, abundance and geographic distribution of species and stocks, and providing other scientific information needed to improve our understanding of complex marine ecological processes. The AFSC and IPHC propose to administer and conduct these survey programs over the 5-year period. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Information Solicited Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and comments concerning AFSC’s request (see ADDRESSES). NMFS will consider all information, suggestions, and comments related to the request during the development of proposed regulations VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:49 Mar 28, 2024 Jkt 262001 Dated: March 26, 2024. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–06755 Filed 3–28–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [RTID 0648–XD839] 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 three-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 Tuesday, April 16, 2024 through Thursday, April 18, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16th and 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18, 2024. ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355; telephone: (860) 572–0731; online at https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ mysmhhf-hilton-mystic. Join the webinar at https://register.goto webinar.com/register/ 4261104974602457941. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone: (978) 465–0492; www.nefmc.org. SUMMARY: Cate O’Keefe, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492, ext. 113. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agenda Tuesday, April 16, 2024 The Council will begin this meeting with brief announcements, followed by reports on recent activities from the Council’s Chair and Executive Director, the GARFO Regional Administrator, the NOAA Office of General Counsel, the PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Director, 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, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Council then will receive a presentation from the Council chair on preventing harassment in the fishery management council process. The Enforcement Committee report will be next. The committee will provide guidance on: (1) use of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) in enforcement and scallop VMS reporting rates; (2) evolving on-demand fishing gear programs; and (3) enforceability of closed area polygon boundaries. After the lunch break, the Council will receive a brief Scallop Committee report with an overview of the 2024 scallop workplan. Then, the Council will devote the rest of the afternoon to a discussion about the Northern Edge of Georges Bank, beginning with an analysis of the concept areas for potential scallop fishery access to the habitat closure area and then a full Council discussion about action or direction on the preparation of management alternatives. Following the adjournment of official business, the Council will host a public outreach session to foster open lines of communication among Council members, staff, industry, and all meeting attendees. This event will be held at the Hilton Mystic in the restaurant/lobby area. Wednesday, April 17, 2024 The Council will begin the second day of its meeting with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s presentation on the peer reviewed results of the Applying State Space Models Research Track. Next, the Risk Policy Working Group will present proposed revisions to the Council’s Risk Policy. The Council will engage in a discussion about the revisions and path forward. The first part of the Habitat Committee report will follow. The Council will receive: (1) input from a Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) subpanel on the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Review; and (2) Habitat Plan Development Team updates on EFH review components. Following the lunch break, the Council will receive the second part of the Habitat Committee report. Offshore wind developers will provide updates about their respective projects regarding project status, surveys, fisheries mitigation, and other topics. The Council then will receive a report on outcomes from a recent EFH Climate E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 62 / Friday, March 29, 2024 / Notices Resilience Workshop and other habitatrelated updates. The Monkfish Committee report will be next. The Council will take final action on Framework Adjustment 15 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This framework is a joint action with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reduce monkfish and spiny dogfish large-mesh gillnet fishery interactions with Atlantic sturgeon. Next, the Council will receive a progress report on Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Herring FMP, which is an action to: (1) minimize user conflicts; (2) contribute to optimum yield; (3) support rebuilding of Atlantic herring; and (4) enhance river herring and shad avoidance and catch reduction. The full Council then will adjourn for the day. Shortly afterward, at 6 p.m., in the same meeting room, the Council will hold a public scoping meeting on Atlantic Herring Amendment 10. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Thursday, April 18, 2024 The Council will lead off the third day of its meeting with the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP) report, which will include overviews of: (1) NTAP’s recent Bigelow Continency Plan Working Group meeting; (2) continued discussions on the Industry-Based Survey Pilot Project; and (3) other NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow continency options. 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. The comment period will be followed by the Groundfish Committee report. The Council will receive an SSC subpanel report on an Atlantic cod stock structure management strategy evaluation (MSE) review. The Council then will receive an update on upcoming public workshops and the proposed phases of work related to its Atlantic Cod Management Transition Plan. The Council also will discuss options for incorporating the four biological stock units of Atlantic cod into the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan. Finally, the Council will receive an update on work to review flatfish sub-annual catch limits and accountability measures. The VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:49 Mar 28, 2024 Jkt 262001 Council then will close 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: March 26, 2024. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–06746 Filed 3–28–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD829] Marine Mammals; File No. 27973 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi, Department of Life Sciences, Tidal Hall 231, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (Responsible Party: Dara Orbach, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). SUMMARY: Written comments must be received on or before April 29, 2024. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review by selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22127 Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 27973 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include File No. 27973 in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@ noaa.gov. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Erin Markin, Ph.D., (301) 427–8401. The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant proposes to continue to study the population biology, behavior, and health of common bottlenose dolphins in Central and South Texas waters (bays, sounds, estuaries). The research aims to: (1) establish dolphin spatiotemporal patterns; (2) maintain a photo-identification catalog of dolphins; (3) analyze dolphin behavior relative to anthropogenic disturbance; and (4) determine the health condition of dolphins. Researchers would harass up to 3,081 dolphins annually during unmanned aircraft surveys and vesselbased surveys for photo-identification, observations, and passive acoustic monitoring. A subset of 90 dolphins would also be biopsy sampled annually. The permit would be valid for 5 years. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 62 (Friday, March 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22126-22127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06746]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD839]


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 three-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 Tuesday, April 16, 2024 through 
Thursday, April 18, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16th 
and 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan 
Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355; telephone: (860) 572-0731; online at 
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mysmhhf-hilton-mystic. Join the 
webinar at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4261104974602457941.
    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

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

    The Council will begin this meeting with brief announcements, 
followed by reports on recent activities from the Council's Chair and 
Executive Director, the GARFO Regional Administrator, the NOAA Office 
of General Counsel, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) 
Director, 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, and 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Council then will receive a 
presentation from the Council chair on preventing harassment in the 
fishery management council process. The Enforcement Committee report 
will be next. The committee will provide guidance on: (1) use of vessel 
monitoring systems (VMS) in enforcement and scallop VMS reporting 
rates; (2) evolving on-demand fishing gear programs; and (3) 
enforceability of closed area polygon boundaries.
    After the lunch break, the Council will receive a brief Scallop 
Committee report with an overview of the 2024 scallop workplan. Then, 
the Council will devote the rest of the afternoon to a discussion about 
the Northern Edge of Georges Bank, beginning with an analysis of the 
concept areas for potential scallop fishery access to the habitat 
closure area and then a full Council discussion about action or 
direction on the preparation of management alternatives. Following the 
adjournment of official business, the Council will host a public 
outreach session to foster open lines of communication among Council 
members, staff, industry, and all meeting attendees. This event will be 
held at the Hilton Mystic in the restaurant/lobby area.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

    The Council will begin the second day of its meeting with the 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center's presentation on the peer reviewed 
results of the Applying State Space Models Research Track. Next, the 
Risk Policy Working Group will present proposed revisions to the 
Council's Risk Policy. The Council will engage in a discussion about 
the revisions and path forward. The first part of the Habitat Committee 
report will follow. The Council will receive: (1) input from a 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) subpanel on the Essential 
Fish Habitat (EFH) Review; and (2) Habitat Plan Development Team 
updates on EFH review components.
    Following the lunch break, the Council will receive the second part 
of the Habitat Committee report. Offshore wind developers will provide 
updates about their respective projects regarding project status, 
surveys, fisheries mitigation, and other topics. The Council then will 
receive a report on outcomes from a recent EFH Climate

[[Page 22127]]

Resilience Workshop and other habitat-related updates. The Monkfish 
Committee report will be next. The Council will take final action on 
Framework Adjustment 15 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). 
This framework is a joint action with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council to reduce monkfish and spiny dogfish large-mesh 
gillnet fishery interactions with Atlantic sturgeon. Next, the Council 
will receive a progress report on Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Herring 
FMP, which is an action to: (1) minimize user conflicts; (2) contribute 
to optimum yield; (3) support rebuilding of Atlantic herring; and (4) 
enhance river herring and shad avoidance and catch reduction. The full 
Council then will adjourn for the day. Shortly afterward, at 6 p.m., in 
the same meeting room, the Council will hold a public scoping meeting 
on Atlantic Herring Amendment 10.

Thursday, April 18, 2024

    The Council will lead off the third day of its meeting with the 
Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP) report, which will include 
overviews of: (1) NTAP's recent Bigelow Continency Plan Working Group 
meeting; (2) continued discussions on the Industry-Based Survey Pilot 
Project; and (3) other NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow continency options. 
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. The comment period will be followed by the 
Groundfish Committee report. The Council will receive an SSC subpanel 
report on an Atlantic cod stock structure management strategy 
evaluation (MSE) review. The Council then will receive an update on 
upcoming public workshops and the proposed phases of work related to 
its Atlantic Cod Management Transition Plan. The Council also will 
discuss options for incorporating the four biological stock units of 
Atlantic cod into the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery 
Management Plan. Finally, the Council will receive an update on work to 
review flatfish sub-annual catch limits and accountability measures. 
The Council then will close 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: March 26, 2024.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-06746 Filed 3-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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