Nominations for Advisory Committee and Species Working Group Technical Advisor Appointments to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, 64432-64433 [2024-17448]

Download as PDF 64432 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 7, 2024 / Notices would 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 authorized take of marine mammals, NMFS finds that small numbers of marine mammals would be taken relative to the population size of the affected species or stocks. Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis and Determination There are no relevant subsistence uses of the affected marine mammal stocks or species implicated by this action. Therefore, NMFS has determined that the total taking of affected species or stocks would not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of such species or stocks for taking for subsistence purposes. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Endangered Species Act Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal agency insure that any action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take for endangered or threatened species. No incidental take of ESA-listed species is authorized or expected to result from this activity. Therefore, NMFS has determined that formal consultation under section 7 of the ESA is not required for this action. 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 review our action (i.e., the issuance of an IHA) 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, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Aug 06, 2024 Jkt 262001 NMFS has determined that the issuance of this IHA qualifies to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review. bryan.keller@noaa.gov; phone: 301– 427–7725. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authorization The Convention and the Commission ICCAT was established to provide an effective program of international cooperation in research and conservation in recognition of the unique problems related to the highly migratory nature of tunas and tuna-like species. The International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Convention), which established ICCAT, entered into force in 1969. ICCAT usually holds an Annual Meeting in November of each year, and convenes meetings of its working groups and other subsidiary bodies between annual meetings as needed. Under ATCA (see 16 U.S.C. 971a), the United States is represented at ICCAT by not more than three U.S. Commissioners. Additional information about ICCAT is available at www.iccat.int. NMFS has issued an IHA to Weyerhaeuser for the potential harassment of small numbers of three marine mammal species incidental to the Log Export Dock Project on the Columbia River near Longview, Washington that includes the previously explained mitigation, monitoring and reporting requirements. Dated: August 2, 2024. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–17470 Filed 8–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE161] Nominations for Advisory Committee and Species Working Group Technical Advisor Appointments to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of request for nominations. AGENCY: NMFS is soliciting nominations (which may include selfnominations) to the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) as established by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). NMFS is also soliciting nominations for Technical Advisors to the Advisory Committee’s species working groups. DATES: Nominations must be received by September 13, 2024. ADDRESSES: Nominations, including a letter of interest and a resume or curriculum vitae, should be sent via email to Bryan Keller at bryan.keller@ noaa.gov. Include in the subject line whether the nomination is for a position as an Advisory Committee member or as a Technical Advisor to one of the Committee’s species working groups. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Keller, Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce; email: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to ICCAT and its Species Working Groups ATCA (see 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) establishes an advisory committee comprising: (1) Not less than 5 nor more than 20 individuals appointed by the U.S. Commissioners to ICCAT who shall select such individuals from the various groups concerned with the fisheries covered by the ICCAT Convention; and (2) the chairs (or their designees) of the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils. Each member of the Advisory Committee shall serve for a term of 2 years and be eligible for reappointment. The Committee meets at least twice a year during which members receive information and provide advice on ICCAT-related matters. All members of the Advisory Committee are appointed in their individual professional capacity and undergo a background screening. Any individual appointed to the Committee who is unable to attend all or part of an Advisory Committee meeting may not appoint another person to attend such meetings as his or her proxy. Nominees should be able to fulfill the time and travel commitments required to participate in the Committee’s annual spring and fall meetings, in addition to ad hoc meetings as necessary throughout the year. The annual spring and fall meetings are normally 2 days long and are usually held in Silver Spring, Maryland, or Miami, Florida. Members of the Advisory Committee receive no compensation for their services. The Secretary of Commerce E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 7, 2024 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES and the Secretary of State may pay the necessary travel expenses of members of the Advisory Committee. The terms of all currently appointed Advisory Committee members expire on December 31, 2024. NMFS is soliciting nominees to serve as members of the Advisory Committee for a term of 2 years that will begin January 1, 2025, and expire December 31, 2026. ATCA specifies that the U.S. Commissioners may establish species working groups for the purpose of providing advice and recommendations to the U.S. Commissioners and to the Advisory Committee on matters relating to the conservation and management of any highly migratory species covered by the ICCAT Convention (see 16 U.S.C. 971b-1). Any species working group shall consist of no more than seven members of the Advisory Committee and no more than four scientific or technical personnel, as considered necessary by the Commissioners. Currently, there are four species working groups advising the Committee and the U.S. Commissioners: a Bluefin Tuna and Albacore Working Group, a Swordfish/Sharks Working Group, a Billfish Working Group, and a Bigeye, Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tunas Working Group. Scientific or technical personnel (known as Technical Advisors) appointed to species working groups serve at the pleasure of the Commissioners; therefore, the Commissioners can choose to alter these appointments at any time. As with Committee Members, Technical Advisors may not be represented by a proxy during meetings of the Advisory Committee. Nominees should be able to fulfill the time and travel commitments required to participate in the annual spring meeting of the Advisory Committee, when the species working groups are convened, in addition to ad hoc meetings throughout the year, as appropriate. Procedure for Submitting Nominations Nominations to either the Advisory Committee or a species working group should include a letter of interest and a resume or curriculum vitae that describes the individual’s knowledge and experience in a field related to the highly migratory species covered by the ICCAT Convention. Self-nominations are acceptable. Letters of recommendation are useful but not required. When making a nomination, please specify which appointment (Advisory Committee member or Technical Advisor to a species working group) is being sought. Nominees are also encouraged to indicate which of the four species working groups is VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Aug 06, 2024 Jkt 262001 preferred, although placement on the requested group is not guaranteed. NMFS encourages nominations for women and for individuals from underserved communities that meet the knowledge, experience, and other requirements of the positions described in this notice. See Executive Order (E.O.) 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government) section 2 (defining ‘‘underserved communities’’ as populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.). E.O. 13985 is available at https:// www.federalregister.gov/documents/ 2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancingracial-equity-and-support-forunderserved-communities-through-thefederal-government. Dated: August 2, 2024. Alexa Cole, Director, Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–17448 Filed 8–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Reporting of Sea Turtle Incidental Take in Virginia Chesapeake Bay Pound Net Operations National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64433 collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB. DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before October 7, 2024. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at NOAA.PRA@noaa.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 0648– 0470 in the subject line of your comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will generally be posted on https:// www.regulations.gov without change. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Carrie Upite, Sea Turtle Recovery Coordinator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; (978) 282–8475; or carrie.upite@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract This is a request for renewal of an approved information collection. Since 2002, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has promulgated several rules restricting the use of large mesh and stringer pound net leaders in certain Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters during the late spring/early summer each year. On June 17, 2002, an interim final rule was published (67 FR 41196) restricting leader use, which also required yearround reporting of sea turtle takes. In 2004, NMFS issued a final rule further restricting pound net leader use in Virginia (69 FR 24997). The 2004 rule retained the reporting requirement from the 2002 rule. These regulations (modifications to 50 CFR parts 222 and 223) were implemented as a result of high sea turtle strandings each spring in Virginia and the documented take of sea turtles in pound net leaders. On March 31, 2018, a revised Biological Opinion on NMFS gear regulations in the Virginia pound net fishery was completed pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). An Incidental Take Statement was included in this E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64432-64433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17448]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE161]


Nominations for Advisory Committee and Species Working Group 
Technical Advisor Appointments to the U.S. Section to the International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas

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

ACTION: Notice of request for nominations.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is soliciting nominations (which may include self-
nominations) to the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the 
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) 
as established by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). NMFS is 
also soliciting nominations for Technical Advisors to the Advisory 
Committee's species working groups.

DATES: Nominations must be received by September 13, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Nominations, including a letter of interest and a resume or 
curriculum vitae, should be sent via email to Bryan Keller at 
[email protected]. Include in the subject line whether the 
nomination is for a position as an Advisory Committee member or as a 
Technical Advisor to one of the Committee's species working groups.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Keller, Office of International 
Affairs, Trade, and Commerce; email: [email protected]; phone: 301-
427-7725.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Convention and the Commission

    ICCAT was established to provide an effective program of 
international cooperation in research and conservation in recognition 
of the unique problems related to the highly migratory nature of tunas 
and tuna-like species. The International Convention for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Convention), which established ICCAT, 
entered into force in 1969. ICCAT usually holds an Annual Meeting in 
November of each year, and convenes meetings of its working groups and 
other subsidiary bodies between annual meetings as needed. Under ATCA 
(see 16 U.S.C. 971a), the United States is represented at ICCAT by not 
more than three U.S. Commissioners. Additional information about ICCAT 
is available at www.iccat.int.

Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to ICCAT and its Species Working 
Groups

    ATCA (see 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) establishes an advisory committee 
comprising: (1) Not less than 5 nor more than 20 individuals appointed 
by the U.S. Commissioners to ICCAT who shall select such individuals 
from the various groups concerned with the fisheries covered by the 
ICCAT Convention; and (2) the chairs (or their designees) of the New 
England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Councils. Each member of the Advisory Committee 
shall serve for a term of 2 years and be eligible for reappointment. 
The Committee meets at least twice a year during which members receive 
information and provide advice on ICCAT-related matters. All members of 
the Advisory Committee are appointed in their individual professional 
capacity and undergo a background screening. Any individual appointed 
to the Committee who is unable to attend all or part of an Advisory 
Committee meeting may not appoint another person to attend such 
meetings as his or her proxy. Nominees should be able to fulfill the 
time and travel commitments required to participate in the Committee's 
annual spring and fall meetings, in addition to ad hoc meetings as 
necessary throughout the year. The annual spring and fall meetings are 
normally 2 days long and are usually held in Silver Spring, Maryland, 
or Miami, Florida.
    Members of the Advisory Committee receive no compensation for their 
services. The Secretary of Commerce

[[Page 64433]]

and the Secretary of State may pay the necessary travel expenses of 
members of the Advisory Committee. The terms of all currently appointed 
Advisory Committee members expire on December 31, 2024. NMFS is 
soliciting nominees to serve as members of the Advisory Committee for a 
term of 2 years that will begin January 1, 2025, and expire December 
31, 2026.
    ATCA specifies that the U.S. Commissioners may establish species 
working groups for the purpose of providing advice and recommendations 
to the U.S. Commissioners and to the Advisory Committee on matters 
relating to the conservation and management of any highly migratory 
species covered by the ICCAT Convention (see 16 U.S.C. 971b-1). Any 
species working group shall consist of no more than seven members of 
the Advisory Committee and no more than four scientific or technical 
personnel, as considered necessary by the Commissioners. Currently, 
there are four species working groups advising the Committee and the 
U.S. Commissioners: a Bluefin Tuna and Albacore Working Group, a 
Swordfish/Sharks Working Group, a Billfish Working Group, and a Bigeye, 
Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tunas Working Group. Scientific or technical 
personnel (known as Technical Advisors) appointed to species working 
groups serve at the pleasure of the Commissioners; therefore, the 
Commissioners can choose to alter these appointments at any time. As 
with Committee Members, Technical Advisors may not be represented by a 
proxy during meetings of the Advisory Committee. Nominees should be 
able to fulfill the time and travel commitments required to participate 
in the annual spring meeting of the Advisory Committee, when the 
species working groups are convened, in addition to ad hoc meetings 
throughout the year, as appropriate.

Procedure for Submitting Nominations

    Nominations to either the Advisory Committee or a species working 
group should include a letter of interest and a resume or curriculum 
vitae that describes the individual's knowledge and experience in a 
field related to the highly migratory species covered by the ICCAT 
Convention. Self-nominations are acceptable. Letters of recommendation 
are useful but not required. When making a nomination, please specify 
which appointment (Advisory Committee member or Technical Advisor to a 
species working group) is being sought. Nominees are also encouraged to 
indicate which of the four species working groups is preferred, 
although placement on the requested group is not guaranteed.
    NMFS encourages nominations for women and for individuals from 
underserved communities that meet the knowledge, experience, and other 
requirements of the positions described in this notice. See Executive 
Order (E.O.) 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities Through the Federal Government) section 2 (defining 
``underserved communities'' as populations sharing a particular 
characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been 
systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of 
economic, social, and civic life, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous 
and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and 
other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with 
disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise 
adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.). E.O. 13985 is 
available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government.

    Dated: August 2, 2024.
Alexa Cole,
Director, Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-17448 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.