Department of Commerce August 29, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS issues a proposed rule that would implement Amendment 103 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) to close year-round the Pribilof Islands Habitat Conservation Zone (PIHCZ) to directed fishing for Pacific cod with pot gear to minimize bycatch and prevent overfishing of Pribilof Islands blue king crab (PIBKC). This action would promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMP, and other applicable law.

The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the National Defense Stockpile Market Impact Committee, co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and State, is seeking public comments on the potential market impact of the proposed Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Stockpile Annual Materials Plan. The role of the Market Impact Committee is to advise the National Defense Stockpile Manager on the projected domestic and foreign economic effects of all acquisitions and disposals involving the stockpile and related material research and development projects. Public comments are an important element of the Committee's market impact review process.

This notice amends the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration Request for Nominations for the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) of February 24, 2014 (79 FR 10099) to revise the eligibility criteria to permit federally-registered lobbyists to apply for membership on the ITACs. The Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative no longer maintain an eligibility restriction prohibiting federally-registered lobbyists from applying for appointment on the ITACs in light of a recent policy clarification that the eligibility restriction does not apply to advisory committee members who serve in a representative capacity. The Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) and the United States Trade Representative (the USTR) will now consider nominations of federally-registered lobbyists for appointment on the 16 ITACs. All other eligibility criteria continue to apply. The full notice is republished in its entirety below for convenience. In February 2014, the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) and the United States Trade Representative (the USTR) renewed the charters of the 16 Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) and the Committee of Chairs of the ITACs for a four-year term to expire on February 14, 2018. The ITACs provide detailed policy and technical advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary and the USTR regarding trade barriers, negotiation of trade agreements, and implementation of existing trade agreements affecting industry sectors; and perform other advisory functions relevant to U.S. trade policy matters as may be requested by the Secretary and the USTR or their designees. There are currently opportunities for membership on each ITAC. Nominations will be accepted for current vacancies and those that occur throughout the remainder of the charter term, which expires on February 14, 2018.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish Advisory Panel to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from these groups will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc. (Foundation). If granted, the EFP would authorize the applicants, with certain conditions, to collect and retain limited numbers of specimens that would otherwise be prohibited from possession and retention in South Atlantic Federal waters. This study is intended to characterize catch and discard mortality within the South Atlantic commercial hook-and-line component of the snapper-grouper fishery.

NMFS is opening directed fishing for Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2014 initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a public outreach meeting on the Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP).

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of the: Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Committee (CLOSED SESSION); Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee; Advisory Panel Selection Committee; Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Committee; Protected Resources Committee; Golden Crab Committee; Information and Education Committee; Data Collection Committee; Executive Finance Committee; Snapper Grouper Committee; a joint committee meeting of the Dolphin Wahoo Committee and Snapper Grouper Committee; King & Spanish Mackerel Committee; Habitat Committee; Ecosystem-Based Management Committee; and a meeting of the Full Council. The Council will take action as necessary. The Council will also hold an informal public question and answer session regarding agenda items and a formal public comment session. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times.