[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60004-60006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24921]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA728


Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings and hearings.

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SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold meetings of its 108th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 
and its 152nd Council meeting to take actions on fishery management 
issues in the Western Pacific Region.

DATES: The SSC will meet on October 17-19, 2011, between 8:30 a.m. and 
5 p.m.; the Council's Executive and Budget Standing Committee will meet 
on October 19, 2011, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.; the Pelagic and 
International Fisheries Standing Committee will meet on October 19 
between 10 a.m. and 12 noon; the 152nd Council meeting will meet on 
October 19-22, 2011. The 152nd Council Meeting will be held between 2 
p.m. and 6 p.m. on October 19, 2011, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on 
October 20-21, 2011, and between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on October 22, 
2011. All meetings will be held in Honolulu.
    For specific times and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The 108th SSC meeting, Council Executive and Budget Standing 
Committee and Pelagic and International Fisheries Standing

[[Page 60005]]

Committee will be held at the Council office, 1164 Bishop Street, 
Honolulu, HI 96813; telephone: (808) 522-8220. The 152nd Council 
meeting will be held at the Laniakea YWCA-Fuller Hall, 1040 Richards 
Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 Honolulu; telephone: (808) 538-7061.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; 
telephone: (808) 522-8220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In addition to the agenda items listed here, 
the SSC and Council will hear recommendations from Council advisory 
groups. Public comment periods will be provided throughout the agendas. 
The order in which agenda items are addressed may change. The meetings 
will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled business.

Schedule and Agenda for 108th SSC Meeting

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday, October 17, 2011

    1. Introductions.
    2. Approval of Draft Agenda and Assignment of Rapporteurs.
    3. Status of the 107th SSC Meeting Recommendations.
    4. Report from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 
Director.
    5. Program Planning.
    A. Specification of Acceptable Biological Catches (ACTION ITEM).
    1. Species with No Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), Existing Quota, 
or Reference Points (Tier 5).
    a. Coral Reef Fish for All Island Areas.
    b. Vulnerable Species for All Island Areas.
    c. Mollusks, Crustaceans, Other Invertebrates for All Island Areas.
    2. Species with MSY, Existing Quota, or Reference Points (Tier 3 
and 4).
    a. Coastal Pelagics in Hawaii.
    b. Non-Finfish for All Island Areas.
    i. Lobster.
    ii. Kona Crab.
    iii. Deepwater Shrimp.
    iv. Black Corals.
    v. Precious Corals.
    c. Bottomfish.
    i. Bottomfish Management Unit Species (BMUS) in American Samoa, 
Guam, CNMI.
    ii. Non Deep-7 BMUS for Hawaii.
    B. Alternatives for Non-commercial Data Collection in Hawaii.
    C. Report on Western Pacific Fisheries Information Network 
(WPacFIN) Program Data Review.
    D. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and Habitat of Particular Concern 
(HAPC).
    1. EFH/HAPC for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 
(CNMI), Guam and American Samoa.
    2. Hawaii Bottomfish EFH/HAPC draft Amendment (ACTION ITEM).
    E. Status of Fisheries Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Amendments.
    F. Review of the Council 5 Year Research Priorities.
    G. Cooperative Research Priorities.
    H. Report on Marianas Trench Marine National Monument Science and 
Expo Workshop.
    I. Non-Commercial Fisheries Data Advisory Committee 
Recommendations.
    J. Public Comment.
    K. SSC Discussion and Recommendations.

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Video Presentation--Traditional Fishing on Guam
    6. Pelagic Fisheries.
    A. Action Items.
    1. Amendment Options for American Samoa Swordfish Longline Fishery.
    B. Information on Yellowfin Tuna Around the Hawaiian Islands--
Management Implications.
    C. Striped Marlin Catch Limit.
    D. American Samoa and Hawaii Longline Quarterly Report.
    E. International Fisheries Meetings.
    1. Kobe III Meeting.
    2. Kobe III Bycatch Working Group.
    3. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Science 
Committee.
    4. WCPFC Northern Committee.
    5. WCPFC Technical and Compliance Committee.
    6. Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 82nd Meeting.
    7. North Pacific Regional Fishery Management Organization 
Preparatory Conference (NPRFMO-PrepCon).
    F. Public Comment.
    G. SSC Discussion and Recommendations.
    7. Protected Species.
    A. Loggerhead Turtle Final Listing Rule and New Biological Opinion.
    B. False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan Proposed Rule and Take 
Reduction Team Meeting.
    C. Proposed 2012 List of Fisheries and Draft 2011 Stock Assessment 
Report.
    D. Analysis of Leatherback Turtle Bycatch Patterns in the Hawaii 
Longline Fishery.
    E. Public Comment.
    F. SSC Discussion and Recommendations.

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2011

    8. Other Meetings & Workshops.
    A. Report on National SSC Workshop.
    9. Other Business.
    A. 109th SSC Meeting.
    B. Future Format of the SSC.
    C. Future SSC Membership.
    10. Summary of SSC Recommendations to the Council.

8 a.m.-10 a.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2011

    Executive and Budget Standing Committee.

10 a.m.-12 noon, Wednesday, October 19, 2011

    Pelagic and International Standing Committee.

2 p.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2011

    1. Introductions.
    2. Approval of the 152nd Agenda.
    3. Approval of the 151st Meeting Minutes.
    4. Executive Director's Report.
    5. Agency Reports.
    A. National Marine Fisheries Service.
    1. Pacific Islands Regional Office.
    2. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.
    B. NOAA Regional Counsel.
    C. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
    D. Enforcement.
    1. U.S. Coast Guard.
    2. NMFS Office for Law Enforcement.
    3. NOAA General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation.
    E. Public Comment.
    F. Council Discussion and Action.

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday, October 20, 2011

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

    6. Program Planning and Research.
    A. Specification of Acceptable Biological Catches (ACTION ITEM).
    1. Species with No MSY, Existing Quota, or Reference Points (Tier 
5).
    a. Coral Reef Fish for All Island Areas.
    b. Vulnerable Species for All Island Areas.
    c. Mollusks, Crustaceans, Other Invertebrates for All Island areas.
    2. Species with MSY, Existing Quota, or Reference Points (Tier 3 
and 4).
    a. Coastal Pelagics in Hawaii.
    b. Non-Finfish for All Island Areas.
    i. Lobster.
    ii. Kona Crab.
    iii. Deepwater Shrimp.
    iv. Black Corals.
    v. Precious Corals.
    c. Bottomfish.
    i. BMUS in American Samoa, Guam, CNMI.
    ii. Non Deep 7 BMUS for Hawaii.
    B. Report on EFH Review for American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Bottomfish and Other Management 
Unit Species (MUS).
    C. Coastal Marine Spatial Planning.
    1. Regional Initiatives.
    2. Report on Coastal Marine Spatial Planning Workshop.

[[Page 60006]]

    3. Indigenous Climate Change Summit.
    D. Review of the Council 5-Year Research Priorities.
    E. Cooperative Research Priorities.
    F. Community Development Plan Proposal: Traditional Fishing 
Training Program and Exemption to the MHI Pelagic Longline Closed Area 
(Action Item).
    G. Report on NMFS Bio-Sampling Program.
    H. Update on National/Regional Marine Recreational Fishing.
    I. Hawaii, Regional, National & International Education and 
Outreach.
    J. SSC Recommendations.
    K. Hawaii Plan Team and Bottomfish Advisory Review Board 
Recommendations.
    L. Public Hearing.
    M. Council Discussion and Action.

2 p.m.-6 p.m.

    7. Marianas Archipelago.
    A. Arongo Flaeey.
    B. Isla Informe.
    C. Legislative Report.
    D. Enforcement Issues.
    E. Report on Marianas Trench Marine National Monument Science and 
Expo Workshop.
    F. Community Activities and Issues.
    1. Marianas Military Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) Scoping.
    2. Education and Outreach Initiatives.
    H. SSC Recommendations.
    I. Public Comments.
    J. Council Discussion and Action.
    8. American Samoa Archipelago.
    A. Motu Lipoti.
    B. Fono Report.
    C. Enforcement Issues.
    D. Update on Community Fisheries Development.
    E. Community Activities and Issues.
    F. Education and Outreach Initiatives.
    G. SSC Recommendations.
    H. Public Comments.
    I. Council Discussion and Action.
    9. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items.
Fishers Forum, Waikiki Aquarium 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Code of Conduct for 
Hawaii's Ocean Users

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday, October 21, 2011

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

    10. Hawaii Archipelago.
    A. Moku Pepa.
    B. Legislative Report.
    C. Enforcement Issues.
    D. Recommendations on Hawaii Non-Commercial Data Collection (ACTION 
ITEM).
    E. Bottomfish.
    1. Update on Bottomfish Life History Information.
    2. Draft Amendment for Hawaii Bottomfish EFH (ACTION ITEM).
    F. Community Projects, Activities and Issues.
    1. Report on Hawaii Regulatory Review Initiative.
    2. Maunalei Ahupua'a Restoration Project.
    3. Report on the Kona Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Workshop.
    4. Report on Community Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs).
    5. Update from State on Shark Fining Policy.
    6. Report on Open Ocean Aquaculture Project.
    G. Non-Commercial Fisheries Data Advisory Committee and Hawaii Plan 
Team Recommendations.
    H. SSC Recommendations.
    I. Public Hearing.
    J. Council Discussion and Action.
    11. Pelagic & International Fisheries.
    A. Recommendations on American Samoa Swordfish Fishery (ACTION 
ITEM).
    B. Striped Marlin Catch Limits (ACTION ITEM).
    C. Information on Yellowfin Tuna Around the Hawaiian Islands--
Management Implications.
    D. American Samoa and Hawaii Longline Quarterly Reports.
    E. International Fisheries Meetings.
    1. Kobe III.
    2. Kobe III Bycatch Working Group.
    3. Western and Central Pacific Fishery Commission (WCPFC). Science 
Committee.
    4. WCPFC Northern Committee.
    5. WCPFC Technical and Compliance Committee.
    6. North Pacific Regional Fishery Management Organization 
Preparatory Conference (NPRFMO PrepCon).
    7. International Scientific Committee 11th Meeting.
    F. Disapproved Amendments.
    G. SSC Discussion and Recommendations.
    H. Pelagics Standing Committee Recommendations.
    I. Public Hearing.
    J. Council Discussion and Action.

8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, October 22, 2011

    12. Protected Species.
    A. Loggerhead Turtle Final Listing Rule and New Biological Opinion.
    B. False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan Proposed Rule and Take 
Reduction Team Meeting.
    C. Proposed 2012 List of Fisheries and Draft 2011 Stock Assessment 
Report.
    D. Endangered Species Act Section 4 (Listing and Critical Habitat) 
Update.
    E. Update on Council Turtle Program.
    F. SSC Recommendations.
    G. Public Comment.
    H. Council Discussion and Action.
    13. Administrative Matters.
    A. Financial Reports.
    B. Administrative Reports.
    C. Standard Operating Practices and Procedures (SOPP) Review and 
Changes.
    D. Council Family Changes.
    E. Meetings and Workshops.
    F. Other Business.
    G. Standing Committee Recommendations.
    H. Public Comment.
    I. Council Discussion and Action.
    14. Appointment of Council Officers.
    15. Other Business.
    Non-Emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before 
the Council for discussion and formal Council action during its 152nd 
meeting. However, Council action on regulatory issues will be 
restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any 
regulatory issue arising after publication of this document that 
requires emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to 
take action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522-8220 
(voice) or (808) 522-8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting 
date.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 23, 2011.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24921 Filed 9-27-11; 8:45 am]
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