[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57887-57890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22898]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD518


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 117th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) 
and its 161st Council meeting to take actions on fishery management 
issues in the Western Pacific Region. The Council will also convene 
meetings of the Council's Education Steering Committee, Fishery Data 
Collection and Research Committee, Pelagic Standing Committee, and 
Executive and Budget Standing Committee.

DATES: The meetings will be held Monday, October 13, 2014 through 
Thursday, October 23, 2014. For specific dates, times and agendas, see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The Education Steering Committee, 117th SSC, the Fishery 
Data Collection and Research Committee and Standing Committee meetings 
will be held at the Council office, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, 
Honolulu, HI 96813; telephone: (808) 522-8220.
    The 161st Council meeting will be held at the Laniakea YWCA-Fuller 
Hall, 1040 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813; telephone: (808) 538-
7061.
    The Fishers Forum will be held at the Harbor View Center, Pier 38, 
1129 North Nimitz Highway, Honolulu, HI 96817; telephone: (808) 983-
1200.
    Background documents will be available from, and written comments 
should be sent to, Mr. Edwin Ebisui, Acting Chair, Western Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, 
HI 96813; telephone: (808) 522-8220 or fax: (808) 522-8226.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Education Steering Committee will meet 
on October 13, 2014, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.; 117th SSC meeting on 
October 14-16, 2014, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Fishery Data 
Collection and Research Committee October 20, 2014, between 10 a.m. and 
12 noon; the

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Council's Pelagics and International Standing Committee on October 20, 
2014, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Executive and Budget Standing 
Committee October 20, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.; the 161st Council 
meeting will be held between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on October 21-23, 
2014. In addition, the Council will host a Fishers Forum on October 21, 
2014, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
    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 the Education Steering Committee

3 p.m.-5 p.m., Monday, October 13, 2014

1. Scholarship Program
2. Internships
3. Educational Resources
4. Public Comment
5. Discussion and Recommendations

Schedule and Agenda for 117th SSC Meeting

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2014

1. Introductions
2. Approval of Draft Agenda and Assignment of Rapporteurs
3. Status of the 116th SSC Meeting Recommendations
4. Report from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific 
Islands Fisheries Science Center Director
5. Report from NMFS Office of Science & Technology
6. Insular Fisheries
    A. NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center's Response to SSC 
Comments on 2014 Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Deep 7 Bottomfish Stock 
Assessment
    B. Report on SSC Subgroup Regarding 2014 MHI Deep 7 Bottomfish 
Stock Assessment
    C. Public Comment
    D. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
7. Program Planning
    A. Specifying Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs) for the American 
Samoa, Guam and CNMI Bottomfish (Action Item)
    B. Report on the Center for Independent Experts (CIE) Review on the 
Biomass Augmented Catch-Maximum Sustainable Yield (BAC-MSY) Model
    C. Reconsideration of ABC Recommendations for Coral Reef Fish, 
Crustacean, MHI Deep 7 and Non-Deep 7 Bottomfish (Action Item)
    D. Discussion to Develop Agenda for the Fifth National SSC Meeting 
on Uncertainties in ABC Specifications for Data-limited Stocks
    E. Marine Planning and Climate Change Committee
    F. Public Comment
    G. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2014

8. Pelagic Fisheries
    A. Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Amendment for Regional Fishery 
Management Organization (RFMO) Measures
    1. Development of a Framework Process to Implement RFMO 
Conservation and Management Measures under the Pelagic FEP
    2. Draft Proposed Regulations to Address Overfishing and Overfished 
Status of Western Central Pacific Ocean North Pacific (WCPO NP) Striped 
Marlin (Action Item)
    B. Bigeye Stock Status (Action Item)
    C. Hawaii Yellowfin and Bigeye Commercial Minimum Size Limit 
(Action Item)
    D. Report on Disproportionate Burden Workshop
    E. 2014 El Ni[ntilde]o Update
    F. International Fisheries
    1. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Science 
Committee
    2. WCPFC Northern Committee
    3. WCPFC Technical and Compliance Committee
    4. US Permanent Advisory Committee
    G. Ocean Legacy
    H. Public Comment
    I. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
9. Protected Species
    A. Report on the Hawaii Deep-set Longline Biological Opinion (BiOp)
    B. Draft 2014 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
    C. Preliminary Summary of the Molokai Cetacean Survey
    D. Independent Advisory Team for Marine Mammal Assessments
    E. Updates on Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA) Actions
    1. Final Determination to List Corals under the ESA
    2. Final Determination to List Scalloped Hammerhead Shark under the 
ESA
    3. 90-day Finding on a Petition to List Seven Species of 
Pomacentrid Reef Fish under the ESA
    4. Green Turtle Status Review
    5. North Pacific Humpback Whale Status Review
    6. Update on the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan 
Implementation
    7. Proposed 2015 List of Fisheries
    8. Other Relevant Actions
    F. Public Comment
    G. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

8:30 a.m.-12 noon, Thursday, October 16, 2014

10. Other Business
    A. 118th SSC Meeting
11. Summary of SSC Recommendations to the Council

Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee

10 a.m.-12 noon, Monday, October 20, 2014

1. Welcome Remarks
2. Introductions
3. Update on Progress on Data Collection Projects
4. Review of the Strategic Plan Changes
5. Endorsement and Signing of the Strategic Plan
6. Revisiting Data Sharing Agreements
7. Planning for the Next Steps
8. Public Comment
9. Discussions and Recommendations

Schedule for Council Standing Committee Meetings

1 p.m.-3 p.m. Monday, October 20, 2014

Pelagic and International Standing Committee

3 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday, October 20, 2014

Executive and Budget Standing Committee

Schedule and Agenda for 161st Council Meeting

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2014

1. Welcome and Introductions
    A. Swearing In of New and Reappointed Members
2. Approval of the 161st Agenda
3. Approval of the 160th Meeting Minutes
4. Executive Director's Report
5. Presentation on State of Ecosystem
6. Agency Reports
    A. NMFS
    1. Pacific Islands Regional Office
    2. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
    B. NOAA Office of General Counsel, Pacific Islands Section
    C. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    D. Enforcement

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    1. U.S. Coast Guard
    2. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
    3. NOAA Office of General Counsel, Enforcement Section
    E. Public Comment
    F. Council Discussion and Action
7. Program Planning and Research
    A. Specifying Annual Catch Limits for American Samoa, Guam, CNMI 
Bottomfish (Action Item)
    B. Report on CIE Review of BAC-MSY Model (Action Item)
    C. Reconsideration of ACL Recommendation and Accountability 
Measures for Coral Reef Fish, Crustaceans and MHI Non-deep 7 Bottomfish 
(Action Item)
    D. Regional Electronic Technologies Implementation Plan
    E. Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review Process and Policy
    F. Regional, National and International Outreach & Education
    G. Advisory Group Reports and Recommendations
    1. Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee
    2. Marine Planning and Climate Change Committee
    3. Education Steering Committee
    H. SSC Recommendations
    I. Public Hearing
    J. Council Discussion and Action

Fishers Forum Harbor View Center, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Hawaii Yellowfin and Striped Marlin Management

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2014

8. American Samoa Archipelago
    A. Motu Lipoti
    B. Fono Report
    C. Enforcement Issues
    D. Community Activities and Issues
    E. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    F. American Samoa National Marine Sanctuary
    G. Rose Atoll Marine National Monument
    H. SSC Recommendations
    I. Public Comment
    J. Council Discussion and Action
9. Hawaii Archipelago
    A. Moku Pepa
    B. Legislative Report
    C. Enforcement
    D. Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish
    1. PIFSC Response to SSC Comments on MHI Deep 7 Bottomfish Stock 
Assessment
    2. Report on SSC Subgroup Regarding 2014 MHI Deep 7 Stock 
Assessment
    3. Reconsideration of MHI Deep 7 ACL Specification (Action Item)
    4. State of Hawaii BRFA Management Plan
    5. Regulatory Changes Establishing a Market Delay for the Sale and 
Removal of Non-commercial Bag Limits for MHI Bottomfish (Action Item)
    E. Community Projects, Activities and Issues
    1. Report on Puwalu
    2. Council Marine Science Summer Class
    3. Outreach and Education Report
    F. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
    G. SSC Recommendations
    H. Public Hearing
    I. Council Discussion and Action
10. Protected Species
    A. Report on the Hawaii Deep-set Longline Biological Opinion
    B. Draft 2014 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
    C. Updates on Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection 
Act Actions
    1. Final Determination to List Corals under the ESA
    2. Final Determination to List Scalloped Hammerhead Shark under the 
ESA
    3. 90-day Finding on a Petition to List Seven Species of 
Pomacentrid Reef Fish under the ESA
    4. Green Turtle Status Review
    5. North Pacific Humpback Whale Status Review
    6. Update on the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan 
Implementation
    7. Proposed 2015 List of Fisheries
    8. Other Relevant Actions
    D. SSC Recommendations
    E. Public Comment
    F. Council Discussion and Action
11. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday October 23, 2014

12. Mariana Archipelago
    A. Guam
    1. Isla Informe
    2. Legislative Report
    3. Enforcement Issues
    4. Community Activities and Issues
    B. Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
    1. Arongol Fal[uacute]
    2. Legislative Report
    3. Enforcement Issues
    4. Bottomfish Area Closure Modification (Action Item)
    5. Community Activities and Issues
    C. Marianas Trench Marine National Monument: Islands, Volcanic, and 
Trench Units
    D. SSC Recommendations
    E. Public Hearing
    F. Council Discussion and Action
13. Pelagic & International Fisheries
    A. FEP Amendment for RFMO Measures
    1. Development of a Framework Process to Implement RFMO 
Conservation and Management Measures under the Pelagic FEP
    2. Draft Proposed Regulations to Address Overfishing and Overfished 
Status of WCPO NP Striped Marlin (Action Item)
    B. Bigeye Stock Status (Action Item)
    C. Hawaii Yellowfin and Bigeye Commercial Minimum Size Limit 
(Action Item)
    D. American Samoa Exclusive Economic Zone Albacore Catch Limit 
(Action Item)
    E. Report on Disproportionate Burden Workshop
    F. International Fisheries
    1. WCPFC Science Committee
    2. WCPFC Northern Committee
    3. WCPFC Technical and Compliance Committee
    4. US Permanent Advisory Committee
    G. Proposed Expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National 
Monument
    H. SSC Recommendations
    I. Standing Committee Recommendations
    J. Public Hearing
    K. Council Discussion and Recommendations
14. Administrative Matters
    A. Council Member and Staff Ethics Training
    B. Financial Reports
    C. Administrative Reports
    D. Council Family Changes
    E. Meetings and Workshops
    F. Report on Operational Guidelines Workshop
    G. Report on MSA Reauthorization
    H. Other Business
    I. Standing Committee Recommendations
    J. Public Comment
    K. Council Discussion and Action
15. Election of Officers
16. Other Business
    Non-Emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before 
the Council for discussion and formal Council action during its 161st 
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.

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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 22, 2014.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-22898 Filed 9-25-14; 8:45 am]
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