[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7162-7165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03413]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG035


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, hearings, and a partially closed 
meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold its Social Science Planning Committee (SSPC) meeting, 128th 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting, 172nd Council 
meeting and its associated meetings to take actions on fishery 
management issues in the Western Pacific Region. A portion of the 
Council's Executive, Budget and Legislative Standing Committee meeting 
will be closed to the public.

DATES: The meetings will be held between March 5 and March 16, 2018. 
For specific times and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The SSPC; 128th SSC; the Council's Pelagic and International 
Standing Committee and Executive, Budget and Legislative Standing 
Committee meetings will be held at the Council office, 1164 Bishop 
Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone: (808) 522-8220. The 
172nd Council meeting will be held at the Laniakea YWCA, Fuller Hall, 
1040 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone: (808) 538-7061. The 
Fishers Forum will be held at the Pomaika`i Ballrooms at Dole Cannery 
Iwilei, 735 Iwilei Rd., Honolulu, HI 96817, phone: (808) 369-8600.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; phone: (808) 522-8220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SSPC meeting will be held between 1 p.m. 
and 5 p.m. on March 5, 2018. The 128th SSC meeting will be held between 
8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 6-8, 2018. The Executive, Budget and 
Legislative Standing Committee meeting will be held on March 13, 2018, 
from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The portion of the Executive, Budget and 
Legislative Standing Committee meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. will 
be closed to the public in accordance with Section 302(i)(3) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The 
Pelagic and International Standing Committee will be held on March 13, 
2018, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The 172nd Council meeting will be held 
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 14-16, 2018. On March 14, 2018, 
the Council will host a Fishers Forum between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. All 
times listed are local island times.
    Agenda items noted as ``Final Action Items'' refer to actions that 
result in Council transmittal of a proposed fishery management plan, 
proposed plan amendment, or proposed regulations to the U.S. Secretary 
of Commerce, under Sections 304 or 305 of the MSA. In addition to the 
agenda items listed here, the Council and its advisory bodies will hear 
recommendations from Council advisors. An opportunity to submit public 
comment will be provided throughout the agendas. The order in which 
agenda items are addressed may change and will be announced in advance 
at the Council meeting. The meetings will run as late as necessary to 
complete scheduled business. Background documents will be available 
from, and written comments should be sent to, Kitty M. Simonds, 
Executive Director; Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1164 
Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone: (808) 522-8220 or 
fax: (808) 522-8226.

[[Page 7163]]

Agenda for the SSPC Meeting

Monday, March 5, 2018, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. New Emerging Issues by Region
    A. American Samoa
    B. CNMI
    C. Guam
    D. Hawaii
3. Review of the Draft 2017 Socioeconomic Module of the Annual Stock 
Assessment and Fisheries Evaluation (SAFE) Report
4. Report on PIFSC Response to the External Review
5. Review and Update of SSPC Research Priorities
6. Recommendations
7. Other Business

Agenda for 128th SSC Meeting

Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Introductions
2. Approval of Draft Agenda and Assignment of Rapporteurs
3. Status of the 127th SSC Meeting Recommendations
4. Report from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Director
5. Insular Fisheries
    A. Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Fishery
1. Report on the Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) of the 
Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Fishery
2. Stock assessment for the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish 
Complex 2018, with Catch Projections Through 2022
    B. Options for Refining Precious Corals Essential Fish Habitat 
(EFH) (Initial Action Item)
    C. Updates to the Ecosystem Component Classification (Initial 
Action Item)
    D. Public Comment
    E. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
6. Program Planning and Research
    A. Report on the National Scientific Coordinating Subcommittee 
(SCS) Meeting 6
    B. Potential Ecosystem Indicators for Nearshore Fisheries
    C. Implementing Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) in the 
Western Pacific Region
    D. Updating the Management Strategy Evaluation Priorities
    E. Public Comment
    F. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

Wednesday, March 7, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

7. Pelagic Fisheries
    A. Hawaii Longline Fisheries
1. Hawaii Annual Longline Fisheries Report
2. Framework for Managing Sea Turtle Interactions in the Hawaii 
Shallow-set Longline Fishery (Initial Action Item)
    B. U.S. Territory Longline Bigeye Specification (Final Action Item)
    C. American Samoa Longline Fisheries
1. American Samoa Annual Longline Fisheries Report
2. American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area (Final Action Item)
    a. Report on American Samoa Cultural Fishing
3. American Samoa Swordfish Trip Limit (Final Action Item)
    D. Electronic Monitoring and Reporting
1. Electronic Monitoring in the Hawaii Longline Fisheries
2. Electronic Reporting in the Hawaii Longline Fisheries
3. Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) Observer Program Electronic 
Reporting
    E. International Fisheries
1. Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) 14 Outcomes
    F. Public Comment
    G. SSC Discussion and Action
8. Protected Species
    A. Report of the Albatross Workshop
    B. Report of the 2017 Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem 
Assessment Survey
    C. False Killer Whale Take Reduction Measures
    D. Updates on Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection 
Act Actions
1. Insular False Killer Whale Critical Habitat
2. Insular False Killer Whale Recovery Plan
3. Coral Critical Habitat
4. Loggerhead Turtle Recovery Plan
5. Oceanic Whitetip Shark and Giant Manta Ray Listing Final Rules
6. Other Actions
    E. Public Comment
    F. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

Thursday, March 8, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

9. Other Business
    A. 129th SSC Meeting
    B. Updates From the Social Science Planning Committee
    C. Revisions to the SSC three year plan
10. Summary of SSC Recommendations to the Council

Agenda for the Executive, Budget and Legislative Standing Committee

Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 9 a.m. to 12 noon (9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
CLOSED)

1. Administrative Report
2. Financial Report
3. 2018 Council Member Appointments
4. Update on Litigation (Closed Session--pursuant to MSA Sec.  
302(i)(3))
5. Meetings and Workshops
6. Council Family Changes
7. Standard Operating Policies and Procedures (SOPP) Changes
8. Other Issues
9. Public Comment
10. Discussion and Recommendations

Agenda for the Pelagic and International Standing Committee

Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Introduction and Opening of Committee Meeting
2. American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area (Final Action Item)
3. American Samoa Longline Swordfish Trip Limit (Final Action Item)
4. Framework for Managing Sea Turtle Interactions in the Hawaii 
Shallow-set Longline Fishery (Initial Action Item)
5. U.S. Territory Longline Bigeye Specification (Final Action Item)
6. Pelagics FEP Frameworks
    A. Amend Recommendation Made at the 161st Meeting to the Pelagic 
FEP Amendment To Establish a Framework for the Specification of WCPFC 
Catch and Effort Limits for U.S. Pelagic Fisheries in the Western 
Pacific Region To Include Other Measures, IATTC and any other RFMO 
legislation that authorizes implementation under the MSA (Final Action 
Item)
    B. Modification to US Participating Territory Catch and Effort 
Limit Amendment 7 Framework (Final Action Item)
7. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    A. Advisory Panels
    B. Scientific & Statistical Committee
8. Other Issues
9. Public Comment
10. Committee Discussion and Action

Agenda for 172nd Council Meeting

Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of the 172nd Agenda
3. Approval of the 171st Meeting Minutes
4. Executive Director's Report
5. Agency Reports

[[Page 7164]]

    A. National Marine Fisheries Service
1. Pacific Islands Regional Office
    a. Status of Executive Order 13795 Review
2. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
    B. NOAA Office of General Counsel, Pacific Islands Section
    C. U.S. State Department
    D. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1. Status of Executive Order 13792 Review
    E. Enforcement
1. U.S. Coast Guard
2. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
3. NOAA Office of General Counsel, Enforcement Section
    F. Legislative Standing Committee Recommendations
    G. Public Comment
    H. Council Discussion and Action
6. Hawaii Archipelago & Pacific Remote Island Areas
    A. Moku Pepa
    B. Legislative Report
    C. Enforcement Issues
    D. Community Issues
1. Report of Puwalu Umi
    E. Identifying Priority Areas for Effective Management of at least 
30% of Hawaii's Nearshore Waters
    F. Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish Fishery
1. Report on the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish WPSAR
2. Stock Assessment for the Main Hawaiian Islands Deep 7 Bottomfish 
Complex 2018, with Catch Projections Through 2022
    G. SSC Review of the Terms of Reference for the WPSAR of the Kona 
crab benchmark assessment
    H. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    I. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Hawaii Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan Advisory Panel
2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    J. Public Comment
    K. Council Discussion and Action
7. Protected Species
    A. Report of the Albatross Workshop
    B. Report of the 2017 Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem 
Assessment Survey
    C. False Killer Whale Take Reduction Measures
    D. Updates on Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection 
Act Actions
1. Insular False Killer Whale Critical Habitat
2. Insular False Killer Whale Recovery Plan
3. Coral Critical Habitat
4. Loggerhead Turtle Recovery Plan
5. Oceanic Whitetip Shark and Giant Manta Ray Listing Final Rules
6. Other Actions
    E. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Advisory Panels
2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    F. Public Comment
    G. Council Discussion and Action

Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 4 p.m.

Public Comment on Non-agenda Items

Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Fishers Forum--Hawai`i Fisheries: Getting the Full Story

Thursday, March 15, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

8. Program Planning and Research
    A. Updates on the Ecosystem Component Species Classification 
(Initial Action Item)
    B. Omnibus Amendment To Establish an Aquaculture Management Program 
(Initial Action Item)
    C. Options for Refining Precious Corals EFH (Initial Action Item)
    D. Report on the National SCS Meeting 6
    E. Potential Ecosystem Indicators for Nearshore Fisheries
    F. Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the Western Pacific 
Region
    G. Scoping Report on Non-Fishing Impacts to EFH
    H. Update on Regional Coastal Marine Spatial Planning/Ocean 
Planning Efforts
    I. Regional, National and International Outreach & Education
    J. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Advisory Panels
2. Hawaii Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committee
3. Joint Advisory Group
    a. CNMI
    b. Guam
4. Archipelagic Plan Team
5. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    K. Public Hearing
    L. Council Discussion and Action
9. Pelagic & International Fisheries
    A. Hawaii Longline Fisheries
1. Hawaii Annual Longline Fisheries Report
2. Framework for Managing Sea Turtle Interactions in the Hawaii 
Shallow-set Longline Fishery (Initial Action Item)
    B. U.S. Territory Longline Bigeye Specification (Final Action Item)
    C. Pelagics FEP Frameworks
1. Amend recommendation made at the 161st meeting to the Pelagic FEP 
Amendment to Establish a Framework for the Specification of WCPFC Catch 
and Effort Limits for U.S. Pelagic Fisheries in the Western Pacific 
Region To Include Other Measures, IATTC and Any Other RFMO Legislation 
That Authorizes Implementation Under the MSA (Final Action Item)
2. Modification to U.S. Participating Territory Catch and Effort Limit 
Amendment 7 Framework (Final Action Item)
    D. American Samoa Longline Fisheries
1. American Samoa Annual Longline Fisheries Report
2. American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area (Final Action Item)
    a. Report on American Samoa Cultural Fishing
3. American Samoa Swordfish Trip Limit (Final Action Item)
    E. Update on Electronic Monitoring and Reporting
1. Electronic Monitoring in the Hawaii Longline Fisheries
2. Electronic Reporting in the Hawaii Longline Fisheries
3. PIRO Observer Program Electronic Reporting
    F. International Fisheries Meetings
1. WCPFC 14 Outcomes
2. SPRFMO 6 Outcomes
    G. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Advisory Panels
2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    H. Pelagic & International Standing Committee Recommendations
    I. Public Hearing
    J. Council Discussion and Action
10. American Samoa Archipelago
    A. Motu Lipoti
    B. Fono Report
    C. Enforcement Issues
    D. Community Activities and Issues
1. Aunu`u Ice Machine
2. Report on Tuna Canneries
    a. StarKist Resumes Operations in November 2017
    b. Status of Tri-Marine STP Operations in American Samoa
3. ASG Fisheries Development Projects
    a. Malaloa Longline Dock Extension Project
    b. Tutuila and Manu`a Alia Repair
    c. Fishermen Training Program
    d. Working Alia Project and Loan Program Update
    e. Fagatogo Fish Market & Bottomfish Export
    E. Status of Manu`a Fishermen's Cooperatives
    F. American Samoa Marine Conservation Plan (Final Action Item)
    G. Education and Outreach
1. Report on Council Scholarship Students
2. Lunar Calendar
    H. Advisory Group Reports and Recommendations

[[Page 7165]]

1. American Samoa Archipelago Advisory Panel
2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    I. Public Hearing
    J. Council Discussion and Action

Friday, March 16, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11. Mariana Archipelago
    A. Guam
1. Isla Informe
2. Legislative Report
3. Enforcement Issues
4. Community Activities and Issues
    a. Update on Territorial Science Initiative
    b. Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Spearfishing Data 
Collection Project
5. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    B. Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
1. Arongol Fal[uacute]/Asunton i Tano
2. Legislative Report
3. Enforcement Issues
4. Community Activities and Issues
5. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    C. Update on Marianas Trench Marine National Monument Management 
Plan and Sanctuary Request
    D. Update on CNMI Marinas and Minimum Size Regulations
    E. Advisory Group Reports and Recommendations
1. Mariana Archipelago FEP Advisory Panel
2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    F. Public Comment
    G. Council Discussion and Action
12. Administrative Matters
    A. Council Member and Staff Annual Training on Standards of Conduct
    B. Financial Reports
    C. Administrative Reports
    D. Update on Information Inquiries and Responses
    E. Council Family Changes
1. Education Committee
2. SSC
    F. Report on the Winter CCC Meeting
    G. SOPP Changes
    H. Meetings and Workshops
    I. 2018 Council Member Appointments
    J. Other Business
    K. Executive and Budget Standing Committee Recommendations
    L. Public Comment
    M. Council Discussion and Action
13. Other Business
    Non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before 
the Council for discussion and formal Council action during its 172nd 
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 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: February 14, 2018.
Jeffrey N. Lonergan,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-03413 Filed 2-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P