[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 10678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04865]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG083


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting via webinar.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council's is convening an 
ad-hoc sub-panel of its Scientific and Statistical Committee to peer 
review two reports.

DATES: This webinar will be held on Friday, March 30, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. 
Webinar registration URL information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7860925786623688961. Call in information: +1 (951) 384-3421, 
Attendee Access Code: 937-123-775.

ADDRESSES: Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 
Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Agenda

    The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is convening 
an ad-hoc sub-panel of its Scientific and Statistical Committee to peer 
review two reports. These reports are:
     Powell, Eric N., Kelsey Kuykendall, and Paula Moreno. 
Analysis of ancillary survey data and surfclam fishery tow data for the 
Georges Shoals Habitat Management Area on Georges Bank and the Great 
South Channel Habitat Management Area. Science Center for Marine 
Fisheries, August 2016. 29p.
     Powell, Eric N., Roger Mann, Kelsey M. Kuykendall, M. 
Chase Long, and Jeremy Timbs. The ``East of Nantucket'' Survey. Science 
Center for Marine Fisheries, February 2018. 33p.
    The Council plans to use the results of these studies to support 
decision making in a fishery management plan framework adjustment. The 
Council is seeking advice from peer reviewers about how the data and 
conclusions from the two studies might be used to support development 
and evaluation of alternatives to consider possible exemption areas for 
hydraulic clam dredge gear within the newly designated Great South 
Channel habitat management area. This 748 nm\2\ management area 
overlaps Nantucket Shoals, and is located approximately 12 nm southeast 
of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 6 nm east of Nantucket Island. The 
reports summarize hydraulic dredge survey information for the habitat 
management area, including catches of clams and clam shells as well as 
other components of the seafloor substrate. Other business will be 
discussed as needed.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained on the agenda may come 
before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
of formal action during this meeting. Council action will be restricted 
to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues 
arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action 
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public 
has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to 
address the emergency. The public also should be aware that the meeting 
will be recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the 
recording is available upon request.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at (978) 465-
0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

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

    Dated: March 7, 2018.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04865 Filed 3-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P