[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8568-8570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02950]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA043]


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.

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SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold its 135th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Social 
Science Planning Committee, Program Planning and Research Standing 
Committee, Pelagic and International Standing Committee, Executive and 
Budget Standing Committee, and 181st Council meetings to take actions 
on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.

DATES: The meetings will be held between March 3 and 12, 2020. For 
specific times and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The 135th SSC, Social Science Planning Committee, the 
Council's Executive and Budget Standing Committee, Pelagic and 
International Standing Committee, and Program Planning and Research 
Standing Committee meetings will be held at the Council office, 1164 
Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone: (808) 522-8220. 
The 181st 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 Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha 
Tower Drive, Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813, phone: (808) 544-1453.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 135th SSC meeting will be held between 
8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 3 to 5, 2020. The Social Science Planning 
Committee meeting will be held between 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on March 5, 
2020. The Program Planning and Research Standing Committee will be held 
on March 9, 2020, between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The Pelagic and 
International Standing Committee will be held on March 9, 2020, between 
11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Executive and Budget Standing Committee 
meeting will be held on March 9, 2020, between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The 
181st Council meeting will be held between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 
10, 2020, and between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 11-12, 2020. On 
March 10, 2020, the Council will host a Fishers Forum between 6 p.m. 
and 9 p.m.
    Agenda items noted as ``Final Action'' 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.

Agenda for 135th SSC Meeting

Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Introductions
2. Approval of Draft Agenda and Assignment of Rapporteurs
3. Status of the 134th SSC Meeting Recommendations
4. Report from Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Director
5. Program Planning and Research
    A. Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology
    B. Public Comment
    C. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
6. Island Fisheries
    A. Options Paper to Amend Bottomfish Management Unit Species in the 
American Samoa and Marianas Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEP) (Initial 
Action)
    B. Specifying the Acceptable Biological Catches (ABC) in the 
Marianas Bottomfish Fisheries
    1. P-star analysis
    2. SEEM analysis
    3. Options for ABC in the Marianas Bottomfish Fisheries (Final 
Action)
    C. Interim Measure for American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery
    D. Requirements for Rebuilding Plans
    E. Update on Hawaii Precious Corals Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 
and Associated Bed Designation Issues
    F. Public Comment
    G. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
7. Protected Species
    A. False Killer Whale Abundance Estimates
    B. Assessing Population Level Impacts of Marine Turtle Interactions 
in the Hawaii Deep-set Longline Fishery
    C. Hawaii-based Shallow-set Longline Fishery Biological Opinion 
Reasonable and Prudent Measures Working Group
    D. Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management Project for Protected 
Species Impacts Assessment for Hawaii and American Samoa Longline 
Fisheries
    E. Public Comment
    F. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

SSC Plenary Presentation: Threat Management Plan for Two Endemic 
Subspecies of Dolphins
8. Pelagic Fisheries
    A. American Samoa Longline Annual

[[Page 8569]]

Fishery Report
    B. Hawaii Longline Annual Fishery Report
    C. Bigeye Tuna Research Initiative
    D. Electronic Reporting and Electronic Monitoring
    1. Electronic Technologies Implementation Plan
    2. Pacific Islands Region Longline Electronic Reporting Plan and 
Options for Implementation of Mandatory Reporting
    3. Pacific Islands Regional Observer Program Overview and Costs
    4. 2020 Electronic Monitoring Workshop
    E. U.S. Territory Longline Bigeye Catch/Allocation Limits (Final 
Action)
    F. Deep Sea Mining and Spatial Planning in the Pacific
    G. International Fisheries
    1. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
    a. Conservation and Management Measures on Tropical Tunas
    b. North Pacific Striped Marlin Rebuilding Plan
    H. Report on Scoping Meeting on Small Boat Pelagic Reporting
    I. Public Comment
    J. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

Thursday, March 5, 2020, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

9. Other Business
    A. June 2020 SSC Meetings Dates
    B. National SSC Meeting Trigger Questions
10. Summary of SSC Recommendations to the Council

Agenda for the Social Science Planning Committee

Thursday, March 5, 2020, 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Review of the Social Science Planning Committee Research Plan and 
Priorities
4. NMFS Socioeconomic Aspects in Stock Assessments
5. Social Impact Assessment
6. Cost-benefit Analysis to Evaluate Impacts of Council Management 
Actions
7. Report on OceanObs 2019 Outcomes on Incorporating Traditional 
Knowledge
8. User Group Involvement in Developing Stock Assessments
9. Public Comment
10. Discussion and Recommendations
11. Other Business

Agenda for the Program Planning and Research Standing Committee

Monday, March 9, 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

1. Territorial Bottomfish
    A. Interim Measure for the American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery
    B. Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Accountability Measures (AM) for 
Mariana Archipelago Bottomfish
    1. P* Report and SEEM Report
    2. Alternatives for ACLs and AMs (Final Action)
2. Options Paper to Amend the Bottomfish Management Unit Species in the 
American Samoa and Marianas FEP (Initial Action)
3. Requirements for Rebuilding Plans
4. Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology
5. Update to Council FEPs
6. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    A. Advisory Panel Report
    B. Archipelagic Plan Team Report
    C. Scientific & Statistical Committee
7. Other Issues
8. Public Comment
9. Discussion and Recommendations

Agenda for the Pelagic and International Standing Committee

Monday, March 9, 2020, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

1. Hawaii-based Shallow-set Longline Fishery Biological Opinion 
Reasonable and Prudent Measures Working Group
2. Assessing Population Level Impacts of Marine Turtle Interactions in 
the Hawaii Deep-set Longline Fishery
3. Electronic Reporting and Electronic Monitoring
    A. Electronic Technologies Implementation Plan
    B. Pacific Islands Region Longline Electronic Reporting Plan and 
Options for Implementation of Mandatory Reporting
4. U.S. Territory Longline Bigeye Catch/Allocation Limits (Final 
Action)
5. International Fisheries
    A. WCPFC
    a. Report on 16th Regular Session of the WCPFC
    b. North Pacific Striped Marlin Rebuilding Plan
    B. Outcomes of UN Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) 
Meeting
6. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    A. Advisory Panel
    B. Scientific & Statistical Committee
7. Other Issues
8. Public Comment
9. Discussion and Recommendations

Agenda for the Executive and Budget Standing Committee

Monday, March 9, 2020, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

1. Financial Reports
    A. Current Grants
    B. New Grants
2. Administrative Reports
3. Freedom of Information Act and Congressional Requests
4. Council Coordination Committee Meeting
5. Council Family Changes
    A. Archipelagic Plan Team
    B. American Samoa Advisory Panel
6. Meetings and Workshops
7. Other Issues
8. Public Comment
9. Discussion and Recommendations

Agenda for 181st Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Oath of Office
3. Approval of the 181st Agenda
4. Approval of the 180th Meeting Minutes
5. Executive Director's Report
6. Agency Reports
    A. NOAA Office of General Counsel, Pacific Islands Section
    B. National Marine Fisheries Service
    1. Pacific Islands Regional Office
    2. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
    3. Revising NEPA Procedure Provisions
    C. U.S. State Department
    D. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    E. Enforcement
    1. U.S. Coast Guard
    2. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
    3. NOAA Office of General Counsel, Enforcement Section
    F. Public Comment
    G. Council Discussion and Action
7. Hawaii Archipelago & Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA)
    A. Moku Pepa
    B. Legislative Report
    C. Enforcement Issues
    D. Hawaii Management Initiatives and Research
    1. Report on State of Hawaii Kona Crab Rule Changes
    2. Aquarium Fishery Update
    E. Report on MHI Small-boat Scoping Meetings
    F. Update on Precious Corals EFH and Associated Bed Designation 
Issues
    G. Community Activities and Issues
    H. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    I. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee

[[Page 8570]]

    J. Public Comment
    K. Council Discussion and Action
8. Protected Species
    A. False Killer Whale Abundance Estimate
    B. Status of Endangered Species Act (ESA) Consultations
    C. Pacific Islands Regional Office Green Turtle Recovery Plan 
Implementation
    D. Other ESA and Marine Mammal Protection Act Updates
    E. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    F. Public Comment
    G. Council Discussion and Action

Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 4 p.m.

9. Public Comment on Non-agenda Items

Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Fishers Forum

Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

10. Program Planning and Research
    A. National Legislative Report
    B. Territorial Bottomfish
    1. Interim Measure for the American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery
    2. Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs) for 
Mariana Archipelago Bottomfish
    a. P* Report
    b. SEEM* Report
    c. Alternatives for ACLs and AMs (Final Action)
    C. Options paper to Amend the Bottomfish Management Unit Species in 
the American Samoa and Marianas FEP (Initial Action)
    D. Requirements for Rebuilding Plans
    E. Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology
    F. PRIA and Hawaii Marine Conservation Plans
    G. Update to Council FEPs
    H. Regional, National, & International Outreach & Education
    I. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel Report
    2. Archipelagic Plan Team Report
    3. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    J. Standing Committee Report
    K. Public Comment
    L. Council Discussion and Action
11. Pelagic & International Fisheries
    A. American Samoa Longline Annual Fishery Report
    B. Hawaii Longline Annual Fishery Report
    C. Hawaii-based Shallow-set Longline Fishery Biological Opinion 
Reasonable and Prudent Measures Working Group
    D. Assessing Population Level Impacts of Marine Turtle Interactions 
in the Hawaii Deep-set Longline Fishery
    E. Electronic Reporting and Electronic Monitoring
    1. Electronic Technologies Implementation Plan
    2. Pacific Islands Region Longline Electronic Reporting Plan and 
Options for Implementation of Mandatory Reporting
    3. Pacific Islands Regional Observer Program Overview & Costs
    4. 2020 Electronic Monitoring Workshop
    F. US Territory Longline Bigeye Catch/Allocation Limits (Final 
Action)
    G. Deep Sea Mining and Spatial Planning in the Pacific
    H. International Fisheries
    1. WCPFC
    a. Report on 16th Regular Session of the WCPFC
    b. Conservation & Management Measures on Tropical Tunas
    c. North Pacific Striped Marlin Rebuilding Plan
    2. Outcomes of UN BBNJ Meeting
    I. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    J. Standing Committee Report and Recommendations
    K. Public Comment
    L. Council Discussion and Action

Thursday, March 12, 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

12. American Samoa Archipelago
    A. Motu Lipoti
    B. Fono Report
    C. Enforcement Issues
    D. Management and Research Initiatives
    1. Pacific Insular Fisheries Monitoring Assessment and Planning 
Summit (PIFMAPS) Implementation
    a. Regulation Patch Up
    b. Director Annual Proclamation
    E. Community Activities and Issues
    F. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    G. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    H. Public Comment
    I. Council Discussion and Action
13. Mariana Archipelago
    A. Guam
    1. Isla Informe
    2. Legislative Report
    3. Enforcement Issues
    4. Management and Research Initiatives
    a. PIFMAPS Implementation
    i. Draft Regulations for Licensing
    5. Guam Marine Conservation Plan
    6. Community Activities and Issues
    7. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    B. CNMI
    1. Arongol Fal[uacute]
    2. Legislative Report
    3. Enforcement Issues
    4. Management and Research Initiatives
    a. PIFMAPS Implementation
    i. Issuing Licenses for Fishermen
    b. Reporting App Update
    5. CNMI Marine Conservation Plan
    6. Community Activities and Issues
    7. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    C. Advisory Group Reports and Recommendations
    1. Mariana Archipelago FEP Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    D. Public Comment
    E. Council Discussion and Action
13. Administrative Matters
    A. Financial Reports
    1. Current Grants
    2. New Grants
    B. Administrative Reports
    C. Council Coordination Committee Meeting
    D. Council Family Changes
    1. Archipelagic Plan Team
    2. American Samoa Advisory Panel
    E. Meetings and Workshops
    F. Standing Committee Report
    G. Public Comment
    H. Council Discussion and Action
14. Other Business

    Non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before 
the Council for discussion and formal Council action during its 181st 
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 five days prior to the meeting date.

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

    Dated: February 10, 2020.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-02950 Filed 2-13-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P