[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 26939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09628]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA139]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Meeting of the Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Advisory Panel

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: NMFS will hold a 1-day Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) 
Advisory Panel (AP) meeting via webinar in May 2020. The intent of the 
meeting is to consider options for the conservation and management of 
Atlantic HMS. The meeting is open to the public.

DATES: The AP meeting and webinar will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 
p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

ADDRESSES: The meeting on Tuesday, May 21, will be accessible via 
conference call and webinar. Conference call and webinar access 
information are available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/event/may-2020-hms-advisory-panel-meeting.
    Participants are strongly encouraged to log/dial in 15 minutes 
prior to the meeting. NMFS will show the presentations via webinar and 
allow public comment during identified times on the agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cooper at (301) 427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., as amended by the 
Sustainable Fisheries Act, Public Law 104-297, provided for the 
establishment of an AP to assist in the collection and evaluation of 
information relevant to the development of any FMP or FMP amendment for 
Atlantic HMS. NMFS consults with and considers the comments and views 
of AP members when preparing and implementing FMPs or FMP amendments 
for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks. The AP has 
previously consulted with NMFS on all Atlantic HMS FMPs and FMP 
amendments since the inception of the AP in 1998.
    Generally AP meetings are held in-person, but because of current 
restrictions on travel and public gatherings this AP meeting will be 
conducted via webinar. The intent of this meeting is to consider 
alternatives for the conservation and management of all Atlantic tunas, 
swordfish, billfish, and shark fisheries. We anticipate discussing:
     Draft Amendment 12, which would update the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP using revised National Standard guidelines;
     A proposed rule and Environmental Assessment to modify 
shark and swordfish retention limits;
     Updates on the bluefin tuna fishery and Amendment 13 
(bluefin tuna).
    We also anticipate inviting other NMFS offices and the United 
States Coast Guard to provide updates, if available, on their 
activities relevant to HMS fisheries.
    Additional information on the meeting and a copy of the draft 
agenda will be posted prior to the meeting at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/event/may-2020-hms-advisory-panel-meeting.

    Dated: April 30, 2020.
H[eacute]l[egrave]ne M.N. Scalliet,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-09628 Filed 5-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P