[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11505-11507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03911]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA901]


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 a partially closed meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold its 139th Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Pelagic and 
International Standing Committee, Executive and Budget Standing 
Committee, and 185th Council meetings to take actions on fishery 
management issues in the Western Pacific Region. A portion of the 
Council's Executive and Budget Standing Committee meeting will be 
closed to the public for a briefing on litigation by counsel.

DATES: The meetings will be held between March 16 and March 25, 2021. 
For specific times and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held by web conference via WebEx. 
Instructions for connecting to the web conference and providing oral 
public comments will be posted on the Council website at 
www.wpcouncil.org. For assistance with the web conference connection, 
contact the Council office at (808) 522-8220.
    The following venues will be the host sites for the 185th Council 
meeting: Cliff Pointe, 304 W O'Brien Drive, Hagatna, Guam; BRI 
Building, Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St., Garapan, Saipan, CNMI; and, Tedi 
of Samoa Building Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, American Samoa.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All times shown are in Hawaii Standard Time. 
The 139th SSC meeting will be held between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 
16-18, 2021. The Pelagic and International Standing Committee will be 
held between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on March 22, 2021. The Executive and 
Budget Standing Committee meeting will be held between 3:30 p.m. and 
5:30 p.m. on March 22, 2021. The portion of the Executive and Budget 
Standing Committee from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.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 185th Council 
meeting will be held between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 23-25, 2021.
    Please note that the evolving public health situation regarding 
COVID-19 may affect the conduct of the March Council and its associated 
meetings. At the time this notice was submitted for publication, the 
Council anticipated convening the Council meeting by web conference 
with host site locations in Guam, CNMI and American Samoa. Council 
staff will monitor COVID-19 developments and will determine the extent 
to which in-person public participation at host sites will be allowable 
consistent with applicable local and federal safety and health 
guidelines. If public participation will be limited to web conference 
only or on a first-come-first-serve basis consistent with applicable 
guidelines, the Council will post notice on its website at 
www.wpcouncil.org.
    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 for the 185th Council meeting will be 
available at www.wpcouncil.org. Written public comments on final action 
items at the 185th Council meeting should be received at the Council 
office by 5 p.m. HST, March 19, 2021, and 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; or email: 
[email protected]. Written public comments on all other agenda 
items may be submitted for the record by email throughout the duration 
of the meeting. Instructions for providing oral public comments during 
the meeting will be posted on the Council website. This meeting will be 
recorded for the purposes of generating the minutes of the meeting.

Agenda for the 139th Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Introductions
2. Approval of Draft Agenda and Assignment of Rapporteurs
3. Status of the 138th SSC Meeting Recommendations
4. Report from Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Director
5. Program Planning and Research
A. NMFS Briefing on Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate 
Crisis at Home and Abroad
B. SSC Three-Year Plan
C. Updates to the Pacific Island Stock Assessment Prioritization
D. Integration of the `Catch it Log it' app information into fisheries 
assessments and monitoring
E. Socio-Economic Context for Fisher-Shark Interaction in the Marianas
F. Public Comment
G. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
6. Island Fisheries
A. Main Hawaiian Island (MHI) Deep 7 Bottomfish Fishery
1. Report on the MHI Deep 7 Bottomfish Western Pacific Stock Assessment 
Review (WPSAR)
2. 2021 Deep 7 Bottomfish Stock Assessment Update
3. Updates to the Acceptable Biological Catch (Action Item)
B. Territorial Bottomfish Fisheries

[[Page 11506]]

1. Approaches for Managing the American Samoa Bottomfish Fishery
2. Impact Analyses of the Guam Bottomfish Management Unit Species 
(BMUS) Rebuilding Plan (Action Items)
C. Public Comment
D. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A. Seabird Mitigation Measures in the Hawaii Longline Fishery
1. Options for Modifying Shallow-set Longline Fishery Seabird 
Mitigation Measures
2. Draft Tori Line Specifications for Deep-set Longline Fishery
B. Shallow-set Longline Reasonable and Prudent Measures Working Group 
Update
C. SSC Working Group on False Killer Whale Take Reduction Measures
D. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Consultations for the Hawaii Deep-set 
Longline Fishery, American Samoa Longline Fishery, and Bottomfish 
Fisheries
E. ESA and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Updates
F. Public Comment
G. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
8. Pelagic Fisheries
A. American Samoa Longline Annual Fishery Report
B. Hawaii Longline Annual Fishery Report
C. Monte Carlo Analyses of Longline Mitigation Measures
D. Oceanic Whitetip Shark Working Group Report and Options Document to 
Address MSA 304(i) Obligations
E. Wire Leader Regulatory Amendment for the Hawaii Longline fishery 
(Action Item)
F. Addressing MSA 304(i) Obligations for Western & Central North 
Pacific Striped Marlin
1. Addressing Mitigation Measures to Move Towards Ending International 
Overfishing
2. US Catch Limits for Western & Central North Pacific Striped Marlin 
(Action Item)
G. International Fisheries
1. South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) 
Science Committee
2. Report of Outcomes of the 17th Session of the Western Central 
Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
3. Conceptual Frame for Workshop on Bigeye Tuna Management in Western 
Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) Longline Fisheries
4. Outcomes of the 34th Fisheries and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 
Committee on Fisheries (COFI)
H. Public Comment
I. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

Thursday, March 18, 2021, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

9. Other Business
A. June 2021 SSC Meetings Dates
10. Summary of SSC Recommendations to the Council

Agenda for the Pelagic and International Standing Committee

Monday, March 22, 2021, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

1. Oceanic Whitetip Shark Working Group Report and Options Document to 
Address MSA 304(i) Obligations
2. Wire Leader Regulatory Amendment in Hawaii Longline Fisheries 
(Initial Action)
3. Addressing MSA 304(i) Obligations for Western & Central North 
Pacific Striped Marlin
A. Addressing Mitigation Measures to Move Towards Ending International 
Overfishing
B. US Catch Limits for Western & Central North Pacific Striped Marlin 
(Final Action)
4. Outcomes of the 34th FAO COFI
5. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
5. Other Issues
6. Public Comment
7. Discussion and Recommendations

Agenda for the Executive and Budget Standing Committee

Monday, March 22, 2021, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
CLOSED)

1. Financial Reports
2. Administrative Reports
3. Coral Critical Habitat Working Group and Council Response
4. Council Family Changes
5. Update on Litigation (Closed Session--pursuant to MSA Sec.  
302(i)(3))
6. Meetings and Workshops
7. Other Issues
8. Public Comment
9. Discussion and Recommendations

Agenda for the 185th Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of the 185th Agenda
3. Approval of the 184th Meeting Minutes
4. Executive Director's Report
5. Agency Reports
A. National Marine Fisheries Service
1. Pacific Islands Regional Office
2. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
B. NOAA Office of General Counsel Pacific Islands Section
C. Enforcement
1. U.S. Coast Guard
2. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
3. NOAA Office of General Counsel Enforcement Section
D. U.S. State Department
E. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
F. Public Comment
G. Council Discussion and Action
6. Pelagic & International Fisheries
A. American Samoa Longline Annual Fishery Report
B. Hawaii Longline Annual Fishery Report
C. Oceanic Whitetip Shark Working Group Report and Options Document to 
Address MSA 304(i) Obligations
D. Wire Leader Regulatory Amendment in Hawaii Longline Fisheries 
(Initial Action)
E. Addressing MSA 304(i) Obligations for Western & Central North 
Pacific Striped Marlin
1. Addressing Mitigation Measures to Move Towards Ending International 
Overfishing
2. U.S. Catch Limits for Western & Central North Pacific Striped Marlin 
(Final Action)
F. International Fisheries
1. Report of Outcomes of the SPRFMO Meeting
2. Report of Outcomes of the 17th Session of the WCPFC
3. Conceptual Frame for Workshop on Bigeye Tuna Management in WCPO 
Longline Fisheries
4. Outcomes of the 34th FAO COFI
G. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Pelagic Plan Team
2. Advisory Panel
3. Fishing Industry Advisory Committee
4. Non-Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee
5. Scientific & Statistical Committee
H. Standing Committee Report and Recommendations
I. Public Comment
J. Council Discussion and Action

Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

7. Protected Species
A. Seabird Mitigation Measures
1. Options for Modifying Shallow-set Longline Fishery Seabird 
Mitigation Measures
2. Draft Tori Line Specifications for Deep-set Longline Fishery

[[Page 11507]]

B. Shallow-set Longline Reasonable and Prudent Measures Working Group 
Update
C. ESA Consultations for the Hawaii Deep-set Longline Fishery, American 
Samoa Longline Fishery, and Bottomfish Fisheries
D. ESA and MMPA Updates
E. Coral Critical Habitat Working Group and Council Response
F. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Pelagic Plan Team
2. Advisory Panel
3. Fishing Industry Advisory Committee
4. Non-Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee
5. Scientific & Statistical Committee
G. Public Comment
H. Council Discussion and Action
8. American Samoa Archipelago
A. Motu Lipoti
B. Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Report
1. CARES Act distribution of funds
2. Coral Reef Fishery Management Plan
C. Department of Commerce Alia Tele Project
D. Post Authority Malaloa Commercial Dock Extension Update
E. American Samoa Bottomfish Fisheries
1. Territorial Bottomfish Fishery Management Plan
2. Approaches for Bottomfish Fishery Management
F. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Advisory Panel
2. Fishing Industry Advisory Committee
3. Non-Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee
4. Scientific & Statistical Committee
G. Public Comment
H. Council Discussion and Action
9. Mariana Archipelago
A. Guam
1. Isla Informe
2. Department of Agriculture/Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources 
Report
a. CARES Act distribution of funds
b. Mandatory Licensing and Reporting
c. Coral Reef Fishery Management Plan
3. Environmental Assessment of the Guam Bottomfish Stock Rebuilding 
Plan (Final Action)
4. Socio-Economic Context for Fisher-Shark Interaction in the Marianas
B. CNMI
1. Arongol Fal[uacute]
2. Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)/Division of Fish and 
Wildlife Report
a. CARES Act distribution of funds
b. Mandatory Licensing and Reporting Implementation
C. Advisory Group Reports and Recommendations
1. Advisory Panel
2. Fishing Industry Advisory Committee
3. Non-Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee
4. Scientific & Statistical Committee
D. Public Comment
E. Council Discussion and Action

Thursday, March 25, 2021, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

10. Program Planning and Research
A. National Legislative Report
B. NMFS Briefing on Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate 
Crisis at Home and Abroad
C. Three Year SSC Plan
D. Updates on the CatchIt LogIt Implementation
E. Integration of the `CatchIt LogIt' app information into fisheries 
assessments and monitoring
F. Fisheries 101 Capacity Building
G. Updates to the Pacific Island Stock Assessment Prioritization
H. Regional Communications & Outreach Report
I. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Advisory Panel
2. Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee
3. Fishing Industry Advisory Committee
4. Non-Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee
5. Scientific & Statistical Committee
J. Public Comment
K. Council Discussion and Action
11. Hawai`i Archipelago & Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA)
A. Moku Pepa
B. DLNR/Division of Aquatic Resources Report
1. CARES Act funding distribution
C. Main Hawaiian Island Deep 7 Bottomfish Fishery
1. Updates to the Deep 7 Bottomfish Complex Stock Assessment
2. Report on the WPSAR of the Deep 7 Bottomfish Update
3. Update to the Deep 7 Bottomfish Annual Catch Limits (Initial Action)
D. Hawaii Non-Commercial Data Collection Plans
E. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
1. Advisory Panel
2. Fishing Industry Advisory Committee
3. Non-Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee
4. Scientific & Statistical Committee
F. Public Comment
G. Council Discussion and Action
12. Administrative Matters
A. Financial Reports
B. Administrative Reports
C. Council Coordination Committee
D. Council Family Changes
E. Meetings and Workshops
F. Standing Committee Report and Recommendations
G. Public Comment
H. 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 185th 
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 22, 2021.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03911 Filed 2-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P