[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 212 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61163-61164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24252]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB510]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review Workshops Advisory Panel

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

ACTION: Notice; nominations for shark stock assessment advisory panel.

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SUMMARY: NMFS solicits nominations for the Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species (HMS) Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Workshops 
Advisory Panel, also known as the ``SEDAR Pool.'' The SEDAR Pool is 
comprised of a group of individuals who may be selected to consider 
data and advise NMFS regarding the scientific information, including 
but not limited to data and models, used in stock assessments for 
oceanic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean 
Sea. Nominations are being sought for 5-year appointments (2022-2027). 
Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and commercial 
fishing and related industries, environmental community, academia, and 
non-governmental organizations will be considered for membership on the 
SEDAR Pool.

DATES: Nominations must be received on or before December 6, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit nominations and request the SEDAR Pool 
Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures electronically via 
email to [email protected].
    Additional information on SEDAR and the SEDAR guidelines can be 
found at http://sedarweb.org/. The terms of reference for the SEDAR 
Pool, along with a list of current members, can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/southeast-data-assessment-and-review-and-atlantic-highly.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karyl Brewster-Geisz, (301) 425-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic HMS shark fisheries are managed 
under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The 2006 
Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated 
HMS FMP) and its amendments are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR 
part 635 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Atlantic Tunas 
Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.).

Background

    Section 302(g)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act states that each 
Council shall establish such advisory panels as are necessary or 
appropriate to assist it in carrying out its functions under the Act. 
For the purposes of this section, NMFS applies the above provision to 
Atlantic HMS management (See section 304(g)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, which provides that the Secretary will

[[Page 61164]]

prepare Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for HMS and consult with 
Advisory Panels under section 302(g) for such FMPs). As such, NMFS has 
established the SEDAR Pool under this section. The SEDAR Pool currently 
consists of 30 individuals, each of whom may be selected to review data 
and advise NMFS regarding the scientific information, including but not 
limited to data and models, used in stock assessments for oceanic 
sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. While 
the SEDAR Pool was created specifically for Atlantic oceanic sharks, it 
may be expanded to include other HMS, as needed.
    The primary responsibility of individuals in the SEDAR Pool is to 
review, at SEDAR workshops, the scientific information (including but 
not limited to data and models) used in stock assessments that are used 
to advise NMFS about the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS, 
specifically but not limited to, Atlantic sharks. Individuals in the 
SEDAR Pool, if selected for a particular workshop, may participate in 
the various data, assessment, and review workshops during the SEDAR 
process of any HMS stock assessment. In order to ensure that the review 
is unbiased, individuals who participated in a data and/or assessment 
workshop for a particular stock assessment will not be allowed to serve 
as SEDAR Pool reviewers for the same stock assessment. However, these 
individuals may be asked to attend the review workshop to answer 
specific questions from the reviewers concerning the data and/or 
assessment workshops. Members of the SEDAR Pool may serve as members of 
other Advisory Panels concurrent with, or following, their service on 
the SEDAR Pool.

Procedures and Guidelines

A. Participants

    The SEDAR Pool is comprised of individuals representing the 
commercial and recreational fishing communities for Atlantic sharks, 
the environmental community active in the conservation and management 
of Atlantic sharks, and the academic community that have relevant 
expertise either with sharks and/or stock assessment methodologies for 
marine fish species. In addition, individuals who may not necessarily 
work directly with sharks, but who are involved in fisheries with 
similar life history, biology, and fishery issues may be part of the 
SEDAR Pool. Members of the SEDAR Pool must have demonstrated experience 
in the fisheries, related industries, research, teaching, writing, 
conservation, or management of marine organisms. The distribution of 
representation among the interested parties is not defined or limited.
    Additional members of the SEDAR Pool may also include 
representatives from each of the five Atlantic Regional Fishery 
Management Councils, each of the 18 Atlantic states, both the U.S. 
Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and each of the relevant interstate 
commissions: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the 
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
    If NMFS requires additional members to ensure a diverse pool of 
individuals for data or assessment workshops, NMFS may request 
individuals to become members of the SEDAR Pool outside of the annual 
nomination period.
    SEDAR Pool members serve at the discretion of the Secretary. Not 
all members will attend each SEDAR workshop. Rather, NMFS will invite 
certain members to participate at specific stock assessment workshops 
dependent on their ability to participate, discuss, and offer 
scientific input and advice regarding the species being assessed.
    NMFS is not obligated to fulfill any requests (e.g., requests for 
an assessment of a certain species) that may be made by the SEDAR Pool 
or its individual members. Members of the SEDAR Pool who are invited to 
attend stock assessment workshops will not be compensated for their 
services but may be reimbursed for their travel-related expenses to 
attend such workshops.

B. Nomination Procedures for Appointments to the SEDAR Pool

    Member tenure will be for 5 years. Nominations are sought for terms 
beginning early in 2022 and expiring in 2027. Nomination packages 
should include:
    1. The name, address, phone number, and email of the applicant or 
nominee;
    2. A description of the applicant's or nominee's interest in 
Atlantic shark stock assessments or the Atlantic shark fishery;
    3. A statement of the applicant's or nominee's background and/or 
qualifications; and
    4. A written commitment that the applicant or nominee shall 
participate actively and in good faith in the tasks of the SEDAR Pool, 
as requested.

C. Meeting Schedule

    Individual members of the SEDAR Pool meet to participate in stock 
assessments at the discretion of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 
NMFS. Stock assessment timing, frequency, and relevant species will 
vary depending on the needs determined by NMFS and SEDAR staff. In 2022 
and continuing through 2023, NMFS intends to complete a research track 
assessment for the hammerhead shark species in the hammerhead shark 
management group. During an assessment year, meetings and meeting 
logistics will be determined according to the SEDAR Guidelines. All 
meetings are open for observation by the public.

    Dated: November 2, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24252 Filed 11-4-21; 8:45 am]
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