[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50829-50830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16440]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[RTID 0648-XD183]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments 15 and 16 to the 
2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management 
Plan

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

ACTION: Notice of additional public hearing locations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On May 5, 2023, NMFS published a proposed rule for Amendment 
15 to the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) on spatial fisheries management and electronic 
monitoring cost allocation. On May 8, 2023, NMFS published a notice of 
intent for scoping of Amendment 16 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on 
shark management. In both actions, NMFS announced several public 
hearings and webinars to provide the opportunity for public comment. 
This notice announces that NMFS is adding a public hearing for both 
Amendment 15 and Amendment 16 based on public interest.

DATES: NMFS will hold one additional public hearing on Draft Amendment 
15 and its proposed rule and another public hearing on the scoping 
document for Amendment 16. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for all 
meeting dates and times. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

[[Page 50830]]

in the Amendment 15 proposed rule (May 5, 2023, 88 FR 29050) and 
Amendment 16 notice of intent (May 8, 2023, 88 FR 29617) for the other 
public hearings and conference calls dates, times, and locations.

ADDRESSES: NMFS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule for 
Amendment 15 and its proposed rule in Panama City, FL, and a public 
hearing on the scoping document for Amendment 16 in San Juan, PR. For 
specific location, date and time see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.
    Electronic copies of the draft document for Amendment 15 to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-15-2006-consolidated-hms-fishery-management-plan-spatial-fisheries-management-and) and the scoping document for Amendment 16 to 
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/scoping-amendment-16-2006-consolidated-atlantic-highly-migratory-species-fishery-management) may be obtained on the internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Guy DuBeck ([email protected]), 
Steve Durkee ([email protected]), Larry Redd ([email protected]), 
and Karyl Brewster-Geisz ([email protected]), by email, or 
by phone at (301) 427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Atlantic HMS 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.) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention 
Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its 
amendments are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
    On May 5, 2023, NMFS published a proposed rule (88 FR 29050) for 
Draft Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on spatial 
fisheries management and electronic monitoring cost allocation. On May 
8, 2023, NMFS published a notice of intent (88 FR 29617) for scoping of 
Amendment 16 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP on shark management. In 
both actions, NMFS announced public hearings and webinars to provide 
the opportunity for public comment. Due to requests for additional 
public hearings, NMFS has decided conduct an additional public hearing 
for Draft Amendment 15 and its proposed rule in Panama City, FL, and an 
additional public hearing for scoping for Amendment 16 in San Juan, PR 
(Table 1). None of the other public hearing timing or locations have 
changed.

              Table 1--Dates, Times, and Locations of Upcoming Public Hearings and Conference Calls
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Street address/webinar
             Rulemaking                       Venue                 Date/time                information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment 16.......................  Public................  August 16, 2023, 5:30   Embassy Suites, 8000 Jose
                                     Hearing...............   p.m.-8:30 p.m.          M. Tartak Avenue, San
                                                                                      Juan, PR 00979.
Amendment 15.......................  Public Hearing........  August 29, 2023, 5      National Marine Fisheries
                                                              p.m.-8 p.m.             Service, Southeast
                                                                                      Fisheries Science Center,
                                                                                      3500 Delwood Beach Road,
                                                                                      Panama City, FL 32408.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants to conduct 
themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each meeting, a 
representative of NMFS will explain the ground rules (e.g., all 
comments are to be directed to the Agency; attendees will be called to 
give their comments in the order in which they registered to speak; 
each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; and attendees 
should not interrupt one another). The in-person meeting locations will 
be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign 
language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to 
Guy DuBeck or Steve Durkee at 301-427-8503, at least 7 days prior to 
the meeting. A NMFS representative will attempt to structure the 
meeting so that all attending members of the public will be able to 
comment if they so choose, regardless of the controversial nature of 
the subject matter. If attendees do not respect the ground rules they 
will be asked to leave the meeting.

    Dated: July 28, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-16440 Filed 8-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P