[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63551-63552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20032]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD362]


Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); 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 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold public meetings of the Council and its Executive Committee.

DATES: The meetings will be held Tuesday, October 3 through Friday, 
October 5, 2023. For agenda details, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: This meeting will be an in-person meeting with a virtual 
option. Council members, other meeting participants, and members of the 
public will have the option to participate in person at the Yotel New 
York or virtually via Webex webinar. Webinar connection instructions 
and briefing materials will be available at: https://www.mafmc.org/briefing/october-2023.
    Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N 
State St.,

[[Page 63552]]

Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone: (302) 674-2331; www.mafmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive 
Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; telephone: (302) 
526-5255. The Council's website, www.mafmc.org, also has details on the 
meeting location, proposed agenda, webinar listen-in access, and 
briefing materials.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following items are on the agenda, 
although agenda items may be addressed out of order (changes will be 
noted on the Council's website when possible).

Tuesday, October 3rd

Executive Committee--Open Session

Review progress on 2023 Implementation Plan
Review and approve draft 2024 deliverables

Council Convenes

Monkfish and Dogfish Joint Framework To Reduce the Bycatch of Atlantic 
Sturgeon

Review joint Dogfish and Monkfish Committee recommendations
Review and approve range of Dogfish and Monkfish alternatives

Illex Hold Framework #2: Final Action

Review recommendations from the Committee and Advisory Panel
Select preferred alternatives and take final action

Wednesday, October 4th

Northeast Fishery Science Center (NEFSC) Federal Surveys: Survey 
Performance, Issues, and Planning for the Future--Dr. Kathryn Ford and 
Peter Chase, NEFSC

Overview of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow bottom trawl survey, R/V Hugh R. 
Sharp Scallops Survey, and other NEFSC surveys
Past survey performance, 2023 survey issues, contingency plans, and 
future scheduling

Policy/Process for Reviewing Exempted Fishing Permit Applications for 
Unmanaged Forage Amendment Ecosystem Component Species

Review draft policy/process document
Review recommendations from EOP Committee and Advisory Panel
Approve policy/process

Offshore Wind Energy Development

Updates from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Updates from the New York State Energy Research and Development 
Authority (NYSERDA)--Offshore Wind Master Plan 2.0 (Deepwater)

------ Lunch ------

Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Risk Assessment 
Review

Review recommendations from EOP Committee and Advisory Panel
Approve modifications to EAFM risk assessment

Private Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting

Receive update from GARFO on recreational tilefish permitting and 
reporting
Discuss communication and outreach efforts

Habitat Activities Update--Karen Greene, Greater Atlantic Regional 
Fisheries Office Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division

Presentation on activities of interest (aquaculture, wind, and other 
projects) in the region

NEFSC Observer Program Update--Katherine McArdle, NEFSC

Review recent program performance and modifications
Review recent changes in tasked seadays resulting from the first 
Standardized Bycatch Reduction Methodology (SBRM) discard analysis 
conducted since COVID-19 disruptions
Review planned outreach

NEFSC Cooperative Research Update--Dr. Anna Mercer, NEFSC

Review the Cooperative Research Branch's portfolio, focusing on new 
research and outreach initiatives

Assessment and Peer Review Overviews--Spiny Dogfish and Atlantic 
Mackerel

Review recent developments that will inform Council actions in December 
2023

NEFSC Presentation on Maternal Effects (i.e. the potential importance 
of larger females for resilient fisheries)--Mark Wuenschel and Richard 
McBride, NEFSC

Review relevant NEFSC research activities
Consider potential implications for assessment and management

Thursday, October 5th

Business Session

Committee Reports (SSC, Monkfish); Executive Director's Report; 
Organization Reports; and Liaison Reports

Other Business and General Public Comment

    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this group for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 
those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these 
meetings. Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically 
identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of 
this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c).

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aid should be directed to Shelley Spedden, (302) 526-5251, at 
least 5 days prior to the meeting date.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 12, 2023.
Diane M. DeJames-Daly,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-20032 Filed 9-14-23; 8:45 am]
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