[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18375-18376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05299]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD768]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishery 
Public Listening Session Regarding the Harpoon Category

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: NMFS will hold a public meeting to listen to concerns and 
gather input regarding the Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category fishery. 
During the meeting, stakeholders and the public may express their 
thoughts about harpooning practices, including concerns related to 
fishing activities in proximity to mobile-gear vessels and harpooning 
during nighttime hours.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on March 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. 
to 12 p.m. ET.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be accessible via WebEx webinar/conference 
call. Webinar access information will be available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/event/public-listening-session-atlantic-tunas-harpoon-category-fishery.
    Participants accessing the webinar are strongly encouraged to log/
dial in 15 minutes prior to the meeting. Requests for sign language 
interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Anna 
Quintrell (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section) at least 7 days 
prior to the meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Quintrell, 
[email protected], or Larry Redd, [email protected], at 301-
427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS)

[[Page 18376]]

fisheries, including the bluefin tuna (BFT) fisheries, are managed 
under the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan and its 
amendments pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and consistent with the 
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). HMS implementing 
regulations are at 50 CFR part 635.
    In response to petitions for rulemaking submitted in 2021 and 2023, 
NMFS has engaged in deliberations regarding the management of the 
Harpoon category fishery for BFT. The petitioners advocated for 
regulatory measures to limit harpoon fishing near vessels using mobile 
gear that is used to fish for groundfish, scallops, or clams and to 
restrict the deployment of floating bait for the purpose of attracting 
BFT to the surface for harpooning. The petitioners felt the practices 
were contrary to the traditional method of fishing with harpoon gear, 
would cause the Harpoon category quota to be filled too quickly, and 
would cause safety issues. The petitioners also advocated for fishing 
with harpoon gear only during the day and prohibiting nighttime fishing 
due to safety concerns.
    During the September 2023 HMS Advisory Panel meeting, stakeholders 
were invited to provide public comment on the aforementioned petitions. 
NMFS recognized the significance of ongoing dialogue and indicated the 
possibility of further discussions on the matter in the future.
    The upcoming listening session allows NMFS to hear from 
stakeholders and the public regarding any insights, concerns, and 
recommendations pertaining to the Harpoon category in general and the 
aforementioned petitions.
    For this meeting, we anticipate hearing from the public about the 
following topics:
     Recent harpooning practices and techniques in the BFT 
fishery;
     Recent harpooning activities in the BFT fishery in 
proximity to mobile-gear vessels;
     The impact of nighttime harpooning; and,
     Thoughts about the potential regulatory changes regarding 
the Harpoon category fishery.
    The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants of the 
meeting to conduct themselves appropriately. At the beginning of the 
meeting, the moderator will explain how the meeting will be conducted 
and how and when participants can provide comments. NMFS will structure 
the meeting so that all members of the public will be able to comment. 
Participants are expected to respect the ground rules, and those that 
do not may be asked to leave.

    Dated: March 7, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-05299 Filed 3-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P