2016-24172. New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice; public meeting.

SUMMARY:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Committee on Thursday, October 20, 2016 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

DATES:

This meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 10 a.m.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 363 Maine Mall Road, South Portland, ME 04106; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Agenda

The Herring Committee will discuss next steps for Management Strategy Evaluation of Atlantic Herring Acceptable Biological Catch control rules being considered in Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP), including review of draft goals and agenda for a public workshop. Review additional Plan Development Team analysis and continue development of measures related to localized depletion to be considered in Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring FMP. The committee will also review progress and provide input on Framework Adjustment 5 to the Atlantic Herring FMP, an action considering modification of accountability measures (AMs) that trigger if the sub-ACL of Georges Bank haddock is exceeded by the midwater trawl herring fishery. Other business will be discussed as necessary. The Committee will also have a closed session to review 2018-20 Herring Advisory Panel applications and make recommendations for approval to the Council's Executive Committee.

Special Accommodations

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at [phone], at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: October 3, 2016.

Tracey L. Thompson,

Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.