2024-08396. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting and webinar/conference call.

SUMMARY:

NMFS will hold a 3-day Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting in May 2024. The intent of the meeting is to consider options for the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS. The meeting is open to the public.

DATES:

The AP meeting and webinar will be held on Tuesday, May 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET; Wednesday, May 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET; and Thursday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Silver Spring Hotel, 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The meeting will also be accessible via WebEx webinar/conference call. Conference call and webinar access information are available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/​event/​may-2024-hms-advisory-panel-meeting.

Participants accessing the webinar are strongly encouraged to log/dial in 15 minutes prior to the meeting. NMFS will show the presentations via webinar and allow public comment during identified times on the agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peter Cooper ( [e-mail]) or Lisa Crawford ( [e-mail]) at 301-427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Atlantic HMS fisheries (tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks) are managed under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its amendments pursuant to the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens 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.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the establishment of APs and requires NMFS to consult with and consider the comments and views of AP members during the preparation and implementation of FMPs or FMP amendments (16 U.S.C. 1854(g)(1)(A)-(B)). NMFS meets with the HMS AP approximately twice each year to consider potential alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and shark fisheries, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Some of the discussion topics are:

• Outcomes of the 2023 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas Annual Meeting;
• Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery update: management and recent trends;
• Atlantic shark fishery update: management and recent trends;
• Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP regarding spatial management; and
• Atlantic HMS fishing gear considerations.

We also anticipate inviting other NMFS offices and the U.S. Coast Guard to provide updates, if available, on their activities relevant to HMS fisheries. Additional information on the meetings and a copy of the draft agenda will be posted prior to the meeting (see ADDRESSES ).

All members of the public will have virtual access to the meeting available via webinar and status updates of in-person public access to the meeting will be available on the NMFS website (see ADDRESSES ). The meeting location is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Peter Cooper at 301-427-8503, at least 7 days prior to the meeting.

Dated: April 16, 2024.

Everett Wayne Baxter,

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