2023-06305. New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting.

SUMMARY:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish Committee via webinar 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 webinar will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 9 a.m.

ADDRESSES:

Webinar registration URL information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/​register/​4228038253685367648.

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 Groundfish Committee will meet receive recommendations from the Recreational Advisory Panel and Groundfish Advisory Panel. They will also receive an update on progress to develop metrics and indicators in Amendment 23. The Committee will receive an update on progress to revise the Council's ABC control rule for groundfish stocks and the plan for a facilitated process between the Scientific and Statistical Committee, Groundfish Committee, and Groundfish Plan Development Team as well as receive an update on developing a transition plan for Atlantic cod management from the current two management units to up to five management units, including addressing allocation issues and considering potential new measures to protect Atlantic cod spawning. The Committee will also receive an update on developing alternatives on how to address impacts of large swings in Canadian halibut catch in U.S. halibut management as well as make recommendations to the Council, as appropriate. They will discuss Gulf of Maine haddock and other items, as necessary.

Although non-emergency issues not contained on the agenda may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Council action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency. The public also should be aware that the meeting will be recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is available upon request.

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: March 22, 2023.

Rey Israel Marquez,

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