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 2022. 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 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, May 20.

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-2022-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 at (301) 427-8503 or Peter.Cooper@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. ) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. ). The 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) and its amendments are implemented by regulations 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.

For this meeting, we anticipate discussing:

• Bluefin tuna management activities including the Amendment 13 Final Environmental Impact Statement
• The Marine Recreational Information Program HMS Regional Implementation Plan
• Shark depredation
• Equity and Environmental Justice

We also anticipate inviting other NMFS offices and the United States 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 at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/event/may-2022-hms-advisory-panel-meeting.