Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 5, 2023 / Notices 60665 

Diego, CA 92130, has applied in due 

form for a permit to conduct research on 

pinnipeds in California. 

DATES: Written comments must be 

received on or before October 5, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: The application and related 

documents are available for review by 

selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public 

Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on 

the Applications and Permits for 

Protected Species (APPS) home page, 

https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then 

selecting File No. 27361 from the list of 

available applications. These documents 

are also available upon written request 

via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@

noaa.gov. 

Written comments on this application 

should be submitted via email to 

NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please 

include File No. 27361 in the subject 

line of the email comment. 

Those individuals requesting a public 

hearing should submit a written request 

via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@

noaa.gov. The request should set forth 

the specific reasons why a hearing on 

this application would be appropriate. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Carrie Hubard or Courtney Smith, Ph.D., 

(301) 427–8401. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

subject permit is requested under the 

authority of the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act of 1972, as amended 

(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the 

regulations governing the taking and 

importing of marine mammals (50 CFR 

part 216). 

The applicant proposes to study 

California sea lions (Zalophus 

californianus), northern elephant seals 

(Mirounga angustirostris), and harbor 

seals (Phoca vitulina) at several sites in 

California, including San Nicolas Island, 

San Miguel Island, Santa Rosa Island, 

Santa Cruz Island, Piedras Blancas, 

Cape San Martin, and Gorda. The 

objectives of the research are to 

continue long-term research on the 

comparative ecology, demography, 

demography, behavior, foraging 

biogeography, pathology and phenology 

of California pinnipeds and to further 

characterize the resource and habitats 

used by each species, including patterns 

of spatial and temporal similarities and 

differences. Seals and sea lions would 

be captured and sampled. Some animals 

would only receive a flipper tag or a dye 

mark. Other animals would be 

physically or chemically restrained; 

measured and weighed; have a variety 

of samples taken, including: blood, skin, 

blubber, and mucus membrane swabs; 

and have tracking or data recording 

instruments attached. For proposed take 

numbers by species and location and 

details on sampling methodologies, see 

the application. The applicant has 

requested authorization for the 

unintentional research related mortality 

of up to four animals of each species 

annually. The permit would be valid for 

5 years. 

In compliance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial 

determination has been made that the 

activity proposed is categorically 

excluded from the requirement to 

prepare an environmental assessment or 

environmental impact statement. 

Concurrent with the publication of 

this notice in the Federal Register, 

NMFS is forwarding copies of the 

application to the Marine Mammal 

Commission and its Committee of 

Scientific Advisors. 

Dated: August 29, 2023. 

Julia M. Harrison, 

Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, 

Office of Protected Resources, National 

Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–19010 Filed 9–1–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XD313] 

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 hybrid meeting of its 

Scallop Joint Advisory Panel and Plan 

Development Team 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 

Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 9 

a.m. 

ADDRESSES: 

Meeting address: This meeting will be 

held at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 2081 

Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886; 

telephone: (401) 298–2294. 

Webinar URL information: https://

attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 

665193973090158423. 

Council address: New England 

Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 

Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cate 

O’Keefe, Ph.D., Executive Director, New 

England Fishery Management Council; 

telephone: (978) 465–0492. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Agenda 

The Advisory Panel and Plan 

Development Team will discuss 

Framework 38—Review results of 2023 

scallop surveys, and preliminary 

projections. The primary focus of this 

meeting will be to develop input on the 

range of potential specification 

alternatives for FY 2024 and FY 2025. 

The action will set ABC/ACLs, days-atsea, access area allocations, total 

allowable landings for the Northern Gulf 

of Maine (NGOM) management area, 

targets for General Category incidental 

catch, General Category access area trips 

and trip accounting, and set-asides for 

the observer and research programs for 

fishing year 2024 and default 

specifications for fishing year 2025. 

They also plan to discuss the 

Northern Edge Action—Review work in 

response to tasking. Discuss possible 

measures for development in a Northern 

Edge Habitat Scallop Framework. Also 

on the agenda is work priorities 

(Advisory Panel and Committee Only)— 

Receive updates on the progress toward 

2023 work priorities and Committee 

tasking. Provide input on the range of 

possible 2024 scallop work priorities. 

Other business will be discussed, if 

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 MagnusonStevens 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 Cate 

O’Keefe, Ph.D., Executive Director, at 

(978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to 

the meeting date. 

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


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
60666 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 5, 2023 / Notices 

Dated: August 30, 2023. 

Rey Israel Marquez, 

Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–19097 Filed 9–1–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XD314] 

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 hybrid meeting of its 

Scallop Committee 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, September 21, 2023, at 9 a.m. 

ADDRESSES: 

Meeting address: This meeting will be 

held at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 2081 

Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886; 

telephone: (401) 298–2294. 

Webinar registration URL 

information: https://

attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 

4549480481976411992. 

Council address: New England 

Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 

Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cate 

O’Keefe, Ph.D., Executive Director, New 

England Fishery Management Council; 

telephone: (978) 465–0492. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Agenda 

The Committee will discuss 

Framework 38—Review results of 2023 

scallop surveys, and preliminary 

projections. The primary focus of this 

meeting will be to develop input on the 

range of potential specification 

alternatives for FY 2024 and FY 2025. 

The action will set ABC/ACLs, days-atsea, access area allocations, total 

allowable landings for the Northern Gulf 

of Maine (NGOM) management area, 

targets for General Category incidental 

catch, General Category access area trips 

and trip accounting, and set-asides for 

the observer and research programs for 

fishing year 2024 and default 

specifications for fishing year 2025. 

They also plan to discuss the Northern 

Edge Action—Review work in response 

to tasking. Discuss possible measures for 

development in a Northern Edge Habitat 

Scallop Framework. Also on the agenda 

is work priorities (Advisory Panel and 

Committee Only)—Receive updates on 

the progress toward 2023 work priorities 

and Committee tasking. Provide input 

on the range of possible 2024 scallop 

work priorities. Other business will be 

discussed, if 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 MagnusonStevens 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 Cate 

O’Keefe, Ph.D., Executive Director, at 

(978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to 

the meeting date. 

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

Dated: August 30, 2023. 

Rey Israel Marquez, 

Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–19098 Filed 9–1–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XD308] 

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 

Council; Public Meeting 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery 

Management Council (Council) will 

hold a one-day in-person meeting of its 

Ecosystem Technical Committee (ETC). 

DATES: The meeting will be held 

Thursday, September 21, 2023; 8:30 

a.m.–4:30 p.m., EDT. 

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place 

at the Gulf Council office. Registration 

information will be available on the 

Council’s website by visiting 

www.gulfcouncil.org and clicking on the 

‘‘meeting tab’’. 

Council address: Gulf of Mexico 

Fishery Management Council, 4107 W. 

Spruce Street, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 

33607; telephone: (813) 348–1630. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. 

Natasha Mendez, Fishery Biologist, Gulf 

of Mexico Fishery Management Council; 

email: natasha.mendez@gulfcouncil.org, 

telephone: (813) 348–1630. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Thursday, September 21, 2023; 8:30 

a.m.–4:30 p.m., EDT 

The meeting will begin with 

Introductions and Adoption of Agenda, 

Approval of Minutes and Meeting 

Summary from the April 19–20, 2023 

meeting and a review of the Scope of 

Work. The ETC will discuss the 

development of the Fishery Ecosystem 

Plan (FEP) for the Gulf of Mexico, 

review the draft updates to the Fishery 

Ecosystem Issue (FEI) Loop, and provide 

recommendations. 

Following, the ETC will discuss the 

assignment to develop a method to 

prioritize FEIs and provide 

recommendations. The ETC will also 

revisit the initially identified potential 

list of FEIs for the Council to consider. 

Lastly, the ETC will receive public 

comment at the end of the day, and 

discuss any items under Other Business. 

—Meeting Adjourns 

The meeting will also be broadcast via 

webinar. You may register for the 

webinar by visiting www.gulfcouncil.org 

and clicking on the Technical meeting 

on the calendar. 

The Agenda is subject to change, and 

the latest version along with other 

meeting materials will be posted on 

www.gulfcouncil.org as they become 

available. 

Although other non-emergency issues 

not on the agenda may come before the 

Committee for discussion, in accordance 

with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act, 

those issues may not be the subject of 

formal action during this meeting. 

Actions of the Committee will be 

restricted to those issues specifically 

identified in the agenda and any issues 

arising after publication of this notice 

that require emergency action under 

Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act, provided the public has been 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1