[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71336-71338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22788]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD384]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review Workshops Advisory Panel

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

ACTION: Notice; nominations for shark stock assessment Advisory Panel.

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SUMMARY: NMFS solicits nominations for the Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species (HMS) Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) Workshops 
Advisory Panel, also known as the ``SEDAR Pool.'' The SEDAR Pool is 
comprised of a group of individuals who may be selected to consider 
data and advise NMFS regarding the scientific information including, 
but not limited to, data and models used in stock assessments for 
oceanic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean 
Sea. Nominations are being sought for 5-year appointments (2024-2029). 
Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and commercial 
fishing and related industries, environmental community, academia, and 
non-governmental

[[Page 71337]]

organizations will be considered for membership on the SEDAR Pool.

DATES: Nominations must be received on or before November 15, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit nominations and request the SEDAR Pool 
Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures electronically via 
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a7f4e2e3e6f589d7c8c8cbe7c9c8c6c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="693a2c2d283b47190606052907060808470e061f">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Additional information on SEDAR and the SEDAR guidelines can be 
found at http://sedarweb.org/. The terms of reference for the SEDAR 
Pool, along with a list of current members, can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/southeast-data-assessment-and-review-and-atlantic-highly.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karyl Brewster-Geisz at 301-425-8503 
or Delisse Ortiz at 301-427-8530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic HMS fisheries (tunas, billfish, 
swordfish, and sharks) are managed under the 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 (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.

Background

    Section 302(g)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act states that each 
Council shall establish such advisory panels as are necessary or 
appropriate to assist it in carrying out its functions under the Act. 
For the purposes of this section, NMFS applies the above provision to 
Atlantic HMS management (see section 304(g)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, which provides that the Secretary will prepare FMPs for HMS and 
consult with Advisory Panels under section 302(g) for such FMPs). As 
such, NMFS has established the SEDAR Pool under this section. The SEDAR 
Pool currently consists of 36 individuals, each of whom may be selected 
to review data and advise NMFS regarding the scientific information 
including, but not limited to, data and models used in stock 
assessments for oceanic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, 
and Caribbean Sea. While the SEDAR Pool was created specifically for 
Atlantic oceanic sharks, it may be expanded to include other HMS, as 
needed.
    The primary responsibility of individuals in the SEDAR Pool is to 
review, at SEDAR workshops, the scientific information including, but 
not limited to, data and models used in stock assessments that are used 
to advise NMFS about the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS 
specifically, but not limited to, Atlantic sharks. Individuals in the 
SEDAR Pool, if selected for a particular workshop, may participate in 
the various data, assessment, and review workshops during the SEDAR 
process of any HMS stock assessment. In order to ensure that the review 
is unbiased, individuals who participated in a data and/or assessment 
workshop for a particular stock assessment will not be allowed to serve 
as SEDAR Pool reviewers for the same stock assessment. However, these 
individuals may be asked to attend the review workshop to answer 
specific questions from the reviewers concerning the data and/or 
assessment workshops. Members of the SEDAR Pool may serve as members of 
other Advisory Panels concurrent with, or following, their service on 
the SEDAR Pool.

Procedures and Guidelines

A. Participants

    The SEDAR Pool is comprised of individuals representing the 
commercial and recreational fishing communities for Atlantic sharks, 
the environmental community active in the conservation and management 
of Atlantic sharks, and the academic community that have relevant 
expertise either with sharks and/or stock assessment methodologies for 
marine fish species. In addition, individuals who may not necessarily 
work directly with sharks, but who are involved in fisheries with 
similar life history, biology, and fishery issues may be part of the 
SEDAR Pool. Members of the SEDAR Pool must have demonstrated experience 
in the fisheries, related industries, research, teaching, writing, 
conservation, or management of marine organisms. The distribution of 
representation among the interested parties is not defined or limited.
    Additional members of the SEDAR Pool may also include 
representatives from each of the 5 Atlantic Regional Fishery Management 
Councils, each of the 18 Atlantic states, both the U.S. Virgin Islands 
and Puerto Rico, and each of the relevant interstate commissions: the 
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Gulf States Marine 
Fisheries Commission.
    If NMFS requires additional members to ensure a diverse pool of 
individuals for data or assessment workshops, NMFS may request 
individuals to become members of the SEDAR Pool outside of the annual 
nomination period.
    SEDAR Pool members serve at the discretion of the Secretary. Not 
all members will attend each SEDAR workshop. Rather, NMFS will invite 
certain members to participate at specific stock assessment workshops 
dependent on their ability to participate, discuss, and offer 
scientific input and advice regarding the species being assessed.
    NMFS is not obligated to fulfill any requests (e.g., requests for 
an assessment of a certain species) that may be made by the SEDAR Pool 
or its individual members. Members of the SEDAR Pool who are invited to 
attend stock assessment workshops will not be compensated for their 
services, but may be reimbursed for their travel-related expenses to 
attend such workshops.

B. Nomination Procedures for Appointments to the SEDAR Pool

    Member tenure will be for 5 years. Nominations are sought for terms 
beginning early in 2024 and expiring in 2029. Nomination packages 
should include:
    1. The name, address, phone number, and email of the applicant or 
nominee;
    2. A description of the applicant's or nominee's interest in 
Atlantic shark stock assessments or the Atlantic shark fishery;
    3. A statement of the applicant's or nominee's background and/or 
qualifications; and
    4. A written commitment that the applicant or nominee shall 
participate actively and in good faith in the tasks of the SEDAR Pool, 
as requested.

C. Meeting Schedule

    Individual members of the SEDAR Pool meet to participate in stock 
assessments at the discretion of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 
NMFS. Stock assessment timing, frequency, and relevant species will 
vary depending on the needs determined by NMFS and SEDAR staff. In 
2024, NMFS will continue assessing the status of the hammerhead shark 
species in the hammerhead shark management group. Following the 
completion of the hammerhead assessments, NMFS anticipates beginning 
the assessment process for one or more of the following species of 
sharks: finetooth, spinner, bull, and/or tiger.
    During an assessment year, meetings and meeting logistics will be 
determined according to the SEDAR Guidelines. All meetings are open for 
observation by the public.


[[Page 71338]]


    Dated: October 11, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22788 Filed 10-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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