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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 192 (Thursday, October 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80543-80544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22661]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE288]

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, if selected review data and 
advise NMFS on the scientific information, data, and models used in 
stock assessments for oceanic sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, including 
the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. NMFS is seeking nominations for 
5-year appointments (2025-2030). NMFS will consider individuals with 
definable interests in recreational and commercial fishing and related 
industries, including those from the environmental community, academia, 
and non-governmental organizations, for membership on the SEDAR Pool.

DATES: Submit nominations on or before November 4, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit nominations and request the SEDAR Pool 
Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures electronically via 
email to [email protected].
    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 or Delisse Ortiz 
at 301-427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: HMS fisheries (tunas, billfish, swordfish, 
and sharks) are managed under the 2006 Consolidated 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.

Background

    NMFS established the SEDAR Pool consistent with section 302(g) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. NMFS may select individuals of the SEDAR Pool 
to review and advise NMFS on the scientific information, data, and 
models used in stock assessments for oceanic sharks in the Atlantic 
Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. While NMFS 
created the SEDAR Pool specifically for consultation on Atlantic shark 
stock assessments, NMFS may expand consultation to other HMS, as 
needed.
    NMFS may select individuals in the SEDAR Pool to participate in the 
various data and assessment workshops during the stock assessment 
process. The primary responsibility of selected individuals is to 
review and provide advice regarding the scientific information, data, 
and models that NMFS will use or consider for use in the relevant stock 
assessment. In order to ensure that the peer review is unbiased, 
individuals who participated in a data and/or assessment workshop for a 
particular stock assessment cannot serve as a peer reviewer 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 or 
committees established under section 302(g) concurrent with, or 
following, their service on the SEDAR Pool.

Procedures and Guidelines

A. Participants

    The SEDAR Pool is comprised of individuals that represent 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 with sharks and/or stock assessment methodologies for marine 
fish species. Additionally, 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 the 5 Atlantic Regional Fishery Management 
Councils, the 18 Atlantic states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto 
Rico, and the relevant interstate commissions (Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission and 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

[[Page 80544]]

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 is 5 years. Nominations are sought for terms 
beginning early in 2025 and expiring in 2030. 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. NMFS is 
currently assessing the status of the hammerhead shark species in the 
hammerhead shark management group (scalloped and Carolina hammerhead, 
smooth hammerhead, and great hammerhead). SEDAR released the final 
research assessment in February 2024 and NMFS expects to complete the 
operational assessment, which will provide the final stock assessment 
results and management advice, in late 2024. Beginning in 2025, 
following the completion of the hammerhead stock assessments, NMFS 
plans to assess the sandbar shark stock. Once the sandbar shark 
assessment is complete, NMFS plans to assess the bull shark stock 
starting at some point in 2026. All meetings are open for observation 
by the public.

    Dated: September 26, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-22661 Filed 10-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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