[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 132 (Thursday, July 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39367-39368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16168]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD362
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management-Based Research Needs
and Priorities Document
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of the Atlantic Highly
Migratory Species (HMS) Management-Based Research Needs and Priorities
document. The purpose of this document is to communicate key research
needs that directly support Atlantic HMS management. Atlantic HMS are
defined as bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas,
swordfish, billfish (blue marlin, white marlin, roundscale spearfish,
longbill spearfish, and sailfish), and sharks.
DATES: Written comments must be received by August 11, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Atlantic HMS Management-Based
Research Needs and Priorities document may also be obtained on the
Internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/documents/hms_research_priorities_2014.pdf.
You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-
2014-0080, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0080, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Margo Schulze-Haugen,
NMFS/SF1, 1315 East-West Highway, National Marine Fisheries Service,
SSMC3, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information
[[Page 39368]]
submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS
will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if
you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will
be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Durkee by phone at (202) 670-
6637.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic HMS Management-Based Research
Needs and Priorities document was developed by the Highly Migratory
Species (HMS) Management Division of NMFS to communicate key research
needs that directly support Atlantic HMS management. Atlantic HMS are
defined as bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas,
swordfish, billfish (blue marlin, white marlin, roundscale spearfish,
longbill spearfish, and sailfish), and sharks. The document contains a
list of near and long-term research needs and priorities that can be
used by individuals and groups interested in Atlantic HMS to identify
key research needs, improve management, reduce duplication, prioritize
limited funding, and form a potential basis for future funding. The
priorities range from biological/ecological needs to socio-economic
needs.
The document is one of several efforts to highlight key research
needs for HMS. One early effort, the HMS Research Plan, was developed
by NMFS scientists across HMS disciplines in response to discussions at
HMS Advisory Panel (AP) meetings. The HMS AP was interested in
identifying specific research needs based upon known data gaps,
however, the HMS AP felt that early versions of the HMS Research Plan
needed more specificity with clear prioritization. Further revisions to
that document are underway. This document complements the HMS Research
Plan currently in draft and, although of different purpose, some
aspects of the HMS Research Plan were included in this document. Other
efforts are also underway in the Agency to identify key research needs
relevant to Atlantic HMS management, such as the National Recreational
Action Agenda and Regional Plans and the National Bycatch Reduction
Engineering Program.
While some of the priorities were derived from stock assessment
reviews, other priorities were identified while developing and
proposing management measures. Many of the research priorities address
key data gaps and/or ways to reduce fishing mortality and/or bycatch to
more effectively manage HMS fisheries, either directly or by improving
stock assessments. Because these needs were identified by fishery
managers, these research priorities may not correspond directly with
the research priorities and needs identified by the scientists
throughout NMFS.
Ongoing survey and monitoring programs are not discussed unless
there is a specific suggestion for expansion of an existing program.
These survey and monitoring programs, which include but are not limited
to shark nursery and essential fish habitat studies, fishery-
independent surveys, and observer programs, are vital to stock
assessments and effective HMS management. These ongoing survey and
monitoring programs should be considered high priority.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq., and 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 7, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-16168 Filed 7-9-14; 8:45 am]
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