FR 2021-03911

The recent notice from the Federal Register regarding the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council outlines several upcoming meetings focused on fishery management in the Western Pacific Region scheduled between March 16 and March 25, 2021. These meetings will be conducted mainly online via WebEx, with additional host sites located in Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa. The agenda includes plans to discuss various fishery management and conservation issues that could culminate in recommendations for new regulations to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Additionally, part of the meeting will be closed to address ongoing litigation matters.

Summary of the Document

The document informs the public about multiple meetings organized by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council. These meetings aim to address fishing management strategies, discuss species protection measures, and evaluate financial reports. They also present an opportunity for public participation, although some sessions are reserved for legal discussions, which are closed to the public. The notice includes a detailed agenda covering diverse topics such as fishery plans, seabird and shark interaction mitigation, and updates to stock assessments for certain fish species.

Issues and Concerns

One highlighted concern is the partial closure of the Executive and Budget Standing Committee meeting for litigation purposes. This poses issues surrounding transparency, as the specifics of the litigation are not publicly disclosed. This closure may leave interested parties questioning what legal matters need to be kept confidential and why they cannot be discussed publicly.

Another point of contention is the reference to Executive Order 14008, which addresses the climate crisis. The document does not explicitly link this order with the specific fishery issues under discussion. This ambiguity may lead to confusion about the impact of this Executive Order on the outlined agendas.

Furthermore, regulatory actions are mentioned without detailed cost considerations. For instance, changes in Hawaii's longline fishery regulations could have financial implications that are not immediately clear, which might cause concern about the potential for inefficient spending if these implications are not thoroughly vetted.

The language used could also pose an issue due to its complexity, which may not be understandable to all readers. Terms such as "Conceptual Frame for Workshop on Bigeye Tuna Management" may obscure the document’s intent or relevance for individuals not familiar with scientific or regulatory jargon.

Lastly, the document touches on topics such as the "Socio-Economic Context for Fisher-Shark Interaction in the Marianas" without detailed explanation, which might make it difficult to assess its significance or practical implications.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

Broadly, the document ensures that the public is informed of and can participate in discussions about significant fishery management issues. The meetings could lead to the creation or amendment of regulations, thereby potentially impacting fishing practices, conservation efforts, and economic conditions in the Western Pacific Region.

For specific stakeholders, such as fishers and environmental groups, these discussions provide an opportunity to voice concerns and influence decision-making processes. Changes in regulations, like those discussed in the meetings, can have significant effects on fishing businesses, affecting operations and profitability. For environmental advocates, the focus on conservation measures like seabird mitigation and shark interactions may represent a positive step toward ecological sustainability.

In summary, while the document provides crucial information on upcoming meetings and potential regulatory changes, some aspects require clearer communication and transparency to fully engage and inform both the general public and stakeholders.