94-12296. Proposed Scientific Review Groups for the Marine Mammal Program

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 97 (Friday, May 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12296]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D.: 051394B]

 

Proposed Scientific Review Groups for the Marine Mammal Program

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

ACTION: Notice of request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The 1994 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 
enacted April 30, 1994, require the Secretary of Commerce to establish 
three independent scientific review groups to advise the Secretary 
regarding marine mammal population assessments and conservation. Review 
groups will be established for Alaska waters, the Pacific Coast 
(including Hawaii), and the Atlantic Coast (including the Gulf of 
Mexico). This document seeks nominations of qualified individuals from 
outside NMFS for membership in these scientific review groups.

DATES: Nominations for the scientific review groups must be received by 
June 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Dr. William W. Fox, Jr., 
Director, Office of Protected Resources, 1335 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, Facsimile: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Thomas C. Eagle, Fishery 
Biologist, Office of Protected Resources, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The President enacted amendments to the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act on April 30, 1994, as Public Law 103-238. 
Among other things, these amendments establish a new regime to govern 
the incidental taking of marine mammals in the course of commercial 
fishing operations and establish requirements for the preparation of 
stock assessments for marine mammal stocks that occur in U.S. waters. 
Under the new requirements, NMFS must establish three independent 
regional scientific review groups representing Alaska, the Pacific 
Coast (including Hawaii) and the Atlantic Coast (including the Gulf of 
Mexico). In establishing these scientific review groups, NMFS must 
consult with the Secretary of the Interior (with respect to marine 
mammals under his jurisdiction), the Marine Mammal Commission, the 
Governors of affected adjacent coastal states, regional fishery and 
wildlife management authorities, Alaska Native organizations and Indian 
tribes, and environmental and fishery groups.
    Members of the review groups must have demonstrated expertise in 
marine mammal biology and ecology, population dynamics and modeling, 
commercial fishing technology and practice, or stocks taken for 
subsistence purposes. Members of the review groups serve without 
compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable travel costs and 
expenses incurred in performing their obligations. They provide advice 
to NMFS on the following:
    (a) Population estimates and the population status and trends of 
marine mammal stocks;
    (b) Uncertainties and research needed regarding stock separation, 
abundance, or trends, and factors affecting the distribution, size or 
productivity of the stock;
    (c) Uncertainties and research needed regarding the species, 
number, ages, gender, and reproductive status of marine mammals;
    (d) Research needed to identify modifications in fishing gear and 
practices likely to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury 
of marine mammals in commercial fishing operations; and
    (e) The actual, expected or potential impacts of habitat 
destruction, including marine pollution and natural environmental 
change, on specific marine mammal species and stocks, and appropriate 
conservation and management measures to alleviate any such impacts.
    NMFS solicits nominations of qualified individuals for membership 
in these review groups. Please identify the review group for which the 
nomination is made, i.e., Alaska, the Pacific Coast or the Atlantic 
Coast, the name of the nominee, and include a one-page resume 
describing their qualifications to the person in ADDRESSES, above.
    Resumes must clearly identify the nominee's current position, 
appropriate training and experience, expertise in one or more of the 
areas described above, and other information pertaining to the 
nominee's ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the review groups. 
NMFS will make selections for the scientific review groups by June 30, 
1994.

    Dated: May 13, 1994.
Herbert W. Kaufman,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-12296 Filed 5-19-94; 8:45 am]
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