[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48757-48758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23302]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[I.D. 083099A]
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Public meeting.
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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold
a 3-day public meeting on September 21, 22, and 23, 1999, to consider
actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ).
DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 1999, at 9:30
a.m., and Wednesday and Thursday, September 22 and 23, at 8:30 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Seaport Inn Conference
Center, 110 Middle Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719; telephone (508) 997-
1281. Requests for special accommodations should be addressed to the
New England Fishery Management Council, 5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906-
1036; telephone: (781) 231-0422.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director,
New England Fishery Management Council, (781) 231-0422.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Tuesday, September 21, 1999
After introductions, the meeting will begin with reports on recent
activities from the Council Chairman, Executive Director, the
Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science
Center and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, and
representatives of the Coast Guard and the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission. Following reports, the Chairman of the Groundfish
Committee will recommend approval of final action on Framework
Adjustment 31 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
(FMP). The framework includes mid-season adjustments to the Gulf of
Maine (GOM) cod fishery that also could carry forward to the 2000-2001
fishing year and modification of the Georges Bank cod trip limit
adjustment mechanism. After a noon break, the Groundfish Committee and
Council will continue their discussions until the meeting is adjourned
for the day.
[[Page 48758]]
Wednesday, September 22, 1999
The Scallop Plan Development Team Chairman will make a presentation
on the Sea Scallop Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE)
Report. The report will include an update of the 1998 stock assessment
with 1999 fishing year data and projections, as well as recommended
management options. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee
will then provide its review of the assessment and analyses contained
in the SAFE Report. After a noon break, the Sea Scallop Committee will
recommend management alternatives and approval of initial action on
Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP (the annual
framework adjustment), based on the information in the SAFE report and
recommendations from industry advisors. Framework Adjustment 12 will
specify scallop management measures for the 2000 fishing year (March
2000 through February 2001). The day will conclude with a review and
approval of a scallop research proposal to be funded through the 1-
percent scallop total allowable catch set-aside established for the
Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program.
Thursday, September 23, 1999
The Whiting Committee will approve initial action on a framework
adjustment to the Northeast Multispecies FMP to address unresolved
small mesh multispecies management issues. Measures may include options
for a mesh size/possession limit call-in enrollment system and options
for the use of a net strengthener with 2.5-inch (6.4-cm) mesh size. The
committee also will review its discussions about limited entry in the
whiting fishery. There will be general discussion of issues to be
addressed in an upcoming amendment to the Northeast Multispecies FMP,
which will remove whiting, red hake, offshore hake, and ocean pout from
the Multispecies FMP and establish a separate Small Mesh Species FMP.
The Capacity Committee will ask the Council for preliminary
identification of issues and options for future consideration.
Following a noon break, the Habitat Committee will report on ongoing
issues. The meeting will conclude after the Council addresses any other
outstanding business.
Although other issues not contained in this agenda may come before
this Council for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the
subject of formal Council action during this meeting. Council action
will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice.
Documents pertaining to framework adjustment actions are available
for public review 7 days prior to a final vote by the Council. Copies
of the documents may be obtained from the Council (see ADDRESSES).
Special Accommodations
This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Paul J. Howard (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days
prior to the meeting date.
Dated: September 1, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23302 Filed 9-2-99; 3:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
