[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 115 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-14674] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: June 16, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Part 644 [I.D. 051794D] Atlantic Billfish Fisheries AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Atlantic billfishes; notice of additional scoping meetings and extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS has previously announced scoping meetings for Atlantic billfish. The purpose of the scoping meetings is to receive comments concerning the Atlantic billfish fishery from fishery participants and other members of the public regarding: A definition of overfishing; reducing fishing mortality; reporting requirements; and other issues. This notice announces additional scoping meetings and extends the comment period for the billfish scoping meetings. DATES: Written scoping comments must be received by August 15, 1994. The scoping meetings will be held on August 4, August 10, August 11, August 14, and August 15, 1994. ADDRESSES: Written scoping comments should be sent to Richard B. Stone, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/CM4), Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 14853, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Clearly mark the outside of the envelope ``Atlantic Billfish Scoping Comments.'' Input for the issues/options statement may also be provided to the same address, or by sending a fax to C. Michael Bailey at 301- 713-1035. The scoping meetings will be held in Savannah, GA; Houston, TX; New Orleans, LA; Cape May, NJ; and Morehead City, NC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Michael Bailey, 301-713-2347 or fax: 301-713-1035. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scoping Meeting Depending upon the interest of the audience, the Meeting Officer may increase the length of the meeting. Additional meetings will be announced at a later date. NMFS is also soliciting written comments on issues of concern in this fishery. NMFS requests input at any time during the scoping process, by mail or by fax. An issues/options statement was prepared for the initial hearing and revised, based on written and oral comments, for subsequent hearings. This hearing is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Richard B. Stone by July 29, 1994 (see ADDRESSES). NMFS previously announced scoping meetings on February 9, 1994 (59 FR 5978), March 1, 1994 (59 FR 9720) and April 5, 1994 (59 FR 15882). The scoping meetings will be held at the following locations: August 4, 1994, Savannah, GA, 7 to 10 p.m. Holiday Inn MidTown 7100 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31406 August 10, 1994, Houston, TX, 7 to 10 p.m. Days Inn - Hobby Airport 8611 Airport Blvd. Houston, TX 77061 August 11, 1994, New Orleans, LA, 7 to 10 p.m. World Trade Center Building Suite 1830, Crescent City Room #2 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70130 August 14, 1994, Cape May, NJ, 10 a.m. to 12 noon Canyon Club Resort Marina, 900 Ocean Highway Cape May, NJ 08204 August 15, 1994, Morehead City, NC, 7 to 10 p.m. Carteret Community College Joslyn Hall 3505 Arendale Street Morehead City, NC 28557-2989 Dated: June 9, 1994. Richard H. Schaefer, Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 94-14674 Filed 6-15-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F