[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 231 (Friday, December 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29661]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 2, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 112594C]

 

New England Fishery Management Council; Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold 
a 2-day public meeting on December 7-8, 1994, to consider actions 
affecting the New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone.
    The meeting will be held at the King's Grant Inn, Route 128 and 
Trask Lane, Danvers, MA 01923; telephone: (508) 774-6800. The meeting 
will begin on December 7, at 10:00 a.m. and on December 8, at 8:30 a.m.
    The Council meeting on December 7 will begin with a report from the 
Interspecies Committee. Subjects scheduled for discussion include a 
review of consolidation alternatives and the potential use of Special 
Management Areas in the context of several proposals before the 
Council, involving aquaculture or similar projects.
    The Lobster Committee will report in the afternoon on the 
management proposals forwarded by the Council's Effort Management 
Teams. In addition, it will discuss any recommendations concerning a 
change in the qualifications for limited access permits. There will be 
an update on the outcome of the recent International Commission for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas Advisory Committee meeting. This will be 
followed by a recommendation from the Monkfish Committee to approve a 
control date for the limited access monkfish fishery.
    On December 8, the Groundfish Committee will review the results of 
Committee discussions about the use of time and area closures to 
address the decline of key groundfish stocks and about the timetable 
for Amendment #7 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP). During the afternoon session, the Sea Scallop Committee will 
recommend initiation of the scoping process in preparation for a 
possible plan amendment to address consolidation in the scallop 
fishery. The day will conclude with reports from the Council Chairman 
and Vice Chairman, Council Executive Director, NMFS Regional Director, 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center liaison, Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council liaison, and Coast Guard.

Abbreviated Rulemaking Action--Northeast Multispecies

    The Council will consider final action on an adjustment to the 
Multispecies FMP under the framework for abbreviated rulemaking 
contained in 50 CFR 651.40. The Council will accept comments on a 
framework adjustment that would exempt from the permit-splitting 
prohibition those vessels subject to having multispecies permits 
cancelled that were acquired prior to the implementation date of 
Amendment #5. This measure would retain the permit-splitting 
prohibition from being implemented retroactively. This would be the 
second and final Council meeting under the process for framework 
adjustments. If the Regional Director for the Northeast Region concurs 
with the Council's recommendation, NMFS will publish them as a final 
rule in the Federal Register.

Abbreviated Rulemaking Action--Atlantic Sea Scallops

    The Council will consider initial action on two adjustments to the 
Sea Scallop FMP under the framework for abbreviated rulemaking 
contained in 59 CFR 650.40. The Council will accept comments on a 
framework adjustment that would extend indefinitely the maximum crew 
size limit of seven people for sea scallop vessels. The purpose of the 
measure is to supplement other efforts to reduce the catch of small 
scallops and protect aggregations of small scallops in the Mid-Atlantic 
region.
    The second framework adjustment would prohibit any limited-access 
scallop vessel from fishing with nets, unless the vessel has not used a 
scallop dredge since 1987, and also prohibit the use of twine tops. The 
intended effect is to prevent scallop dredge vessels from using nets to 
catch sea scallops.
    The Council meeting will conclude after a discussion about the 
structure of the effective use of advisory committees.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas G. Marshall, Executive 
Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 5 Broadway, Saugus, 
MA 01906; telephone: (617) 231-0422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This meeting is physically accessible to 
people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or 
other auxiliary aids should be directed to Douglas G. Marshall at (617) 
231-0422, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: November 28, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-29661 Filed 12-1-94; 8:45 am]
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