[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 45 (Friday, March 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 10544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5695]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 030397A]


Advisory Panel on Atlantic Billfish Fisheries

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

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for nominations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS solicits nominations for the Atlantic billfish advisory 
panel (AP). The purpose of the AP will be to assist NMFS in the 
collection and evaluation of information relevant to the amendment of 
the billfish management plan. The AP will include representatives from 
all interests in Atlantic billfish fisheries.

DATES: Nominations must be submitted on or before April 7, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be submitted to Rebecca Lent, Highly 
Migratory Species Management Division, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD, 20910. Nominations may be submitted by fax; 301-713-
1917.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Kelly, 301-713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act, (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., as 
amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act, Public Law 104-297, an 
Advisory Panel (AP) will be established to consult with NMFS in the 
collection and evaluation of information relevant to the amendment of 
the Atlantic billfish fishery management plan.
    The purpose of the AP is to assist NMFS in the development of an 
amendment to the billfish management plan. The first action will be 
development of definitions (i.e., bycatch, overfishing) and other 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Procedures and Guidelines

    A. Procedures for Establishing the Advisory Panel.
    Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and 
commercial fishing and related industries, environmental community, 
academia, governmental and quasi-governmental entities will be 
considered as members of the AP. Selection of AP members will not be 
limited to those that are nominated.
    Nominations are invited from all individuals and constituent 
groups. The nomination should include:
    1. The name of the applicant or nominee and a description of their 
interest in or connection with highly migratory species (HMS) and 
billfish in particular;
    2. A statement of background and/or qualifications;
    3. A written commitment that the applicant or nominee shall 
actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the AP.
    B. Participants.
    The AP shall consist of not less than seven (7) members who are 
knowledgeable about the pelagic fisheries for Atlantic HMS, 
particularly billfish fisheries. Nominations will be accepted to allow 
representation from recreational and commercial fishing interests, the 
conservation community, and the scientific community. NMFS does not 
believe that each potentially affected organization or individual must 
necessarily have its own representative, but each interest must be 
adequately represented. The intent is to have a group that, as a whole, 
reflects an appropriate balance and mix of interests given the 
responsibilities of the AP. Criteria for membership include one or more 
of the following: a) Experience in the recreational fishing industry 
involved in catching billfish; b) experience in the commercial fishing 
industry involved in billfish bycatch; c) experience in connected 
industries (marinas, bait and tackle shops); d) experience in the 
scientific community working with HMS; e) former or current 
representative of a private, regional, state, national, or 
international organization representing marine fisheries interests 
dealing with billfish.
    NMFS will provide the necessary administrative support, including 
technical assistance, for the AP. However, we will be unable to 
compensate participants with monetary support of any kind, because no 
funds were appropriated to support this activity in fiscal year 1997. 
Members will be expected to pay for travel costs related to the AP.
    C. Tentative Schedule.
    Meetings of the AP will be held twice or thrice yearly. The initial 
activities include consideration of definitions of overfishing, etc., 
to be developed for amendments to the Billfish Management Plan. 
Amendments and regulations will be submitted for Secretarial review by 
October 11, 1998.

    Dated: March 3, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-5695 Filed 3-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F