[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63292-63293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30264]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 110598C]


International Whaling Commission; Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: NOAA makes use of a public Interagency Committee to assist in 
preparing for meetings of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). 
This notice sets forth guidelines for participating on the Committee 
and a tentative schedule of meetings and other important dates.

DATES: December 4, 1998, 2:00 p.m. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for 
additional information and tentative dates of additional interagency 
meetings in 1999.

ADDRESSES: The December 4, 1998, meeting will be held in Room 1863, 
Herbert C. Hoover Building, Department of Commerce, 14th and 
Constitution, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Corson, (301) 713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The December 4, 1998, Interagency Committee 
meeting will review recent events relating to the IWC and issues that 
will arise at the 1999 IWC annual meeting.
    The Secretary of Commerce is charged with the responsibility of 
discharging the obligations of the United States under the 
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, 1946. This 
authority has been delegated to the Under Secretary for Oceans and 
Atmosphere, who is also the U.S. Commissioner to the IWC. The U.S. 
Commissioner has primary responsibility for the preparation and 
negotiation of U.S. positions on international issues concerning 
whaling and for all matters involving the IWC. He is staffed by the 
Department of Commerce and assisted by the Department of State, the 
Department of the Interior, the Marine Mammal Commission, and by other 
interested agencies.
    Each year, NOAA conducts meetings and other activities to prepare 
for the annual meeting of the IWC. The major purpose of the preparatory 
meetings is to provide input in the development of policy by 
individuals and non-governmental organizations interested in whale 
conservation. NOAA believes that this participation is important for 
the effective development and implementation of U.S. policy concerning 
whaling. Any person with an identifiable interest in United States 
whale conservation policy may participate in the meetings, but NOAA 
reserves the authority to inquire about the interest of any person who 
appears at a meeting and to determine the appropriateness of that 
person's participation. Foreign nationals and persons who represent 
foreign governments may not attend. These

[[Page 63293]]

stringent measures are necessary to promote the candid exchange of 
information and to establish the necessary basis for the relatively 
open process of preparing for IWC meetings that characterizes current 
practices.

Tentative Meeting Schedule

    The schedule of additional meetings and deadlines, including those 
of the IWC, during 1999 follows. Specific locations and times will be 
published in the Federal Register.
    February 19, 1999: Interagency Committee meeting to review recent 
events relating to the IWC and to review U.S. positions for the 1998 
IWC annual meeting.
     April 9, 1999: Interagency Committee meeting to review recent 
events relating to the IWC and to review U.S. positions for the 1998 
IWC annual meeting.
    April 30 to May 3, 1999 (Grenada): IWC Scientific Committee Working 
Groups.
    May 3 to 15, 1999 (Grenada): IWC Scientific Committee.
    May 17 to 19, 1999 (Grenada): IWC Whale Killing Methods Workshop.
     May 19 to 21, 1999 (Grenada): IWC Commission Committee, Sub-
committees and Working Groups.
     May 24 to 28, 1999 (Grenada): IWC 51st Annual Meeting.

Special Accommodations

    Department of Commerce meetings are physically accessible to people 
with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Catherine Corson at least 5 days 
prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: November 5, 1998.
Patricia Montanio,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30264 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F