[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 31, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15334-15335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7890]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 032299B]


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 2-day public meeting on April 14 and April 15, 1999, to consider 
actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 1999, at 9:30 
a.m. and on Thursday, April 15, 1999, at 8:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Providence Biltmore Hotel, 
11 Dorrance Street, Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI; telephone (401) 421-
0700. 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:

Wednesday, April 14, 1999

    The meeting will begin with consideration of final action on 
Framework Adjustment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery in conjunction with Framework Adjustment 
29 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery FMP. Management measures being 
considered would allow sea scallop dredge vessels in Closed Area II and 
possibly the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area--areas in which scallop 
fishing is now prohibited because of an associated groundfish bycatch. 
The Council will consider decisions/recommendations regarding 
groundfish and scallop conservation, habitat impacts, gear conflicts, 
enforceability, and the mandates of the Sustainable Fisheries Act. 
Measures may include, but are not limited to: A target scallop total 
allowable catch (TAC) in Closed Area II and the Nantucket Lightship 
Closed Area; trip allocations; days-at sea (DAS) adjustments for 
fishing inside versus outside the closed areas; trip limits, with trip 
declaration and notice of landing requirements; area restrictions on 
scallop fishing within Closed Area II and the Nantucket Lightship Area; 
gear restrictions to reduce bycatch, such as dredge twine top 
regulations; a demarcation line for counting DAS; a TAC set-aside for 
research and observation of fishing activity; and an adjustment to the 
300-lb (136-kg) regulated species possession limit to reduce discards. 
Once this matter is concluded, the Sea Scallop Committee will identify 
and the Council will seek approval of issues to be addressed in 
Amendment 10 to the Sea Scallop FMP. Amendment 10 will be developed 
later this year and is expected to go into effect on or about March 1, 
2000.

Thursday, April 15, 1999

    The second session will begin with reports from the Council 
Chairman; the Executive Director; the Acting Regional Administrator, 
Northeast Region, NMFS (Acting Regional Administrator); the Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
liaisons; and representatives of the Coast Guard, the Atlantic States 
Marine Fisheries Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 
Following reports, the Chairman of the Groundfish Committee will seek 
approval of final action on Framework Adjustment 30 to the Northeast 
Multispecies FMP. Management measures would reduce fishing effort on 
Georges Bank cod by 22 percent in the 1999 fishing year through any of 
the following measures: DAS reductions, trip limits, closed areas, 
reductions in the amount of hook gear and gillnets

[[Page 15335]]

allowed, and a minimum size increase for cod to 21 inches (53 cm).
    During the afternoon session, the Habitat Annual Review Report will 
be presented. This will consist of a review of habitat-related 
activities, on-going research projects, new and additional habitat-
related information on the distribution and abundance of fish species, 
important areas and habitats, and impacts to fish habitat. There will 
be proposals for revising the Council's Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 
designations and Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC). Options 
for minimizing fishing-related impacts to EFH and HAPC and a 
prioritized list of research and information needs will also be 
included. Following the annual review, the Habitat Committee may 
recommend action based on the information presented. The meeting will 
adjourn once any other outstanding Council business has been addressed.

Announcement of Experimental Fishery Application

    The Acting Regional Administrator is considering renewal of an 
experimental fishing proposal that would involve fishing for, 
retention, and limited landings of various species of fish, including 
invertebrates and regulated multispecies, using small mesh in the Gulf 
of Maine/Georges Bank Regulated Mesh Area. The experimental fishery 
would be conducted by the Mount Desert Oceanarium to collect various 
species for public display. An exempted fishing permit would be issued 
to the participating vessel to exempt it from the possession limit, 
mesh size, minimum fish size, and DAS restrictions of the Northeast 
Multispecies FMP.
    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 
document.

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: March 25, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7890 Filed 3-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F