[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 16937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8612]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 033199E]


North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: A scientific review panel of six scientists will meet in 
Seattle, WA.

DATES: The meeting will be held on April 26-28, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Alaska Fisheries Science 
Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 9, Auditorium, Seattle, WA 
98115.
    Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 
4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clarence Pautzke, telephone: 907-271-
2809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In December 1998, the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council) approved emergency measures aimed at 
further protection for the endangered Steller sea lion. These measures 
were based on a biological opinion provided by NMFS which concluded 
that, left unchanged, the pollock fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and 
Bering Sea are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of Steller 
sea lions, and are likely to destroy or adversely modify designated 
Steller sea lion critical habitat. These emergency measures will need 
to be replaced with more permanent regulations for the years 2000 and 
beyond. The Council requested in December that NMFS, in consultation 
with the Council, the Marine Mammal Commission, and the Alaska 
Department of Fish and Game, coordinate an independent review of the 
Biological Opinion and related data.
    The panel is being asked to look at the scientific basis for the 
conclusions of the Biological Opinion and determine whether the 
principles for establishing reasonable and prudent alternatives are 
consistent with and supported by the available science.
    Although the review session will be open to public attendees, no 
public comment period is scheduled. A more detailed agenda with 
estimated times should be available on the on the NPFMC web page 
(http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc) by April 9, 1999.
    Although other issues not contained in this agenda may come before 
this panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the 
subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted 
to those issues specifically listed in this agenda.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Helen Allen, 907-271-2809, at least 5 working 
days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: April 1, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-8612 Filed 4-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F