[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44503-44504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21194]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080499C]


Advisory Panels on Billfish and Highly Migratory Species 
Fisheries

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

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: NMFS solicits nominations for the Billfish and Highly 
Migratory Species (HMS) advisory panels (APs). The purpose of the APs 
is to assist NMFS in the collection and evaluation of information 
relevant to the development of management plans, plan amendments, and 
regulatory amendments for Atlantic billfish and for Atlantic tunas, 
swordfish, and sharks. The APs include representatives from all 
interests in HMS fisheries.

DATES: Nominations must be submitted on or before September 13, 1999.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Stevenson or Alicon Morgan at 
(301) 713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    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, two 
Advisory Panels (APs) were established in 1997 to consult with NMFS in 
the collection and evaluation of information relevant to the 
development of fishery management plans (FMPs), FMP amendments, and 
regulatory amendments under the framework provisions for Atlantic 
billfish and Atlantic tunas, swordfish and sharks. Members of these two 
APs were selected to serve for approximately 2 years. The HMS AP 
Statement of Organization, Practices and Procedures (SOPPs) call for 
half of the AP members to be replaced after 2 years, with the other 
half being replaced 6 months later. This staggered renewal process was 
designed to allow for a more gradual adjustment as the AP members are 
replaced. The HMS AP SOPPs further state that, of the 22 non-federal 
members of the AP, 8 are representatives of the commercial fisheries 
for Atlantic HMS, 7 are representatives of the recreational fisheries 
for Atlantic HMS, 6 are from the academic and environmental community 
active in the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS, and 1 is 
from the U.S. Advisory Committee to the International Commission for 
the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The Billfish AP SOPPs 
indicate that the membership term for all members of the Billfish AP 
expired June 1, 1999. Of the 7 non-federal voting members of the 
Billfish AP, 4 are representatives of the recreational fisheries for 
Atlantic HMS, 1 is a representative of commercial fisheries for whom 
billfish are incidental catch or bycatch, 1 is a representative of the 
environmental organizations active the conservation and management of 
Atlantic billfish, and 1 is a representative of the academic community.
    Five additional members of the HMS AP include one representative 
each of the New England Fishery Management Council, the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the 
Caribbean Fishery Management Council. The HMS AP also includes 22 ex-
officio participants: 20 representatives of the constituent states and 
2 representatives of the constituent interstate commissions: the 
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Gulf States Marine 
Fisheries Commission.
    Five additional voting members of the Billfish AP include one 
representative each of the New England Fishery Management Council, the 
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and 
the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. The Billfish AP also includes 
23 non-voting members: 20 representatives of the constituent states, 2 
representatives of the constituent interstate commissions; the Atlantic 
States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries 
Commission; and the chair, or his or her designee, of the U.S. Advisory 
Committee to ICCAT.
    In order to determine which HMS AP members are to be replaced 
within 2 years and which within 2 1/2 years, NMFS selected every odd-
numbered member from an alphabetically ordered list of the original 
appointees. Nevertheless, NMFS is soliciting nominations for replacing 
the entire membership of the AP at this time, with some new members to 
begin their 2-year term on October 11, 1999, and others on April 6, 
2000. Selection of AP members will not be limited to those that are 
nominated.
    The following HMS AP members' terms expire October 11, 1999: 
Recreational representatives - Joe McBride, Ray Bogan, Bob Eakes and 
Mark Sampson; Commercial representatives - Rich Ruais and Peter Weiss; 
and academic/environmental representatives: John Dean, Sonja

[[Page 44504]]

Fordham, Bob Hueter and John Wingard.
    The following HMS AP members' terms expire April 6, 2000: 
Recreational representatives - Jim Donofrio, Ellen Peel and Bob Zales; 
Commercial representatives - Nelson Beideman, Russell Hudson, Robert 
Fitzpatrick, Gail Johnson and Bob Spaeth; academic/environmental 
representatives - Carl Safina and David Wilmot; and ICCAT 
representative - John Graves.
    All Billfish AP members' terms expired June 1, 1999. NMFS is 
soliciting nominations for replacing the entire membership of the 
Billfish AP.
    The purpose of the APs is to assist NMFS in the development of 
FMPs, FMP amendments, and regulatory amendments under the FMP framework 
provisions for Atlantic billfish and Atlantic tunas, swordfish and 
sharks. The APs assist NMFS in meeting the requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act throughout the FMP development process.

Procedures and Guidelines

Procedures for Selecting Advisory Panel Members

    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 nominated. Nominations may include current members of 
the billfish or HMS APs.
    Nominations are invited from all individuals and constituent 
groups. The nomination should include:
    1. Indication of whether the nomination is for the billfish AP, HMS 
AP, or both APs;
    2. The name of the applicant or nominee and a description of his or 
her interest in or connection with billfish (for billfish AP) or with 
one species in particular from among billfish, sharks, swordfish, and 
tunas (for HMS AP);
    3. A statement of background and/or qualifications; and
    4. A written commitment that the applicant or nominee shall 
actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the AP.

Participants

    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:
    1. Experience in the recreational fishing industry involved in 
catching swordfish, tunas, or sharks;
    2. Experience in the commercial fishing industry for HMS;
    3. Experience in connected industries (marinas, bait and tackle 
shops);
    4. Experience in the scientific community working with HMS; and
    5. Former or current representative of a private, regional, state, 
national, or international organization representing marine fisheries 
interests dealing with HMS.
    NMFS will provide the necessary administrative support, including 
technical assistance, for the AP. However, NMFS will be unable to 
compensate participants with monetary support for their labor, as no 
funds were appropriated to support this activity in fiscal year 1999. 
Funding for travel costs of AP members is not always available; 
therefore, AP members may be expected to pay for travel costs related 
to the AP.

Tentative Schedule

    Meetings of the AP will be held twice yearly or more frequently as 
necessary; the APs will meet jointly every year, in January or in 
February to review the Annual SAFE Report and to consider future 
management actions. Upcoming activities include consideration of 
regulatory amendments under the framework provisions, particularly 
measures to address bycatch.

    Dated: August 10, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21194 Filed 8-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F