[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48757-48758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23302]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 083099A]


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 3-day public meeting on September 21, 22, and 23, 1999, to consider 
actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 1999, at 9:30 
a.m., and Wednesday and Thursday, September 22 and 23, at 8:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Seaport Inn Conference 
Center, 110 Middle Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719; telephone (508) 997-
1281. 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:

Tuesday, September 21, 1999

    After introductions, the meeting will begin with reports on recent 
activities from the Council Chairman, Executive Director, the 
Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, and 
representatives of the Coast Guard and the Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission. Following reports, the Chairman of the Groundfish 
Committee will recommend approval of final action on Framework 
Adjustment 31 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP). The framework includes mid-season adjustments to the Gulf of 
Maine (GOM) cod fishery that also could carry forward to the 2000-2001 
fishing year and modification of the Georges Bank cod trip limit 
adjustment mechanism. After a noon break, the Groundfish Committee and 
Council will continue their discussions until the meeting is adjourned 
for the day.

[[Page 48758]]

Wednesday, September 22, 1999

    The Scallop Plan Development Team Chairman will make a presentation 
on the Sea Scallop Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) 
Report. The report will include an update of the 1998 stock assessment 
with 1999 fishing year data and projections, as well as recommended 
management options. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee 
will then provide its review of the assessment and analyses contained 
in the SAFE Report. After a noon break, the Sea Scallop Committee will 
recommend management alternatives and approval of initial action on 
Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP (the annual 
framework adjustment), based on the information in the SAFE report and 
recommendations from industry advisors. Framework Adjustment 12 will 
specify scallop management measures for the 2000 fishing year (March 
2000 through February 2001). The day will conclude with a review and 
approval of a scallop research proposal to be funded through the 1-
percent scallop total allowable catch set-aside established for the 
Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program.

Thursday, September 23, 1999

    The Whiting Committee will approve initial action on a framework 
adjustment to the Northeast Multispecies FMP to address unresolved 
small mesh multispecies management issues. Measures may include options 
for a mesh size/possession limit call-in enrollment system and options 
for the use of a net strengthener with 2.5-inch (6.4-cm) mesh size. The 
committee also will review its discussions about limited entry in the 
whiting fishery. There will be general discussion of issues to be 
addressed in an upcoming amendment to the Northeast Multispecies FMP, 
which will remove whiting, red hake, offshore hake, and ocean pout from 
the Multispecies FMP and establish a separate Small Mesh Species FMP. 
The Capacity Committee will ask the Council for preliminary 
identification of issues and options for future consideration. 
Following a noon break, the Habitat Committee will report on ongoing 
issues. The meeting will conclude after the Council addresses any other 
outstanding business.
    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 notice.
    Documents pertaining to framework adjustment actions are available 
for public review 7 days prior to a final vote by the Council. Copies 
of the documents may be obtained from the Council (see ADDRESSES).

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: September 1, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23302 Filed 9-2-99; 3:25 pm]
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