[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] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F