[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 55458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26692]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 100599I]


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is 
scheduling public meetings of its ad hoc Capacity Committee, 
Enforcement Committee and a joint meeting of its Groundfish Committee 
and Groundfish Advisory Panel in October, 1999 to consider actions 
affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 
Recommendations from these groups will be brought to the full Council 
for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

DATES: The meetings will held between Tuesday, October 26, 1999 and 
Friday, October 29, 1999. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific 
dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held in Danvers and Saugus, MA. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific locations.
    Council address: 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:

Meeting Dates and Agendas

    Tuesday, October 26, at 9:30 a.m.--Enforcement Committee Meeting
    Location: New England Fishery Management Council Office, 5 
Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906; telephone: (781) 231-0422.
    The committee will discuss the enforceability of several mesh size/
possession limit enrollment program alternatives and net strengthener 
options being proposed as management measures in the whiting fishery. 
The committee also will discuss the scallop exempted fisheries under 
consideration for the Georges Bank closed areas during the year 2000. 
There will be a brief closed session to select industry advisors.
    Tuesday, October 26, at 10 a.m.--Ad Hoc Capacity Committee Meeting
    Location: Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 
01923, telephone: (978)777-2500.
    The committee will discuss various issues related harvesting 
capacity in New England fisheries. The agenda may include whether there 
is an appropriate amount of fishing capacity available and what 
measures may be necessary to manage capacity. The committee will also 
discuss its role and planned future projects.
    Friday, October 29, 1999, 9:30 a.m.--Groundfish Committee and 
Groundfish Advisory Panel Joint Meeting
    Location: Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 
01923, telephone: (978)777-2500.
    The committee and advisory panel will begin to develop options 
regarding exemptions for access to groundfish closed areas for 
consideration in the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan 
annual adjustment. Discussion may address exemptions for recreational 
party/charter vessels, sea scallop gear, raised footrope trawls, and 
fishing gear currently listed as ``exempted gear'' with respect to the 
multispecies fishery. The committee will also conduct a closed session 
to review Groundfish Advisory Panel applications.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this Council for discussion, 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 and any 
issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency 
action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified 
of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are 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 dates.

    Dated: October 6, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26692 Filed 10-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F