[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57424-57426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28662]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110201D]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Advisory Panels

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

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for nominations; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS solicits nominations for the Highly Migratory Species 
(HMS) advisory panel (AP) and the Billfish AP. The purpose of the AP's 
will be to assist NMFS in the collection and evaluation

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of information relevant to modification or amendment of the fisheries 
management plan for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, and sharks (HMS FMP) and 
to modification of the Billfish FMP Amendment. The AP's will include 
representatives from all interests in HMS fisheries and billfish 
fisheries, respectively. Modifications are considered for the Statement 
of Organization, Practices and Procedures (SOPP) of each AP.

DATES: Nominations or comments must be submitted on or before December 
31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Nominations and comments on SOPPs revision recommendations 
should be submitted in writing to Chris Rogers, Chief, Highly Migratory 
Species Division, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 
20910. Nominations may be submitted by fax; 301-713-1917. SOPPs 
revision recommendations will not be accepted by fax.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Othel Freeman or Carol Douglas (301) 
713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    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, Advisory 
Panels (AP's) have been established to consult with NMFS in the 
collection and evaluation of information relevant to the HMS FMP (April 
1999) and the Billfish FMP Amendment (April 1999). Nominations are 
being sought to fill all posts in both AP's. In addition, NMFS is 
considering a modification to the Statement of Organization, Practices 
and Procedures (SOPP) for each AP.
    The purpose of the HMS AP is to advise and assist the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary) in the collection and evaluation of information 
relevant to any amendment to the HMS FMP (April 1999). The HMS AP 
evaluates future management options for Atlantic tunas, swordfish and 
sharks under the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    The purpose of the Billfish AP is to advise and assist the 
Secretary in the collection and evaluation of information relevant to 
any amendment to the Billfish FMP. The Billfish AP evaluates future 
management options for Atlantic billfish under the requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Procedures and Guidelines

A. Procedures for Appointing the Advisory Panels.

    Individuals with definable interests in the recreational and 
commercial fishing and related industries, environmental community, 
academia, governmental entities and non-governmental organizations will 
be considered for membership in the AP.
    Nominations are invited from all individuals and constituent 
groups. The nomination should include:
    1. The name of the applicant or nominee and a description of their 
interest in highly migratory species (HMS) or one species in particular 
from among sharks, swordfish, tunas and billfish;
    2. A statement of background and/or qualifications;
    3. The AP to which the applicant seeks appointment;
    4. A written commitment that the applicant or nominee shall 
actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the AP.
Tenure for the HMS AP:
    Member tenure will be for 3 years, with one third of the members' 
terms expiring on the last day of each calendar year. Current terms for 
existing members expire for one-half of the panel members on December 
31, 2001, and one-half on April 6, 2002. Appointments in January 2002, 
will be for 1, 2, or 3 years, and appointments in April 2002, will be 
for 9 months, 21 months, and 33 months, apportioned equally among the 
posts for the then expired terms. All subsequent appointments will be 
for 3 years (36 months). Posts for terms of varying tenure in 2002 will 
be randomly selected.
Tenure for the Billfish AP:
    Member tenure will be for 2 years, with one half of the terms 
expiring on the last day of each calendar year. Current terms for 
existing posts all expire on December 31, 2001. Appointments in January 
2002 will be for 1 or 2 years apportioned equally among the posts for 
the then expired terms. Posts for terms of 1 or 2 years tenure will be 
randomly selected.

B. Participants

    The HMS AP shall consist of not less than twenty-two (22) members 
who are knowledgeable about the pelagic fisheries for all Atlantic HMS 
species. The Billfish AP shall consist of not less than eight (8) 
members who are knowledgeable about the pelagic fisheries for all 
billfish species. Nominations for each AP 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 area of interest must 
be adequately represented. The intent is to have a group that, as a 
whole, reflects an appropriate and equitable balance and mix of 
interests given the responsibilities of each AP. Criteria for 
membership include one or more of the following: (a) Experience in the 
recreational fishing industry involved in catching swordfish, tunas, 
billfish,or sharks; (b) experience in the commercial fishing industry 
for HMS; (c) experience in fishery-related industries (marinas, bait 
and tackle shops); (d) experience in the scientific community working 
with HMS; (e) representation of a private, non-governmental, regional, 
(non-Federal) state, national, or international organization 
representing marine fisheries, environmental, governmental or academic 
interests dealing with HMS.
    Five (5) additional members of the AP include one voting 
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 AP also includes twenty-
two (22) ex-officio participants: twenty (20) representatives of the 
constituent states and two (2) representatives of the constituent 
interstate commissions; the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 
and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
    NMFS will provide the necessary administrative support, including 
technical assistance, for the AP. However, NMFS will not compensate 
participants with monetary support of any kind. Members are expected to 
pay for travel costs related to the AP.

C. Tentative Schedule

    Meetings of each AP will be held as frequently as necessary but are 
routinely held once each year in the spring. Often the meetings are 
held jointly, and may be held in conjunction with other advisory panel 
meetings or public hearings.

D. Consideration of SOPP Revisions

    SOPP's for each AP are under consideration for revision. Member 
tenure for existing posts on each AP are under consideration to be 
changed. The HMS AP appointment will change from

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two years to three years, with one third of the posts being filled each 
year. The Billfish AP appointment will change from two years with all 
the posts changing every two years, to half of the posts being filled 
each year. Any recommendations for other changes may be made to the 
Chief, Highly Migratory Species Division (see ADDRESSES).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    Dated: November 9, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-28662 Filed 11-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S