[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 6479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3488]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 020402B]


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 2-day Council meeting on February 26 and 27, 2002, to consider 
actions affecting New England fisheries in the U.S. exclusive economic 
zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 26 
and 27, 2002. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday and 8:30 
a.m. on Wednesday.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel, 50 
Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 01923; telephone (978) 777-2500. Requests 
for special accommodations should be addressed to the New England 
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 
01950; telephone (978) 465-0492.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council, (978) 465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Tuesday, February 26, 2002

    Following introductions, the Council will consider final adoption 
of the Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan (FMP) documents, 
including a description of measures, draft regulations, and summary of 
impacts. The FMP contains measures to implement a controlled access 
program for the directed red crab fishery, a target total allowable 
catch level, days-at-sea limits, trip limits, and trap limits for 
vessels in the controlled access program. If adopted by the Council, 
the FMP will be forwarded to the Secretary of Commerce for 
consideration. The Skate Committee will ask for approval of the Draft 
Skate FMP and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, including the 
identification of preferred alternatives and a public hearing document. 
The discussion will include review and approval of the Habitat 
Committee's recommendations for the designation of skate Essential Fish 
Habitat.
    Following these reports, the Council will discuss the possibility 
of future action concerning the scheduled annual review of the status 
of whiting stocks and the effectiveness of whiting management measures. 
These issues will be discussed in the context of the 2003 whiting 
default measures in the Northeast Multispecies FMP and whether action 
is necessary to revise those measures. The Council's Research Steering 
Committee will provide a brief update on its most recent activities. 
The Scallop Committee intends to ask for approval of additional 
management alternatives to be included in Draft Amendment 10 to the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP and analyzed in the Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement. Primary issues include alternatives to 
minimize bycatch and minimize adverse impacts on habitat in the sea 
scallop fishery. Prior to adjourning for the day, the Council will 
review and possibly approve a proposal to improve the enforceability of 
measures to address operator permit sanctions. The Council is 
considering endorsing an action that would hold fishing boat owners and 
operators responsible for individuals onboard vessels who are known by 
the owners or operators to have had their operator's permit suspended 
or revoked because of fishing violations.

Wednesday, February 27, 2002

    The remainder of the Council meeting will focus on addressing 
issues associated with Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. 
These include a review of events associated with recent litigation, a 
possible consideration and approval of groundfish status determination 
criteria for use in Amendment 13, the approval of Amendment 13 goals 
and objectives and the approval of Groundfish Committee recommendations 
for an amendment development process.
    Although other non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda 
may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be 
the subjects of formal 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 that the public has been 
notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address the 
emergency.
    The New England Council will consider public comments at a minimum 
of two Council meetings before making recommendations to the NMFS 
Regional Administrator on any framework adjustment to a fishery 
management plan. If the Regional Administrator concurs with the 
adjustment proposed by the Council, the Regional Administrator may 
publish the action either as proposed or final regulations in the 
Federal Register. Documents pertaining to framework adjustments are 
available for public review 7 days prior to a final vote by the 
Council.

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: February 7, 2002.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-3488 Filed 2-8-02; 12:33 pm]
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