[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 36858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13254]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 051002B]


Assessment Modeling Paper on Large Coastal Sharks

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of large coastal shark assessment 
modeling paper; request for comments; announcement of large coastal 
shark stock assessment workshop.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of a paper that evaluates the 
range of sensitivity trials and alternative model structures 
recommended by independent peer reviews of the 1998 large coastal shark 
(LCS) stock assessment. The paper describes the sensitivity trial 
results obtained from using 1998 data to evaluate the recommended range 
of alternative model/data formulations. NMFS requests public comment on 
the paper and whether the recommendations of the independent peer 
reviews have been adequately addressed. NMFS also announces the 2002 
LCS stock evaluation workshop (SEW) will be held June 24-28, 2002, in 
the NMFS Panama City Laboratory, 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, 
FL 32408.

DATES: Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern 
standard time, on June 5, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the modeling paper should be sent to 
Margo Schulze-Haugen, Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/
SF1), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910, or may be sent via facsimile (fax) to 301-713-
1917. Written requests for copies of the modeling paper should be sent 
to Margo Schulze-Haugen.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margo Schulze-Haugen or Karyl 
Brewster-Geisz, (301) 713-2347, fax (301) 713-1917; or Enric Cortes, 
(850) 234-6541.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic shark fisheries are managed 
under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act. The Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, 
Swordfish, and Sharks (HMS FMP) is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR 
part 635.
    On November 21, 2000, Southern Offshore Fishing Association and 
other commercial fishermen and dealers (plaintiffs) and NMFS reached a 
settlement agreement that prescribed actions to be taken by both 
parties in order to resolve issues raised in two lawsuits brought 
against NMFS by the plaintiffs. On December 7, 2000, Judge Steven D. 
Merryday of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida 
entered an order approving the settlement agreement.
    The settlement agreement, inter alia, required NMFS to obtain an 
independent review of the 1998 LCS stock assessment. In October 2001, 
NMFS received the complete peer reviews of the 1998 LCS stock 
assessment. The reviews contained various recommendations for future 
LCS stock assessments.
    The modeling paper evaluates the range of sensitivity trials and 
alternative model structures recommended by the independent peer 
reviews of the 1998 LCS stock assessment. The paper describes the 
sensitivity trial results obtained from using 1998 data to evaluate the 
recommended range of alternative model/data formulations. NMFS requests 
public comment on the paper and whether the recommendations of the peer 
reviews have been adequately addressed. The paper is now available on 
the NMFS website (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hmspg.html). Hard copies 
of the document are available upon request (see ADDRESSES).
    NMFS also announces the 2002 LCS stock evaluation workshop (SEW) 
will be held June 24-28, 2002, in the NMFS Panama City Laboratory, 3500 
Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, FL 32408. Past and prospective 
participants and observers will be contacted with the SEW details. 
Persons interested in participating or observing the SEW should contact 
Enric Cortes (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

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

    Dated: May 22, 2002.
John H. Dunnigan
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-13254 Filed 5-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S