[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54169-54170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21315]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 081202D]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Advisory Panels

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

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: NMFS solicits nominations for the Highly Migratory Species 
(HMS) advisory panel (AP) and the Billfish AP, and announces a joint 
meeting tentatively for November 2002, in Silver Spring, MD. The 
purpose of the AP's will be to assist NMFS in the collection and 
evaluation 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 
will include representatives from all interests in HMS fisheries and 
billfish fisheries, respectively.

DATES: Nominations must be submitted on or before October 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Nominations and comments on Statement of Organization, 
Practices and Procedures 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.

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) 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 one third of the posts of the HMS AP for three 
year appointments, and one half of the posts of the Billfish AP for two 
year appointments. The nomination process and appointments are required 
by 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. All appointments 
will be for 3 years (36 months).
    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. All appointments will 
be for 2 years (24 months).

[[Page 54170]]

B. Participants
    The HMS AP consists of not less than twenty-two (22) members who 
are knowledgeable about the pelagic fisheries for all Atlantic HMS 
species. The Billfish AP consists 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. Depending on 
availability of funds members maybe reimbursed for for travel costs 
related to the AP meetings.
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. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for 
November 2002, in Silver Spring, MD. This meeting is being held in 
addition to the routinely held Spring meeting.

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

    Dated: August 15, 2002.
Virginia M. Fay,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-21315 Filed 8-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S