[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59492-59493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24156]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091702B]


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 a public meeting of its Monkfish Oversight Committee, Skate 
Advisory Panel and Whiting Oversight Committee in October, 2002 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 be held on October 8-10, 2002 and October 23-
24, 2002. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held in Portland, ME, Mansfield and 
Danvers, MA and Warwick, RI. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific 
locations.
    Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Meeting Dates and Agendas

    Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at 9:30 a.m.--Monkfish Oversight Committee 
Meeting.
    Location: Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, ME; 
telephone: (207-775-2311).

[[Page 59493]]

    The Committee will review overfishing definition options and 
analysis prepared by the Plan Development Team (PDT) for inclusion in 
Framework 2, and comments by the Scientific and Statistical Committee. 
The analysis will also show Fishing Year 2003 target Total Allowable 
Catch (TACs) for each of the options. Framework 2 will implement 
adjustments to the overfishing definitions that were made on a 
temporary basis under NMFS emergency rule in 2002, with modifications 
as appropriate based on PDT analysis. Framework 2 will also implement 
trip limit and days-at-sea adjustments for 2003 as needed to achieve 
the target TACs. Unless modified by Framework 2, the default measures 
eliminating the monkfish directed fishery will take effect upon 
expiration of the emergency rule in May, 2003 (pending an extension for 
180 days by the Secretary of Commerce in November, 2001). The Committee 
will also provide guidance to the PDT in the development of management 
alternatives to achieve the targets for the 2003 fishing year.
    Wednesday, October 9, 2002 at 9:30 a.m.--Whiting Oversight 
Committee Meeting.
    Location: Holiday Inn, 31 Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA 02048; 
telephone: (508) 339-2200.
    The committee will review development of Framework 37 to the 
Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), including 
progress on Draft Framework 37 document, background information, and 
available analyses. They will refine alternatives for inclusion in 
Framework 37. They will also provide guidance to the Whiting PDT 
regarding Framework 37. Also on the agenda is discussion of the timing 
of Framework 37 and other related issues.
    Thursday, October 10, 2002 at 10 a.m.--Skate Advisory Panel 
Meeting.
    Location: Holiday Inn, 31 Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA 02048; 
telephone: (508) 339-2200.
    The panel will review the Draft Skate FMP and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) and public hearing document. They will review public 
comments received on the Draft Skate FMP/EIS and public hearing 
document. They will also develop advisory panel comments and 
recommendations for Skate Committee and Council consideration regarding 
the Final Skate FMP management measures.
    Wednesday, October 23,2002 at 10 a.m and Thursday, October 24, 2002 
at 8:30 a.m.--Monkfish Oversight Committee Meeting.
    Location: Hampton Inn and Suites Airport, 2100 Post Road, Warwick, 
RI 02886; telephone: (401) 739-8888.
    The Committee will review a draft Stock Assessment and Fishery 
Evaluation (SAFE) Report on the 2001 fishing year, and PDT analysis of 
options for overfishing definition reference points, target TACs and 
management measures to be considered in Framework 2. Measures under 
consideration include adjustments to the trip limits and days-at-sea 
allocations to achieve the target TACs and to account for changes to 
the multispecies fishery management program (affecting monkfish 
vessels) under the court-ordered remedy. The Committee will recommend 
preferred alternatives to the Councils, as appropriate, or any other 
measures needed to achieve the plan objectives in 2003. The Committee 
will discuss the status of Amendment 2 and develop a timetable for 
completion of required elements and analysis.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
of formal action during this meeting. 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 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: September 17, 2002.
Theophilus R. Brainerd,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-24156 Filed 9-20-02; 8:45 am]
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