[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 77752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31981]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 121102A]


Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of meetings of the Marine Fisheries 
Advisory Committee (MAFAC) from January 7 through 10, 2003.

DATES: The meetings are scheduled as follows:
    January 7, 2003, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    January 8, 2003, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    January 9, 2003, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    January 10, 2003, 8 a.m. - 12 noon

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at Hotel Washington, 515 15th 
Street, NW, Washington D.C. Requests for special accommodations may be 
directed to MAFAC, Office of Constituent Services, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurel Bryant, Designated Federal 
Official; telephone: (301) 713-9501 ext. 171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As required by section 10(a) (2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1982), notice is hereby 
given of meetings of MAFAC. MAFAC was established by the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary) on February 17, 1972, to advise the Secretary on 
all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the 
Department of Commerce. This Committee ensures that the living marine 
resource policies and programs of the Nation are adequate to meet the 
needs of commercial and recreational fisheries, and of environmental, 
state, consumer, academic, tribal, and other national interests.

Matters to Be Considered

January 7, 20003

    Orientation and program briefings for new MAFAC members.

January 8, 2003

    Overview of NOAA Fisheries, including progress toward regulatory 
streamlining efforts, agency's assessment of its progress in 
implementing the Sustainable Fishing Act, and progress toward a 
national bycatch strategy. The key challenges and priorities for 2003 
will be discussed along with MAFAC's role in contributing to those 
priorities. Topics for discussion include reauthorization of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act(Magnuson-
Stevens Act) and various management components such as individual 
fishing quotas, overcapacity and the national standards under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. In addition, MAFAC will receive a report on a 
draft technical guidance document for implementing ecosystem management 
approaches for marine resource management.

January 9, 2003

    Committee will review it's operation, policy and structure and 
address any operational and organizational modifications as well as 
conduct subcommittee work on identified issues.

January 10, 2003

    Committee will make final reports to NOAA Fisheries and adjourn.
    Time will be set aside for public comment on agenda items.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to MAFAC (see ADDRESSES).

    Dated: December 16, 2002.
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations,National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31981 Filed 12-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S