[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 69 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17605-17606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8824]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 040303B]


Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Highly 
Migratory Species Plan Development Team (HMSPDT), Highly Migratory 
Species Advisory Subpanel, and Highly Migratory Species Subcommittee of 
the Science and Statistical Committee will hold a joint work session, 
which is open to the public.

DATES: The work session will be Tuesday, April 29, 2003 from 9 a.m. 
until 4 p.m.; and Wednesday, April 30, 2003 from 9 a.m. until business 
for the day is completed.

ADDRESSES: The work session will be held at the Hubbs-Sea World 
Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109; 
telephone: (619) 226-3870.
    Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE 
Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97220-1384.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dan Waldeck, Pacific Fishery 
Management Council; telephone: (503) 820-2280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At this joint meeting, NMFS analysts will 
present information on potential impacts on sea turtles from high seas 
longline fishing east of 150[deg] W longitude. Recent information from 
longline fishing operations east of 150[deg] W longitude has been 
reviewed by NMFS. Based on their initial review, NMFS is concerned that 
longline vessels targeting swordfish could have interactions with sea 
turtles at rates similar to rates in waters west of 150[deg] W 
longitude. These latter rates were the basis for total turtle take and 
mortality estimates that resulted in a jeopardy determination and the 
prohibition of swordfish targeting by Hawaii-based longline vessels. A 
similar conclusion for West Coast-based fishing under the FMP could 
result in partial disapproval of the fishery management plan (FMP). 
Therefore, in March 2003, NMFS requested and the Council agreed to 
delay submission of the HMS FMP to provide time for NMFS to complete 
scientific review of the new data and present the results to the 
Council HMS advisory committees. At the June 2003 Council meeting, the 
Council will review the new information and, based on the advice of its 
advisors and the public, could act to modify a motion previously 
adopted. That is, at the June 2003 Council meeting, the Council could 
modify the preferred alternative for pelagic longline fisheries outside 
of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.
    Although nonemergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda 
may be discussed, those issues may not be the

[[Page 17606]]

subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted 
to those issues specifically listed in this document and any issues 
arising after publication of this document that require emergency 
action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified 
of the intent to take final action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Ms. Carolyn Porter at (503) 820-2280 at least 5 
days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: April 3, 2003.
Theophilus R. Brainerd,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8824 Filed 4-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S