[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53966-53967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23436]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 090403F]


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 (Council) will convene 
a meeting of the Ad Hoc Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Committee, which 
is open to the public.

[[Page 53967]]


DATES: The Ad Hoc VMS Committee will meet Tuesday, October 7, 2003 
beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing until business for the day is 
completed.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the West Conference Room at the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 
200, Portland, OR 97220-1384; telephone: (503) 820-2280.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Burner, Pacific Fishery 
Management Council Groundfish Staff Officer; telephone: (503) 820-2280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose of the meeting is to 
review the Council recommendation to expand the VMS program for West 
Coast groundfish fisheries to additional fishery sectors. The Council 
approved a pilot program for the limited entry trawl and limited entry 
fixed gear sectors and recommended implementation on January 1, 2004. 
The committee needs to consider expanding the VMS program to ensure 
effective monitoring and enforcement of area closures in commercial and 
recreational groundfish fisheries. The composition of the committee was 
revised by the Council at the June 2003 meeting to include 
representatives of limited entry, recreational charter vessel, and open 
access fishery sectors as well as representatives of the Enforcement 
Consultants, National Marine Fisheries Service, and fish processors.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda 
may be discussed, those issues may not be the 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: September 9, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainble Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23436 Filed 9-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S