[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 6646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-251]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 020504C]


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.

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

SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is 
scheduling a public meeting of its Groundfish Advisory Panel and its 
Joint Herring Oversight Committee and Advisory Panel in February and 
March, 2004 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 February 25, 2004, and March 1-2, 
2004. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held in Portsmouth, NH and Portland, 
ME. 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

    Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. B Groundfish Advisory 
Panel Meeting.
    Location: Holiday Inn, 300 Woodbury Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801; 
telephone: (603) 431-8000.
    The Groundfish Advisory Panel will meet to discuss Framework 
Adjustment 40 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP). They will develop recommended requirements for the use of 
Category B days-at-sea (DAS). They will consider identifying 
opportunities for using Category B (regular) DAS that are based on 
seasons, areas, and gear types, and may consider additional Special 
Access Programs (SAPs). The panels' recommendations will be forwarded 
to the Groundfish Oversight Committee for consideration at a future 
meeting. The Advisory Panel will also discuss the steaming time issue 
and will discuss other business.
    Monday, March 1, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. and Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at 
8:30 a.m. B Joint Herring Oversight Committee and Advisory Panel 
Meeting.
    Location: Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, Portland, ME 
04101; telephone: (207) 775-2311.
    The Committee will review progress on development of alternatives 
and analyses for Amendment 1 to the Herring FMP. They will review 
Herring Plan Development Team recommendations regarding the range of 
alternatives in Amendment 1 and possible elimination of some 
alternatives. Also on the agenda is the review of recommendations from 
the Enforcement Committee, Habitat Technical Team, and other groups 
regarding the range of alternatives under consideration in Amendment 1. 
These groups will develop Herring Committee recommendations regarding 
the range of alternatives in Amendment 1, including possible 
elimination of some alternatives.
    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: February 5, 2004.
Tracey Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E4-251 Filed 2-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S