[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 142 (Monday, July 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 44513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16951]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 071404A]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Notice of Sea Turtle 
Release/Protocol Workshops

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

ACTION: Notice of public workshops.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is announcing workshops that will demonstrate the proper 
sea turtle handling and release techniques for vessel operators using 
pelagic longline gear in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of 
Mexico and the Carribean Sea. The workshops will also show the required 
release equipment and summarize the current regulations involving the 
mandatory use of handling and release techniques along with the types 
of release equipment for sea turtles.

DATES: The workshops will be held from July through September 2004. For 
specific dates and times see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The workshops will be held in Dulac and Larose, LA; Panama 
City, Pompano Beach and Ft. Pierce, FL; Charleston, SC; Wanchese, NC; 
Barnegat Light, NJ; East Setauket, NY; Narragansett, RI; and New 
Bedford, MA. For specific locations and times see SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written comments or questions 
regarding workshops should be addressed to Charlie Bergmann, 3209 
Frederic St. Pascagoula, MS 39567 or by phone at (228)-762-4591 or 
(228)-623-0748.
    Any additional information for Highly Migratory Species can be 
found online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms or by calling Highly 
Migratory Species Management Division at (301)-713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic tuna, swordfish, shark, and 
billfish fisheries are managed under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and regulated pursuant 
to the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), which authorizes 
rulemaking to implement recommendations of the International Commission 
for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Implementing 
regulations for both the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, 
Swordfish, and Sharks and the Billfish Fishery Management Plan are at 
50 CFR part 635.
    On July 6, 2004, NMFS published a final rule (69 FR 40734) stating 
that all vessel operators in the pelagic longline fishery in the 
Atlantic Ocean, including Gulf of Mexico, and Carribean Sea must follow 
NMFS Careful Release Protocols For Sea Turtle Release With Minimal 
Injury. For more information about these protocols, visit the HMS web 
site or call Charlie Bergman (see ADDRESSES).
    Also on June 1, 2004, NMFS released a Biological Opinion regarding 
the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. This Biological Opinion requires 
NMFS to hold voluntary workshops demonstrating the new sea turtle 
handling and releasing techniques and equipment. Proper use will 
increase the post-release survival of the sea turtles. All pelagic 
longline fisherman (e.g., permit holders, vessel operators, and crew) 
in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, 
and any interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend.
    The dates, times, and locations of these workshops are scheduled as 
follows:
    1. July 27, 2004, Steven Le Seafood, 8893 Shrimpers Row, Dulac, LA 
70353 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    2. July 28, 2004, LaRose civic Center, 307 East 5th St., Larose, LA 
70373 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
    3. July 29, 2004, NMFS Laboratory, 3500 Delwood Beach Dr., Panama 
City, FL 32408 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    4. August 16, 2004, Pompano Beach Civic Center, 1801 NE 6th St., 
Pompano Beach, FL 33060 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    5. August 17, 2004, Ft. Pierce Hurricane House, 8400 Picos Rd., Ft 
Pierce, FL 34945 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    6. August 18, 2004, USCG Training Center, 1050 Register St., 
Charleston, SC 29405 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    7. August 19, 2004, Etheridge Seafood, 4561 Mill Landing Rd., 
Wanchese, NC 27981 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    8. September 13, 2004,Barnegat Light Fire Hall, 10th St & Central, 
Barnegat Light, NJ 24943 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    9. September 14, 2004, New York State Department of Environmental 
Conservation, 205 Bellmead Rd., East Setauket, NY 11733 from 10 a.m. to 
2 p.m.
    10. September 16, 2004, Narragansett NOAA Lab, 28 Tarewell Dr., 
Narragansett, RI 22882 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    11. September 17, 2004, MacCleans Seafood, 10 North Front St., New 
Bedford, MA 02740 from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Request for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Charlie Bergmann at (228) 762-4591 
or (228) 623-0748 at least 5 days before the meeting.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    Dated: July 20, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-16951 Filed 7-21-04; 3:07 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S