[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 56197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-2242]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091404D]


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. The primary purpose of the meeting is to review 
the Council recommendations on expanding the VMS program for West Coast 
groundfish fisheries to additional fishery sectors and to develop 
recommendations for the November 2004 Council meeting.

DATES: The Ad Hoc VMS Committee will meet Thursday, October 7, 2004 
beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing until business for the day is 
completed.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Benson Hotel, 309 SW 
Broadway, Portland, OR 97205-3725; telephone: 503-228-2000.
    Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE 
Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97220-1384.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council approved and the National Marine 
Fisheries Service implemented a pilot VMS program which began on 
January 1, 2004 for the limited entry trawl and limited entry fixed 
gear groundfish fishery sectors. The committee needs to consider 
expanding the VMS program to ensure effective monitoring and 
enforcement of area closures in commercial and recreational groundfish 
fisheries. At the September 2004 Council meeting, the Council is 
scheduled to review a draft Environmental Assessment which builds on 
the existing program and consider adopting a range of program expansion 
alternatives for public review. The Ad Hoc VMS Committee will review 
the current VMS program, consider Council recommendations on expanding 
the program, and develop recommendations for the November 2004 Council 
meeting.
    At the November 2004 Council meeting, it is anticipated the Council 
would be scheduled to review the comments of the advisory bodies and 
public and identify a preferred alternative for expansion of the 
current monitoring program.
    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 15, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
isheries Service.
[FR Doc. E4-2242 Filed 9-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S