[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 17, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48373-48374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16320]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 081105B]


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice; committee meetings.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) 
Groundfish Advisory Panel and Oversight Committee will hold meetings to 
consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meetings will be held in August 2005. For specific dates and 
times, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held in Peabody MA. For specific 
locations, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Director, New England 
Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978)465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The committee's schedule and agenda for the 
Council meetings are as follows:

Locations, Schedules, and Agendas

    1. Monday, August 29, 2005 beginning at 9:30 a.m.; Holiday Inn, One 
Newbury Street, Peabody, MA 01960
    The Groundfish Advisory Panel will meet to continue develop 
recommendations for Framework Adjustment 42 (FW 42) to the Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The Panel will receive a 
preliminary report on groundfish assessments and will discuss what 
changes to management measures may be necessary as a result of that 
report. These changes could include modifications to the Amendment 13 
default measures, Special Access Programs(SAPs), incidental catch Total 
Allowable Catch (TACs) that apply to the use of Category B days-at-sea 
(DAS), or other measures. Draft measures text for the framework will be 
reviewed and recommendations developed for adjustments as necessary. 
The Panel may also discuss options for a formal rebuilding plan for 
Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and may recommend measures necessary 
to rebuild that stock. The Panel will discuss extending and/or 
modifying, as necessary, the Category B (regular) DAS Pilot Program. 
The Advisory Panel report will be provided to the Groundfish Committee 
to assist its deliberations. Other business may also be discussed.
    2. Tuesday, August 30, 2005 beginning at 9:30 a.m.; Holiday Inn, 
One Newbury Street, Peabody, MA 01960
    The Groundfish Oversight Committee will meet to continue 
development of FW 42 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. They will 
receive a preliminary report on groundfish assessments and will discuss 
what changes to management measures may be necessary as a result of 
that report. These changes could include modifications to the Amendment 
13 default measures, SAPs, incidental catch TACs that apply to the use 
of Category B DAS, or other measures. The Committee will also develop 
options for a formal rebuilding plan for Georges Bank yellowtail 
flounder and will identify measures necessary to rebuild that stock. 
They will consider extending and/or modifying, as necessary, the 
Category B (regular) DAS Pilot Program. Draft measures text for the 
framework will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary. The Committee may 
also discuss a standardized bycatch reporting methodology. An Advisory 
Panel report will be provided to assist the

[[Page 48374]]

Committee's deliberations. Other business may also be discussed. 
Committee recommendations will be forwarded to the Council at a future 
date.
    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 identified in this notice and any issues 
arising after publication of this notice 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 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 working days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: August 12, 2005.
Anne Lange,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16320 Filed 8-16-05; 8:45 am]
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