[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 34299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9311]



[[Page 34299]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 229

[I.D. 060806B]


Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing 
Operations; Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is announcing a public meeting to provide information 
about the draft Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan (PLTRP) 
and potential research and monitoring activities that may be initiated 
this summer in the Mid-Atlantic Bight involving the pelagic longline 
fishery.

DATES: The meeting will convene at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2006, 
and will run until approximately 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Willie R. Etheridge Seafoods, 
4561 Mill Landing Road, Wanchese, NC 27981.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vicki Cornish, NMFS, Southeast Region, 
727-824-5312, [email protected]. Individuals who use 
telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS established the Atlantic Pelagic 
Longline Take Reduction Team in June 2005 to address incidental serious 
injuries and mortalities of short- and long-finned pilot whales 
(Globicephala macrorhynchus and Globicephala melas) in the Atlantic 
pelagic longline fishery, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act. The team met several times and developed a draft PLTRP for 
submittal to NMFS. The draft PLTRP contains proposed management 
measures to reduce serious injuries and mortalities of both pilot 
whales and Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the Mid-Atlantic 
Bight, as well as recommendations for research and data collection. The 
meeting will provide an opportunity for NMFS staff to meet with 
fishermen and discuss the draft PLTRP and potential research and 
monitoring efforts that may be initiated this summer, answer questions, 
and identify pelagic longline fishermen who may be willing to 
voluntarily participate in research activities.

    Dated: June 8, 2006.
Donna Wieting,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-9311 Filed 6-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S