[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 223 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 67107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19525]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 111406H]


North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of a council workshop.

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SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a workshop on potential gear modification regulations as a part of 
the analysis for the Bering Sea Habitat Conservation analysis.

DATES: The workshop will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at 6:30 
p.m.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 500 West 3rd 
Avenue, in the Dillingham/Katmai Room, Anchorage, AK.
    Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 
4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Coon, North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council; telephone: (907) 271-2809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the workshop will be to 
discuss practical issues surrounding potential requirements for trawl 
sweeps in Bering Sea bottom trawl fisheries. Bottom trawl gear 
modifications are being considered as an alternative to reduce the 
impacts of fishing on benthic habitat in the Bering Sea. Research has 
indicated that adding discs or rollers to the sweep reduces bottom 
contact without substantially reducing catch rates of target species. 
Details of a gear requirement, such as disc size, composition, spacing, 
attachment, and enforcement have not yet been determined. While 
testimony before the Council and its committees will be the venue to 
address whether such regulations should be pursued, this workshop 
provides a venue to gather practical information, identify issues 
relative to enforcement and implementation of potential regulations, 
and identify workable solutions.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Gail Bendixen, (907) 271-2809, at least 5 working 
days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: November 15, 2006.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-19525 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S