[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 71 (Friday, April 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19825-19826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7792]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XH16


Pacific Whiting; Joint Management Committee and Scientific Review 
Group

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is soliciting nominations for two advisory groups called 
for in the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006 (Act). Nominations received 
pursuant to this notice will be used to appoint one U.S. offshore 
whiting commercial sector representative to the Joint Management 
Committee and two U.S. representatives to the Scientific Review Group.

DATES: Nominations must be received by May 12, 2008.

ADDRESSES:  You may submit nominations by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]: Include 0648-XH16 in the 
subject line of the message.
     Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Frank Lockhart.
     Mail: D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest Region, 
NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115-0070.
    Each submission should be specific to either the Joint Management 
Committee or the Scientific Review Group.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Lockhart at 206-526-6142.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title VI of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 entitled ``The 
Pacific Whiting Act of 2006,'' implements the 2003 treaty ``Agreement 
Between the Government of the United States of America and the 
Government

[[Page 19826]]

of Canada on Pacific Hake/Whiting.'' Among other provisions, the 
Whiting Act provides for the establishment of the Joint Management 
Committee (Sec. 603(a)(D)) and the Scientific Review Group (Sec. 
604(a)) to advise the Joint U.S. Canada Management Committee on 
bilateral whiting management issues. For the establishment of these 
committees, the Act requires the Secretary of Commerce appoint:
    (1) 1 individual to the Joint Management Committee that represents 
the U.S. ``commercial sector of the whiting fishing industry concerned 
with the offshore whiting resource;'' and,
    (2) ``2 scientific experts to serve on the Scientific Review 
Group.''
     Nominations are sought for the Secretary to consider in making 
these appointments.
    Nomination Packages should include:
    1. The name of the applicant or nominee and the committee or review 
group they are being nominated for; and,
    2. A statement of background and/or description of how the nominee 
meets the requirements to represent the U.S. on the relevant committee 
or group.
    In the initial year of treaty implementation, NMFS anticipates that 
up to 3 meetings for each group will be required. In subsequent years, 
1-2 meetings will be held annually. Meetings will be held in the United 
States or Canada. Representatives will need a valid U.S. passport. 
Members appointed to represent the United States will be reimbursed for 
necessary travel expenses.
    The Pacific Whiting Act of 2006 also states that while performing 
their appointed duties, members ``shall be considered to be Federal 
Employees only for purposes of: (1) injury compensation under chapter 
81 of title 5, United States Code; (2) requirements concerning ethics, 
conflicts of interest, and corruption as provided under title 18, 
United States Code; and, (3) any other criminal or civil statute or 
regulation governing the conduct of Federal employees.''

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

    Dated: April 7 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-7792 Filed 4-10-08; 8:45 am]
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