[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 49171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19288]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XJ83


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold 
a two-day Council meeting on September 3-4, 2008 to consider actions 
affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 3 beginning at 
9 a.m., and Thursday, September 4, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Providence Biltmore Hotel, 
11 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903; telephone: (401)421-0700. 
Requests for special accommodations should be addressed to the New 
England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, 
Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone: (978) 465-0492.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

    Following introductions and any announcements, the Council will 
swear in new and reappointed members as well as elect its Council 
Officers for 2008-2009. During the morning session, the Council will 
discuss Amendment 3 to the Skate Fishery Management Plan (FMP). They 
will approve change in the scope of the amendment to include (?) a 
rebuilding plan to address the overfished condition of smooth skate and 
to address overfishing of thorny skate. The Council will then review 
the Scientific and Statistical Committee's comments on National 
Standard 1 Guidelines proposed by the National Marine Fisheries Service 
and finalize Council comments. The National Standard 1 discussion will 
continue into the afternoon session followed by discussion of the 
Northeast Multispecies Amendment 16. Dr. Paul Rago from the Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center will present a summary of the results of the 
Groundfish Assessment Review Meeting (GARM III) and the Council will 
review the stock status and biological reference points for all 
groundfish stocks. Also, on the agenda will be the discussion of the 
results of the Transboundary Resource Assessment Committee Meeting for 
eastern Georges Bank cod, haddock, and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder 
and the Groundfish Committee will give its report and ask the Council 
to develop management options for Amendment 16; discussion will include 
modifications as necessary to rebuilding plans, adoption of new 
rebuilding plans if necessary, and identification of management 
measures for further development.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

    Following a brief opportunity for public comments on items not 
listed on the agenda, the Council will continue its discussion of 
Amendment 16 from the previous day until the Council meeting adjourns 
for the day.
    Although other non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda 
may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be 
the subjects of formal action during this meeting. Council action will 
be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and 
any issues arising after publication of this notice that require 
emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
provided that the public has been notified of the Council's intent to 
take final action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is 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 days 
prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: August 15, 2008.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19288 Filed 8-19-08; 8:45 am]
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