[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52942-52943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21582]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA657


North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings of the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council and its advisory committees.

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SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its 
advisory committees will hold public meetings, September 26-October 4, 
2011 in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

DATES: The Council will begin its plenary session at 8 a.m. on 
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 continuing through Tuesday, October 4, 
2011. The Council's Advisory Panel (AP) will begin at 8 a.m., Monday, 
September 26, 2011 and continue through Friday, September 30, 2011. The 
Scientific Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, 
September 26, 2011 and continue through Wednesday, September 28, 2011. 
All meetings are open to the public, except executive sessions.

ADDRESSES: The Council will meet at Grand Aleutian Hotel, Makushin 
Room, the SSC will meet at Grand Aleutian Hotel, Shashaldin Room, the 
Advisory Panel will meet at the Unisea Central Building (there will be 
a shuttle between the two meeting locations).
    Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 
4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Witherell, Council staff; 
telephone: (907) 271-2809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Council Plenary Session

    The agenda for the Council's plenary session will include the 
following issues. The Council may take appropriate action on any of the 
issues identified.

Reports

1. Executive Director's Report

    NMFS Management Report (including Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod sector 
split report).
    Alaska Department of Fish & Game Report (including Board of 
Fisheries cod proposals).
    NOAA Enforcement Report.
    United States Coast Guard Report.
    United States Fish & Wildlife Service Report.
    Protected Species Report (including Committee of Independent 
Experts terms of reference).
    2. Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP): Report on the Salmon 
Workshop; Initial Review of a revised Salmon FMP.
    3. Groundfish Harvest Specifications: Adopt proposed specifications 
for 2012; Initial review of analysis to reduce Gulf of Alaska (GOA) 
halibut Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) limits; Review white paper on 
Individual Bycatch Quotas (IBQs).
    4. Bering Sea Aleutian Island (BSAI) Crab Issues: Initial review of 
Crab Electronic Data Reporting (EDR); Report from stakeholders on crab 
5 year review issues (Delayed until December); Approve catch 
specifications/approve BSAI Crab Stock Assessment Fishery Evaluation 
(SAFE) report; Final action on Pribilof Blue King Crab Rebuilding plan; 
Review alternatives for Tanner Crab Rebuilding.
    5. Observer Program: Review Observer Advisory Committee report; 
Review Restructuring Regulations.
    6. Halibut Management: Initial Review/Final action on Community 
Quota Entity (CQE) vessel use caps; Initial Review of CQE in Area 4B; 
Discussion/direction on Area 4B Fish-up.
    7. Groundfish Issues: Discussion paper on vessel replacement Bering 
Sea Freezer Longliners (Delayed till December); Draft regulations for 
freezer longliner Catch Monitoring and Enforcement; Discussion paper on 
GOA Pacific Cod A-season opening dates (Delayed till December); 
Discussion paper on GOA pollock D-season; Discussion paper on Bering 
Sea & Aleutian Island Pacific Cod split; Review/approve Halibut 
mortality on trawlers EFP (T).
    8. Staff Tasking: Review Committees and tasking.

9. Other Business

    The SSC agenda will include the following issues:
    1. Salmon FMP.
    2. Groundfish Specifications.
    3. BSAI Crab Issues.
    4. Halibut Mortality on trawlers EFP.
    The Advisory Panel will address most of the same agenda issues as 
the Council, except 1 reports. The Agenda is subject to 
change, and the latest version will be posted at http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/npfmc/.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before these groups for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 
those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these 
meetings. Actions 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 Act, provided the public has been notified of the 
Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency.

[[Page 52943]]

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Gail Bendixen at (907) 271-2809 at 
least 7 working days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: August 18, 2011.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-21582 Filed 8-23-11; 8:45 am]
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