[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47372-47373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19367]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC150


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice; public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is 
scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat Oversight Committee to 
consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to 
the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

DATES: This meeting will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 9:30 
a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hotel Providence, 139 
Mathewson Street, Providence, RI 02903; telephone: (401) 861-8000; fax: 
(401) 454-4306.
    Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There are three topics related to adverse 
effects and Dedicated Habitat Research Areas (DHRA) for Habitat 
Committee consideration at this meeting. First, the Committee will 
review updated DHRA recommendations from the Habitat Plan Development 
Team (PDT) and provide feedback to the PDT for further work. Next, the 
Committee will discuss PDT recommendations regarding ground cable 
length options. Finally, the Committee will review species and area-
based `extra-SASI' materials intended to support decision making 
related to adverse effects minimization and DHRA alternatives, and 
provide any feedback as to how this information can be made more 
useful.
    There are three topics related to deep-sea corals for Habitat 
Committee consideration at this meeting. First, the

[[Page 47373]]

Committee will review a Memorandum of Understanding about coordination 
on deep-sea coral issues with the other Atlantic coast Councils, 
particularly MAFMC. This will include a presentation from the PDT on 
fishing effort in coral zones. Second, they will review comments 
received to date on a Federal Register notice indicating that the 
Council is exploring the possibility of splitting corals from the EFH 
Omnibus Amendment, 77 FR 44214, July 27, 2012 (comment period closes on 
August 27). Finally, the Committee will discuss work plans and 
timelines under various scenarios (i.e. corals split or not).
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
of formal action during this meeting. 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 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, Executive Director, at 978-465-
0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

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

    Dated: August 3, 2012.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-19367 Filed 8-7-12; 8:45 am]
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