[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 42306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18960]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF640


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Alaska 
Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: NMFS Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group will 
meet to discuss emerging seabird mitigation technologies and additional 
seabird species that could warrant more attention as bycatch in 
fisheries off Alaska.

DATES: The meeting will be held on September 21, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 5 
p.m., and on September 22, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Alaska 
Daylight Time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the NMFS Alaska Regional Office 
located at 709 W. 9th St., Room 445C, Juneau, AK. Photo identification 
is required to enter this facility.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Marie Eich, 907-586-7172.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird 
Working Group formed as a result of the 2015 biological opinion on 
effects of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 
groundfish fisheries on short-tailed albatross. The working group is 
tasked with reviewing information for mitigating effects of the 
groundfish fisheries on short-tailed albatross and other seabirds. The 
working group will hold its first in-person meeting in Juneau, AK, on 
September 21 and 22, 2017. Meeting topics include emerging seabird 
mitigation technologies and additional seabird species that could 
warrant more attention as bycatch in fisheries off Alaska. NMFS will 
keep the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) apprised of 
the working group's activities and any resulting recommendations for 
methods to reduce seabird bycatch. Any changes to seabird avoidance 
regulations are expected to follow the standard Council process.

Special Accommodations

    This workshop will be physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Anne Marie Eich, 907-586-7172, at 
least 5 working days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: September 1, 2017.
 Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-18960 Filed 9-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P