Fishery conservation and management: Northeastern United States fisheries— New England Fishery Management Council; meetings,

[Federal Register: February 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 27)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 6595-6596]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr10fe99-38]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 020299C]

New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Public Meeting

SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a 2-day public meeting on February 24 and 25, 1999, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 1999, at 9:00 a.m. and on Thursday, February 25, 1999, at 8:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Radisson Hotel, 35 Governor Winthrop Boulevard, New London, CT 06320; telephone (860) 443-7000. Requests for special accommodations

[[Page 6596]]

should be addressed to the New England Fishery Management Council, 5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906-1036; telephone: (781) 231-0422.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council (781) 231-0422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Wednesday, February 24, 1999

Following introductions, the meeting will begin with reports on recent activities from the Council Chairman, Executive Director, the NMFS Acting Regional Administrator, Northeast Fisheries Science Center and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, and representatives of the Coast Guard, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Following reports, the Chairman of the Gear Conflict Committee will make recommendations for resolving gear conflicts involving lobster traps and mobile gear in the offshore canyon areas. The Herring Committee will discuss possible measures to be included in the annual framework adjustment to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP). After a noon break, the Executive Director will review scientific information and research needs for 1999 and there will be a presentation on Overfishing Definition/Control Rule by staff members of the Council and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. The day will conclude with the Marine Mammal Committee report during which the Council will approve final action on Framework Adjustment 28 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. Framework Adjustment 28 would contain measures which would modify harbor porpoise regulations previously implemented by the Council to be consistent with the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan recently implemented by NMFS.

Thursday, February 25, 1999

The Council will consider initial action on Framework Adjustment 29 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. Framework Adjustment 29 contains measures which would modify the FMP regulations to allow scallop vessels controlled access to the Georges Bank groundfish closed areas and establish measures to reduce fishing mortality on Georges Bank cod by 22 percent to meet FMP target levels. Additionally, the Council will approve a range of measures to be considered at public hearings and for inclusion in Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. Potential items include but are not limited to revised rebuilding programs as needed under new overfishing definitions for all multispecies stocks; implementation of a two-tier permit system to address latent fishing effort; quota management, managing fleet capacity, proposals for industry support systems involving scientific research and conservation engineering programs; modification of the annual adjustment schedule and possible change to the fishing year and development of an exemption certification for access to groundfish closed areas by groundfish vessels targeting specific species. The Office of General Counsel will make a presentation on conflict of interest issues. Following a noon break, the Scallop Committee will consider initial action on Framework Adjustment 11 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP to establish measures for managing scallop vessel access to the Georges Bank groundfish closed areas. The day will conclude with the Spiny Dogfish Committee report which will discuss and seek possible approval of recommendations for an overfishing definition, rebuilding schedule, and interim management measures. Discussion of any other business will take place before the close of the meeting.

Although other issues not contained in this agenda may come before this Council for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal Council action during this meeting. Council action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice.

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: February 4, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-3246Filed2-9-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F

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