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

[Federal Register: August 18, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 159)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 44231]

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

[DOCID:fr18au98-40]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 081098B]

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 1-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone.

DATES: The meeting will be held August 27, 1998 at 9 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn, One Newbury Street (Route 1 North), Peabody, MA 01960; telephone (978) 535-4600. Requests for special accommodations 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: The Council will discuss, and may recommend, emergency measures to protect the Gulf of Maine cod stock and will also develop guidance and set priorities for the Council's Multispecies Monitoring Committee (MSMC). The MSMC evaluates the effectiveness of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and recommends management options for Gulf of Maine cod and other species as part of an annual review and plan adjustment process.

The Council will continue work on any outstanding issues related to finalizing Amendment 9 to the FMP, including square and diamond mesh configuration rules for the Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge Regulated Mesh Areas. Further regulation of recreational catches during times of serious commercial restrictions or in closed areas, modification of or additional closed areas, or a ``bycatch-only'' designation for Gulf of Maine cod may also be discussed if time allows.

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

Special Accommodations

These meetings are 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 dates.

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

Dated: August 12, 1998. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-22168Filed8-13-98; 1:09 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F