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

[Federal Register: September 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 172)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 47218]

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

[DOCID:fr04se98-30]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 082098G]

New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings; public hearing.

SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling several public meetings of its oversight committees and advisory panels in September, 1998 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from these groups will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

DATES: The meetings will be held on September 9 and September 17, 1998. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held in Gloucester and Saugus, MA. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific locations.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Meeting Dates and Agendas

Wednesday, September 9, 1998, 9:00 a.m.--Joint Habitat Committee and Advisory Panel Meeting

Location: New England Fishery Management Council Office conference room; 5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906-1036; telephone: (781) 231-0422.

Review and approval of the final Essential Fish Habitat Amendment document and environmental assessment prior to final consideration by the Council.

Thursday, September 17, 1998, 9:30 a.m.--Groundfish Committee Meeting

Location: The Tavern on the Harbor, 30 Western Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930; telephone: (978) 283-4200.

Review of draft regulatory language for Amendment 9 to the Northeast Multispecies Fisheries Management Plan and development of guidance to the Council's Multispecies Monitoring Committee (MSMC). That group evaluates the effectiveness of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and recommends management options for Gulf of Maine cod and other species as part of an annual review and plan adjustment process. Further regulation of recreational catches, modification or addition of closed areas, or a bycatch-only designation for Gulf of Maine cod may be among the options considered by the MSMC.

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

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.

Dated: August 31, 1998. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-23935Filed9-3-98; 8:45 am]

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