National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Fishery Management Council; April 3-8, 2005, Council Meeting, 13172-13173 [E5-1182]
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13172
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 52 / Friday, March 18, 2005 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 031505A]
National Marine Fisheries Service,
Pacific Fishery Management Council;
April 3–8, 2005, Council Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council) and its
advisory entities will hold public
meetings. There will also be a Tuesday
evening meeting between NMFS, states,
and industry on the 2005 whiting
exempted fishing permit and a Monday
evening meeting sponsored by NMFS
and the states to provide an update on
the Pacific Groundfish Essential Fish
Habitat EIS.
DATES: The Council and its advisory
entities will meet April 3–8, 2005. The
Council meeting will begin on Monday,
April 4, at 3:30 p.m., reconvening each
day through Friday. All meetings are
open to the public, except a closed
session will be held from 3:30 p.m. until
4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4 to address
litigation and personnel matters. The
Council will meet as late as necessary
each day to complete its scheduled
business.
The meetings will be held at
the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel, 1320
Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, Washington
98402; telephone: 253–572–3200.
Council address: Pacific Fishery
Management Council, 7700 NE
Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland,
OR 97220.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Donald O. McIsaac, Executive Director;
telephone: 503–820–2280.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
following items are on the Council
agenda, but not necessarily in this order:
A. Call to Order
1. Opening Remarks and
Introductions
2. Roll Call
3. Executive Director’s Report
4. Approve Agenda
C. Salmon Management
1. Identify Stocks Not Meeting
Conservation Objectives
2. Methodology Review Process for
2005
3. Update on Essential Fish Habitat
Review Process
4. Final Action on 2005 Salmon
Management Measures
ADDRESSES:
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D. Pacific Halibut Management
1. Adopt Final 2005 Incidental
Halibut Catch Regulations for Salmon
Troll and Fixed Gear Sablefish Fisheries
E. Habitat
1. Current Habitat Issues
B. Groundfish Management
1. Vermillion Rockfish Assessment
2. Inseason Management Response
Policy Final Adoption
3. NMFS Report
4. Terms of Reference for Groundfish
Rebuilding Plan Review
5. Implementation of an Expanded
Vessel Monitoring System
6. Status of 2005 Groundfish Fisheries
and Inseason Adjustments
7. Longline Dogfish Fishery Control
Date
F. Coastal Pelagic Species
Management
1. NMFS Report
2. Fishery Management Plan
Amendment 11–Sardine Allocation
G. Marine Protected Areas
1. Channel Islands National Marine
Sanctuary (NMS), Cordell Bank NMS,
Gulf of Farallones NMS, and Monterey
Bay NMS Designation Document
Comments and Proposed NMS
Regulations
H. Enforcement Issues
1. U.S. Coast Guard Fishery
Enforcement Report
I. Highly Migratory Species
Management
1. NMFS Report
2. Fishery Management Plan
Implementation
J. Administrative Matters
1. Report on ‘‘Managing Our Fisheries
II’’ Conference
2. Legislative Matters
3. Appointments to Advisory Bodies,
Standing Committees, and Other
Forums
4. Work Load Priorities and Draft June
2005 Council Meeting Agenda
SCHEDULE OF ANCILLARY
MEETINGS
SUNDAY, April 3, 2005
Klamath Fishery Management Council
3 p.m.
MONDAY, April 4, 2005
Council Secretariat 8 a.m.
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Management Team 8 a.m.
Salmon Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Salmon Technical Team 8 a.m.
Scientific and Statistical Committee 8
a.m.
Habitat Committee 10 a.m.
Legislative Committee 10:30 a.m.
Special Session: Salmon Ocean
Ecology 1 p.m.
Enforcement Consultants 4:30 p.m.
Special Session: Essential Fish
Habitat
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Environmental Impact Statement
Review 7 p.m.
Klamath Fishery Management Council
As necessary
Tribal Policy Group As necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical
Group As necessary
TUESDAY, April 5, 2005
Council Secretariat 7 a.m.
California State Delegation 7 a.m.
Oregon State Delegation 7 a.m.
Washington State Delegation 7 a.m.
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Management Team 8 a.m.
Salmon Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Salmon Technical Team 8 a.m.
Scientific and Statistical Committee 8
a.m.
Coastal Pelagic Species Management
Team 1 p.m.
Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory
Subpanel 1 p.m.
Special Sessions: Whiting EFP and
Video
Monitoring Briefing 7 p.m.
Enforcement Consultants As
necessary
Klamath Fishery Management Council
As necessary
Tribal Policy GroupAs necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical
Group As necessary
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2005
Council Secretariat 7 a.m.
California State Delegation 7 a.m.
Oregon State Delegation 7 a.m.
Washington State Delegation 7 a.m.
Coastal Pelagic Species Management
Team 8 a.m.
Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory
Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Management Team 8 a.m.
Salmon Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Salmon Technical Team 8 a.m.
Enforcement Consultants As
necessary
Klamath Fishery Management Council
As necessary
Tribal Policy Group As necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical
Group As necessary
THURSDAY, April 7, 2005
Council Secretariat 7 a.m.
California State Delegation 7 a.m.
Oregon State Delegation 7 a.m.
Washington State Delegation 7 a.m.
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Management Team 8 a.m.
Salmon Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Salmon Technical Team 8 a.m.
Enforcement Consultants As
necessary
Tribal Policy Group As necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical
Group As necessary
FRIDAY, April 8, 2005
Council Secretariat 7 a.m.
California State Delegation 7 a.m.
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 52 / Friday, March 18, 2005 / Notices
Oregon State Delegation 7 a.m.
Washington State Delegation 7 a.m.
Enforcement Consultants As
necessary
Salmon Advisory Subpanel As
necessary
Salmon Technical Team As necessary
Tribal Policy Group As necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical
Group As necessary
Although nonemergency issues not
contained in this agenda may come
before this Council for discussion, 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
and any issues arising after publication
of this notice that require emergency
action under Section 305(c) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
provided the public has been notified of
the Council’s intent to take final action
to address the emergency.
Special Accommodations
These meetings are physically
accessible to people with disabilities.
Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Ms. Carolyn Porter
at 503–820–2280 at least five days prior
to the meeting date.
Dated: March 15, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5–1182 Filed 3–17–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 031505D]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Application for an
Exempted Fishing Permit
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of exempted
fishing permit application.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt
of an application for an exempted
fishing permit (EFP) from John Gauvin
and John Gruver. If granted, this permit
would be used to continue the
development and testing of a salmon
excluder device in the Bering Sea
pollock trawl fishery. It is intended to
promote the objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
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Jkt 205001
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (FMP) by developing
a method for reducing salmon bycatch
in the Bering Sea pollock trawl fishery.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the EFP
application are available by writing to
Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668,
Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori Durall.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melanie Brown, 907–586–7228 or
melanie.brown@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the domestic groundfish
fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Management Area (BSAI) under
the FMP. The North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
prepared the FMP under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act. Regulations governing
the groundfish fisheries of the BSAI
appear at 50 CFR parts 600 and 679. The
FMP and the implementing regulations
at §§ 679.6 and 600.745(b) authorize
issuance of EFPs to allow fishing that
would otherwise be prohibited.
Procedures for issuing EFPs are
contained in the implementing
regulations.
NMFS received an application for an
EFP from John Gauvin, Principal
Investigator and John Gruver of the
United Catcher Boats Association. The
purpose of the project is to improve the
performance of the salmon excluder
device developed under an EFP in 2004
and 2005, and to validate the
performance of this device for pollock
trawls. The goal is to develop a device
for pollock trawls that reduces salmon
bycatch without significantly lowering
catch rates of pollock.
The EFP would allow for two types of
testing of the salmon excluder device in
fall 2005 and spring 2006. In the first
experiment, a catcher vessel would be
used to test minor adjustments to the
current excluder device design to
improve performance. The second
experiment would be conducted using a
catcher/processor for the paired-tow
experiment to validate the performance
of the excluder device. Depending on
the results from the work in 2005 and
2006, the EFP may need to be modified
to allow for an additional year of testing.
Exemptions from regulations for
salmon bycatch limits, observer
requirements, salmon savings area
closure, the Catcher Vessel Operating
Area (CVOA), and total allowable catch
amounts (TACs) for groundfish would
be necessary to conduct the work. The
taking of salmon during the experiment
is crucial for determining the
effectiveness of the device. Salmon
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13173
taken during the experiment would not
be counted toward the chinook and
chum salmon bycatch limits under
§§ 679.21(e)(1)(vii) and (e)(1)(viii).
Potentially, the amount of salmon
bycatch by the pollock trawl industry
during the EFP period could approach
or exceed the salmon bycatch limits.
The additional salmon taken during the
experiment would create an additional
burden on the pollock trawl industry
and may lead to closures of the salmon
savings areas, if the EFP salmon were
counted toward the salmon bycatch
limits. Approximately 2,500 chum
salmon and 1,500 chinook salmon
would be required to support the
project.
The applicants also have requested an
exemption from closures of the Chinook
Salmon Savings Areas and the Chum
Salmon Savings Area
(§§ 679.21(e)(7)(vii) and (e)(7)(viii)). The
experiment must be conducted in areas
of salmon concentration to ensure a
sufficient sample size. The salmon
savings areas are areas of known
concentration of salmon and provide an
ideal location for conducting the
experiment and ensuring that the
vessels encounter concentrations of
salmon.
Groundfish taken under the EFP
would be exempt from the TACs
specified in the annual harvest
specifications (§ 679.20). A total of 2,500
metric tons (mt) of groundfish
(primarily pollock) would be taken
during the EFP work and would not be
included in the harvest applied against
the Bering Sea groundfish TACs,
including the pollock TAC of
approximately 1.5 million mt. The 2005
Bering Sea pollock acceptable biological
catch is 1.960 million mt, well above the
combined TAC and the additional
harvest anticipated from the project.
Because of the nature of groundfish
bycatch in the pollock fishery, the
harvest of other groundfish species
during the project is expected to be very
minor.
The experiment using the catcher/
processor would require exemption
from the CVOA restriction
(§ 679.22(a)(5)) because of the location
of the Chinook Salmon Savings Area in
the CVOA. Catcher/processors are
prohibited from operating in the CVOA
during the B season. It would be
necessary for the catcher/processor to
conduct tows in this area to ensure
encountering sufficient pollock and
salmon.
The EFP would include an exemption
from the observer requirements at
§ 679.50. The applicants would use ‘‘sea
samplers’’ who are NMFS-trained
observers. They would not be deployed
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 52 (Friday, March 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13172-13173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-1182]
[[Page 13172]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 031505A]
National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Fishery Management
Council; April 3-8, 2005, Council Meeting
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its
advisory entities will hold public meetings. There will also be a
Tuesday evening meeting between NMFS, states, and industry on the 2005
whiting exempted fishing permit and a Monday evening meeting sponsored
by NMFS and the states to provide an update on the Pacific Groundfish
Essential Fish Habitat EIS.
DATES: The Council and its advisory entities will meet April 3-8, 2005.
The Council meeting will begin on Monday, April 4, at 3:30 p.m.,
reconvening each day through Friday. All meetings are open to the
public, except a closed session will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30
p.m. on Monday, April 4 to address litigation and personnel matters.
The Council will meet as late as necessary each day to complete its
scheduled business.
ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel, 1320
Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, Washington 98402; telephone: 253-572-3200.
Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE
Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97220.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Donald O. McIsaac, Executive
Director; telephone: 503-820-2280.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following items are on the Council
agenda, but not necessarily in this order:
A. Call to Order
1. Opening Remarks and Introductions
2. Roll Call
3. Executive Director's Report
4. Approve Agenda
C. Salmon Management
1. Identify Stocks Not Meeting Conservation Objectives
2. Methodology Review Process for 2005
3. Update on Essential Fish Habitat Review Process
4. Final Action on 2005 Salmon Management Measures
D. Pacific Halibut Management
1. Adopt Final 2005 Incidental Halibut Catch Regulations for Salmon
Troll and Fixed Gear Sablefish Fisheries
E. Habitat
1. Current Habitat Issues
B. Groundfish Management
1. Vermillion Rockfish Assessment
2. Inseason Management Response Policy Final Adoption
3. NMFS Report
4. Terms of Reference for Groundfish Rebuilding Plan Review
5. Implementation of an Expanded Vessel Monitoring System
6. Status of 2005 Groundfish Fisheries and Inseason Adjustments
7. Longline Dogfish Fishery Control Date
F. Coastal Pelagic Species Management
1. NMFS Report
2. Fishery Management Plan Amendment 11-Sardine Allocation
G. Marine Protected Areas
1. Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (NMS), Cordell Bank
NMS, Gulf of Farallones NMS, and Monterey Bay NMS Designation Document
Comments and Proposed NMS Regulations
H. Enforcement Issues
1. U.S. Coast Guard Fishery Enforcement Report
I. Highly Migratory Species Management
1. NMFS Report
2. Fishery Management Plan Implementation
J. Administrative Matters
1. Report on ``Managing Our Fisheries II'' Conference
2. Legislative Matters
3. Appointments to Advisory Bodies, Standing Committees, and Other
Forums
4. Work Load Priorities and Draft June 2005 Council Meeting Agenda
SCHEDULE OF ANCILLARY MEETINGS
SUNDAY, April 3, 2005
Klamath Fishery Management Council 3 p.m.
MONDAY, April 4, 2005
Council Secretariat 8 a.m.
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Management Team 8 a.m.
Salmon Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Salmon Technical Team 8 a.m.
Scientific and Statistical Committee 8 a.m.
Habitat Committee 10 a.m.
Legislative Committee 10:30 a.m.
Special Session: Salmon Ocean Ecology 1 p.m.
Enforcement Consultants 4:30 p.m.
Special Session: Essential Fish Habitat
Environmental Impact Statement Review 7 p.m.
Klamath Fishery Management Council As necessary
Tribal Policy Group As necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical Group As necessary
TUESDAY, April 5, 2005
Council Secretariat 7 a.m.
California State Delegation 7 a.m.
Oregon State Delegation 7 a.m.
Washington State Delegation 7 a.m.
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Management Team 8 a.m.
Salmon Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Salmon Technical Team 8 a.m.
Scientific and Statistical Committee 8 a.m.
Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team 1 p.m.
Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel 1 p.m.
Special Sessions: Whiting EFP and Video
Monitoring Briefing 7 p.m.
Enforcement Consultants As necessary
Klamath Fishery Management Council As necessary
Tribal Policy GroupAs necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical Group As necessary
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2005
Council Secretariat 7 a.m.
California State Delegation 7 a.m.
Oregon State Delegation 7 a.m.
Washington State Delegation 7 a.m.
Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team 8 a.m.
Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Management Team 8 a.m.
Salmon Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Salmon Technical Team 8 a.m.
Enforcement Consultants As necessary
Klamath Fishery Management Council As necessary
Tribal Policy Group As necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical Group As necessary
THURSDAY, April 7, 2005
Council Secretariat 7 a.m.
California State Delegation 7 a.m.
Oregon State Delegation 7 a.m.
Washington State Delegation 7 a.m.
Groundfish Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Groundfish Management Team 8 a.m.
Salmon Advisory Subpanel 8 a.m.
Salmon Technical Team 8 a.m.
Enforcement Consultants As necessary
Tribal Policy Group As necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical Group As necessary
FRIDAY, April 8, 2005
Council Secretariat 7 a.m.
California State Delegation 7 a.m.
[[Page 13173]]
Oregon State Delegation 7 a.m.
Washington State Delegation 7 a.m.
Enforcement Consultants As necessary
Salmon Advisory Subpanel As necessary
Salmon Technical Team As necessary
Tribal Policy Group As necessary
Tribal and Washington Technical Group As necessary
Although nonemergency issues not contained in this agenda may come
before this Council for discussion, 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 and any
issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency
action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified
of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency.
Special Accommodations
These meetings are physically accessible to people with
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to Ms. Carolyn Porter at 503-820-2280
at least five days prior to the meeting date.
Dated: March 15, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-1182 Filed 3-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
