Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings, 25018-25021 [E5-2338]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 91 / Thursday, May 12, 2005 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 050905A]
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico;
Southeastern Data, Assessment, and
Review (SEDAR); Gulf of Mexico
Vermillion Snapper, Greater
Amberjack, and Gray Triggerfish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of SEDAR Workshops
for Gulf of Mexico vermillion snapper,
greater amberjack, and gray triggerfish.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The SEDAR assessments of
the Gulf of Mexico stocks of vermillion
snapper, greater amberjack, and gray
triggerfish will consist of a series of
three workshops: a Data Workshop, an
Assessment Workshop, and a Review
Workshop. This is the ninth SEDAR.
See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
DATES: The Data Workshop will take
place June 20 – 24, 2005; the
Assessment Workshop will take place
August 22 – 26, 2005; and the Review
Workshop will take place December 12
– 16, 2005. See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for specific information
regarding dates, times and locations for
the meetings.
ADDRESSES: The Data Workshop will be
held at the Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal
Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. Phone:
(504) 523–3341. The Assessment
Workshop will be held at the Wyndham
Grand Bay, 2669 South Bayshore Drive,
Miami FL 33133. Phone:(305) 868–9600.
The Review Workshop will be held at
the Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal Street,
New Orleans, LA 70130. Phone: (504)
504–523–3341.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Atran, Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council (GMFMC), 3018
North U. S. Highway 301, Tampa, FL
33619. Phone: (813) 228–2815 or (888)
833–1844. John Carmichael, SEDAR
Coordinator, 1 Southpark Circle # 306,
Charleston, SC 29414. (843) 571–4366.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf
of Mexico, South Atlantic, and
Caribbean Fishery Management
Councils, in conjunction with NOAA
Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf
States Marine Fisheries Commissions
have implemented the Southeast Data,
Assessment and Review (SEDAR)
process, a multi-step method for
determining the status of fish stocks in
the Southeast Region. SEDAR includes
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three workshops: (1) Data Workshop, (2)
Stock Assessment Workshop and (3)
Review Workshop. The product of the
Data Workshop and the Stock
Assessment Workshop is a stock
assessment report, which describes the
fisheries, evaluates the status of the
stock, estimates biological benchmarks,
projects future population conditions,
and recommends research and
monitoring needs. The Assessment
Report is independently peer reviewed
at the Review Workshop. The product of
the Review Workshop is a Consensus
Summary which reports Panel opinions
regarding the strengths and weaknesses
of the stock assessment and input data.
Participants for SEDAR Workshops are
appointed by the regional Fishery
Management Councils, the SERO, and
the SEFSC and include data collectors
and database managers; stock
assessment scientists, biologists, and
researchers; constituency
representatives including fishermen,
environmentalists, and NGO’s
International experts; and staff of
Councils, Commissions, and state and
Federal agencies.
assessment developed during the Data
and Assessment Workshops. Workshop
Panelists will review the assessment
and document their comments and
recommendations in a Consensus
Summary. Panelists will summarize the
assessment results in an Advisory
Report.
Special Accommodations
These meetings are physically
accessible to people with disabilities.
Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to the Council office
(see ADDRESSES) at least 5 business days
prior to each workshop.
May 9, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5–2336 Filed 5–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
SEDAR 9 Workshop Schedule
[I.D. 050905D]
June 20 – 24, 2005; SEDAR 9 Data
Workshop
Western Pacific Fishery Management
Council; Public Meetings
June 20, 2005: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.;
June 21 – 23, 2005: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.;
June 24, 2005: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
An assessment data set and
documentation will be developed
during the Data Workshop. The
assessment data set will include catch
statistics, discard estimates, length and
age composition, fishery descriptions,
biological sampling intensity, fishery
dependent and fishery independent
monitoring results, and life history
characteristics.
AGENCY:
August 22 – 26, 2005; SEDAR 9
Assessment Workshop
August 22, 2005: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.;
August 23 – 25, 2005: 8a.m. – 8 p.m.;
August 26, 2005: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Using the data set collected from the
Data Workshop, participants will
develop population models, evaluate
the status of the stock, estimate
population benchmarks and Sustainable
Fisheries Act criteria, and complete the
Assessment Report.
December 12 – 16, 2005; SEDAR 9
Review Workshop
December 12, 2005: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.;
December 13 – 15, 2005: 8 a.m. – 8
p.m.;
December 16, 2005: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Review Workshop is an
independent peer review of the
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National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings and
hearings.
SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council) will
hold its 127th meeting and Advisory
Panel meetings to consider and take
actions on fishery management issues in
the Western Pacific Region.
DATES: The 127th Council meeting,
Advisory Panel meetings and public
hearings will be held on May 30 - June
2, 2005. For specific times, and the
agenda, see SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES: The 127th Council meeting,
Advisory Panel meetings and public
hearings will be held at the Ala Moana
Hotel,410 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, HI;
telephone: 808–955–4811.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director;
telephone: (808)522–8220.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
addition to the agenda items listed here,
the Council will hear recommendations
from other Council advisory groups.
Public comment periods will be
provided throughout the agenda. The
order in which agenda items are
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addressed may change. The Council will
meet as late as necessary to complete
scheduled business.
Schedule and Agenda for Council
Standing Committee Meetings
Monday, May 30, 2005
Standing Committee
1. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Executive, Budget
and Program Standing Committee
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
A. Commercial Advisory Panel Report
and Recommendations
B. Recreation Advisory Panel Report
and Recommendations
C. Indigenous and Subsistence
Advisory Panel Reports and
Recommendations
D. Ecosystem and Habitat Advisory
Panel Report and Recommendations
6. Full Panel Discussion and
Recommendations
7. Other Business
2. 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Ecosystem and
Habitat Standing Committee
3. 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Pelagic and
International Standing Committee
4. 9:30 a.m. – Noon Bottomfish
Standing Committee
5. 9:30 a.m. – Noon Indigenous Rights
Standing Committee
Schedule and Agenda for Public
Hearings
Schedule and Agenda for Council
Advisory Panel Meetings
Community Demonstration Projects
Program AP Recommendations
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
11:30 a.m. – Noon
Black Coral Management Options
2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Hawaii Bottomfish Overfishing Plan
7:30 a.m. – Noon
1. Introduction and Overview
2. Council Action Items
A. Bigeye Overfishing
a. Pelagic Plan Team
Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
B. Hawaii Bottomfish Overfishing
a. Bottomfish Plan Team Report and
Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
C. Data Intiatives
a. Pelagic and Bottomfish Plan Team
Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
D. Fishery Ecosystem Plans
a. Coral Reef Ecosystem Plan Team
Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
E. Black Coral Research and
Management
a. Precious Coral Plan Team
Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
3. Island Area Reports
A. American Samoa
B. Guam
C. CNMI
D. Hawaii
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
4. Discussion on Island Area Issues
A. American Samoa
B. Guam
C. CNMI
D. Hawaii
Wednesday June 1, 2005
7:30 a.m. – Noon (1 p.m. – 5 p.m. if
required)
5. Sub-Panel Chairman Reports
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Thursday, June 2, 2005
9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Bigeye Tuna Overfishing Plan
11:30 a.m. – Noon
MPA Objectives and Goals, Criteria
for Establishing Monitoring and
Evaluating MPAs First Draft.
For more information on public
hearing items, see Background
Information.
The agenda during the full Council
meeting will include the items listed
here.
Schedule and Agenda for Council
Meeting
1 p.m – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31,
2005
1. Introductions
2. Approval of agenda
3. Approval of 126th meeting minutes
4. Island reports
A. American Samoa
B. Guam
C. Hawaii
D. CNMI
5. Reports from fishery agencies and
organizations
A. Department of Commerce
a. NMFS
i. Pacific Islands Regional Office
ii. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science
Center
b. National Marine Sanctuary Program
i. Pacific Sanctuaries update
c. NOAA General Counsel Southwest
Region/Pacific Islands Region
B. The Department of the Interior The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS)
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C. State Department
6. Enforcement/vessel monitoring
systems A. US Coast Guard activities
B. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
(OLE) Activities
C. Status of Violations
8 a.m – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday June 1,
2005
7. Protected Species
A. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle BiOp
B. Report on Marine Mammal
Advisory Committee
C. Report on Turtle Advisory
Committee
8. Precious Coral Fisheries
A. Black Coral Management
a. State of Hawaii Black Coral
Research
b. Black Coral Management Options
(ACTION ITEM)
B. Advisory Panel Recommendations
C. Plan Team Recommendations
D. SSC Recommendations
9. Fishery Rights of Indigenous
Peoples
A. Community Demonstration
Projects Program AP Recommendations
(ACTION ITEM)
B. South Pacific Community (SPC)Council- Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) Community-Based
Management Workshop.
C. SSC Recommendations
D. Standing Committee
Recommendations
E. Advisory Panel Recommendations
10. Bottomfish Fisheries
A. Hawaii Bottomfish Overfishing
Plan (ACTION ITEM)
B. Plan Team Recommendations
C. SSC Recommendations
D. Standing Committee
Recommendations
E. Advisory Panel Recommendations
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday June 1,
2005
11. Fishers Forum
A. Fish Tagging Programs
B. Bottomfish and Bigeye Tuna
Overfishing
8 a.m – 6 p.m. Thursday June 2, 2005
12. Pelagic Fisheries
A. Bigeye Overfishing Plan (ACTION
ITEM)
B. Swordfish Season Report
C. Stock Assessment Report and
Status
D. Plan Team Recommendations
E. SSC Recommendations
F. Standing Committee
Recommendations
G. Advisory Panel Recommendations
13. Ecosystems and Habitat
A. MPA Objectives and Goals, Criteria
for Establishing Monitoring and
Evaluating MPAs First Draft (ACTION
ITEM)
B. Fishery Ecosystem Plans
a. Strategic Level Alternatives for
Marianas FEP
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b. Fishery Ecosystem Plan Workshop
C. Plan Team Recommendationss
D. SSC Recommendations
E. Advisory Panel Recommendations
F. Standing Committee
Recommendations
14. Program Planning and Budget
A. Hawaii Data Collection and
Reporting Options
B. Update on Legislation
C. Magnuson Act Reauthorization
D. Advisory Panel Recommendations
E. Standing Committee
Recommendations
15. Administrative Matters
A. Financial Reports
B. Administrative Report
C. Meetings and Workshops
D. Advisory Group Changes
E. Standing Committee
Recommendations
16. Other Business
Background Information
1. Black Coral Management Options
(Initial Action)
A public hearing will be held on
initial action to implement a framework
adjustment to the Precious Corals FMP
to revise the minimum harvest size for
black corals (Antipathes sp.) due to the
effects of Carijoa riisei and harvest
pressure on black corals in the Main
Hawaiian Islands. Based on comments
received during Precious Coral Plan
Team meetings, as well as subsequent
SSC, Council, and public working group
meetings, the Council developed an
options document that includes: (1)
Removing the exemption allowing
harvest of black corals with a minimum
base diameter of 3/4 inch (1.905 cm) or
minimum height of 36 inches (0.9144
m) by persons who reported harvest to
the State of Hawaii within 5 years prior
to April 17, 2002; (2) establishing a 48–
inch(1.2192 m)minimum height only
requirement for harvest of black coral
colonies; (3) eliminating any minimum
base diameter requirement; and (4)
eliminating any minimum height
requirement. At its 127th meeting, the
Council may take initial action to
identify and support a range of
alternatives, including selection of a
preliminary preferred alternative, to be
further analyzed in a framework
adjustment to the Precious Coral Fishery
Management Plan.
2. Community Demonstration Projects
Program AP Recommendations (Action
Item)
A public hearing will be held on
initial action to implement a framework
adjustment to the Precious Corals FMP
to revise the minimum harvest size for
black corals (Antipathes sp.) due to the
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effects of Carijoa riisei and harvest
pressure on black corals in the Main
Hawaiian Islands. Based on comments
received during Precious Coral Plan
Team meetings, as well as subsequent
SSC, Council, and public working group
meetings, the Council developed an
options document that includes: (1)
Removing the exemption allowing
harvest of black corals with a minimum
base diameter of 3/4 inch(1.905 cm) or
minimum height of 36 inches (0.9144
m) by persons who reported harvest to
the State of Hawaii within five years
prior to April 17, 2002; (2) Establishing
a 48–inch(1.2192 m)minimum height
only requirement for harvest of black
coral colonies; (3) eliminating any
minimum base diameter requirement;
and (4) eliminating any minimum
height requirement. At its 127th
meeting, the Council may take initial
action to identify and support a range of
alternatives, including selection of a
preliminary preferred alternative, to be
further analyzed in a framework
adjustment to the Precious Coral Fishery
Management Plan.
3. Hawaii Bottomfish Overfishing Plan
(Initial Action)
The Council is currently reviewing its
responsibilities for sustainable fisheries
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, with
respect to National Standard 1, which
requires Councils to prevent overfishing
and keep resources from becoming
overfished. Under the reference points
adopted by the Council, bottomfish
resources in Hawaii are likely to soon be
determined by the Secretary of
Commerce to be experiencing
overfishing due to excessive fishing
effort in the Main Hawaiian Islands
(MHI). Once that determination is made,
the Council will have 1 year to
recommend management measures to
reduce fishing effort in the MHI
bottomfish fishery. The Council will
consider taking action to address two
concerns: (1) the lack of data regarding
bottomfish fishing mortality by
recreational fishermen in the MHI and
(2) the need to reduce bottomfish fishing
mortality around the MHI to prevent
overfishing on MHI bottomfish
resources. Options to be considered by
the Council to address data collection
include:
1. No Option
2. Expand the Hawaii Marine
Recreational Fishery Survey
3. Implement ‘‘Drop box’’ reporting
4. Require Federal permits and
logbooks for recreational bottomfish
fishermen
5. Conduct targeted surveys of Hawaii
recreational bottomfish fishermen using
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the State’s bottomfish management
registry
Options to be considered by the
Council to address excess fishing
mortality in the MHI include:
1. No action.
2. Incorporate the State’s Main
Hawaiian Islands bottomfish
management regime into Federal
regulations.
3. Establish new bottomfish area
closures in Federal waters in the MHI in
addition to the current state closures:
3a. Close Federal waters around
Penguin Banks to bottomfish fishing
3b. Close Federal waters around
Middle Bank to bottomfish fishing
4. Establish a control date for future
MHI fishery participation.
5. Establish a limited entry program
for the MHI fishery.
6. Establish individual fishing quotas
for MHI fishermen.
7. Establish a Federal permit and
logbook program for all fishermen
targeting bottomfish on Penguin Banks
or Middle Bank.
8. Establish July-September seasonal
closures for targeting and landing of
bottomfish from the MHI
4. Bigeye Tuna Overfishing Plan (Final
Action)
In December 2004, the Western
Pacific and Pacific Councils were
officially notified by the National
Marine Fisheries Service, on behalf of
the Secretary of Commerce, that
overfishing is occurring on bigeye tuna
in the Pacific. As required by the
Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1854
(e)(3)) and the implementing regulations
at 50 CFR 600.310(e)(3), the Councils
must take action to address overfishing
within one year of an identification by
the Secretary that overfishing is
occurring. The overfishing
determination was made in the annual
report on the status of fisheries in 2003,
which was transmitted to Congress on
June 15, 2004, which means that the
Council has until June 14, 2005 in
which to take remedial action to end
overfishing. Accordingly, 126th Council
Meeting recommended that Council
staff develop a plan to address BET
overfishing in the Pacific Ocean and it
elements and recommendations for
domestic and international fisheries.
The principal domestic measure
recommended by the Council at it 126th
meeting was that the Hawaii offshore
tuna handline, private FAD, vertical
longline and short-line (mainline < 1
nm) fisheries in the EEZ be federally
permitted fisheries with log books,
limited entry programs, and observers
where appropriate. However, a more
recent review of the data on the offshore
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tuna handline by the Pelagic Plan Team
(PPT)in May 2005, suggests that the
available data on landings may not
require a limited entry program at this
time. However, there were concerns that
the reported statistics for this fishery
(which is actually a mix of different
hook and line gears) may be
underestimates, and that serious efforts
should be made to pursue accurate
landings data for the fishery. The PPT
also approved a protocol to be
incorporated into the Pelagics FMP by
which the Council would take action on
international management of HMS
species. This includes ensuring Council
inclusion in US delegations to
international fishery management
meetings and the drafting of position
papers on measures to reduce
overfishing and rebuild stocks.
The Council will review PPT and SSC
comments and recommendations and
may take final action on an FMP
amendment on how to deal with BET
overfishing both in the domestic and
international fisheries.
5. MPA Objectives and Goals, Criteria
for Establishing Monitoring and
Evaluating MPAs First Draft (Action
Item)
The Council MPA Working Group is
developing a guide for Council family
reference when working on MPA issues.
‘‘MPA Goals and Objectives, and
Criteria for Establishing, Monitoring and
Evaluating MPAs’’ is a dynamic
document, updated with the best
available science. The Document
incorporates a flowchart illustrating a
NEPA based process to establish,
monitor and evaluate MPAs, and criteria
for establishing, monitoring and
evaluating MPAs are detailed. The
Council is asked to review a first draft
of this document.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in this agenda may come
before the 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
document and any issue arising after
publication of this document that
requires 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 Kitty M. Simonds,
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(808)522–8220 (voice) or (808)522–8226
(fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting
date.
Dated: May 9, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5–2338 Filed 5–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 041905B]
Endangered Species; File No. 1356
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Issuance of permit amendment.
25021
extending south, west and north of the
Marquesas Keys.
Issuance of this modification, as
required by the ESA was based on a
finding that such permit modification
(1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will
not operate to the disadvantage of any
endangered or threatened species, and
(3) is consistent with the purposes and
policies set forth in section 2 of the
ESA.
Dated: May 6, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–9516 Filed 5–11–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Inwater Research Group Inc. has been
issued a modification to scientific
research Permit No. 1356.
ADDRESSES: The modification and
related documents are available for
review upon written request or by
appointment in the following office(s):
Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
(301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521;
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701;
phone (727)824–5312; fax (727)824–
5517.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Opay or Ruth Johnson,
(301)713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
February 23, 2005, notice was published
in the Federal Register (70 FR 8767) that
a modification of Permit No. 1356,
issued July 11, 2002 (67 FR 45959), had
been requested by the above-named
organization. The requested
modification has been granted under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) and the regulations
governing the taking, importing, and
exporting of endangered and threatened
species (50 CFR 222–226).
The modification authorizes the
Holder to attach satellite transmitters to
a subset of the green sea turtles already
authorized to be captured under the
existing permit. It also allows
researchers to conduct sampling all
months of the year and to modify their
study area to include a 30 kilometer area
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers, Department of the
Army
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for the Preparation of a Special Area
Management Plan and Associated 404
Permit Actions for the San Juan Creek
and Western San Mateo Creek
Watersheds, Orange County, CA
AGENCY:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
DOD.
ACTION:
Revised Notice of Intent (NOI).
SUMMARY: The Corps of Engineers
(Corps) published a Notice of Intent to
prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) in the Federal Register
(Vol. 66, No. 76, pages 20135–20136) on
April 19, 2001, for a Special Area
Management Plan (SAMP) within the
San Juan Creek and western San Mateo
Creek Watersheds. The Notice of Intent
stated that the eventual document
would be a joint state and federal
document in coordination with the
California Department of Fish and Game
(Department). The Department intended
to prepare an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) in accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act
for the Department’s proposed Master
Streambed Alteration Agreement
(MSAA), a proposed state program
analogous to the SAMP. It is now
necessary to revise the Notice of Intent
to reflect that the doucment will now be
a federal document and not a joint
federal and state document.
Scoping commenced on April 19,
2001 with the publication of the original
Notice of Intent in the Federal Register.
In addition, the Corps issued a special
public notice on the SAMP dated April
18, 2001, to the general public. A public
scoping meeting was held on May 8,
2001, in San Juan Capistrano, California.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 91 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25018-25021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-2338]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 050905D]
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings and hearings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will
hold its 127\th\ meeting and Advisory Panel meetings to consider and
take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific
Region.
DATES: The 127th Council meeting, Advisory Panel meetings and public
hearings will be held on May 30 - June 2, 2005. For specific times, and
the agenda, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES: The 127th Council meeting, Advisory Panel meetings and
public hearings will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel,410 Atkinson Drive,
Honolulu, HI; telephone: 808-955-4811.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director;
telephone: (808)522-8220.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In addition to the agenda items listed here,
the Council will hear recommendations from other Council advisory
groups. Public comment periods will be provided throughout the agenda.
The order in which agenda items are
[[Page 25019]]
addressed may change. The Council will meet as late as necessary to
complete scheduled business.
Schedule and Agenda for Council Standing Committee Meetings
Monday, May 30, 2005
Standing Committee
1. 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Executive, Budget and Program Standing Committee
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
2. 7 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Ecosystem and Habitat Standing Committee
3. 7 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Pelagic and International Standing Committee
4. 9:30 a.m. - Noon Bottomfish Standing Committee
5. 9:30 a.m. - Noon Indigenous Rights Standing Committee
Schedule and Agenda for Council Advisory Panel Meetings
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
7:30 a.m. - Noon
1. Introduction and Overview
2. Council Action Items
A. Bigeye Overfishing
a. Pelagic Plan Team Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
B. Hawaii Bottomfish Overfishing
a. Bottomfish Plan Team Report and Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
C. Data Intiatives
a. Pelagic and Bottomfish Plan Team Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
D. Fishery Ecosystem Plans
a. Coral Reef Ecosystem Plan Team Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
E. Black Coral Research and Management
a. Precious Coral Plan Team Recommendations
b. SSC Recommendations
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
3. Island Area Reports
A. American Samoa
B. Guam
C. CNMI
D. Hawaii
6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
4. Discussion on Island Area Issues
A. American Samoa
B. Guam
C. CNMI
D. Hawaii
Wednesday June 1, 2005
7:30 a.m. - Noon (1 p.m. - 5 p.m. if required)
5. Sub-Panel Chairman Reports
A. Commercial Advisory Panel Report and Recommendations
B. Recreation Advisory Panel Report and Recommendations
C. Indigenous and Subsistence Advisory Panel Reports and
Recommendations
D. Ecosystem and Habitat Advisory Panel Report and Recommendations
6. Full Panel Discussion and Recommendations
7. Other Business
Schedule and Agenda for Public Hearings
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
11:30 a.m. - Noon
Black Coral Management Options
2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Community Demonstration Projects Program AP Recommendations
5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Hawaii Bottomfish Overfishing Plan
Thursday, June 2, 2005
9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Bigeye Tuna Overfishing Plan
11:30 a.m. - Noon
MPA Objectives and Goals, Criteria for Establishing Monitoring and
Evaluating MPAs First Draft.
For more information on public hearing items, see Background
Information.
The agenda during the full Council meeting will include the items
listed here.
Schedule and Agenda for Council Meeting
1 p.m - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2005
1. Introductions
2. Approval of agenda
3. Approval of 126th meeting minutes
4. Island reports
A. American Samoa
B. Guam
C. Hawaii
D. CNMI
5. Reports from fishery agencies and organizations
A. Department of Commerce
a. NMFS
i. Pacific Islands Regional Office
ii. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
b. National Marine Sanctuary Program
i. Pacific Sanctuaries update
c. NOAA General Counsel Southwest Region/Pacific Islands Region
B. The Department of the Interior - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS)
C. State Department
6. Enforcement/vessel monitoring systems A. US Coast Guard
activities
B. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) Activities
C. Status of Violations
8 a.m - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday June 1, 2005
7. Protected Species
A. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle BiOp
B. Report on Marine Mammal Advisory Committee
C. Report on Turtle Advisory Committee
8. Precious Coral Fisheries
A. Black Coral Management
a. State of Hawaii Black Coral Research
b. Black Coral Management Options (ACTION ITEM)
B. Advisory Panel Recommendations
C. Plan Team Recommendations
D. SSC Recommendations
9. Fishery Rights of Indigenous Peoples
A. Community Demonstration Projects Program AP Recommendations
(ACTION ITEM)
B. South Pacific Community (SPC)-Council- Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) Community-Based Management Workshop.
C. SSC Recommendations
D. Standing Committee Recommendations
E. Advisory Panel Recommendations
10. Bottomfish Fisheries
A. Hawaii Bottomfish Overfishing Plan (ACTION ITEM)
B. Plan Team Recommendations
C. SSC Recommendations
D. Standing Committee Recommendations
E. Advisory Panel Recommendations
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Wednesday June 1, 2005
11. Fishers Forum
A. Fish Tagging Programs
B. Bottomfish and Bigeye Tuna Overfishing
8 a.m - 6 p.m. Thursday June 2, 2005
12. Pelagic Fisheries
A. Bigeye Overfishing Plan (ACTION ITEM)
B. Swordfish Season Report
C. Stock Assessment Report and Status
D. Plan Team Recommendations
E. SSC Recommendations
F. Standing Committee Recommendations
G. Advisory Panel Recommendations
13. Ecosystems and Habitat
A. MPA Objectives and Goals, Criteria for Establishing Monitoring
and Evaluating MPAs First Draft (ACTION ITEM)
B. Fishery Ecosystem Plans
a. Strategic Level Alternatives for Marianas FEP
[[Page 25020]]
b. Fishery Ecosystem Plan Workshop
C. Plan Team Recommendationss
D. SSC Recommendations
E. Advisory Panel Recommendations
F. Standing Committee Recommendations
14. Program Planning and Budget
A. Hawaii Data Collection and Reporting Options
B. Update on Legislation
C. Magnuson Act Reauthorization
D. Advisory Panel Recommendations
E. Standing Committee Recommendations
15. Administrative Matters
A. Financial Reports
B. Administrative Report
C. Meetings and Workshops
D. Advisory Group Changes
E. Standing Committee Recommendations
16. Other Business
Background Information
1. Black Coral Management Options (Initial Action)
A public hearing will be held on initial action to implement a
framework adjustment to the Precious Corals FMP to revise the minimum
harvest size for black corals (Antipathes sp.) due to the effects of
Carijoa riisei and harvest pressure on black corals in the Main
Hawaiian Islands. Based on comments received during Precious Coral Plan
Team meetings, as well as subsequent SSC, Council, and public working
group meetings, the Council developed an options document that
includes: (1) Removing the exemption allowing harvest of black corals
with a minimum base diameter of 3/4 inch (1.905 cm) or minimum height
of 36 inches (0.9144 m) by persons who reported harvest to the State of
Hawaii within 5 years prior to April 17, 2002; (2) establishing a 48-
inch(1.2192 m)minimum height only requirement for harvest of black
coral colonies; (3) eliminating any minimum base diameter requirement;
and (4) eliminating any minimum height requirement. At its 127th
meeting, the Council may take initial action to identify and support a
range of alternatives, including selection of a preliminary preferred
alternative, to be further analyzed in a framework adjustment to the
Precious Coral Fishery Management Plan.
2. Community Demonstration Projects Program AP Recommendations (Action
Item)
A public hearing will be held on initial action to implement a
framework adjustment to the Precious Corals FMP to revise the minimum
harvest size for black corals (Antipathes sp.) due to the effects of
Carijoa riisei and harvest pressure on black corals in the Main
Hawaiian Islands. Based on comments received during Precious Coral Plan
Team meetings, as well as subsequent SSC, Council, and public working
group meetings, the Council developed an options document that
includes: (1) Removing the exemption allowing harvest of black corals
with a minimum base diameter of 3/4 inch(1.905 cm) or minimum height of
36 inches (0.9144 m) by persons who reported harvest to the State of
Hawaii within five years prior to April 17, 2002; (2) Establishing a
48-inch(1.2192 m)minimum height only requirement for harvest of black
coral colonies; (3) eliminating any minimum base diameter requirement;
and (4) eliminating any minimum height requirement. At its 127\th\
meeting, the Council may take initial action to identify and support a
range of alternatives, including selection of a preliminary preferred
alternative, to be further analyzed in a framework adjustment to the
Precious Coral Fishery Management Plan.
3. Hawaii Bottomfish Overfishing Plan (Initial Action)
The Council is currently reviewing its responsibilities for
sustainable fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, with respect to
National Standard 1, which requires Councils to prevent overfishing and
keep resources from becoming overfished. Under the reference points
adopted by the Council, bottomfish resources in Hawaii are likely to
soon be determined by the Secretary of Commerce to be experiencing
overfishing due to excessive fishing effort in the Main Hawaiian
Islands (MHI). Once that determination is made, the Council will have 1
year to recommend management measures to reduce fishing effort in the
MHI bottomfish fishery. The Council will consider taking action to
address two concerns: (1) the lack of data regarding bottomfish fishing
mortality by recreational fishermen in the MHI and (2) the need to
reduce bottomfish fishing mortality around the MHI to prevent
overfishing on MHI bottomfish resources. Options to be considered by
the Council to address data collection include:
1. No Option
2. Expand the Hawaii Marine Recreational Fishery Survey
3. Implement ``Drop box'' reporting
4. Require Federal permits and logbooks for recreational bottomfish
fishermen
5. Conduct targeted surveys of Hawaii recreational bottomfish
fishermen using the State's bottomfish management registry
Options to be considered by the Council to address excess fishing
mortality in the MHI include:
1. No action.
2. Incorporate the State's Main Hawaiian Islands bottomfish
management regime into Federal regulations.
3. Establish new bottomfish area closures in Federal waters in the
MHI in addition to the current state closures:
3a. Close Federal waters around Penguin Banks to bottomfish fishing
3b. Close Federal waters around Middle Bank to bottomfish fishing
4. Establish a control date for future MHI fishery participation.
5. Establish a limited entry program for the MHI fishery.
6. Establish individual fishing quotas for MHI fishermen.
7. Establish a Federal permit and logbook program for all fishermen
targeting bottomfish on Penguin Banks or Middle Bank.
8. Establish July-September seasonal closures for targeting and
landing of bottomfish from the MHI
4. Bigeye Tuna Overfishing Plan (Final Action)
In December 2004, the Western Pacific and Pacific Councils were
officially notified by the National Marine Fisheries Service, on behalf
of the Secretary of Commerce, that overfishing is occurring on bigeye
tuna in the Pacific. As required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C.
1854 (e)(3)) and the implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.310(e)(3),
the Councils must take action to address overfishing within one year of
an identification by the Secretary that overfishing is occurring. The
overfishing determination was made in the annual report on the status
of fisheries in 2003, which was transmitted to Congress on June 15,
2004, which means that the Council has until June 14, 2005 in which to
take remedial action to end overfishing. Accordingly, 126th Council
Meeting recommended that Council staff develop a plan to address BET
overfishing in the Pacific Ocean and it elements and recommendations
for domestic and international fisheries.
The principal domestic measure recommended by the Council at it
126\th\ meeting was that the Hawaii offshore tuna handline, private
FAD, vertical longline and short-line (mainline < 1 nm) fisheries in
the EEZ be federally permitted fisheries with log books, limited entry
programs, and observers where appropriate. However, a more recent
review of the data on the offshore
[[Page 25021]]
tuna handline by the Pelagic Plan Team (PPT)in May 2005, suggests that
the available data on landings may not require a limited entry program
at this time. However, there were concerns that the reported statistics
for this fishery (which is actually a mix of different hook and line
gears) may be underestimates, and that serious efforts should be made
to pursue accurate landings data for the fishery. The PPT also approved
a protocol to be incorporated into the Pelagics FMP by which the
Council would take action on international management of HMS species.
This includes ensuring Council inclusion in US delegations to
international fishery management meetings and the drafting of position
papers on measures to reduce overfishing and rebuild stocks.
The Council will review PPT and SSC comments and recommendations
and may take final action on an FMP amendment on how to deal with BET
overfishing both in the domestic and international fisheries.
5. MPA Objectives and Goals, Criteria for Establishing Monitoring and
Evaluating MPAs First Draft (Action Item)
The Council MPA Working Group is developing a guide for Council
family reference when working on MPA issues. ``MPA Goals and
Objectives, and Criteria for Establishing, Monitoring and Evaluating
MPAs'' is a dynamic document, updated with the best available science.
The Document incorporates a flowchart illustrating a NEPA based process
to establish, monitor and evaluate MPAs, and criteria for establishing,
monitoring and evaluating MPAs are detailed. The Council is asked to
review a first draft of this document.
Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come
before the 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 document and any
issue arising after publication of this document that requires
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 Kitty M. Simonds, (808)522-8220
(voice) or (808)522-8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting
date.
Dated: May 9, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-2338 Filed 5-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
