Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 41771-41772 [E6-11683]

Download as PDF sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 141 / Monday, July 24, 2006 / Notices dependent fisheries data for Guam: a boat-based and shoreline-based creel surveys conducted by staff of the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR), a voluntary fish dealer trip ticket invoice system coordinated by DAWR staff, and a voluntary data collection system established and coordinated by the Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative with data submitted to and processed by DAWR staff. Based on the current FMP reporting and management requirements, these data collection programs can provide adequate information about Guam’s inshore bottomfish fisheries that are conducted by smaller vessels. Thus, the amendment does not intend to establish additional data collection requirements on smaller vessels. There is a potential component of Guam’s bottomfish fishery in which fishermen in relatively large vessels (i.e., greater than 50 ft or 15.2 m in length) target deep-slope fish species, particularly onaga (longtail red snapper, or flame snapper, Etelis coruscans). This fishery is currently inactive, but several vessels have operated in the past. The fish were caught on offshore banks in Federal waters, landed at Guam’s commercial port, and rather than entering the local market, exported by air to foreign markets, especially Japan. The activity occurred on some or all of Guam’s southern banks, including Galvez, 11–Mile, Santa Rosa, White Tuna, and Baby Banks. Most of the vessels fishing on these southern banks targeted the shallow-water bottomfish complex, but some targeted the deepwater complex. The banks to the north of Guam, including Rota Bank, and far to the west of Guam, including Bank A, appear not to have been fished at this time. The potential for large-vessel bottomfish fishing activity to resume on the offshore banks prompted concerns about fishery information being inadequate for effective management, the potential for small-vessel catch rates to decline to non-viable levels, threats to sustained participation by smallervessels in the fishery, and disruptions to traditional patterns of supply of bottomfish products to the local market. Thus, FMP Amendment 9 has the following objectives: • To ensure that adequate information is routinely collected for the largevessel, export-oriented bottomfish fishery in Federal waters around Guam; • To maintain adequate opportunities for small-scale commercial, recreational, and subsistence bottomfish fishermen in Federal waters around Guam; VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:54 Jul 21, 2006 Jkt 208001 • To provide for sustained community participation by smaller vessels in the Guam bottomfish fishery; and • To encourage consistent availability of fresh, locally caught deepwater bottomfish products to Guam consumers. After considering a wide range of management options, including many options suggested by the public during a public scoping process, the WPFMC recommended several measures that would be established under FMP Amendment 9, including the following: • A Federal fishing permit that would be required for large vessels, i.e., 50 ft (15.2 m) or greater in length, to fish for bottomfish in authorized areas around Guam; • A Federal fishing logbook, in which the large bottomfish vessels would be required to record their daily catch and effort information to be supplied to NMFS; and • A bottomfish area closure, encompassing Federal waters within 50 nm (92.6 km) around Guam, in which large vessels targeting bottomfish would be prohibited from fishing. NMFS seeks public comment on FMP Amendment 9, which must be received by September 22, 2006, to be considered by NMFS when it decides whether to approve, partially approve, or disapprove the amendment. NMFS will review FMP Amendment 9 to determine whether it complies with the MagnusonStevens Act, the National Standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. In the near future, NMFS intends to publish in the Federal Register a proposed rule to implement FMP Amendment 9. Dated: July 18, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–11752 Filed 7–21–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 071806E] Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. 41771 Hoc Shrimp Effort Working Group (SEWG). The SEWG meeting will convene at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2006 and conclude no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2006. DATES: The meeting will be held at the Quorum Hotel Tampa, 200 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609; telephone: (813) 289–8200. Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assane Diagne, Economist, telephone: (813) 348–1630. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene meetings of the Ad Hoc Shrimp Effort Working Group (SEWG) to begin evaluating shrimp effort in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico. The working group, appointed by the Council during its March 2006, regular meeting, is charged with providing the Council with alternatives for determining the appropriate level of effort in the shrimp fishery in the EEZ. The group also will discuss the level of effort necessary to achieve optimum yield in the shrimp fishery and what level of effort would derive the maximum benefits of that fishery. The SEWG includes fishery biologists, economists and others knowledgeable about shrimp effort in the Gulf of Mexico. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the SEWG for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the SEWG will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take action to address the emergency. Copies of the agenda can be obtained by calling (813) 348–1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Special Accommodations SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene one public meeting of the Ad This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Tina Trezza at the Council (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 working days prior to the meeting. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 41772 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 141 / Monday, July 24, 2006 / Notices Dated: July 19, 2006. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–11683 Filed 7–21–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 071806G] Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Reef Fish Advisory Panel (AP) and its Standing and Special Mackerel and Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC). DATES: The meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 and conclude by 12 noon on Thursday, August 10, 2006. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Quorum Hotel, 700 North Westshore Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607 Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Richard Leard, Deputy Executive Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348–1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council will convene the Standing and Special Mackerel SSC at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, to consider and possibly make recommendations on a report on mixing and other aspects of a previous stock assessment for king mackerel developed by a special, joint SSC made up of SSC members from the Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The Council will then convene the Standing and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and its Reef Fish AP in a joint session on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to receive presentations of stock assessment results for vermilion snapper, greater amberjack, gray triggerfish, and gag grouper. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on August 9, 2006, the Reef Fish AP will discuss these stock assessments and potentially sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:54 Jul 21, 2006 Jkt 208001 provide recommendations to the Council. The Reef Fish AP will also consider and possibly provide recommendations on alternatives in a Draft Reef Fish Amendment 27/Shrimp Amendment 14 that could: (1) Change the total allowable catch (TAC) for red snapper, (2) change the minimum size limit for red snapper, (3) change the recreational fishing season and bag limit for red snapper, (4) reduce the bag limit of red snapper for captains and crew of for-hire vessels to zero, (5) modify allowable fishing gear to possibly include changes to the type and size of hooks used to harvest red snapper, and (6) cap effort in the shrimp fishery to further reduce bycatch. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on August 10, 2006, the Standing and Special Reef Fish SSC will reconvene to discuss and possibly make recommendations regarding the stock assessments for vermilion snapper, greater amberjack, gray triggerfish, and gag grouper and potentially provide recommendations to the Council. The SSC will also consider and possibly provide recommendations on alternatives in a Draft Reef Fish Amendment 27/Shrimp Amendment 14 that could: (1) Change the total allowable catch (TAC) for red snapper, (2) change the minimum size limit for red snapper, (3) change the recreational fishing season and bag limit for red snapper, (4) reduce the bag limit of red snapper for captains and crew of forhire vessels to zero, (5) modify allowable fishing gear to possibly include changes to the type and size of hooks used to harvest red snapper, and (6) cap effort in the shrimp fishery to further reduce bycatch. A copy of the agenda and related materials can be obtained by calling the Council office at (813) 348–1630. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come before the Standing and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Reef Fish Advisory Panel, in accordance with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Actions of the Standing and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Reef Fish Advisory Panel will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agendas and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take action to address the emergency. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Tina Trezza at the Council (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 working days prior to the meeting. Dated: July 19, 2006. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–11686 Filed 7–21–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 071806I] North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet, in Juneau, AK. DATES: They will begin their plenary session at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 15 and continue through the Wednesday, August 16, 2006.. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Federal Building, 709 W 9th Avenue, 4th Floor, NMFS Conference Room, Juneau, AK 99801. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Council staff contact, Bill Wilson; telephone: (907) 271–2809. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SSC review of the Steller Sea Lion recovery plan: (1) Review of the recovery plan through Appendix 2 (ending on p. 217); (2) review of the PVA (Appendix 3, starting on p. 218); and (3) review of the Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee mitigation tool. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Gail Bendixen at (907) 271–2809 at least 7 working days prior to the meeting date. E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 141 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41771-41772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11683]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 071806E]


Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
convene one public meeting of the Ad Hoc Shrimp Effort Working Group 
(SEWG).

DATES: The SEWG meeting will convene at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 
2006 and conclude no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2006.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Quorum Hotel Tampa, 200 N. 
Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609; telephone: (813) 289-8200.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 
North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assane Diagne, Economist, telephone: 
(813) 348-1630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) will convene meetings of the Ad Hoc Shrimp Effort 
Working Group (SEWG) to begin evaluating shrimp effort in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico. The working group, appointed 
by the Council during its March 2006, regular meeting, is charged with 
providing the Council with alternatives for determining the appropriate 
level of effort in the shrimp fishery in the EEZ. The group also will 
discuss the level of effort necessary to achieve optimum yield in the 
shrimp fishery and what level of effort would derive the maximum 
benefits of that fishery. The SEWG includes fishery biologists, 
economists and others knowledgeable about shrimp effort in the Gulf of 
Mexico.
    Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come 
before the SEWG for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those 
issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. 
Actions of the SEWG will be restricted to those issues specifically 
identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of 
this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the 
Council's intent to take action to address the emergency. Copies of the 
agenda can be obtained by calling (813) 348-1630.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Tina Trezza at the Council (see ADDRESSES) at 
least 5 working days prior to the meeting.


[[Page 41772]]


    Dated: July 19, 2006.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-11683 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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