Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 54799-54800 [E6-15527]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 19, 2006 / Notices Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 117. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. The meetings will be held at the Hilton Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22311; phone: 703–845–1010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Othel Freeman or Chris Rilling at 301– 713–2347. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting with the Atlantic CCED will focus on science, coordination, and communication issues between NMFS and the Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Councils (New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils) regarding Atlantic HMS. ADDRESSES: IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: September 14, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6–15546 Filed 9–18–06; 8:45 am] Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Othel Freeman or Chris Rilling at (301) 713–2347, at least 7 days prior to the meeting. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: September 13, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–15540 Filed 9–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 091306C] [I.D. 090706C] Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting Meeting of Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Council Chairs and Executive Directors National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES SUMMARY: NMFS will host a half-day meeting with the Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Council Chairs and Executive Directors in October 2006. The intent of this meeting is to discuss science, coordination, and communication issues related to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS). The meeting with the Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Council Chairs and Executive Directors will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2006. DATES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:49 Sep 18, 2006 Jkt 208001 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a public meeting to gather public comments on options to research and manage shark viewing operations in federal waters around Hawaii. DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday October 5, 2006, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Haleiwa Elementary School, 66–505 Haleiwa Rd., Haleiwa, HI 96712. Council address: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54799 telephone: (808) 522–8220; fax: (808) 522–8226. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2001, commercial shark viewing operations began providing and promoting services to swim, dive and snorkel with sharks off the North Shore of Oahu. The operations essentially consist of deploying a protective cage into the water into which individuals enter while sharks swim freely outside of the cage. To keep sharks near the cage for viewing, tour operators often introduce chum (i.e. fish parts) into the water. In 2002, citing concerns of the risk to human safety, particularly, the potential increased risk of shark attacks on individuals not involved in shark feeding operations, the State of Hawaii promulgated regulations prohibiting the feeding of sharks for commercial purposes in state marine waters from 0 to three miles from shore. As a result of the State’s law, commercial shark tour operations relocated into federal waters beyond three miles from shore where there are no rules or regulations in place to control this activity. Currently, the commercial shark viewing operations occur three to four miles offshore of Haleiwa, HI in waters approximately 400 to 600 feet in depth. The precise locations are marked by buoys deployed by the tour operators. Species of sharks encountered during these operations include the galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis), the sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna spp.) and occasionally grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier). Presently, information on the effects of commercial shark viewing operations on shark behavior and ecology, fish habitat and other user groups are largely anecdotal. As a result, there remains great uncertainty regarding the potential impacts to humans as well as to shark populations and the health of the marine ecosystem in this area. The Council will convene a public meeting to gather public comments on options to research and manage shark viewing operations in federal waters around Hawaii. These include but are not limited to: (1) Conducting research on shark movement and behavior and population numbers in and around the North Shore of Oahu; (2) Recommending the State of Hawaii establish a moratorium on any new shark tour operations; (3) Establishing federal regulations for shark tour operations such as prohibiting or limiting the amount of chum that may be used, requiring shark tour operations to move further offshore, limiting the E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM 19SEN1 54800 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 19, 2006 / Notices number of shark tour operations; and (4) Banning on shark viewing operations in federal waters. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified 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 This meeting is 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. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 14, 2006. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–15527 Filed 9–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 090806D] Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The 93rd meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene Tuesday, October 3, 2006, through Thursday October 5, 2006. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific times, dates, and agenda items. DATES: The SSC meeting will be held between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, through Thursday October 5, 2006. ADDRESSES: The SSC meeting will be held at the Council Office Conference Room, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI; telephone: (808) 522– 8220. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:49 Sep 18, 2006 Jkt 208001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; telephone: (808)-522–8220. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tuesday, October 3, 2006, 9 a.m. 1. Introductions 2. Approval of Draft Agenda and Assignment of Rapporteurs 3. Approval of the Minutes of the 92nd Meeting 4. Report of the Pacific Science Center Director 5. Ecosystem and Habitat A. Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Monument (ACTION ITEM) B. Hawaii Archipelago Ecosystem Research Program C. Hawaii coral reef fisheries statistics D. Hawaii coral reef fisheries assessment E. American Samoa coral reef fish survey F. Guam Offshore Project G. Public Comment H. Discussion and Recommendations 6. Protected Species A. Update on protected species issues B. Monk seal fatty acid study report C. Public Comment D. Discussion and Recommendations 7. Insular Fisheries A. Precious Corals 1. Recommendations Black Coral Workshop 2. Plan Team Report 3. Public comment 4. Discussion and recommendations B. Crustaceans 1. Addition of Heterocarpus to Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEPs) (ACTION ITEM) 2. Lobster Research 3. Ecosystem Report on Oceanographic Conditions 4. Plan Team Report 5. Public comment 6. Discussion and recommendations Wednesday, October 4, 2006, 8:30 a.m. 7. Insular Fisheries (Cont’d) C. Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Issues 1. Bottomfish Stock Assessment 2. Update on Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) bottomfish closed areas working group 3. Status of bottomfish stocks 4. Public comment 5. Discussion and recommendations 8. Pelagics Fisheries A. Analysis of swordfish longline observer data B. Minimizing bycatch of loggerhead turtles based on a prediction of the transition zone frontal structure C. Prediction model for minimizing bycatch of sea turtles D. American Samoa and Hawaii Longline quarterly reports PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E. Swordfish Closure (ACTION ITEM) F. Pelagic stock assessments G. Shark management (ACTION ITEM) H. American Samoa fishery aggregating devices (FADs) (ACTION ITEM) I. Highly Migratory Species (HMS) quotas and data J. Bigeye Tuna (BET) quota in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) K. NMFS Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) International Fisheries capabilities L. International Fisheries 1. Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Annual Meeting 2. Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (Science Committee, Compliance Committee, Plenary) 3. Council South Pacific Albacore Workshop M. Shark bycatch in longline fisheries N. Public Comment O. Discussion and Recommendations Thursday, October 5, 2006, 8:30 a.m. 9. Social Science Indicators of community health 10. Other Business A. Stock assessment protocol B. Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) reauthorization C. 94th SSC meeting 11. Summary of SSC Recommendations to the Council 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. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 14, 2006. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–15526 Filed 9–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 090706A] U.S. Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product Draft Report 2.2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM 19SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54799-54800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15527]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091306C]


Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a public meeting to gather public comments on options to research 
and manage shark viewing operations in federal waters around Hawaii.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday October 5, 2006, from 6 
p.m. to 9 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Haleiwa Elementary School, 
66-505 Haleiwa Rd., Haleiwa, HI 96712.
    Council address: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1164 
Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; 
telephone: (808) 522-8220; fax: (808) 522-8226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2001, commercial shark viewing operations 
began providing and promoting services to swim, dive and snorkel with 
sharks off the North Shore of Oahu. The operations essentially consist 
of deploying a protective cage into the water into which individuals 
enter while sharks swim freely outside of the cage. To keep sharks near 
the cage for viewing, tour operators often introduce chum (i.e. fish 
parts) into the water. In 2002, citing concerns of the risk to human 
safety, particularly, the potential increased risk of shark attacks on 
individuals not involved in shark feeding operations, the State of 
Hawaii promulgated regulations prohibiting the feeding of sharks for 
commercial purposes in state marine waters from 0 to three miles from 
shore. As a result of the State's law, commercial shark tour operations 
relocated into federal waters beyond three miles from shore where there 
are no rules or regulations in place to control this activity.
    Currently, the commercial shark viewing operations occur three to 
four miles offshore of Haleiwa, HI in waters approximately 400 to 600 
feet in depth. The precise locations are marked by buoys deployed by 
the tour operators. Species of sharks encountered during these 
operations include the galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis), the 
sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna 
spp.) and occasionally grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) 
and tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier).
    Presently, information on the effects of commercial shark viewing 
operations on shark behavior and ecology, fish habitat and other user 
groups are largely anecdotal. As a result, there remains great 
uncertainty regarding the potential impacts to humans as well as to 
shark populations and the health of the marine ecosystem in this area.
    The Council will convene a public meeting to gather public comments 
on options to research and manage shark viewing operations in federal 
waters around Hawaii. These include but are not limited to: (1) 
Conducting research on shark movement and behavior and population 
numbers in and around the North Shore of Oahu; (2) Recommending the 
State of Hawaii establish a moratorium on any new shark tour 
operations; (3) Establishing federal regulations for shark tour 
operations such as prohibiting or limiting the amount of chum that may 
be used, requiring shark tour operations to move further offshore, 
limiting the

[[Page 54800]]

number of shark tour operations; and (4) Banning on shark viewing 
operations in federal waters.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to 
those issues specifically identified 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

    This meeting is 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.

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

    Dated: September 14, 2006.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15527 Filed 9-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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