New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 13749-13750 [E7-5317]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 56 / Friday, March 23, 2007 / Notices Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Committee will receive management advice from the Skate Plan Development Team (PDT) based on the status of skate stocks in the recent SAW assessment. In addition, the committee will discuss strawman management alternatives and review a draft scoping document. The Regional Administrator, Patricia Kurkul, notified the Council on February 21, 2007 that winter skate is overfished according to 2006 data. The letter stated that the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the Council to prepare a fishery management plan amendment or proposed regulation within one year to address the condition. In addition to winter skate, thorny skate is an overfished condition, smooth skate is very close to the biomass threshold, and little skate is very close to the overfishing threshold. Under other business, the Multispecies (Skate) Committee may discuss groundfish management issues at this meeting but will not take action at this time. 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 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 Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, at (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 19, 2007. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–5306 Filed 3–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:41 Mar 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 031907C] New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a three-day Council meeting on April 10–12, 2007, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 10 beginning at 9 a.m., and Wednesday and Thursday, April 11–12, beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Mystic Hilton Hotel, 20 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355; telephone: (860) 572–0731. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Following introductions, the Council will hear a series of brief reports from the Council Chairman and Executive Director, the NOAA Northeast Regional Administrator, Northeast Fisheries Science Center and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, NOAA General Counsel and representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA Enforcement, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Following these reports, the Council will host a briefing on NOAA’s Aquaculture Program with a focus on the major provisions of the 2007 National Offshore Aquaculture Act. During the morning session, the Council also will receive an update from the Standard Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) Committee concerning an amendment that would modify all Council fishery management plans (FMPs) to include SBRM provisions. This agenda item will be followed by a summary of the ongoing discussions concerning changes to regional Council processes and procedures as a result of reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13749 Conservation and Management Act. The afternoon agenda will include a NOAA scoping hearing on ending overfishing and alternatives that would address annual catch limits and accountability measures, provisions that are now part of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act. The day will conclude with a discussion of a strawman process that could address other new requirements of Magnuson-Stevens Act, specifically, a streamlined process to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. Wednesday, April 11, 2007 The Council intends to both approve a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and select preferred alternatives for Amendment 11 to the Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. It also will consider initiation of Framework Adjustment 20 the the FMP, an action to extend measures implemented by emergency action to prevent overfishing through the end of fishing year 2007. The emergency reduced the number of scallop trips in the Elephant trunk Area in 2007. The framework would continue the measures through March 1, 2008. The Scallop Survey Advisory Committee will provide an update on progress to develop and test a prototype scallop dredge for survey use. The Council will then hold a public hearing on Phase I of its Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Omnibus Amendment 2 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The public is invited to comment on the EFH designation alternatives, Habitat Area of Particular Concern alternatives, an evaluation of prey species for NEFMC-managed species and an evaluation of the potential impacts of non-fishing activities on EFH. Thursday, April 12, 2007 The Council’s Research Steering Committee Chairman will report on the committee’s recommendations concerning the use of information provided in several cooperative research final reports. This will be followed by a discussion of other issues related to cooperative research, including research priorities for 2007. The Omnibus Sector Committee will provide an update on the development of an amendment that will provide an overall framework for the development of sectors. The Groundfish Committee will report on its efforts to develop Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. The Council also will consider developing comments on proposed sector operations plans for the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Gear Sector and the Fixed Gear Sector that operates under E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 13750 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 56 / Friday, March 23, 2007 / Notices the Multispecies FMP. Any approved comments would be forwarded to the NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator. An open period for the public to address any other Councilrelated business will be provided at this point in the day. During the afternoon session of the meeting, the Skate Committee will review management advice from the Skate Plan Development Team, as well as draft management alternatives for possible inclusion in an amendment to the Skate FMP. The Council also may approve a scoping document for this action. At the end of the day, the Council’s Enforcement Committee will discuss committee progress to develop recommendations concerning the use of VMS and other tools to address safety-at sea, regulatory compliance, and other fishery management-related activities. Although other non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subjects of formal 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 MagnusonStevens Act, provided that 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 Paul J. Howard (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: March 20, 2007. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–5317 Filed 3–22–07; 8:45 am] SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Council) Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee (SSLMC) will meet in Juneau, AK. DATES: The meeting will be held on April 16–17, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Proposal Scoring Subcommittee will meet on April 16 and the full Committee will meet April 17–19, 2007. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the National Marine Fisheries Service, 709 W 9th Avenue, Regional Administrator’s Conference Room, Juneau, AK. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Wilson, North Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone: (907) 271–2809. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee will review proposals and proposal scoring process with the Subcommittee; receive proposal presentations from proposers; discuss proposals with proposers and request additional information as needed. 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, (907) 271–2809, at least 5 working days prior to the meeting date. Dated: March 19, 2007. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–5307 Filed 3–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BILLING CODE 3510–22–S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [I.D. 031607F] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Mammals; File No. 1095–1837 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: [I.D. 031607D] North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public committee meetings. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:41 Mar 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dorian S. Houser, Ph.D., Biomimetica, 7951 Shantung Drive, Santee, CA 92071 has been issued a permit to conduct research on marine mammals. ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001; fax (562)980–4018. Kate Swails or Amy Sloan, (301)713–2289. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: On July 5, 2006, notice was published in the Federal Register ( 71 FR 38136) that a request for a scientific research permit to take individuals of any species of cetaceans in the U.S. had been submitted by the above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), 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 parts 222–226). The applicant will use auditory evoked potential recordings with noninvasive suction cup sensors on up to 15 individuals of any species of cetaceans in the U.S. The research will be conducted on stranded or accidentally entrapped animals in the field or at a rehabilitation center. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit: (1) was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: March 19, 2007. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–5380 Filed 3–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 56 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13749-13750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5317]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 031907C]


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold 
a three-day Council meeting on April 10-12, 2007, to consider actions 
affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 10 beginning at 9 
a.m., and Wednesday and Thursday, April 11-12, beginning at 8:30 a.m. 
each day.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Mystic Hilton Hotel, 20 
Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355; telephone: (860) 572-0731.
    Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

    Following introductions, the Council will hear a series of brief 
reports from the Council Chairman and Executive Director, the NOAA 
Northeast Regional Administrator, Northeast Fisheries Science Center 
and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, NOAA General 
Counsel and representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA Enforcement, 
and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Following these 
reports, the Council will host a briefing on NOAA's Aquaculture Program 
with a focus on the major provisions of the 2007 National Offshore 
Aquaculture Act. During the morning session, the Council also will 
receive an update from the Standard Bycatch Reporting Methodology 
(SBRM) Committee concerning an amendment that would modify all Council 
fishery management plans (FMPs) to include SBRM provisions. This agenda 
item will be followed by a summary of the ongoing discussions 
concerning changes to regional Council processes and procedures as a 
result of reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act. The afternoon agenda will include a NOAA scoping 
hearing on ending overfishing and alternatives that would address 
annual catch limits and accountability measures, provisions that are 
now part of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act. The day will 
conclude with a discussion of a strawman process that could address 
other new requirements of Magnuson-Stevens Act, specifically, a 
streamlined process to comply with the National Environmental Policy 
Act.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

    The Council intends to both approve a Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement and select preferred alternatives for 
Amendment 11 to the Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. It also will 
consider initiation of Framework Adjustment 20 the the FMP, an action 
to extend measures implemented by emergency action to prevent 
overfishing through the end of fishing year 2007. The emergency reduced 
the number of scallop trips in the Elephant trunk Area in 2007. The 
framework would continue the measures through March 1, 2008. The 
Scallop Survey Advisory Committee will provide an update on progress to 
develop and test a prototype scallop dredge for survey use. The Council 
will then hold a public hearing on Phase I of its Essential Fish 
Habitat (EFH) Omnibus Amendment 2 Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement. The public is invited to comment on the EFH 
designation alternatives, Habitat Area of Particular Concern 
alternatives, an evaluation of prey species for NEFMC-managed species 
and an evaluation of the potential impacts of non-fishing activities on 
EFH.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

    The Council's Research Steering Committee Chairman will report on 
the committee's recommendations concerning the use of information 
provided in several cooperative research final reports. This will be 
followed by a discussion of other issues related to cooperative 
research, including research priorities for 2007. The Omnibus Sector 
Committee will provide an update on the development of an amendment 
that will provide an overall framework for the development of sectors. 
The Groundfish Committee will report on its efforts to develop 
Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. The Council also will 
consider developing comments on proposed sector operations plans for 
the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Gear Sector and the Fixed Gear Sector that 
operates under

[[Page 13750]]

the Multispecies FMP. Any approved comments would be forwarded to the 
NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator. An open period for the public to 
address any other Council-related business will be provided at this 
point in the day. During the afternoon session of the meeting, the 
Skate Committee will review management advice from the Skate Plan 
Development Team, as well as draft management alternatives for possible 
inclusion in an amendment to the Skate FMP. The Council also may 
approve a scoping document for this action. At the end of the day, the 
Council's Enforcement Committee will discuss committee progress to 
develop recommendations concerning the use of VMS and other tools to 
address safety-at sea, regulatory compliance, and other fishery 
management-related activities.
    Although other non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda 
may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be 
the subjects of formal 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 Act, 
provided that 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 Paul J. Howard (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days 
prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: March 20, 2007.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-5317 Filed 3-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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