Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meetings, 15138-15139 [E8-5778]

Download as PDF 15138 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 56 / Friday, March 21, 2008 / Notices NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: File No. 10133. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RIN: 0648–XG51 Amy Hapemen or Brandy Belmas, (301)713–2289. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meetings The subject permit is requested under the authority of section 104(c)(6) 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). Section 104(c)(6) provides for photography for educational or commercial purposes involving nonendangered and non-threatened marine mammals in the wild. NMFS is currently working on proposed regulations to implement this provision. However, in the meantime, NMFS has received and is processing this request as a ‘‘pilot’’ application for Level B Harassment of non-listed and nondepleted marine mammals for photographic purposes. The applicant has requested a photography permit to film human interactions with spinner dolphins in the coastal waters of Hawaii and Maui. The purpose of the filming is to produce a public service announcement to educate residents and tourists of the Hawaiian Islands about the dangers that swim-with programs pose to the species and illustrate proper dolphin watching techniques. Up to 2,710 dolphins could be harassed annually during aerial and vessel-based close approaches for filming, including underwater filming. Filming would occur from March to October of each year over a period of 4 years. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: March 17, 2008. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–5784 Filed 3–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:33 Mar 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene public meetings. DATES: The meetings will be held April 7, 2008 through April 11, 2008. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 4914 Constitution Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne E. Swingle, Executive Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348–1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Council Thursday, April 10, 2008 1 p.m.—The Council meeting will begin with a review of the agenda and minutes. 1:15 p.m.–1:20 p.m.—The Council will approve the members of the Outreach and Education Committee. 1:20 p.m.–5:30 p.m.—The Council will receive public testimony on: (a) exempted fishing permits (EFPs), if any; (b) Final Action on Reef Fish Amendment 30B; and (c) Generic Aquaculture Amendment. An Open Public Comment Period regarding any fishery issue of concern will be immediately following completion of public testimony for a maximum of 1 hour. People wishing to speak before the Council should complete a public comment card prior to the comment period. Friday, April 11, 2008 The Council will review and discuss reports from the previous three days’ committee meetings as follows: 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.—Reef Fish Management; 10:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m.—Ad Hoc Allocation; 10:45 a.m.–11 a.m.—Shrimp Management; PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 11 a.m.–11:30 a.m.—Joint Reef Fish/ Mackerel/Red Drum; 11:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.—Habitat Protection; 11:45 a.m.–12 noon—Budget/ Personnel; 12 noon–12:15 p.m.—AP Selection; 12:15 p.m.–12:30 p.m.—SSC Selection; 12:30 p.m.–12:45 p.m.—Operator Permits; 12:45 p.m.–1 p.m.—The Council will review regulations for Reef Fish Amendment 30B. 1 p.m.–1:30 p.m.—The Council will discuss Other Business item. 1:30 p.m.—The Council will conclude its meeting. Committees Monday, April 7, 2008—ALL CLOSED SESSIONS 1 p.m.–3 p.m.—CLOSED SESSION— Budget/Personnel Committee will interview and select a Staff Biologist. It will review the Executive Director’s position description, rating sheet, and interview questions. 3 p.m.–4:30 p.m.—CLOSED SESSION—AP Selection Committee will review attendance and appoint new nominees to the AP. 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.—CLOSED SESSION—SSC Selection Committee will review attendance and appoint new nominees to the SSC. Tuesday, April 8, 2008 8 a.m.–12 noon & 1:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.—The Reef Fish Management Committee will meet to discuss Approval of Public Hearing Draft of Reef Fish Amendment 29; Final Action on Reef Fish Amendment 30B; and a Report of Ad Hoc Recreational Red Snapper AP Meeting. Wednesday, April 9, 2008 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.—The Ad Hoc Allocation Committee will meet to discuss Organizational Issues. 10:30 a.m.–12 noon—The Operator Permits Committee will discuss an Operator Permits Options Paper. 1:30 p.m.–3 p.m.—The Shrimp Management Committee will meet to discuss the Shrimp Vessel Effort; AP recommendations; and receive a Report on Electronic Logbooks for Shrimp Fishery. 3 p.m.–5:30 p.m.—The Joint Reef Fish/Mackerel/Red Drum Management Committee will meet to discuss the Generic Aquaculture Amendment. 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.—Informal Questions and Answer Session. Thursday, April 10, 2008 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.—The Habitat Protection Committee will discuss E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 56 / Friday, March 21, 2008 / Notices Proposed Management Action for Flowers Garden Banks and receive an Update on LNG Facilities. 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.—CLOSED SESSIONS—Council will discuss AP and SSC Selections and Budget/ Personnel Issues. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come before the Council and Committees for discussion, in accordance with the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the Council and Committees 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. The established times for addressing items on the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items. In order to further allow for such adjustments and completion of all items on the agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to the date established in this notice. (SSC), its Ad Hoc Excessive Shares Committee, the Mid-Atlantic section of the Joint Monkfish Committee, its Protected Resources Committee, its Research Set-Aside (RSA) Committee, its Executive Committee, its Surfclam/ Ocean Quahog Committee, its Bycatch Committee, and its Demersal Committee, will hold public meetings. DATES: The meetings will be held on Monday, April 7, 2008 through Thursday, April 10, 2008. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel, 173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, MD 21401; telephone: (410) 266–3131. Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 300 S. New St., Room 2115, Dover, DE 19904; telephone: (302) 674–2331. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel T. Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; telephone: (302) 674–2331 ext. 19. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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. 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.—The Ad Hoc Excessive Shares Committee will meet. 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.—The MidAtlantic section of the Joint Monkfish Committee will meet. 1 p.m until 3 p.m.—The Protected Resources Committee will meet. 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.—The Research Set-Aside (RSA) Committee will meet. Dated: March 18, 2008. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–5778 Filed 3–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XG50 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), its Science and Statistical Committee SUMMARY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:33 Mar 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 Monday, April 7, 2008 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.—The Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet. Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Wednesday, April 9, 2008 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.—The Executive Committee will meet. 9:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.—The Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Committee will meet. 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.—The Bycatch Committee will meet. 1:15 p.m. until 3:15 p.m.—The Council will convene and hold its Business Session. 3:15 p.m. until 4 p.m.—The Council will receive a presentation regarding New England Council’s Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) Initiative. 4 p.m. until 5 p.m.—Monkfish Framework 6 will be reviewed and discussed for the purpose of adoption. Thursday, April 10, 2008 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.—The Demersal Committee will meet. 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.—The Council will convene to review and PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15139 discuss Amendment 1 to Tilefish for purposes of adoption. 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.—The Council will receive Committee Reports and consider Continuing and New Business. Agenda items by day for the Council’s Committees and the Council itself are: Monday, April 7—An orientation session for the Science and Statistical Committee will be held to review and discuss the roles of the Council, the SSC, the Monitoring Committees, NMFS, and the Council staff; review the Council’s current specification setting procedures and related timing issues; review Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Accountability Measures (AM) requirements established by the Magnuson-Steven Reauthorization Act (MSRA); discuss possible alternative specification procedures; review Terms of Reference (TOR) for the SSC regarding the annual specification setting process; evaluate and modify current SSC composition by discipline/ expertise; review SSC membership appointment protocol and the need to expand the Committee; and, discuss quality assurance/quality control measures for SSC appointment. Tuesday, April 8—The Ad Hoc Excessive Shares Committee will review and discuss the meaning/interpretation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) National Standard 4, Section 303A(c)(5)(D), Section 303A(c)(9) and develop ideas on and practical application of excessive shares concept. The Mid-Atlantic section of the Joint Monkfish Committee will review and discuss proposed measures in Framework 6, select a preferred alternative, and develop a Committee recommendation for Council consideration and action. The Protected Resources Committee will review recent Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team activities and receive a report on NMFS’ Protected Resources Public Outreach Program in the Mid-Atlantic region. The RSA Committee will review a draft policy document regarding the Council’s RSA program’s operations, review the status of the Mid-Atlantic Council’s RSA projects/awards, discuss the need for RSA programmatic reviews, and consider establishing a MidAtlantic Research Consortium. Wednesday, April 9—The Executive Committee will review discussions and outcomes from the Northeast Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) meeting, and review, discuss, and endorse staff’s proposed approach to satisfying MSA Section 303(a)(15). The Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Committee will receive an update on commitments made at the most recent Amendment 14 Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 56 (Friday, March 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15138-15139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5778]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN: 0648-XG51


Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council); Public 
Meetings

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 will convene 
public meetings.

DATES: The meetings will be held April 7, 2008 through April 11, 2008. 
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 4914 
Constitution Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70808.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 
North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne E. Swingle, Executive Director, 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348-1630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Council

Thursday, April 10, 2008

    1 p.m.--The Council meeting will begin with a review of the agenda 
and minutes.
    1:15 p.m.-1:20 p.m.--The Council will approve the members of the 
Outreach and Education Committee.
    1:20 p.m.-5:30 p.m.--The Council will receive public testimony on: 
(a) exempted fishing permits (EFPs), if any; (b) Final Action on Reef 
Fish Amendment 30B; and (c) Generic Aquaculture Amendment. An Open 
Public Comment Period regarding any fishery issue of concern will be 
immediately following completion of public testimony for a maximum of 1 
hour. People wishing to speak before the Council should complete a 
public comment card prior to the comment period.

Friday, April 11, 2008

    The Council will review and discuss reports from the previous three 
days' committee meetings as follows:
    8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.--Reef Fish Management;
    10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.--Ad Hoc Allocation;
    10:45 a.m.-11 a.m.--Shrimp Management;
    11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.--Joint Reef Fish/Mackerel/Red Drum;
    11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.--Habitat Protection;
    11:45 a.m.-12 noon--Budget/Personnel;
    12 noon-12:15 p.m.--AP Selection;
    12:15 p.m.-12:30 p.m.--SSC Selection;
    12:30 p.m.-12:45 p.m.--Operator Permits;
    12:45 p.m.-1 p.m.--The Council will review regulations for Reef 
Fish Amendment 30B.
    1 p.m.-1:30 p.m.--The Council will discuss Other Business item.
    1:30 p.m.--The Council will conclude its meeting.

Committees

Monday, April 7, 2008--ALL CLOSED SESSIONS

    1 p.m.-3 p.m.--CLOSED SESSION--Budget/Personnel Committee will 
interview and select a Staff Biologist. It will review the Executive 
Director's position description, rating sheet, and interview questions.
    3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.--CLOSED SESSION--AP Selection Committee will 
review attendance and appoint new nominees to the AP.
    4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.--CLOSED SESSION--SSC Selection Committee will 
review attendance and appoint new nominees to the SSC.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

    8 a.m.-12 noon & 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.--The Reef Fish Management 
Committee will meet to discuss Approval of Public Hearing Draft of Reef 
Fish Amendment 29; Final Action on Reef Fish Amendment 30B; and a 
Report of Ad Hoc Recreational Red Snapper AP Meeting.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

    8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.--The Ad Hoc Allocation Committee will meet to 
discuss Organizational Issues.
    10:30 a.m.-12 noon--The Operator Permits Committee will discuss an 
Operator Permits Options Paper.
    1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.--The Shrimp Management Committee will meet to 
discuss the Shrimp Vessel Effort; AP recommendations; and receive a 
Report on Electronic Logbooks for Shrimp Fishery.
    3 p.m.-5:30 p.m.--The Joint Reef Fish/Mackerel/Red Drum Management 
Committee will meet to discuss the Generic Aquaculture Amendment.
    5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.--Informal Questions and Answer Session.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

    8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.--The Habitat Protection Committee will discuss

[[Page 15139]]

Proposed Management Action for Flowers Garden Banks and receive an 
Update on LNG Facilities.
    10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.--CLOSED SESSIONS--Council will discuss AP and 
SSC Selections and Budget/Personnel Issues.
    Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come 
before the Council and Committees 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 Council and Committees 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. The established times for addressing 
items on the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the 
timely completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items. In order 
to further allow for such adjustments and completion of all items on 
the agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to the 
date established in this notice.

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: March 18, 2008.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-5778 Filed 3-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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