Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings, 30073-30074 [E8-11579]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 101 / Friday, May 23, 2008 / Notices activities, associated seismic survey activities), and the amount and nature of potential take of marine mammals by harassment or in other ways. Endangered Species Act Under section 7 of the ESA, the MMS has begun consultation on the proposed seismic survey activities in the Chukchi Sea during 2008. NMFS will also consult on the issuance of the IHA under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA to CPAI for this activity. Consultation will be concluded prior to NMFS making a determination on the issuance of an IHA. dwashington3 on PRODPC61 with NOTICES National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) In 2006, the MMS prepared Draft and Final Programmatic Environmental Assessments (PEAs) for seismic surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. NMFS was a cooperating agency in the preparation of the MMS PEA. On November 17, 2006, NMFS and MMS announced that they were jointly preparing a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to assess the impacts of MMS’ annual authorizations under the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act to the U.S. oil and gas industry to conduct offshore geophysical seismic surveys in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas off Alaska, and NMFS’ authorizations under the MMPA to incidentally harass marine mammals while conducting those surveys. On March 30, 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted the availability for comment of the NMFS/MMS Draft PEIS. A Final PEIS has not been completed. Therefore, NMFS determined it will update the 2006 PEA in order to meet its NEPA requirements in the interim. This approach is warranted because the five proposed Arctic seismic survey IHAs for 2008 fall within the scope of the effects analysis in the 2006 PEA. To update the 2006 Final PEA, NMFS is currently preparing a Supplemental EA which incorporates by reference the 2006 Final PEA and other related documents. Preliminary Determination Based on the preceding information, and provided that the proposed mitigation and monitoring are incorporated, NMFS has preliminarily determined that the impact of conducting the shallow hazard and site clearance surveys in Chukchi Sea may result, at worst, in a temporary modification in behavior of small numbers of certain species of marine mammals. While behavioral and avoidance reactions may be made by these species in response to the VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:34 May 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 resultant noise from the airguns, sidescan sonars, seismic profilers, and other acoustic equipment, these behavioral changes are expected to have a negligible impact on the affected species and stocks of marine mammals, and no unmitigable adverse impact on their availability for subsistence. While the number of potential incidental harassment takes will depend on the distribution and abundance of marine mammals in the area of site clearance operations, the number of potential harassment takings is estimated to be relatively small in light of the population size. NMFS anticipates the actual take of individuals to be lower than the numbers presented in the analysis because those numbers do not reflect either the implementation of the mitigation measures or the fact that some animals will avoid the sound at levels lower than those expected to result in harassment. In addition, no take by death and/or injury is anticipated, and the potential for temporary or permanent hearing impairment will be avoided through the incorporation of the required mitigation measures described in this document. This determination is supported by (1) the likelihood that, given sufficient notice through slow ship speed and ramp-up of the acoustic equipment, marine mammals are expected to move away from a noise source that it is annoying prior to its becoming potentially injurious; (2) TTS is unlikely to occur, especially in odontocetes, until levels above 180 dB re 1 microPa (rms) are reached; and (3) the fact that injurious levels of sound are only likely very close to the vessel. Proposed Authorization NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to CPAI for shallow hazard and site clearance surveys in Chukchi Sea between August and October 2008, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. Dated: May 16, 2008. Helen Golde, Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–11537 Filed 5–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30073 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XI08 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), its Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee; its Demersal Committee; its Law Enforcement Committee; Surfclam/ Ocean Quahog Committee; its Science and Statistical Committee; its Executive Committee; its Bycatch/LAPP Committee; and, its Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee, will hold public meetings. DATES: The meetings will be held on Monday, June 9, 2008 through Thursday, June 12, 2008. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel, Two Miss America Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401; telephone: (609) 344–3535. 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: On Monday, June 9, the Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee with Advisors will meet from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be a concurrent session of the Demersal Committee from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. A Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish public hearing on Amendment 10 to the Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan will be held from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. On Tuesday, June 10, the Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee with Advisors will meet from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Law Enforcement Committee will meet from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The Surfclam, Ocean Quahog and Tilefish Committee with Advisors will meet from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. A tour of a local clam dock facility and operations thereof will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The New England Fishery Management Council will hold an Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan scoping meeting on E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1 dwashington3 on PRODPC61 with NOTICES 30074 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 101 / Friday, May 23, 2008 / Notices Amendment 4 to the FMP from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. On Wednesday, June 11, the Scientific and Statistical and Research Set-Aside Committees will meet jointly from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. The Council will convene at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. to conduct its Business Session and receive Organizational, Liaison, Executive Director and Status of Fishery Management Plan reports. From 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. the Council will develop and adopt specifications regarding the 2009 fishing year for Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish. On Thursday, June 12, the Executive Committee will meet from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. The Bycatch/LAPP Committee will meet from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. The Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee will meet from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The Council will convene at 12:30 p.m. to adopt any changes to the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog specifications for 2009 and 2010 fishing years; receive a presentation regarding the integration of National Environmental Policy Act requirements into the MagnusonStevens Act; receive Committee reports; and, conduct continuing and new business. Agenda items by day for the Council’s Committees and the Council itself are: MONDAY, JUNE 9 - the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee with Advisors will address Amendment 11 (mackerel limited entry system) and Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Accountability Measures (AM). The Demersal Committee will review measures to be included in Amendment 15 and address accommodation of ACL/AM. There will be an evening public hearing regarding Amendment 10 to the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). TUESDAY, JUNE 10 - The Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee with Advisors will meet to review the Monitoring Committee’s recommendations and Science and Statistical Committee advice for 2009 quota levels and associated management measures and then develop 2009 quota specifications and associated management measures for Council consideration and action. The Law Enforcement Committee will discuss issues regarding the enforceability of slot limits in the recreational sector, review the USCG’s Proposed Rule on Vessel Safety/Stability, and discuss issues regarding the enforceability of possession limits for multiple day trips. The Surfclam, Ocean Quahog and Tilefish Committee with Advisors will review staff recommendations for changes to the 2009–10 quota specifications and associated VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:34 May 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 management measures for surfclams and ocean quahogs, and discuss issues to be addressed in Amendment 14 including accommodation of ACL/AM. A tour of a local clam boat and associated dock facility will then be provided. Beginning at 6 p.m. the New England Fishery Management Council will conduct a scoping meeting for development of Amendment 4 to the Herring Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 4 will focus on issues related to catch monitoring (landings and discards); Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act requirements such as Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures; and, sector allocations and/or other Limited Access Privilege Programs. The Council is seeking comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in Amendment 4 and the kinds of management measures that should be considered. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 - the Scientific and Statistical Committee will meet with the Research Set-Aside Committee to establish multi-year research priorities for the 2009–13 time period, and review and discuss outcomes from the Special Science and Statistical Committee Working Group meeting. The Council will then convene to receive various reports, and review, develop, and adopt the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee’s recommendations regarding quota specifications and associated management measures for the 2009 fishing year. THURSDAY, JUNE 12 - the Executive Committee will review highlights of the Coordinating Council meeting and revise the Council’s Statement of Organization Practices and Procedures (SOPP) relative to ‘‘deeming’’ requirements. The Bycatch/LAPP Committee will review the first draft of the Council’s bycatch pamphlet concerning catch and release practices, and discuss Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Observer Coverage Priorities for 2008. The Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee will review proposed measures in Framework 2 to the Spiny Dogfish FMP. The Council will convene to review and adopt the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Committee’s recommendations for necessary changes to 2009 and 2010 quota specifications and associated management measures (years 2 and 3 of the existing 2008–10 multi-year quota specifications). The Council will then receive a presentation by a National Marine Fisheries Service Official regarding the Agency’s Proposed Rule to Integrate National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) requirements into Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA). The PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Council will then receive Committee Reports, and consider any continuing or new business. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before the Council for discussion, these issues may not be the subject of formal Council action during these meetings. 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 the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address such emergencies. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to M. Jan Bryan, (302) 674–2331, ext 18 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: May 19, 2008. Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–11579 Filed 5–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XI09 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory entities will hold public meetings. The Council and its advisory entities will meet June 6–13, 2008. The Council meeting will begin on Sunday, June 8, at 8 a.m., reconvening each day through Friday, June 13. All meetings are open to the public, except a closed session will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 8 to address litigation and personnel matters. The Council will meet as late as necessary each day to complete its scheduled business. DATES: The meetings will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1221 Chess ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 101 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30073-30074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11579]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN: 0648-XI08


Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), its 
Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee; its Demersal Committee; its Law 
Enforcement Committee; Surfclam/Ocean Quahog Committee; its Science and 
Statistical Committee; its Executive Committee; its Bycatch/LAPP 
Committee; and, its Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee, will hold public 
meetings.

DATES: The meetings will be held on Monday, June 9, 2008 through 
Thursday, June 12, 2008. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific 
dates and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Sheraton Convention Center 
Hotel, Two Miss America Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401; telephone: (609) 
344-3535.
    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: On Monday, June 9, the Squid, Mackerel, 
Butterfish Committee with Advisors will meet from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. 
There will be a concurrent session of the Demersal Committee from 2 
p.m. until 5 p.m. A Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish public hearing on 
Amendment 10 to the Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan 
will be held from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
    On Tuesday, June 10, the Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee with 
Advisors will meet from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Law Enforcement 
Committee will meet from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The Surfclam, Ocean 
Quahog and Tilefish Committee with Advisors will meet from 1:30 p.m. 
until 3:30 p.m. A tour of a local clam dock facility and operations 
thereof will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The New England 
Fishery Management Council will hold an Atlantic Herring Fishery 
Management Plan scoping meeting on

[[Page 30074]]

Amendment 4 to the FMP from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
    On Wednesday, June 11, the Scientific and Statistical and Research 
Set-Aside Committees will meet jointly from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. The 
Council will convene at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. to conduct its Business 
Session and receive Organizational, Liaison, Executive Director and 
Status of Fishery Management Plan reports. From 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. 
the Council will develop and adopt specifications regarding the 2009 
fishing year for Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish.
    On Thursday, June 12, the Executive Committee will meet from 8 a.m. 
until 9 a.m. The Bycatch/LAPP Committee will meet from 9 a.m. until 10 
a.m. The Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee will meet from 10 a.m. until 
11:30 a.m. The Council will convene at 12:30 p.m. to adopt any changes 
to the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog specifications for 2009 and 2010 
fishing years; receive a presentation regarding the integration of 
National Environmental Policy Act requirements into the Magnuson-
Stevens Act; receive Committee reports; and, conduct continuing and new 
business.
    Agenda items by day for the Council's Committees and the Council 
itself are:
    Monday, June 9 - the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee with 
Advisors will address Amendment 11 (mackerel limited entry system) and 
Annual Catch Limits (ACL) and Accountability Measures (AM). The 
Demersal Committee will review measures to be included in Amendment 15 
and address accommodation of ACL/AM. There will be an evening public 
hearing regarding Amendment 10 to the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
    Tuesday, June 10 - The Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee 
with Advisors will meet to review the Monitoring Committee's 
recommendations and Science and Statistical Committee advice for 2009 
quota levels and associated management measures and then develop 2009 
quota specifications and associated management measures for Council 
consideration and action. The Law Enforcement Committee will discuss 
issues regarding the enforceability of slot limits in the recreational 
sector, review the USCG's Proposed Rule on Vessel Safety/Stability, and 
discuss issues regarding the enforceability of possession limits for 
multiple day trips. The Surfclam, Ocean Quahog and Tilefish Committee 
with Advisors will review staff recommendations for changes to the 
2009-10 quota specifications and associated management measures for 
surfclams and ocean quahogs, and discuss issues to be addressed in 
Amendment 14 including accommodation of ACL/AM. A tour of a local clam 
boat and associated dock facility will then be provided.
    Beginning at 6 p.m. the New England Fishery Management Council will 
conduct a scoping meeting for development of Amendment 4 to the Herring 
Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 4 will focus on issues related to 
catch monitoring (landings and discards); Magnuson-Stevens 
Reauthorization Act requirements such as Annual Catch Limits and 
Accountability Measures; and, sector allocations and/or other Limited 
Access Privilege Programs. The Council is seeking comments on the scope 
of issues to be addressed in Amendment 4 and the kinds of management 
measures that should be considered.
    Wednesday, June 11 - the Scientific and Statistical Committee will 
meet with the Research Set-Aside Committee to establish multi-year 
research priorities for the 2009-13 time period, and review and discuss 
outcomes from the Special Science and Statistical Committee Working 
Group meeting. The Council will then convene to receive various 
reports, and review, develop, and adopt the Squid, Mackerel, and 
Butterfish Committee's recommendations regarding quota specifications 
and associated management measures for the 2009 fishing year.
    Thursday, June 12 - the Executive Committee will review highlights 
of the Coordinating Council meeting and revise the Council's Statement 
of Organization Practices and Procedures (SOPP) relative to ``deeming'' 
requirements. The Bycatch/LAPP Committee will review the first draft of 
the Council's bycatch pamphlet concerning catch and release practices, 
and discuss Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Observer 
Coverage Priorities for 2008. The Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee will 
review proposed measures in Framework 2 to the Spiny Dogfish FMP. The 
Council will convene to review and adopt the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog 
Committee's recommendations for necessary changes to 2009 and 2010 
quota specifications and associated management measures (years 2 and 3 
of the existing 2008-10 multi-year quota specifications). The Council 
will then receive a presentation by a National Marine Fisheries Service 
Official regarding the Agency's Proposed Rule to Integrate National 
Environment Policy Act (NEPA) requirements into Magnuson-Stevens Act 
(MSA). The Council will then receive Committee Reports, and consider 
any continuing or new business.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before the Council for discussion, these issues may not be the subject 
of formal Council action during these meetings. 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 the 
public has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action 
to address such emergencies.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aid should be directed to M. Jan Bryan, (302) 674-2331, ext 
18 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: May 19, 2008.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11579 Filed 5-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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