Permanent Advisory Committee to the U.S. National Section to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC); Meeting Announcement, 51447-51448 [E8-20407]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 3, 2008 / Notices
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SUMMARY: NMFS is convening a meeting
of the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Take
Reduction Team (PLTRT). The PLTRT
will discuss the proposed Atlantic
Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan
(RIN 0648–AV65) and provide updates
to team members on recent research and
actions.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
September 8, 2008, from 1 p.m. to 6
p.m., and on September 9, 2008, from
8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The PLTRT meeting will be
held at the Pier 5 Hotel, 711 Eastern
Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202. Phone:
(410) 539–2000, Fax: (410) 783–1469.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin
Fougeres: (727) 824–5312 or Kristy
Long: (301) 713–2322.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Bycatch Reduction Requirements in the
MMPA
Section 118(f)(1) of the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
requires NMFS to develop and
implement take reduction plans to assist
in the recovery or prevent the depletion
of each strategic marine mammal stock
that interacts with Category I and II
fisheries. It also provides NMFS
discretion to develop and implement a
take reduction plan for any other marine
mammal stocks that interact with a
Category I fishery, which the agency
determines, after notice and opportunity
for public comment, has a high level of
mortality and serious injury across a
number of such marine mammal stocks.
The MMPA defines a strategic stock
as a marine mammal stock: (1) for which
the level of direct human-caused
mortality exceeds the potential
biological removal (PBR) level; (2)
which is declining and is likely to be
listed under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) in the foreseeable future; or (3)
which is listed as threatened or
endangered under the ESA or as a
depleted species under the MMPA (16
U.S.C. 1362(2)). PBR is the maximum
number of animals, not including
natural mortalities, that can be removed
annually from a stock, while allowing
that stock to reach or maintain its
optimum sustainable population level.
Category I or II fisheries are fisheries
that, respectively, have frequent or
occasional incidental mortality and
serious injury of marine mammals. The
immediate goal of a take reduction plan
for a strategic stock is to reduce, within
six months of its implementation, the
incidental serious injury or mortality of
marine mammals from commercial
fishing to levels less than PBR. The
long-term goal is to reduce, within five
years of its implementation, the
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22:59 Sep 02, 2008
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incidental serious injury and mortality
of marine mammals from commercial
fishing operations to insignificant levels
approaching a zero serious injury and
mortality rate, taking into account the
economics of the fishery, the availability
of existing technology, and existing state
or regional fishery management plans.
The insignificance threshold, or upper
limit of annual incidental mortality and
serious injury of marine mammal stocks
by commercial fisheries, has been
defined at 50 CFR 229.2 as 10 percent
of the PBR for a stock of marine
mammals.
History of the PLTRT
The PLTRT was first convened on
June 29, 2005 (70 FR 36120, June 22,
2005) to address the incidental serious
injury and mortality of short- and longfinned pilot whales (Globicephala
macrorhynchus and Globicephala
melas) in the Atlantic region of the
Pelagic Longline Fishery. Because the
two species of pilot whales are difficult
to differentiate at sea, abundance and
total fishery-related mortality and
serious injury cannot be estimated
separately for each species. Therefore,
in the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico,
these estimates are combined for both
Globicephala species (i.e., Globicephala
spp.). Globicephala spp. is then split
into the western North Atlantic and Gulf
of Mexico stocks. The western North
Atlantic stocks of Globicephala spp.
were identified as strategic in the 2003
Marine Mammal Stock Assessments
report (SAR). However, NMFS revised
the abundance estimates for pilot
whales in the 2005 SAR and, just prior
to convening the PLTRT, these stocks
were no longer classified as strategic.
More recently, the 2007 SAR also
reports that the estimated average
annual human-related mortality and
serious injury for the last five years does
not exceed PBR and the stocks remain
non-strategic.
The Atlantic Pelagic Longline Fishery
also incidentally seriously injures and
kills Risso’s dolphins (Grampus
griseus). For Risso’s dolphins and longfinned and short-finned pilot whales,
estimated serious injury and mortality
levels in the pelagic longline fishery
exceed the insignificance threshold but
do not exceed the PBR level for each
stock. Because these species are below
PBR and considered non-strategic stocks
but interact with a Category I fishery,
NMFS directed the PLTRT to develop
and submit a draft Take Reduction Plan
to the agency within 11 months. In
accordance with the long-term goal of
MMPA section 118, this draft Take
Reduction Plan would focus on
reducing incidental mortalities and
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51447
serious injuries of pilot whales and
Risso’s dolphins to a level approaching
a zero mortality and serious injury rate
within five years of implementation of
the plan.
As required under section 118 (f)(8) of
the MMPA, the PLTRT developed a
draft Take Reduction Plan (TRP) by
consensus, and submitted this draft to
NMFS. NMFS then published the TRP
and implementing regulations proposed
by the team in the Federal Register on
June 24, 2008 (73 FR 35623) for a public
comment period of 90 days, ending on
September 22, 2008. NMFS is convening
a meeting of the PLTRT during the
public comment period, which will be
facilitated by Scott McCreary and
Bennett Brooks, CONCUR, Inc.,
Berkeley, California. This meeting will
occur September 8–9, 2008 in
Baltimore, MD (see DATES and
ADDRESSES). Take Reduction Teams are
not subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
Meetings are open to the public.
Dated: August 27, 2008.
Helen Golde,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–20419 Filed 9–2–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XJ92
Permanent Advisory Committee to the
U.S. National Section to the Western
and Central Pacific Fisheries
Commission (WCPFC); Meeting
Announcement
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces a meeting
of the Permanent Advisory Committee
to the U.S. National Section to the
WCPFC from 17–19 September, 2008, in
Honolulu, Hawaii. Meeting topics are
provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this notice.
DATES: The meeting of the Permanent
Advisory Committee will be held on
September 17–19, 2008, from 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. (or until business is
concluded), Hawaii Standard Time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the Sea
Pearl Meeting Room, 2005 Kalia Road,
Honolulu, HI 96814.
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51448
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 3, 2008 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Rhea Moss at 808–944–2161 (voice) or
808–973–2941 (fax).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Western and
Central Pacific Fisheries Convention
Implementation Act, the Secretary of
Commerce has appointed 20 members to
the WCPFC Permanent Advisory
Committee. Four additional members
are mandated by the Western and
Central Pacific Fisheries Convention
Implementation Act, who are (1) the
chair of the Western Pacific Fishery
Management Council’s Advisory
Committee or the chair’s designee; and
(2) officials of the fisheries management
authorities of American Samoa, Guam,
and the Northern Mariana Islands (or
their designees). The Committee is
established to support the work of the
U.S. National Section to the WCPFC in
an advisory capacity with respect to
U.S. participation in the WCPFC.
NMFS, Pacific Islands Region, provides
administrative and technical support to
the Committee.
As this is the first meeting of the
Permanent Advisory Committee, it will
set its agenda and consider its
organization, prescribe its practices and
procedures, as well as elect a
chairperson.
The Permanent Advisory Committee
will also receive information on: (1)
2006 and 2007 WCPFC activities; (2)
status of the stocks and fisheries in 2006
and 2007; (3) issues related to the
development of conservation and
management measures for bigeye and
yellowfin tuna and other species for
2008 and beyond; (4) implementation of
the WCPFC’s Regional Observer
Programme and Vessel Monitoring
System and other compliance
mechanisms; (5) issues related to the
impacts of fishing on non-target,
associated and dependent species, such
as sea turtles, seabirds and sharks; and
(6) other issues, as necessary.
Special Accommodations
The meeting location is physically
accessible to people with disabilities.
Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Rhea Moss,
NMFS, 808–944–2161(voice) or 808–
973–2941 (fax), at least 7 days prior to
the meeting date.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Authority: P.L. 109–479, Sec. 501, et seq.
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Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research (OAR), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of
Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the
schedule and proposed agenda of a
forthcoming meeting of the NOAA
Science Advisory Board. The members
will discuss and provide advice on
issues outlined in the agenda below.
DATES: The meeting is scheduled for:
September 10, 2008 from 3 p.m. to 5
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
ADDRESSES: Conference call. Public
access is available at SSMC 3, Room #
12836, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Cynthia Decker, Executive Director,
Science Advisory Board, NOAA, Rm.
11230, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20910. (Phone: 301–
734–1156, Fax: 301–713–1459, E-mail:
Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov).
The
Science Advisory Board (SAB) was
established by a Decision Memorandum
dated September 25, 1997, and is the
only Federal Advisory Committee with
responsibility to advise the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere on strategies for research,
education, and application of science to
operations and information services.
SAB activities and advice provide
necessary input to ensure that National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) science
programs are of the highest quality and
provide optimal support to resource
management.
Matters to be Considered: The agenda
for the meeting is as follows:
Date and Time: September 10, 2008
from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Agenda
Dated: August 28, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–20407 Filed 8–28–08; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Science
Advisory Board
1. Discussion and consideration of the
Draft Report on the Review of the
NOAA Climate Research and Modeling
Program, submitted to the SAB by the
Climate Working Group.
2. SAB Strategic Planning—for future
meetings and for the upcoming
Administration transition.
3. Discussion and consideration of the
way forward for the SAB on Oceans and
Human Health.
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Dated: August 27, 2008.
Mark E. Brown,
Chief Financial Officer, Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E8–20425 Filed 9–2–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XK05
Schedules for Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops and
Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshops
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public workshops.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces free
Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops
and Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshops
to be held in October, November, and
December 2008. Certain fishermen and
shark dealers are required to attend a
workshop to meet new regulatory
requirements and maintain valid
permits. Specifically, the Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshop is mandatory
for all federally permitted Atlantic shark
dealers. Also, the Protected Species Safe
Handling, Release, and Identification
Workshop is mandatory for vessel
owners and operators who use bottom
longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet
gear, and have also been issued shark or
swordfish limited access permits.
Additional free workshops will be held
in 2009 and announced in the Federal
Register.
DATES: The Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshops will be held October 9,
November 6, and December 4, 2008.
The Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshops
will be held October 14, November 19
and 25, and December 17, 2008.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
further details.
ADDRESSES: The Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops will be held in
Norfolk, VA; Dania Beach, FL; and
Panama City, FL.
The Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshops
will be held in Kenner, LA; Kitty Hawk,
NC; Indian Rocks Beach, FL; and
Dedham, MA.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
further details on workshop locations.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51447-51448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20407]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XJ92
Permanent Advisory Committee to the U.S. National Section to the
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC); Meeting
Announcement
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces a meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee
to the U.S. National Section to the WCPFC from 17-19 September, 2008,
in Honolulu, Hawaii. Meeting topics are provided under the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
DATES: The meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee will be held on
September 17-19, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (or until business
is concluded), Hawaii Standard Time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in
the Sea Pearl Meeting Room, 2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96814.
[[Page 51448]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhea Moss at 808-944-2161 (voice) or
808-973-2941 (fax).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Western and Central
Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, the Secretary of
Commerce has appointed 20 members to the WCPFC Permanent Advisory
Committee. Four additional members are mandated by the Western and
Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, who are (1)
the chair of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council's Advisory
Committee or the chair's designee; and (2) officials of the fisheries
management authorities of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern
Mariana Islands (or their designees). The Committee is established to
support the work of the U.S. National Section to the WCPFC in an
advisory capacity with respect to U.S. participation in the WCPFC.
NMFS, Pacific Islands Region, provides administrative and technical
support to the Committee.
As this is the first meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee,
it will set its agenda and consider its organization, prescribe its
practices and procedures, as well as elect a chairperson.
The Permanent Advisory Committee will also receive information on:
(1) 2006 and 2007 WCPFC activities; (2) status of the stocks and
fisheries in 2006 and 2007; (3) issues related to the development of
conservation and management measures for bigeye and yellowfin tuna and
other species for 2008 and beyond; (4) implementation of the WCPFC's
Regional Observer Programme and Vessel Monitoring System and other
compliance mechanisms; (5) issues related to the impacts of fishing on
non-target, associated and dependent species, such as sea turtles,
seabirds and sharks; and (6) other issues, as necessary.
Special Accommodations
The meeting location is physically accessible to people with
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to Rhea Moss, NMFS, 808-944-
2161(voice) or 808-973-2941 (fax), at least 7 days prior to the meeting
date.
Authority: P.L. 109-479, Sec. 501, et seq.
Dated: August 28, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-20407 Filed 8-28-08; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
