National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 16, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) and longer using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 Pacific cod interim total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for catcher vessels using pot gear in the BSAI.

Notice is hereby given of a public meeting concerning the development of a national system of marine protected areas (MPAs) pursuant to Executive Order 13158 (May 26, 2000). This meeting in the Washington, DC metropolitan area is the first in a series of regional forums to be held around the United States to solicit input from the public concerning their views on a national system of MPAs. Additional meetings will be announced and scheduled pending available resources. Refer to the web page listed below for background information concerning the development of a national system of MPAs. Meeting room capacity is limited to 75 people, and as such participants are required to RSVP via the e-mail address (preferable), fax number, or phone number listed below, by no later than 5 p.m. EST on February 28, 2005. Attendance will be available to the first 75 people who RSVP. Those who wish to attend but cannot due to space or schedule limitations can find background materials at the web page listed below and may submit written statements to the e-mail, fax, or mailing address below. A written summary of the meeting will be posted on the Web site within one month of its occurrence.