National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration June 17, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS, (Assistant Administrator) has renewed the affirmative finding for the Government of Mexico under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This affirmative finding will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by Mexican-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under Mexican jurisdiction to be imported into the United States. The affirmative finding was based on review of documentary evidence submitted by the Government of Mexico and obtained from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the U.S. Department of State.

Applications for the position of Director, Ocean.US are invited. Ocean.US was created by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) to coordinate the development of an operational integrated and sustained ocean observing system (IOOS). Information from the IOOS system will serve national needs for detecting and forecasting oceanic components of climate variability, facilitating safe and efficient marine operations, ensuring national security, managing resources for sustainable use, preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems, mitigating natural hazards, and ensuring public health. The Director will coordinate with vested interest groups on collaborative activities that accomplish Ocean.US goals to integrate ocean observing activities. These groups include Federal agencies, universities, private industry, state and local governments, and non- governmental organizations. The Director will develop and oversee broad-scale cooperative efforts and strategies of a national scope associated with coastal and ocean stewardship. The successful candidate will have high-level management experience and the ability to work with a wide range of people and interests to further the goals of Ocean.US and the IOOS. He or she should have demonstrated experience in administration, legislative and public processes, policy development, and constituent affairs. The Director is expected to lead a nation-wide, interagency effort to build coalitions, and should have experience managing staff and negotiating across organizational levels and boundaries. He or she should also have some familiarity with elements of the IOOS, such as Data Management and Communication, Modeling and Analysis, Research, and Education and Outreach. The successful candidate ideally will have a science background, familiarity with the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS), the NOPP process, and the Federal spending process, including spending in a legislated, but unappropriated enterprise. He or she must also be able to obtain a security clearance. Applications, which should include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, and e-mail addresses of at least three references, should be sent to: Ocean.US, 2300 Claredon Blvd Suite 1350, Arlington, VA 22201-3667, Attn: Ms. Nicole Larrain. Review of the applications will begin on June 30, 2005, with a start date of October 1, 2005. The mode of employment will be negotiated, depending on the current employment status of the applicant. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with experience.

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). The Gulf of Mexico Region Public Dialogue will be held July 18, 2005, 6:30-9 p.m. in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is the third in a series of regional dialogues 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 the national system of MPAs. Meeting room capacity is limited to 75 people, and as such interested 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. e.d.t. on July 8, 2005. Attendance will be available to the first 75 people who respond. 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.