National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 8, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking public review and comment on information characterizing Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico state trawl fisheries to support the Strategy for Sea Turtle Conservation in Relation to Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fisheries (Strategy). NMFS is requesting public review of these reports to ensure state trawl fishery characterizations contain the most accurate and up- to-date scientific, commercial, and anecdotal information available and to inform potential future management actions to address incidental capture of sea turtles in trawl gears (bycatch).

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. Time And Date: The meeting will be held Tuesday December 5, 2006, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday December 6, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. Please refer to the Web page https:// www.sab.noaa.gov/Meetings/meetings.html for the most up-to-date meeting agenda. Place: The meeting will be held both days at the Courtyard by Marriott, 8506 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Status: The meeting will be open to public participation with a 30- minute public comment period on December 5 (check Web site to confirm time). The SAB expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Written comments (at least 35 copies) should be received in the SAB Executive Director's Office by November 27, 2006 to provide sufficient time for SAB review. Written comments received by the SAB Executive Director after November 27 will be distributed to the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Matters To Be Considered: The meeting will include the following topics: (1) The Revision of NOAA Information Quality Guidelines to Conform with the OMB Peer Review Bulletin; (2) NOAA High Performance Computing Needs; (3) NOAA Space-Based Sensors; (4) Sound in the Marine Environment and Associated Science Challenges and Opportunities for NOAA; (5) the NOAA Hurricane Intensity Research Working Group (HIRWG) and National Science Foundation (NSF) National Science Board Hurricane Reports; (6) Research Goals to Improve Operational Support of Wildland Fire Management; (7) the NOAA Five-Year Research Plan and (8) Reviews of the NOAA Cooperative Institutes and the SAB's Role in them.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received ten scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts.

NOAA has established the Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards Program to recognize outstanding performances, achievements and leadership by industries, organizations and individuals who promote best stewardship practices for the sustainable use of living marine resources and ecosystems, and who have fostered change and inspired a stewardship ethic within their community. This notice solicits nominations of qualified candidates for the second annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards in six award categories listed in this Notice. NMFS has partnered with the Fish for the Future Foundation to collect the nominations.