National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 17, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 73 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and Amendment 77 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (collectively, Amendments 73/77) for Secretarial (Commerce) approval. If approved, Amendments 73/77 would remove dark rockfish (Sebastes ciliatus) from both fishery management plans (FMPs). Consequently, the State of Alaska would then assume management of dark rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and the Gulf of Alaska. This action is necessary to allow the State of Alaska to implement more responsive, regionally based management of dark rockfish than is currently possible under the FMPs. This action would improve conservation and management of dark rockfish and is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMPs, and other applicable laws.

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 Wednesday, October 15, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, October 16, 2008, from 8:15 a.m. to 2 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 Hilton Washington DC/Silver Spring, 8727 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Md. 20910. Please check the SAB Web site https://www.sab.noaa.gov for confirmation of the venue and for directions. Status: The meeting will be open to public participation with a 30- minute public comment period on October 15 (check website 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 should be received in the SAB Executive Director's Office by October 10, 2008 to provide sufficient time for SAB review. Written comments received by the SAB Executive Director after October 10, 2008, 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) Final Report from the Fire Weather Research Working Group; (2) Preliminary Draft Report from Social Sciences Working Group; (3) Climate Working Group Development of Options for a National Climate Service; (4) NOAA Response to the Report from the SAB on Examining Advisory Options for Improving Communications Among NOAA's Partners; (5) SAB Strategic Planning Discussion; and (6) NOAA Transition to the Next Administration.

The Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS or sanctuary) is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (council) sport fishing, sport diving and regional conservation. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve three-year terms, pursuant to the council's Charter.