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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 89 (Monday, May 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 26586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11447]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 050100A]

New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is 
scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Committee and Advisory 
Panel, Habitat Committee and Advisory Panel, Enforcement Committee, and 
Gear Conflict Committee and Advisory Panel in May and June, 2000 to 
consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from these groups will be brought 
to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if 
appropriate.

DATES: The meetings will held between Wednesday, May 24, 2000 and 
Friday, June 2, 2000. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates 
and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held in Peabody and Mansfield, MA. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific locations.
    Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council (978) 465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Meeting Dates and Agendas

    Wednesday, May 24, 2000, at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, May 25, 2000, 
at 8:30 a.m.--Scallop Committee and Scallop Advisory Panel Joint 
Meeting
    Location: Kings Grant Inn, Trask Road, Route 128, Exit 21N, 
Danvers, MA 01923; telephone: (978) 774-6800; fax: (978) 774-6502.
    The committee and advisors will review and finalize the draft 
management alternatives for Amendment 10 to the fishery management 
plan. Part of the meeting on May 24, 2000 will be a joint meeting with 
the Habitat Committee and its advisors.
    Amendment 10 considers new area rotation systems to improve scallop 
yield, changes to the framework adjustment process and timing, 
modifications to the crew size limit, and possible trawl gear 
modifications to improve size selection. The purpose of this meeting 
will be to evaluate draft Amendment 10 alternatives, identify potential 
impacts, and recommend modifications to these conceptual alternatives 
so that the potential impacts are taken into account.
    The committee will recommend these draft alternatives to the 
Council at its June 14-15, 2000 meeting for inclusion and analysis in 
the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
    Wednesday, May 24, 2000, at 9:30 a.m.--Habitat Committee and 
Habitat Advisory Panel Joint Meeting
    Location: Kings Grant Inn, Trask Road, Route 128, Exit 21N, 
Danvers, MA 01923; telephone: (978) 774-6800; fax: (978) 774-6502.
    The committee and advisors will discuss and develop recommendations 
for Amendment 10 to the Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The 
purpose of this joint meeting will be to evaluate draft Amendment 10 
alternatives, identify potential impacts, and recommend modifications 
to these conceptual alternatives so that the potential impacts are 
taken into account. This meeting is being held jointly with the Scallop 
Oversight Committee meeting announced above.
    Thursday, June 1, 2000, at 9:30 a.m.--Joint Scallop Oversight 
Committee and Enforcement Committee Meeting
    Location: Holiday Inn, 31 Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA 02048; 
telephone: (508) 339-2200; fax: (508) 339-1040.
    The committee will discuss and develop recommendations for 
Amendment 10 to the Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The purpose of 
this joint meeting will be to evaluate draft Amendment 10 alternatives, 
identify potential impacts, and recommend modifications to these 
conceptual alternatives so that the potential impacts are taken into 
account. Also, the committee will evaluate enforcement of general 
category permit gear restrictions and will hear a presentation by the 
NMFS Office of Law Enforcement on enforcement of day-at-sea and closed 
area regulations through the Vessel Monitoring System.
    Friday, June 2, 2000, at 9:30 a.m.--Joint Scallop Oversight 
Committee and Gear Conflict Committee Meeting
    Location: Holiday Inn, 31 Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA 02048; 
telephone: (508) 339-2200; fax: (508) 339-1040.
    The committee will discuss and develop recommendations for 
Amendment 10 to the Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The purpose of 
this joint meeting will be to evaluate draft Amendment 10 alternatives, 
identify potential impacts, and recommend modifications to these 
conceptual alternatives so that the potential impacts are taken into 
account.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
for formal action during these meetings. Action will be restricted to 
those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues 
arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action 
under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's 
intent to take final action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Paul J. Howard (see ADDRESSES) at 
least 5 days prior to the meeting dates.

    Dated: May 2, 2000.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11447 Filed 5-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
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