[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45628-45629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22860]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080697D]


Request for Nominations of Individuals for the Federal Investment 
Task Force

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

ACTION: Notice of request for nominations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) requires the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary) to establish a task force to study the role of the 
Federal Government in subsidizing fleet capacity and influencing 
capital investment in fisheries. NMFS requests nominations of qualified 
individuals to serve on the task force.

DATES: Nominations will be accepted through September 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission, 1444 Eye Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 
20005, ATTN: Federal Investment Task Force. Nominations may be 
submitted by fax, (202) 289-6051.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Beal, Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission, (202) 289-6400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    In accordance with section 116(b) of the SFA (Public Law 104-297), 
the Secretary is establishing a task force of interested parties to 
study the role of the Federal Government in (1) subsidizing the 
expansion and contraction of fishing capacity in fishing fleets managed 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act), and (2) otherwise influencing the aggregate 
capital investment in fisheries. The task force will report the 
findings of the study to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the 
House of Representatives.
    The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has 
contracted with NMFS to establish the Federal Investment Task Force and 
complete the tasks necessary to prepare and submit the report to 
Congress. ASMFC is in the position of being knowledgeable about the 
issues associated with the Federal Investment Study, while lacking a 
vested interest in the outcome of the task force's work.

Procedures and Guidelines

    A. Procedures for Establishing the Task Force.
    Individuals with definable interests in fisheries will be 
considered as members of the task force. Nominations may include, but 
are not limited to, individuals who are associated with commercial or 
recreational fishing, environmental organizations, academia, or quasi-
governmental entities. Selection of task force members will not be 
limited to individuals who are nominated.
    Nominations are invited from all individuals and constituent 
groups. The nomination should include:
    1. The name of the applicant or nominee and description of his/her 
interest in or association with the role of the Federal Government in 
subsidizing fleet capacity and influencing capital investment in 
fisheries.
    2. A statement of background and/or qualifications.
    3. A written commitment that the applicant or nominee will actively 
participate in good faith in the duties of the task force.
    B. Participants.
    The task force will consist of no more than 15 individuals who have 
a substantial interest in fisheries. Nominations will be accepted to 
represent commercial and recreational fishing interests, the 
conservation community, and the academic community. ASMFC and NMFS 
believe that all interests should be represented on the task force. The 
intent is to have a group that, as a whole, represents all interests 
fairly and supplies the necessary expertise to complete all assigned 
tasks. Current employees of NOAA will not be considered for the task 
force.
    ASMFC will provide the necessary administrative support, including 
technical assistance, for the task force. ASMFC will also reimburse all 
travel expenses that are directly related to the activities of the task 
force. However, ASMFC will be unable to compensate participants with 
additional monetary support of any kind.
    C. Tentative Schedule.
    The task force is tentatively scheduled to meet five times between 
September 1997 and May 1998. These meetings will focus on programs that 
both

[[Page 45629]]

directly and indirectly increase the capacity and capitalization of 
commercial and recreational fishing fleets. The task force will also 
evaluate the extent to which Federal programs have been successful at 
reducing the capacity and capitalization of fishing fleets managed 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. U.S. Coast Guard vessel mortgage 
records will be reviewed to evaluate the influence of the Federal 
Government on vessel financing. The final report of this task force 
will be submitted to Congress by September 1, 1998.

    Dated: August 22, 1997.
George H. Darcy,
Acting Office Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-22860 Filed 8-22-97; 4:51 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F