[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53595-53596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27263]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 100897C]


Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its 
advisory entities will hold public meetings.

DATES: The Council and its advisory entities will meet during the week 
of November 3-7, 1997. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for meeting dates 
and times.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Airport Sheraton Hotel, 
8235 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97220; telephone: (503) 281-2500.
    Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 2130 SW Fifth 
Avenue, Suite 224, Portland, OR 97201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence D. Six, Executive Director, 
Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone: (503) 326-6352.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council meeting will begin on Tuesday, 
November 4, at 8 a.m. with an open session. It will reconvene on 
Wednesday and Thursday at 8 a.m. in open session, and will reconvene on 
Friday at 8:30 a.m. in open session. On Friday, November 7, the Council 
will meet in closed session (closed to public) from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. 
to discuss litigation and personnel matters. The Council will meet as 
late as necessary each day to complete its scheduled business.

Council Agenda Items

    A. Call to Order
    1. Opening Remarks, Introductions, Roll Call
    2. Approve Agenda
    3. Approve Minutes of September 1997 Meeting
    B. Groundfish Management
    1. Status of Federal Regulations
    2. Report on Voluntary Observer Program
    3. Final Harvest Levels and Other Specifications for 1998
    4. Fixed Gear Sablefish Management for 1998 (Limited Entry and Open 
Access)
    5. Initial Review of Draft Plan Amendments
    6. Status of Fisheries in 1997 and Inseason Adjustments
    7. Management Measures for 1998
    8. Capacity Reduction Program
    9. Review of Stock Assessment Process
    10. Exempted Fishing Permits for Whiting, Enhanced Data Collection 
Project, and New Research
    11. Groundfish Management Team, Staff, and NMFS Work Load
    C. Salmon Management
    1. Sequence of Events and Status of Fisheries in 1997
    2. Plan Amendment to Revise Oregon Coastal Natural (OCN) Coho 
Management Goals
    3. Initial Review of 1999 Plan Amendments
    4. Consideration of Revisions to Methodologies
    5. Consideration of Revisions to California Recreational Gear 
Restrictions
    6. Consideration of Revisions to Allocation of Snake River Fall 
Chinook Impacts
    7. Oral Updates on Activities to Restore Natural Stocks
    D. Habitat Issues - Report of the Habitat Steering Group
    E. Pacific Halibut Management
    1. Summary of 1997 Fisheries
    2. Revisions to the Catch Sharing Plan and Recreational Fishery 
Regulations for 1998
    F. Coastal Pelagic Species Management
    1. Initial Review of Plan Amendments Including Limited Access 
Options and Control Date
    G. Highly Migratory Species Management Issues - Report of the 
Policy Committee
    H. Administrative and Other Matters
    1. Report of the Budget Committee
    2. Status of Legislation
    3. Appointments to Advisory Entities
    4. March 1998 Agenda

Schedule of Advisory Group/Committee Meetings

    The Groundfish Management Team (GMT) convenes on Sunday, November 
2, 1997, at 3 p.m. and continues meeting as necessary November 3-7 to 
address groundfish issues on the Council agenda. The GMT will meet 
jointly with the Groundfish Advisory Subpanel as necessary during the 
week.
    The Buyback Committee meets Monday, November 3, 1997, from 8 a.m. 
to 10 a.m. to develop a proposal for a groundfish vessel capacity 
reduction program.
    The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meets Monday, 
November 3, 1997, at 8 a.m. and reconvenes at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, 
November 4, 1997, to address scientific issues on the Council agenda.

[[Page 53596]]

    The Groundfish Advisory Subpanel (GAP) begins meeting at 10 a.m. on 
Monday, November 3, 1997, and continues meeting as necessary through 
Thursday, November 6, 1997, to address groundfish issues on the Council 
agenda. The GAP will meet jointly with the GMT as necessary during the 
week.
    The Habitat Steering Group meets at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 
1997, to address issues and actions affecting habitat of fish species 
managed by the Council.
    The Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS) meets at 10 a.m. on Monday, 
November 3, 1997, and reconvenes at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 
1997, to consider salmon issues on the Council agenda.
    The Salmon Technical Team (STT) meets at 11 a.m. on Monday, 
November 3, 1997, to address salmon issues on the Council agenda. The 
STT will meet jointly with the SAS as necessary.
    The SSC, GMT, and GAP meet jointly at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 
1997, to critique the new groundfish stock assessment process 
implemented in 1997.
    The Enforcement Consultants meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 
1997, to address enforcement issues relating to Council agenda items.
    The Highly Migratory Species Policy Committee will meet on 
Wednesday, November 5, 1997, as soon as the Council adjourns for the 
day, to discuss the role of the Pacific Council in data collection and 
management of Pacific highly migratory species, the need for an 
industry advisory group and to recommend a delegate to represent the 
Council at international meetings.
    The Budget Committee meets on Thursday, November 6, 1997, as soon 
as the Council adjourns for the day, to review the 1997 financial 
report, develop a budget request for 1998, and consider meeting 
schedule and sites for future Council meetings.
    Although other issues not contained in this agenda may come before 
this Council for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the 
subject of formal Council action during this meeting. Council action 
will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the 
agenda listed in this notice.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Eric W. Greene at (503) 326-
6352 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: October 8, 1997.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27263 Filed 10-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F