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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10556-10557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5085]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN: 0648-XN97

North Pacific 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 North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its 
advisory committees will hold public meetings, in Anchorage, AK.

DATES: The meetings will be held March 30, 2009 through April 7, 2009. 
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times. All 
meetings are open to the public, except executive sessions.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel, 500 
W 3rd Avenue, Anchorage, AK.
    Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 
4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Witherell, Council staff, Phone: 
907-271-2809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council will begin its plenary session 
at 8 a.m. on Wednesday April 1 continuing through Tuesday April 7, 
2009. The Council's Advisory Panel (AP) will begin at 8 a.m., Monday, 
March 30 and continue through Saturday April 4. The Scientific and 
Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 30 
and continue through Wednesday April 1, 2009. The Enforcement Committee 
will meet Tuesday, March 31, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Illiamna 
Room.
    Council Plenary Session: The agenda for the Council's plenary 
session will include the following issues. The Council may take 
appropriate action on any of the issues identified.
    1. Reports
    Executive Director's Report (including review of Statement of 
Organization, Practices and Procedures (SOPPs))
    NMFS Management Report
    Alaska Department of Fish & Game Report
    U.S. Coast Guard Report
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Report
    Protected Species Report (Including update on Steller Sea Lion 
Biological Opinion)
    2. Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Groundfish Management: Final action on GOA 
Fixed Gear Recency.

[[Page 10557]]

    3. Salmon Bycatch: Final action on Bering Sea Chinook Salmon 
Bycatch Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
    4. Groundfish Issues: Review discussion paper on proposed Bristol 
Bay Trawl Closure and Walrus issues, and receive Council direction; 
Review discussion paper on GOA Tanner and Chinook Bycatch and receive 
Council direction.
    5. Amendment 80 Cooperatives: Review annual report from 
cooperative; Final action on Amendment 80 Cooperative Formation 
criteria.
    6. Marine Protection Act Nomination Process: Review NMFS letter and 
discuss next steps. (T)
    7. Other Groundfish Issues: Review and approve halibut sorting 
Exempted Fishery Permit (T); Review Habitat Area of Particular Concern 
(HAPC) evaluation criteria and Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 5-year 
review methodology (SSC Only).
    8. Scallop Issues: Receive Plan Team Report and review and approve 
Stock Assessment Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report.
    9. Staff Tasking: Review Committees and tasking.
    10. Other Business
    The SSC agenda will include the following issues:
    1, Salmon Bycatch
    2. Halibut Sorting EFP
    3. HAPC evaluation criteria and EFH 5 year review methodology
    4. Scallop Issues
    The Advisory Panel will address most of the same agenda issues as 
the Council, except for 1 reports. The Agenda is subject to 
change, and the latest version will be posted at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before these groups for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 
those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these 
meetings. Actions 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 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 Gail Bendixen at (907) 271-2809 at 
least 7 working days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: March 5, 2009.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-5085 Filed 3-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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