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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53146-53147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17749]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 051603C]
RIN 0648-AQ65

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments to the Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the 
FMP for Atlantic Billfish

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

ACTION: Cancelling and changing the location and time of certain public 
hearings.

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SUMMARY: Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, NMFS is 
cancelling two public hearings on the draft consolidated Highly 
Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and proposed rule 
that were scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange 
Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, respectively. NMFS intends to 
reschedule the September 6 Orange Beach and September 8 New Orleans 
public hearings at a later date. In addition, NMFS has changed the 
location and time of the public hearing that was scheduled to be held 
in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on October 3, 2005, at the African American 
Arts and Cultural Center Research Library. The draft consolidated HMS 
FMP and the proposed rule describe a range of management measures that 
could impact fishermen and dealers for all HMS fisheries.

DATES: The Fort Lauderdale public hearing will still be held on Monday, 
October 3, 2005. However, the new time will be from 7 - 10 p.m. The 
hearings scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange 
Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, have been cancelled and will be 
rescheduled at a later date.

ADDRESSES: The new location of the Fort Lauderdale public hearing will 
be the Broward County Main Library, 100 South Andrews Avenue, Fort 
Lauderdale, FL 33301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Stirratt or Karyl Brewster-
Geisz at (301) 713-2347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under 
the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention 
Act (ATCA). The FMP for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, 
finalized in 1999, and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish, finalized in 
1988, are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
    On August 19, 2005 (70 FR 48804), NMFS published a proposed rule 
that, among other things, announced the availability of the draft 
consolidated HMS FMP. Included in this proposed rule was a list of 24 
public hearings throughout September and October 2005. These hearings 
are scheduled for NMFS to receive comments from fishery participants 
and other members of the public regarding the proposed rule and draft 
HMS FMP. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, NMFS is 
cancelling two public hearings that were scheduled for September 6 and 
September 8, 2005, in Orange Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, 
respectively. NMFS intends to reschedule the public hearings once the 
amount of damaged caused by Hurricane Katrina in the affected Gulf 
region has been assessed and the appropriate locations can be 
determined. NMFS may extend the comment period, if necessary, to ensure 
adequate opportunities for public comment by constituents in the 
affected Gulf region. Notification of the new dates and locations would 
be published in the Federal Register.
    In addition, NMFS has changed the location and time of the public 
hearing that was scheduled to be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on 
October 3, 2005, at the African American Arts and Cultural Center 
Research Library (see DATES and ADDRESSES). This change was due to 
concerns raised by a constituent regarding public safety. NMFS verified 
these concerns with local law enforcement. The schedule for the other 
public hearings remains unchanged.
    The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants at the public 
hearings to conduct themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each 
public hearing, a NMFS representative will explain the ground rules 
(e.g., alcohol is prohibited from the hearing room; attendees will be 
called to give their comments in the order in which they registered to 
speak; each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; and 
attendees should not

[[Page 53147]]

interrupt one another). The NMFS representative will attempt to 
structure the hearing so that all attending members of the public will 
be able to comment, if they so choose, regardless of the controversial 
nature of the subject(s). Attendees are expected to respect the ground 
rules, and, if they do not, they will be asked to leave the hearing.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Heather Stirratt, (301) 713-2347, 
at least 7 days prior to the hearing in question.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 1, 2005.
John H. Dunnigan,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17749 Filed 9-1-05; 4:03 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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