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[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12755-12756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4893]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 022001A]

New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold 
a 2-day Council meeting, on March 14 and 15, 2001, to consider actions 
affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, March 14 and 
15, at 9 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Radisson Hotel New London, 
35 Governor Winthrop Boulevard, New London, CT, 06320; telephone (860) 
443-7000. Requests for special accommodations should be addressed to 
the New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, 
Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone (978) 465-0492.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Wednesday, March 14, 2001

    After introductions, the meeting will begin with a report from the 
Council's Groundfish Committee on alternatives for draft Amendment 13 
to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Prior to 
that discussion, the Council will receive two reports. The first will 
summarize fishing industry comments on the social impacts of groundfish 
management measures since 1994. The second will present information on 
changes in groundfish vessel gross revenues since 1994. A discussion of 
the biological objectives for the amendment is also scheduled. The 
alternatives discussion will be based on the broad concepts of 
refinements to the status quo measures, area-based management and 
sector allocation by gear type.

[[Page 12756]]

Thursday, March 15, 2001

    The second day of the Council meeting will begin with reports on 
recent activities from the Council Chairman, Executive Director, the 
NMFS Regional Administrator, Northeast Fisheries Science Center and 
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaisons, NOAA General Counsel 
and representatives of the Coast Guard, NMFS Enforcement and the 
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. These reports will be 
followed by a brief period for public comments on any topic relevant to 
Council business. The Council will revisit its priorities for 2001 in 
view of the need to develop a Red Crab FMP. Based on Council approval 
of a change in priorities, the Red Crab Committee will be prepared to 
recommend goals and objectives for the Red Crab FMP. The Scallop 
Committee will seek approval of goals and objectives for Amendment 10 
to the Scallop FMP as well as a draft outline of management 
alternatives. The Council meeting will adjourn after addressing any 
other outstanding business.
    Although other non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda 
may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be 
the subjects of formal action during this meeting. Council action will 
be restricted to those issues specifically listed 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.
    The Council will consider public comments at a minimum of two 
Council meetings before making recommendations to the NMFS Regional 
Administrator on any framework adjustment to a fishery management plan. 
If she concurs with the adjustment proposed by the Council, the 
Regional Administrator has the discretion to publish the action either 
as proposed or final regulations in the Federal Register. Documents 
pertaining to framework adjustments are available for public review 7 
days prior to a final vote by the Council.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is 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 date.

    Dated: February 22, 2001.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4893 Filed 2-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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