[Federal Register: February 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 32)] [Notices] [Page 8066-8067] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr18fe99-42] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 020899C] 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 March 8- 12, 1999. The Council meeting will begin on Tuesday, March 9, at 8 a.m., reconvening each day through Friday. The Council will meet as late as necessary each day to complete its scheduled business. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Columbia River DoubleTree Hotel, 1401 North Hayden Island Drive, Portland, OR; telephone: (503) 283-2111. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 2130 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 224, Portland, OR 97201. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence D. Six, Executive Director; telephone: (503) 326-6352. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following items are on the Council agenda, but not necessarily in this order: A. Call to Order 1. Opening Remarks, Introductions, Roll Call 2. Approve Agenda 3. Approve November 1998 Meeting Minutes 4. Review of Recusal Rule B. Salmon Management 1. Review of 1998 Fisheries and Summary of 1999 Stock Abundance Estimates 2. Estimation Procedures and Methodologies 3. Experimental Fisheries in April 1999 4. Preliminary Definition of 1999 Management Options 5. Adoption of 1999 Management Options for Analysis 6. Plan Amendments, Including Essential Fish Habitat 7. Non-Retention Mortality 8. Adopt 1999 Options for Public Review 9. Schedule of Public Hearings and Appointment of Hearing Officers C. Habitat Issues D. Marine Reserve Issues E. Pacific Halibut Management 1. Implementation of Council Recommendations for 1999 2. Results of the International Pacific Halibut Commission Annual Meeting 3. Status of Estimate of Area 2A Bycatch 4. Proposed Incidental Catch in the Troll Salmon Fishery for 1999 F. Groundfish Management 1. Status of Federal Regulations and Activities 2. Clarification of 1999 Measures and Review of Inseason Management Process for 1999 and Open Access Trip Limits 3. Final Harvest Limits and Treaty Set-Aside for Pacific Whiting in 1999 4. Consistency of California Rockfish Size Limits with Fishery Management Plan 5. Mandatory Observer Coverage for At-Sea Processors 6. Exempted Fishing Permits G. Highly Migratory Species Management - Status of International Management Discussions and Coordinated Council Management H. Administrative and Other Matters 1. Report of the Budget Committee 2. Legislative Update 3. Process for Development of Strategic Plan 4. Appointments to Advisory Entities 5. Revisions to Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures and Council Operating Procedures 6. Report to Congress on West Coast Seals and Sea Lions 7. Status of Research and Data Collection Needs 8. Approve April 1999 Agenda 9. Report of Council Chairs Meeting Advisory Meetings The Habitat Steering Group meets at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 8, to address issues and actions affecting habitat of fish species managed by the Council. The Scientific and Statistical Committee will convene on Monday, March 8, at 11 a.m. and on Tuesday, March 9, at 8 a.m. to address scientific issues on the Council agenda. The Salmon Technical Team will meet as necessary Monday through Friday March 8-12 to address salmon management items on the Council agenda. The Salmon Advisory Subpanel will convene on Monday, March 8, at 9 a.m. and will continue to meet throughout the week as necessary to address salmon management items on the Council. The Ad-Hoc Marine Reserve Committee will meet on Monday, March 8, at 4 p.m. to begin discussing the feasibility of marine reserves as a management tool. The Ad-Hoc Legal Gear Committee will meet on Monday, March 8 at 7 p.m. and on Tuesday, March 9 at 8 a.m. to discuss changes to groundfish legal gear specifications to reduce discard. The Budget Committee meets on Monday, March 8 at 1 p.m. to review the status of the 1999 Council budget. The Enforcement Consultants meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, to address enforcement issues relating to Council agenda items. 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 action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda listed in this notice. [[Page 8067]] 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. John S. Rhoton at (503) 326- 6352 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: February 11, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-4000 Filed 2-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F