[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 16937] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-8612] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 033199E] North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Agency
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Action
Notice of public meeting.
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Summary
A scientific review panel of six scientists will meet in Seattle, WA.
Dates
The meeting will be held on April 26-28, 1999.
Addresses
The meeting will be held at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 9, Auditorium, Seattle, WA 98115. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252.
For Further Information Contact
Clarence Pautzke, telephone: 907-271- 2809.
Supplementary Information
In December 1998, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) approved emergency measures aimed at further protection for the endangered Steller sea lion. These measures were based on a biological opinion provided by NMFS which concluded that, left unchanged, the pollock fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of Steller sea lions, and are likely to destroy or adversely modify designated Steller sea lion critical habitat. These emergency measures will need to be replaced with more permanent regulations for the years 2000 and beyond. The Council requested in December that NMFS, in consultation with the Council, the Marine Mammal Commission, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, coordinate an independent review of the Biological Opinion and related data. The panel is being asked to look at the scientific basis for the conclusions of the Biological Opinion and determine whether the principles for establishing reasonable and prudent alternatives are consistent with and supported by the available science. Although the review session will be open to public attendees, no public comment period is scheduled. A more detailed agenda with estimated times should be available on the on the NPFMC web page (www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc) by April 9, 1999. Although other issues not contained in this agenda may come before this panel 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 listed in this agenda.
www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmcSpecial Accommodations
This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Helen Allen, 907-271-2809, at least 5 working days prior to the meeting date.
Dated: April 1, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-8612 Filed 4-6-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F