New England Fishery Management Council; Public Hearings

in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode

Island, Connecticut; New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina. Requests

for special accommodations should be addressed to the New England

Fishery Management Council, 5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906-1097;

telephone: (781) 231-0422. For specific locations, see SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, (781) 231-0422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council proposes to take action to

address the new and revised requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens

Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended by the SFA of 1996.

The Council will consider comments from fishermen, interested parties,

and the general public on the proposals and alternatives described in

four separate public hearing documents. These documents have been

prepared for amendments to the Northeast Multispecies and Sea Scallop

FMPs, the Herring FMP, and an amendment for compliance with EFH, which

will amend the previously mentioned plans as well as the Monkfish and

Atlantic Salmon FMPs. Once it has considered public comments, the

Council will approve final measures and prepare submission packages for

NMFS. There will be additional opportunities for public comments when

the proposed rules for these actions are published in the Federal

Register.

Amendment 9 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP

The Council is presenting the following items for public review and

comment: (1) Proposed new or revised overfishing definitions for 12

species in the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Unit

(excluding silver hake and red hake, which the Council will address in

a separate amendment); (2) a revised specification of optimum yield

(OY) from the fishery; (3) the inclusion of Atlantic halibut in the

Multispecies FMP, with measures to stop overfishing and rebuild the

halibut stocks; (4) modification of the rules allowing the use of

square mesh nets by otter trawl vessels; (5) a 1-inch increase in the

minimum size for winter flounder; (6) a possession limit for

rate amendment); (2) a revised specification of optimum yield

(OY) from the fishery; (3) the inclusion of Atlantic halibut in the

Multispecies FMP, with measures to stop overfishing and rebuild the

halibut stocks; (4) modification of the rules allowing the use of

square mesh nets by otter trawl vessels; (5) a 1-inch increase in the

minimum size for winter flounder; (6) a possession limit for the

Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder fisheries; (7)

adjustments to trip limit management methods; (8) postponement of the

Vessel Monitoring Systems requirement beyond the scheduled

implementation date of May 1, 1999; (9) a prohibition on the use of

``streetsweeper'' trawl gear; and (10) a framework adjustment process

for approval of aquaculture projects in the EEZ. The Council will

consider all comments received on these proposals until the end of the

comment period on July 15, 1998.

Amendment 7 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP

The following proposals will be discussed in the public hearing

document: (1) A new overfishing definition and rebuilding targets for

Atlantic sea scallops; (2) a revised specification of OY from the

fishery; (3) a 10-year rebuilding schedule as the preferred alternative

and a 7-year schedule as a non-preferred alternative; (4) options for

increasing the minimum mesh size of the twine top portion of scallop

dredges to reduce the bycatch of finfish; (5) continuation of mid-

Atlantic closed areas (unless opened under specific reopening criteria

adopted as part of the amendment); (6) a system for closing areas to

improve yield per recruit; (7) annual monitoring and adjustment of

measures to rebuild the resource; and (8) a provision to allow the

following measures to be implemented through the framework adjustment

process: (a) leasing of scallop DAS; (b) scallop size restrictions; and

(unless opened under specific reopening criteria

adopted as part of the amendment); (6) a system for closing areas to

improve yield per recruit; (7) annual monitoring and adjustment of

measures to rebuild the resource; and (8) a provision to allow the

following measures to be implemented through the framework adjustment

process: (a) leasing of scallop DAS; (b) scallop size restrictions; and

(c) aquaculture enhancement measures. Measures to end overfishing and

rebuild the scallop resource will require substantial reductions in

fishing in the next several years. Although the proposals are expected

to have positive long-term economic impacts, they also are expected to

have severely negative short-term economic, social, and fishing

community impacts. These impacts are summarized in the public hearing

document, which will be available at the hearings. The Council will

consider all comments received until the end of the comment period on

August 3, 1998.

Atlantic Herring FMP

Major elements of the proposals in the public hearing document

include (1) a definition of overfishing and establishment of a total

allowable catch (TAC); (2) various options to distribute the TAC; (3)

options for controlling the catch, either through mandatory days out of

the fishery (an open access fishery) or through a controlled access

system; (4) alternatives for addressing spawning restrictions; (5) the

size of vessels in the fishery; (6) allowed uses for herring (such as

for roe or meal); (7) regulations for joint venture and internal waters

processing operations; and (8) administrative requirements such as

vessel, dealer and operator permits, vessel and dealer reporting

requirements, and observer/sea sampler provisions. These are joint

Council/Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) public

hearings. The ASMFC measures will be adopted in state waters, while the

Council measures will apply to vessels holding Federal permits to fish

in the EEZ

d (8) administrative requirements such as

vessel, dealer and operator permits, vessel and dealer reporting

requirements, and observer/sea sampler provisions. These are joint

Council/Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) public

hearings. The ASMFC measures will be adopted in state waters, while the

Council measures will apply to vessels holding Federal permits to fish

in the EEZ. The Council will consider all comments received until the

end of the comment period on August 3, 1998.

Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

The Council will conduct hearings to consider public comment on

management proposals to address the EFH requirements of the SFA and to

submit measures to the Secretary of Commerce as an amendment to all

Council FMPs. The following items will be available for public review

and comment: (1) The identification and

description of EFH for Atlantic herring, sea scallops, Atlantic salmon,

and 15 species of groundfish; (2) the identification of proposed

habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) for Atlantic cod and

Atlantic salmon; (3) an assessment of fishing-related threats and

impacts to EFH; (4) consideration of management measures to mitigate

the adverse impacts of fishing activities on EFH and HAPC; (5) an

assessment of non-fishing related threats and impacts to EFH; (6)

conservation and enhancement measures and recommendations developed to

mitigate the adverse impacts of non-fishing related activities on EFH

and HAPC; (7) a provision to allow the revision of the EFH designations

and additional management measures for the conservation of EFH to be

implemented through the framework adjustment process; and (8) research

and information requirements to improve the designation of EFH and

better understand the impacts of fishing and non-fishing activities on

EFH. The Council will consider all comments received until the end of

the comment period on July 31, 1998.

Public Hearings

ditional management measures for the conservation of EFH to be

implemented through the framework adjustment process; and (8) research

and information requirements to improve the designation of EFH and

better understand the impacts of fishing and non-fishing activities on

EFH. The Council will consider all comments received until the end of

the comment period on July 31, 1998.

Public Hearings

The dates, times, locations and telephone numbers of the hearings

are scheduled as follows:

Amendment 9 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP-

Monday, June 29, 1998, 6:00 p.m.--Seaport Inn, 110 Middle Street,

Fairhaven, MA 02719; telephone (508) 997-1281;

Tuesday, June 30, 1998, 6:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88

Spring Street, Portland, ME 04101; telephone (207) 775-2311;

Wednesday, July 1, 1998, 6:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn, US Route 1 & 3,

Ellsworth, ME 04605; telephone (207) 667-9341;

Monday July 6, 1998, 6:00 p.m.--St. Peter's Club, 21-23 Main

Street, Gloucester, MA 01930; telephone (978) 281-3160;

Tuesday, July 7, 1998, 3:00 p.m.--Radisson Hotel, 35 Governor

Winthrop Boulevard, New London, CT 06320; telephone (860) 443-7000;

Wednesday, July 8, 1998, 3:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn, 290 Highway 37

East, Tom's River, NJ 08753; telephone (732) 244-4000; and

Monday, July 13, 1998, 3:00 p.m.--Ramada Inn, 1127 Route 132,

Hyannis, MA 02601; telephone (508) 775-1153.

Amendment 7 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP-

Monday, June 29, 1998, 1:30 p.m.--Seaport Inn, 110 Middle Street,

Fairhaven, MA 02719; telephone (508) 997-1281;

Wednesday, July 1, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn, US Route 1 & 3,

Ellsworth, ME 04605; telephone (207) 667-9341;

Monday, July 6, 1998, 3:00 p.m.--Department of Environment and

Natural Resources, 943 Washington Square Mall, Washington, NC 27889;

telephone (919) 946-6481;

Tuesday, July 7, 1998, 3:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn Executive Center,

5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462; telephone (757) 499-

4400; and

Wednesday, July 8, 1998, 1:00 p.m.-- Grand Hotel, 1045 Beach Drive,

Cape May, NJ

) 667-9341;

Monday, July 6, 1998, 3:00 p.m.--Department of Environment and

Natural Resources, 943 Washington Square Mall, Washington, NC 27889;

telephone (919) 946-6481;

Tuesday, July 7, 1998, 3:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn Executive Center,

5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462; telephone (757) 499-

4400; and

Wednesday, July 8, 1998, 1:00 p.m.-- Grand Hotel, 1045 Beach Drive,

Cape May, NJ 08204; telephone (609) 884-5611.

Atlantic Herring FMP-

Tuesday, June 30, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Radisson Hotel, 2081 Post Road,

Warwick, RI 03886; telephone (401) 739-3000;

Wednesday July 1, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale

Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930; telephone (978) 281-9763;

Monday, July 6, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Maine Department of Marine

Resources, 194 McKown Point Road, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575;

telephone (207) 633-9500;

Wednesday, July 8, 1998, 6:00 p.m.--Grand Hotel, 1045 Beach Drive,

Cape May, NJ 08204; telephone (609) 884-5611; and

Thursday, July 9, 1998, 2:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn Executive Center,

5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, VA.

Essential Fish Habitat Amendment-

Tuesday, July 14, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale

Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930; telephone (978) 281-9763;

Wednesday, July 15, 1998, 6:00 p.m.--Maine Department of Marine

Resources, 194 McKown Point Road, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575;

telephone (207) 633-9500;

Thursday, July 16, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn

Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801; telephone (603) 436-9713;

Friday, July 17, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Massachusetts Maritime Academy,

101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532; telephone (508) 830-5000;

Monday, July 20, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn, 290 Highway 37 East,

Tom's River, NJ 08753; telephone (732) 244-4000; and

Wednesday, July 22, 1998, 6:00 p.m.--Radisson Hotel, 2081 Post

Road, Warwick, RI 02886; telephone (401) 739-3000

telephone (603) 436-9713;

Friday, July 17, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Massachusetts Maritime Academy,

101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532; telephone (508) 830-5000;

Monday, July 20, 1998, 1:00 p.m.--Holiday Inn, 290 Highway 37 East,

Tom's River, NJ 08753; telephone (732) 244-4000; and

Wednesday, July 22, 1998, 6:00 p.m.--Radisson Hotel, 2081 Post

Road, Warwick, RI 02886; telephone (401) 739-3000.

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 Council action during this meeting. Council action

will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice.

Special Accommodations

These meetings are 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 dates.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: June 19, 1998.

Gary C. Matlock,

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries

Service.

[FR Doc. 98-16785 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]

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