Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting.

SUMMARY:

The Groundfish Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel for Pacific whiting will hold a work session, which is open to the public.

DATES:

The Pacific whiting STAR Panel will meet February 2, 2004 through February 4, 2004. Each day, the meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., or as necessary to complete business.

ADDRESSES:

The Pacific whiting STAR Panel meeting will be held at the National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Auditorium, 2725 Montlake Blvd. E, Seattle, WA 98112; telephone: (206) 860-3200.

Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97220-1384.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Mike Burner, Groundfish Staff Officer: 503-820-2280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The purpose of the meeting is to review draft stock assessment documents and any other pertinent information, work with the Stock Assessment Team to make necessary revisions, and produce a STAR Panel report for use by the Council family and other interested persons.

Entry to the Northwest Fisheries Science Center requires identification with photograph (such as a student ID, state drivers license, etc.) A security guard will review the identification and issue a Visitor's Badge valid only for the date of the meeting. Since parking is at a premium at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, car pooling and mass transit are encouraged.

Although non-emergency issues not contained in STAR Panel agendas may come before the STAR Panel for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal Panel action during this meeting. STAR Panel 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 Panel's intent to take final action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Ms. Carolyn Porter at 503-820-2280 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.