NMFS intends to hold an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel Meeting on September 19-21, 2012, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 8120 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD. The intent of this meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks.
The AP meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19; from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 20; and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, September 21. Additional information on the meeting and a copy of the draft agenda may be found at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Advisory%20Panels/Advisory_Panel.htm.
At the September 2012 AP meeting, NMFS plans to discuss overall bluefin tuna management (Amendment 7), shark management measures such as rebuilding scalloped hammerhead, dusky, and blacknose sharks (Amendment 5) and catch shares, swordfish management measures (Amendment 8), and items contained in the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that published on June 1, 2009 (74 FR 26174), which considered a variety of potential management options/measures for HMS fisheries. The meeting will also include updates on implementation of the 2011 ICCAT recommendations; electronic dealer reporting; smoothhound shark management; and recreational monitoring methods for Atlantic HMS fisheries.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Jenni Wallace or Margo Schulze-Haugen at (301) 427–8503.