[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 123 (Thursday, June 26, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 34441-34442] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-16773] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 061297A] International Whaling Commission: Meetings AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce ACTION: Notice of meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NOAA makes use of a public Interagency Committee to assist in preparing for meetings of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). This notice sets forth guidelines for participating on the Committee and a tentative schedule of meetings and other important dates. DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates of scheduled meetings. ADDRESSES: Recommendations to the U.S. Commissioner to the IWC and nominations to the U.S. delegation to the IWC should be sent to: Dr. D. James Baker, Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Department of Commerce, Herbert C. Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, D.C. 20230, with a copy sent to Angela Somma, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Somma, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (301) 713-2319. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of Commerce is charged with the responsibility of discharging the obligations of the United States under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, 1946. This authority has been delegated to the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, who is also the U.S. Commissioner to the IWC. The U.S. Commissioner has primary responsibility for the preparation and negotiation of U.S. positions on international issues concerning whaling and for all matters involving the IWC. He is staffed by the Department of Commerce and assisted by the Department of State, the Department of the Interior, the Marine Mammal Commission, and other interested agencies. Each year, NOAA conducts meetings and other actions to prepare for the annual meeting of the IWC. The major purpose of the preparatory meetings is to provide for input in the development of policy by members of the public and non-governmental organizations interested in whale conservation. NOAA believes that this participation is important for the effective development and implementation of U.S. policy concerning whaling. Any person with an identifiable interest in United States whale conservation policy may participate in the meetings, but NOAA reserves the authority to inquire about the interest of any person who appears at a meeting and to determine the appropriateness of that person's participation. Foreign nationals and persons who represent foreign governments may not attend. These stringent measures are necessary to promote the candid exchange of information. Such measures are a necessary basis for the relatively open process of preparing for IWC meetings that characterizes current practice. The tentative schedule of meetings and deadlines, including those of the IWC and deadlines for the preparation of position papers during 1994 is as follows: August 1, 1997--Nominations for the U.S. Delegation to the May IWC meetings are due to the U.S. Commissioner, with a copy to Angela Somma at the address above. All persons wishing to be considered pursuant to the U.S. Commissioner's recommendation to the Department of State concerning the composition of the delegation should ensure that nominations are received by this date. Prospective Congressional advisors to the Delegation should contact the Department of State directly. September 9, 1997 (2:00 PM, Room 6009, Herbert C. Hoover Building, Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution, Washington, D.C.)-- Tentative Interagency Committee meeting date to review recent events [[Page 34442]] relating to the IWC and to review U.S. positions for the 1997 IWC meetings. September 26 - October 11, 1997--Scientific Committee of the IWC meets in Bournemouth, UK. October 17 - 24, 1997, Monaco--49th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission. Dated: June 23, 1997. Joe Blum, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-16773 Filed 6-25-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F