First Intergovernmental Meeting on Establishment of a New Mechanism for Management of High Seas Bottom Trawling in the North Western Pacific Ocean will take place 22 – 24 August 2006, in Tokyo, Japan.  This meeting aims to exchange information related to high seas bottom trawling in the North Western Pacific Ocean, discuss necessary actions to ensure sustainable fisheries in the area, the necessity of a new mechanism for international management of high seas bottom trawling in the North Western Pacific Ocean and the possible framework of such a mechanism.  Possible interim measures and the time frame toward the possible agreement on the new mechanism will also be deliberated.  For additional information about this meeting, please contact shannon.dionne@noaa.gov.