[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 242 (Monday, December 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 66018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31768]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 120696B]


Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
convene a public meeting of an Ad Hoc Habitat Panel (Panel).

DATES: This meeting will be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. on January 7, 
1997, and ending at 3:00 p.m. on January 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held at the New Orleans Airport Hilton 
Hotel, 901 Airline Highway, Kenner, LA; telephone: 504-469-5000.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 
U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Richard L. Leard, Senior Fishery 
Biologist; telephone: 813-228-2815.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the meeting will be to review 
upcoming guidelines regarding essential fish habitat (EFH) that are 
being developed by NMFS. These guidelines are mandated by the recent 
passage of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
which replaces the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 
1976, as amended. The NMFS anticipates that the draft EFH guidelines 
will be published in December 1996.
    The Panel intends to hold a round-table discussion and review what 
the Council's role should be with regard to the development and 
implementation of EFH guidelines. A public comment period on the EFH 
guidelines will also be part of the meeting. The Panel may also develop 
comments and recommendations for consideration by the Council at its 
upcoming meeting on January 13-16, 1997, in Corpus Christi, TX.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Anne Alford at the Council (see ADDRESSES) by 
December 31, 1996.

    Dated: December 10, 1996.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31768 Filed 12-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F