[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 231 (Thursday, December 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67562-67563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31307]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 112699A]


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 will convene a 
public meeting of the Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP).

DATES: The Shrimp AP meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on 
Thursday, January 6, 2000.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Richard Leard, Senior Fishery 
Biologist, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 
301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, Florida, 33619; telephone 813-228-2815.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Shrimp AP will convene to review 
scientific information on the effects of the cooperative shrimp 
seasonal closure with the state of Texas. The Shrimp AP will also 
receive a presentation regarding the status of the shrimp stocks in the 
Gulf of Mexico and an overfishing report. The Shrimp AP may develop

[[Page 67563]]

recommendations to the Council regarding the extent of Federal waters 
off Texas that will be closed in 2000 concurrently with the closure of 
Texas waters. Finally, the Shrimp AP will review a draft of an Options 
paper for Amendment 10 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. This 
options paper contains provisions for requiring additional measures to 
reduce bycatch in the shrimp fishery, particularly on the west coast of 
Florida, south and east of 85 deg.30' W. long. Measures being 
considered include area and/or seasonal closures as well as bycatch 
reduction devices.
    The Shrimp AP consists principally of commercial shrimp fishermen, 
dealers, and association representatives. Copies of the agenda can be 
obtained by calling 813-228-2815.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before the AP for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of 
formal action during this meeting. Actions of the AP 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(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's 
intent to take final action to address the emergency.

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 29, 1999.

    Dated: November 26, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31307 Filed 12-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F