[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63889-63890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26323]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 100802F]


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 its Florida/Alabama, Mississippi/Louisiana, 
and Texas Habitat Protection Advisory Panels (APs) from October 30, 
2002 through November 1, 2002.

DATES: The Joint Habitat Protection APs will convene at 1 p.m. on 
Wednesday, October 30, 2002 and will conclude by 3 p.m. on Friday, 
November 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Tampa Airport 
Westshore

[[Page 63890]]

Hotel, 2225 Lois Avenue, Tampa, FL; telephone: (813) 877-6688.
    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 Leard, Senior Fishery 
Biologist, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 
301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619; telephone: 813-228-2815.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Habitat Protection APs will convene to 
review the Council's Intermediate Draft of the Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Generic Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Amendment. 
The APs will also tentatively discuss methylmercury in marine fish and 
the possible impacts of explosive removal of oil and gas structures on 
marine fish populations.
    The Habitat Protection APs are made up of representatives from the 
recreational and commercial fishing groups, conservation organizations, 
academia, and state and federal resource agencies. The principal role 
of the APs is to assist the Council in attempting to maintain optimum 
conditions within the habitat and ecosystems supporting the marine 
resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The Habitat Protection APs call to the 
Council's attention proposed projects being developed and other 
activities which may adversely impact the Gulf marine fisheries and 
their supporting ecosystems. The APs may also provide advice to the 
Council on its policies and procedures for addressing environmental 
issues and review habitat related documents as requested.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in the agendas may come 
before the APs for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act), those issues 
may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Action 
will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this 
notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that 
require emergency action under section 305 (c) of the Magnuson Act, 
provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take 
final action to address the emergency.
    Copies of the agendas of these meetings can be obtained by calling 
the Council office at 813-228-2815 (toll-free 888-833-1844).

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 
October 23, 2002.

    Dated: October 10, 2002.
Matteo J. Milazzo,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26323 Filed 10-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S