[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 160 (Thursday, August 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 51452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-1845]



[[Page 51452]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 081104E]


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 joint public meeting of its Coral Scientific and Statistical 
Committees (SSC) and its Coral Advisory Panel (AP).

DATES:  The Council's Coral SSC/AP will convene from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
on Thursday, September 2, 2004.

ADDRESSES:  The meeting will be at the DoubleTree Guest Suites Tampa 
Bay, 3050 North Rocky Point Drive West, Tampa, FL; telephone: 813-888-
8800.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 
U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Dr. Rick Leard, Deputy Executive 
Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 
301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619; telephone: 813-228-2815.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) will jointly convene its Special Coral Scientific and 
Statistical Committee (SSC) and Coral Advisory Panel (AP) to discuss 
information relevant to the location of coral reef resources in the 
Gulf of Mexico, particularly deep coral reefs and any potential impacts 
from existing or reasonably foreseeable fishing activities. The Joint 
Coral AP/SSC will also be asked to provide recommendations relative to 
a Rulemaking Petition to Protect Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Habitat 
filed with the Secretary of Commerce by Oceana.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in the agenda may come 
before the Joint Coral AP/SSC 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 this 
meeting. The Joint Coral AP/SSC actions 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. A copy of the Joint Coral AP/SSC agenda can be obtained by 
calling (813) 228-2815.

Special Accommodations

    The meeting is open to the public and is physically accessible to 
people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or 
other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see 
ADDRESSES) by August 26, 2004.
    The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is 1 of 8 Regional 
Fishery Management Councils that were established by the MSFCMA of 
1976, as amended. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 
prepares fishery management plans and amendments that are designed to 
manage fishery resources to the 200-mile limit in the U.S. Gulf of 
Mexico.

    Dated: August 13, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E4-1845 Filed 8-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S