[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 24 (Monday, February 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6421-6422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-483]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 020105A]


Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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 the Socioeconomic Panel (SEP).

DATES: A meeting of the SEP will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on 
Thursday, February 24, 2005 and will conclude no later than 3 p.m. on 
Friday, February 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Four Points By Sheraton New 
Orleans Airport, 6401 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Metairie, LA 70003; 
504.885.5700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Assane Diagne, Economist, Gulf of 
Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 
1000, Tampa, Florida 33619; telephone: 813-228-2815.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council will convene its Socioeconomic 
Panel (SEP) to review ``Draft Amendment 13 for Shrimp'', ``Draft 
Amendment 18A for Reef Fish'', and ``Draft Amendment 26 for Red 
Snapper.'' The shrimp amendment considers several issues including the 
establishment of a moratorium on the

[[Page 6422]]

issuance of commercial shrimp vessel permits and the requirement of 
separate vessel permits for the royal red shrimp fishery. The reef fish 
amendment reviews effort capacity control measures, enforcement and 
monitoring issues in the reef fish fishery. The red snapper amendment 
considers the establishment of an individual fishing quota (IFQ) for 
the commercial red snapper fishery. In addition, the SEP will discuss 
potential grouper trip limits and buyback programs.
    A report will be prepared by the SEP containing their conclusions 
and recommendations. This report will be presented to the Council at 
its meeting on March 7-10, 2005 in Birmingham, Alabama.
    Composing the SEP membership are economists, sociologists, and 
anthropologists from various universities and state fishery agencies 
throughout the Gulf. They advise the Council on the social and economic 
implications of certain fishery management measures.
    A copy of the agenda can be obtained by calling 813-228-2815. 
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before 
the SEP for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of 
formal action during this meeting. Actions of the SEP will be 
restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agendas and 
any issues arising after publication of this notice that require 
emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take 
action to address the emergency.

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 by 
February 17, 2005.

    Dated: February 2, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-483 Filed 2-4-05; 8:45 am]
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