[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 55616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-5150]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091605D]


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 meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to convene a 
meeting of its Ad Hoc Red Snapper Advisory Panel (AHRSAP).

DATES: The meeting will be on October 13, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Quorum Hotel Tampa, 700 
North Westshore Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33609, telephone 813.289.8200.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 
North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne E. Swingle, Executive Director, 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: 813.348.1630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) will convene a meeting of its Ad Hoc Red Snapper 
Advisory Panel (AHRSAP) to review draft Amendment 26 to the Reef Fish 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) that contains alternatives to establish 
an individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the commercial red 
snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico that has been declared to be 
overfished and undergoing overfishing. The IFQ program is being 
considered to address existing and emerging problems resulting from 
overcapitalization in this fishery while it recovers. Actions being 
considered as part of the IFQ program include: its duration; 
eligibility for shares; initial allocation of shares; potential caps 
and/or restrictions on shares; and transferability of shares. Other 
actions being considered include: whether or not shares must be used; 
how adjustments to the commercial quota will affect allocations and 
shares; the possible requirement of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) on 
participating vessels; and a cost recovery plan. The AP will review 
this amendment and provide recommendations for the Council's Reef Fish 
Management Committee to review at their November 14 17, 2005 meeting.
    Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come 
before the AP for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (M-SFCMA), those issues may not 
be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the 
AP 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 M-SFCMA, provided 
the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to 
address the emergency. The established times for addressing items on 
the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely 
completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items. In order to 
further allow for such adjustments and completion of all items on the 
agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to the 
date established in this notice.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Dawn Aring at the Council (see 
ADDRESSES) at least 5 working days prior to the meeting.

    Dated: September 16, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries service.
 [FR Doc. E5-5150 Filed 9-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S