[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59724-59725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-5593]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 100605F]


Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

[[Page 59725]]


ACTION: Notice of Public Hearings.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
convene public hearings to solicit comments on 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.

DATES: The public hearings and workshops will held from October 17 
through October 26 at 8 locations throughout the Gulf of Mexico. For 
those who are unable to attend one of these meetings, a conference call 
number will be available on Wednesday, October 19, 2005. For specific 
dates and times see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The public hearings and workshops will be held in the 
following locations: Brownsville, Galveston, and Port Aransas, Texas; 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Orange Beach, Alabama; 
and Panama City and Tampa, Florida. For specific dates and times (see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 
North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Wayne Swingle, Executive Director, 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348-1630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council will convene pubic hearings to solicit comments on 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 public hearings will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude no later than 
10 p.m. at each of the following locations:
    Monday, October 17, 2005, National Marine Fisheries Service 
Laboratory, 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, FL 32408, (850) 234-
6541;
    Tuesday, October 18, 2005, Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach, 23092 
Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251) 974-1600;
    Wednesday, October 19, 2005, LaFont Inn, 2703 Denny Avenue, 
Pascagoula, MS 39567, (228) 762-7111;
    Wednesday, October 19, 2005, Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 North 
Westshore Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607, (813) 287-2555;
    Thursday, October 20, 2005, Sheraton Baton Rouge, 102 France 
Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, (225) 242-2600;
    Monday, October 24, 2005, Four Points by Sheraton, 3777 North 
Expressway, Brownsville, TX 78520, (956) 547-1500;
    Tuesday, October 25, 2005, University of Texas Marine Science 
Institute Auditorium, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, 
(361) 749-6711;
    Wednesday, October 26, 2005, Holiday Inn Galveston, 5002 Seawall 
Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77550, (409) 740-3581.
    Individuals interested in participating in the public hearing 
process but are unable to attend any of the scheduled hearings, may 
participate during the October 19, 2005 hearing via telephone. 
Interested parties should call (800) 547-5078 from any phone at 6 p.m. 
EDT. A copy of the amendment and related materials can be obtained by 
calling the Council office at (813) 348-1630. 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: October 6, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-5593 Filed 10-12-05; 8:45 am]
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