[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 240 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74305-74306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7386]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 121205B]


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 will convene a 
public meeting of the Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP).

DATES:  The Shrimp AP meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on 
Thursday, January 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES:  The meeting will be held at the Spring Hill Suites Houston 
Hobby Airport, 7922 Mosley Road, Houston, Texas 77061.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 
North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Richard Leard, Deputy Executive 
Director; telephone (813) 348-1630.



[[Page 74306]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The Shrimp AP will receive reports from the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) on the status and health of the shrimp stocks 
as well as a report on the biological and economic aspects of the 2005 
Cooperative Shrimp Closure with the state of Texas. The Shrimp AP may 
make recommendations for a cooperative closure with Texas for 2006. The 
Shrimp AP will review scoping documents for both Amendment 27 to the 
Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan (FMP)/Amendment 14 to the Shrimp FMP 
and Amendment 28 to the Reef Fish FMP/Amendment 15 to the Shrimp FMP. 
Joint Reef Fish Amendment 27/Shrimp Amendment 14 proposes actions that 
deal with adjustments to the total allowable catch (TAC) for red 
snapper; size limits; bag limits; recreational season dates; and the 
certification of new shrimp bycatch reduction devices (BRDs). The 
amendment will also look at shrimp limits on trawling gear, shrimp 
restrictions on the transfer of vessel permits, and possible area 
closures for shrimp.
    Joint Reef Fish Amendment 28/Shrimp Amendment 15 will consider such 
issues as gear restrictions for the reef fish fishery; establishing 
commercial fishing seasons; further reducing bycatch; as well as other 
management alternatives.
    The Shrimp AP consists principally of commercial shrimp fishermen, 
dealers, and association representatives.
    Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda 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 
agenda 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. Copies of the agenda can be 
obtained by calling (813) 348-1630.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is 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: December 12, 2005.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E5-7386 Filed 12-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S