[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 245 (Friday, December 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72677-72678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24817]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN: 0648-XE48


South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Caribbean Fishery 
Management Council and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; 
Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of a scoping meeting.

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SUMMARY: The South Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Councils (Councils) will hold a public scoping meeting 
regarding amending the spiny lobster fishery management plan to address 
the importation of spiny lobster products that do not meet U.S. 
conservation standards. The amendment will examine various alternatives 
to restrict imports of spiny lobster into the United States to a 
minimum acceptable length and/or weight. Spiny Lobsters are currently 
being imported below the U.S. minimum size limits. Much of the imported 
lobster does not meet the minimum size limits in the country of origin. 
This is adversely impacting recruitment throughout Florida and the 
Caribbean and, as a result, the status of spiny lobster in Caribbean 
and U.S. waters because of the distribution and dispersal of larvae.

DATES: The public scoping meeting will be held January 24, 2008, 
beginning at 6 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Islander Hotel, 82100 
Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036; telephone: (800) 753-6002 or 
(305) 664-2031. Written comments must be received in the South Atlantic 
Council's office by 5 p.m. on January 28, 2008.
    Written comments should be sent to Bob Mahood, Executive Director, 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, 
Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405, or via email to: 
[email protected]. Copies of the Scoping Document are available 
from

[[Page 72678]]

Kim Iverson, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber 
Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; telephone: (843) 
571-4366 or toll free at (866) SAFMC-10.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North 
Charleston, SC 29405; telephone: (843) 571-4366; fax: (843) 769-4520; 
email address: [email protected].

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are 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 January 21, 2007.

    Dated: December 18, 2007.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24817 Filed 12-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S