[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 227 (Monday, November 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 70982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27683]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN: 0648-XL88


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 scoping meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
convene scoping meetings to address loggerhead sea turtle interactions 
with reef fish bottom longlines.

DATES: The scoping meetings will be held December 9 & 10, 2008 at two 
locations. For specific dates, times, and subjects, see SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The scoping meetings will be held in the following 
locations: Madeira Beach, FL and Panama City, FL. For specific 
addresses, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 
North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Simmons, Fishery Biologist; 
telephone: (813) 348-1630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council (Council) has scheduled two scoping meetings on the estimated 
bycatch and subsequent mortality of hard shell sea turtles based on 
observer data in the bottom longline portion of the Gulf of Mexico reef 
fish fishery. The purpose of these scoping meetings is to explore 
possible alternatives to reduce takes of loggerhead sea turtles in the 
bottom longline fishery to levels that do not jeopardize the continued 
existence of the population. In response to observer data that 
indicates increased takes of sea turtles, the Council is required to 
take action to provide protection for threatened loggerhead sea turtles 
from interactions with fishing gear in compliance with the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA) and to reduce bycatch and bycatch mortality in 
compliance with National Standard 9 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Scoping meetings are part of the 
initial phase of preparing a plan amendment. The purpose is to identify 
issues and a reasonable range of alternatives to address those issues. 
Such alternatives could include time/area closures, gear modifications, 
alternative baits, observer program, effort limitation, or other 
measures to reduce sea turtle takes and mortality of sea turtles from 
interactions with reef fish longline gear. The public is encouraged to 
attend and provide input. Public input will be used by the Council to 
further develop the amendment. The scoping meetings will begin at 6 
p.m. and conclude at the end of public testimony or no later than 9 
p.m. at each of the following locations:
    Tuesday, December 9, 2008, Hilton Garden Inn, 1101 US Highway 231, 
Panama City, FL 32405; telephone: (850) 392-1093;
    Wednesday, December 10, 2008, City of Madeira Beach, 300 Municipal 
Drive, Madeira Beach, FL 33708; telephone: (727) 391-9951.
    Copies of the Amendments scoping documents can be obtained by 
calling the Council office at (813) 348-1630.

Special Accommodations

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

    Dated: November 18, 2008.
Tracey L Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-27683 Filed 11-21-08; 8:45 am]
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