[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 94 (Monday, May 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 23175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11471]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN: 0648-XP25


Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a 
meeting of the Reef Fish Advisory Panel (AP).

DATES: The meeting will convene at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2009 and 
conclude by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hilton, 2225 N. Lois Ave., 
Tampa, FL 33607, (813) 877-6688.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 N. 
Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Carrie Simmons, Fishery Biologist; 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348-1630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AP will meet jointly with the Standing 
and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) on the 
first day of the meeting. The AP and SSC will receive a brief 
orientation for new members and will hear presentations on update 
assessments for gag and red grouper. The last full benchmark 
assessments for these stocks were completed in 2007 (SEDAR 10 for gag 
and SEDAR 12 for red grouper). The AP and SSC will also hear a 
presentation on the issues and preferred alternatives in Reef Fish 
Amendment 31 that address bycatch of sea turtles in the bottom longline 
reef fish fishery.
    Following the presentations, the AP and SSC will reconvene 
separately. The AP will discuss the gag and red grouper update 
assessments, and provide comments and recommendations concerning the 
assessments. The AP will discuss and provide comments and 
recommendations on Amendment 31. The AP will also elect a new Chair and 
Vice-chair. The comments and recommendations of the AP will be 
presented to the Council at its June 15-18, 2009 meeting in Tampa, FL.
    Copies of the agendas and other related materials can be obtained 
by calling (813) 348-1630.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this group for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 
those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this 
meeting. Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically 
identified in this notice 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 final action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    These 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: May 13, 2009.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-11471 Filed 5-15-09; 8:45 am]
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