02-5102. 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.

SUMMARY:

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a public meeting of the Ad Hoc Red Snapper Advisory Panel (AP).

DATES:

The Council's Ad Hoc Red Snapper AP will convene at 8:30 a.m. (CST) on Monday, March 18, 2002, and conclude by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the Isle of Capri Hotel, 151 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS; telephone: [phone].

Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Wayne Swingle, Executive Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The AP will convene to discuss the issues related to and begin the development of an individual fishing quota (IFQ) profile for the commercial red snapper fishery. The profile will examine the benefits and consequences of using IFQs to manage the commercial red snapper fishery. When the profile is completed by the AP and Council, it will be submitted to the current participants in the fishery for a referendum to determine if the majority of the participants favor management by IFQs.

The AP members consist of commercial fishermen holding Class 1 or Class 2 commercial red snapper licenses, and licensed commercial reef fish dealers. They are assisted by 4 non-voting members with expertise in fishery economics, fishery biology, environmental science, and law enforcement. The completion of the profile will require several subsequent meetings of this AP.

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, 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 agendas 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 813-228-2815.

Special Accommodations

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Anne Alford at the Council (see ADDRESSES) by March 11, 2002.

Dated: February 27, 2002.

Richard W. Surdi,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.