Comment from Jack Mahrt, n/a

Dear National Marine Fisheries Service;, RE: Reef Fish Amendment 29 (grouper and tilefish IFQ) - referendum eligibility I am very concerned that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Preferred Alternative for eligibility for the grouper and tilefish IFQ referendum excludes more than two- thirds of relevant permit holders from voting. If the Council's Preferred Alternative is pursued it will mean that the only people voting on whether to have an IFQ plan are those most likely to gain from it. A fairer voting process is essential for proper fisheries governance. I urge the National Marine Fisheries Service to allow all fishery participants that hold a valid permit to have an equally weighted vote in this critically important referendum. Fishermen should not be gagged!