Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Announces a Series of Scoping Meetings

Meeting Notice February 29, 2012 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Announces a Series of Scoping Meetings The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has scheduled scoping meetings around the Gulf coast to discuss a proposed generic amendment addressing dealer permits and electronic logbook reporting, as well as two amendments to the Mackerel Fishery Management Plan.  The meetings schedule is as follows:  Monday, March 19, 2012                         Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Hilton Galveston                                    Four Points by Sheraton 5400 Seawall Boulevard                          940 Beach Boulevard Galveston Island, Texas                          Biloxi, Mississippi (409) 744-5000                                       (228) 546-3100 Wednesday, March 21, 2012                    Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Plantation Suites                                    Courtyard Marriott 1909 Highway 361                                  1000 West I-65 Service Road South Port Aransas, Texas                                Mobile, Alabama (361) 749-3866                                      (251) 344-5200 Thursday, March 22, 2012                       Monday, March 26, 2012 Courtyard Marriott                                 Harvey Government Center 100 Grand Boulevard                              1200 Truman Avenue Destin, Florida                                       Key West, Florida (850) 650-7411                                      (305) 295-5000 Wednesday, March 28, 2012                    Monday, April 2, 2012 Hyatt Place                                            Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport 2600 Champion Ring Road                      2829 Williams Boulevard Fort Myers, Florida                                 Kenner, Louisiana (239) 418-1844                                    (504) 467-5611 Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Wildlife & Fisheries Lab 195 Ludwig Lane Grand Isle, Louisiana     (985) 787-2163   All meetings will begin at 6pm and conclude at the end of public testimony, but no later than 9pm. The proposed generic amendment considers changes to the current requirements for dealer permits and the potential for electronic reporting requirements. Mackerel Amendment 19 considers limits or prohibition on the sale of king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia that are caught under a bag limit. It also looks at changes to regulations regarding maintaining and renewing commercial fishing permits and adding a commercial permit requirement to sell cobia. Mackerel Amendment 20 considers potential changes to the existing commercial boundaries and zones and associated quotas and trip limits, along with a possible allowance for transit through closed fishing zones. Some of these proposed changes were recommended by participants in the fishery to simplify current regulations and make the fishery more efficient.  Copies of the scoping materials can be obtained by calling 813-348-1630. Materials will also be posted on the Council website at www.gulfcouncil.org. This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Council office at least five working days prior to the meeting.   About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.        The Gulf Council has an APP for that - Download it for free!           iPhone         Droid Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Charlene Ponce Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext. 229

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