Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management to Convene its Law Enforcement Advisory Panel

Meeting Notice July 6, 2012    Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management to Convene its Law Enforcement Advisory Panel The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene its Law Enforcement Advisory Panel (LEAP) in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Committee (LEC) of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.      The group will meet at the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Lab - 195 Ludwig Lane, Grand Isle, Louisiana 73058. The meeting will convene at 8:30 am July 25, 2012 and conclude no later than 5:00 pm July 26, 2012.    In a workshop session, the group will revise the Two-Year Operations Plan and the Five-Year Strategic Plan that expire in 2013.   Also up for discussion are the Joint Enforcement Agreements and funding, as well as upcoming topics for the October 2012 meeting.   Immediately following the workshop session, the LEAP/LEC will discuss recent individual fishing quota (IFQ) enforcement actions and possible changes to the IFQ program protocols under consideration by NOAA Fisheries Service, including: landing notification process; landing transaction procedures; process for approving or removing landing location; and offloading requirements.  Finally, the group will discuss implications to enforcement of the recent decisions by Louisiana to extend its seaward boundary from three miles to three marine leagues. The Law Enforcement Advisory Panel is made up of principal law enforcement officers in each of the Gulf States, as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Law Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and NOAA General Counsel for Law Enforcement.  A copy of the agenda and related materials can be obtained by calling the Council office at  813-348-1630. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting.  Actions of the Panel will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aides should be directed to Kathy Pereira 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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