NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on an Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for King and Spanish Mackerel Comment period ends May 2, 2014

Below is a NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fishery Bulletin seeking public comment on an Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for King and Spanish Mackerel. SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN  (Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic)   FB14-016    Susan Gerhart 727-824-5305      March 3, 2014       NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on an Amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for King and Spanish Mackerel Comment period ends May 2, 2014   NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on Amendment 20A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region.  If approved, this amendment would modify the management plan to include changes to the coastal migratory pelagics permit requirements and restrictions, including changes to the sales provisions and income requirements. For the Gulf of Mexico, the amendment would add a prohibition on the sale of king and Spanish mackerel caught under the bag limit unless those fish are either caught on a for-hire trip and the vessel has both a for-hire and commercial vessel permit, or the fish are caught as part of a state-permitted tournament and the proceeds from the sale are donated to charity. For the Atlantic region, the amendment would add a prohibition on the sale of king and Spanish mackerel caught under the bag limit unless the fish are caught as part of a state-permitted tournament and the proceeds from the sale are donated to charity. The amendment would also remove the income qualification requirement for king and Spanish mackerel commercial permits from the management plan. The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils have submitted Amendment 20A to NOAA Fisheries for review, approval, and implementation.  The Notice of Availability for public comment on this amendment published in the Federal Register on March 3, 2014. For more information on Amendment 20A please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the NOAA Fisheries Web site. Request for Comments NOAA Fisheries must receive comments on this amendment no later than May 2, 2014.  We will address all comments specifically directed to the amendment.  You may obtain electronic copies of the amendment from the NOAA Fisheries Web site http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/2014/am20a/index.html or the e-Rule Making Portal www.regulation.gov. How to Submit Comments You may submit comments on this document, identified by "NOAA-NMFS-2013-0168", by one of the following methods: Electronic Submission via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0168, click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.  NOAA Fisheries will accept anonymous comments (enter "N/A" in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).  You can also attach additional files (up to 10MB) in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Mail written comments to Susan Gerhart, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on the regulations.gov website without change.  All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible.    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.       Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Charlene Ponce Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext. 229

http://live.oysterradio.com/