NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Royal Red Shrimp Regulations

The following Southeast Fishery Bulletin from NOAA Fisheries is being sent to our readers as a courtesy.  SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN  (Gulf of Mexico)   FB15-008 Sue Gerhart 727-824-5305       January 26, 2015         NOAA Fisheries Seeks Public Comment on   Proposed Changes to Royal Red Shrimp Regulations Comment period ends February 25, 2015 NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and a proposed rule that would implement the management measures contained in the amendment. Amendment 16 proposes to: Increase the commercial annual catch limit for royal red shrimp from 334,000 pounds to 337,000 pounds and remove the quota. Remove the current in-season closure, while retaining the accountability measure that monitors landings and implements a closure only if the annual catch limit was exceeded in the previous year. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 16 to NOAA Fisheries for review, approval, and implementation. Comments on the amendment and the proposed rule will be accepted through February 25, 2015. We will address all comments specifically directed to either the amendment or the proposed rule in the final rule. For more information on Amendment 16, please visit the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Web site at:http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/shrimp/2014/am16/index.html.Electronic copies of the amendment and rule are available at that Web site or from the e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. How to Submit Comments NOAA Fisheries must receive comments on these documents no later than February 25, 2015. You may submit comments on the amendment or the proposed rule, identified by "NOAA-NMFS-2014-0030", by one of the following methods: Go to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0030, 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.

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