This is a publication of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Award No. NA07FC0015.

NEWS RELEASE
RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY
CONTACT: RICHARD L. LEARD (813) 228-2815

DOLPHIN AND WAHOO ADVISORY PANEL (AP) AND SCIENTIFIC AND STATISTICAL COMMITTEES (SSC) TO REVIEW EXPLORATORY STOCK ASSESSMENT, MACKEREL STOCK ASSESSMENT PANEL REPORT, AND SOCIOECONOMIC PANEL REPORT FOR DOLPHIN

Tampa, Florida - April 6, 2000 - The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its Dolphin and Wahoo Advisory Panel (AP) and Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC) to review an "Exploratory Assessment of Dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, based on U.S. Landings from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico" that was prepared by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The Dolphin and Wahoo AP will also review reports by the Mackerel Stock Assessment Panel (MSAP) and Socioeconomic Panel (SEP) regarding this assessment. The Dolphin and Wahoo AP and the Council’s Standing and Special Dolphin and Wahoo SSC will meet as follows:

The Dolphin and Wahoo AP previously reviewed a draft of the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan (FMP) that was prepared by the South Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils. Based on the review of these additional documents regarding dolphin, the Dolphin and Wahoo AP may make additional recommendations to the Council regarding the management of dolphin. The SSC will review the same information and formulate their recommendations based on a scientific perspective.

Copies of the agendas of these meetings and other related materials can be obtained by calling 813-228-2815. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come before the AP and SSC for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the AP and SSC will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agendas and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.

The meetings are open to the public and physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office by April 24, 2000.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is 1 of 8 regional fishery management councils that were established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council prepares fishery management plans that are designed to manage fishery resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

X X X