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

SHRIMP ADVISORY PANEL TO REVIEW DRAFT AMENDMENT 11 TO THE SHRIMP FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Tampa, Florida - September 15, 2000 - The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene the Shrimp Advisory Panel (AP) to review Draft Amendment 11 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This amendment contains alternatives for requiring shrimp vessel permits, shrimp vessel registration, operator permits, and prohibiting trap gear in the royal red shrimp fishery of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Shrimp AP may develop recommendations to the Council regarding these alternatives. The Shrimp AP will also discuss and possibly make recommendations regarding defining "to the extent practicable" under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requirement that the Councils reduce bycatch "to the extent practicable."

The Shrimp AP consists principally of commercial shrimp fishermen, dealers, and association representatives. The meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2000 at the New Orleans Airport Hilton 901 Airline Highway, Kenner, Louisiana, beginning at 9:00 a.m. A copy of the agenda and related materials can be obtained by calling the Council office at 813-228-2815 or toll free at 888-833-1844.

The meeting is 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 October 2, 2000.

Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come before the Shrimp AP 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 Shrimp AP 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 Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is 1 of 8 regional fishery management councils that were established by the Magnuson 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.

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