National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 30, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces a meeting of the General Advisory Committee (GAC) to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) on May 18, 2009. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would implement a multi-species individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the grouper and tilefish component of the commercial sector of the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone (Gulf EEZ). In addition, the proposed rule would allow permit consolidation and dual classifications to the shallow water and deepwater management units for speckled hind and warsaw grouper and would modify some provisions of the Gulf red snapper IFQ program for consistency with this proposed rule. The proposed rule is intended to reduce effort in the grouper and tilefish component of the Gulf reef fish fishery.