[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9888-9889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03148]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC489


Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a 
meeting of the Ad Hoc Artificial Substrate Advisory Panel (AP).

DATES: The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. on 
Thursday, February 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607; 
telephone: (813) 348-1630.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John Froeschke, Fishery Biologist-
Statistician; Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: 
(813) 348-1630 x235.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Ad Hoc Artificial Substrate AP will meet 
to discuss artificial substrates and their potential consideration as 
an Essential Fish Habitat in Gulf of Mexico fisheries. Specifically, 
the AP will evaluate potential implications including regulatory, 
fishery, or habitat impacts of consideration of artificial substrates 
as essential fish habitat (EFH) in accordance with the regulations at 
50 CFR Part 600 Subpart J. Items for consideration may include types of 
structures to be considered, potential conflicts with existing 
regulatory measures, and requirements to minimize impacts of fishing to 
the extent practicable. The AP will consider if new information exists 
that demonstrates artificial substrates, including fixed petroleum leg 
platforms and artificial reefs, provide habitat functions to federally-
managed species in the Gulf of Mexico meeting the criteria identified 
and described as essential fish habitat (EFH) in accordance with the 
regulations at 50 CFR Part 600 Subpart J.
    Copies of the agenda and other related materials can be obtained by 
calling (813) 348-1630.
    Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come 
before the Advisory Panel for discussion, in accordance with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management

[[Page 9889]]

Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of 
formal action during this meeting. Actions of the Advisory Panel 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.

Special Accommodations

    The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Council (see ADDRESSES) at 
least 5 working days prior to the meeting.

    Dated: February 7, 2013.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine, Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-03148 Filed 2-11-13; 8:45 am]
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