[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 155 (Wednesday, August 12, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 43141] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-21534] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 080498F] Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a public meeting of its Ad Hoc Finfish Stock Assessment Panel (Panel). DATES: The meeting of the Panel will be held beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 1998 and will conclude by 12:00 noon on Thursday, August 27, 1998. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Atran, Population Dynamics Statistician, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619; telephone: 813-228- 2815. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Panel will be re-convened to develop additional alternatives for the overfishing criteria as required by the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA). In a previous meeting held June 22-25, 1998, the Panel developed a generalized procedure for selecting proxies for expressing maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and optimum yield (OY) in terms of spawning potential ratio (SPR). The Panel discussed, but did not come to a consensus on, the use of the ratio of natural mortality rate to growth rate coefficients (the M/K ratio) as a scaling factor for setting appropriate levels of SPR. When it reconvenes, the Panel will re-examine the use of M/K ratios as a basis for resiliency of fish to overfishing. In addition, the Panel will examine additional alternatives for MSY proxies for red snapper, king mackerel, and red drum based on juvenile fish recruitment, stock biomass levels, or other relevant indices. Although other issues not contained in this agenda may come before the Panels for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Panel action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda listed in this notice. A copy of the agenda can be obtained by contacting the Gulf Council (see ADDRESSES). Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Anne Alford at the Council (see ADDRESSES) by August 17, 1998. Dated: August 5, 1998. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-21534 Filed 8-7-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F