Here we go again.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has scheduled a series of public hearings around the Gulf of Mexico beginning Thursday, August 1 through Wednesday, August 14, 2013.
The purpose of the meetings is to solicit public comment on Reef Fish Amendment 39 — Regional Management for Recreational Red Snapper. All meetings will begin at 6:00 pm. and will conclude no later than 9 p.m.
Regional Management of Recreational Red Snapper examines dividing the federal recreational red snapper quota among states or regions. This division would potentially give states/regions more flexibility in choosing seasons and bag limits, but would not necessarily result in more fishing days. Under regional management, red snapper would remain a federally managed species subject to federal conservation goals, and the Council would continue to oversee management of the stock.
The Council is expected to take final action on Amendment 39 as early as August, 2013.
The first public hearing is a “call-in session” scheduled for August 1. To participate in the “call-in session” dial (888) 323-2711 — the password is Regional Management.
The remaining public hearing schedule for Reef Fish Amendment 39 is as follows:
Monday, August 5, 2013*
Courtyard Marriott
11471 Cinema Drive
D’Iberville, MS
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Holiday Inn Select
2001 N. Cove Boulevard
Panama City, FL
Thursday, August 8, 2013*
Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel
64 South Water Street
Mobile, AL
Monday, August 12, 2013*
Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Parkway
950 Lake Carillon Drive
St. Petersburg, FL
Monday, August 12, 2013*
Hilton Garden Inn
6717 South Padre Island Drive
Corpus Christi, TX
Tuesday, August 13, 2013*
Hampton Inn & Suites
2320 Gulf Freeway South
League City, TX
Wednesday, August 14 2013
DoubleTree
4964 Constitution Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA
All meetings begin at 6:00 pm and will
conclude at the end of public comment,
but no later than 9:00 pm.
NOTE: * Denotes the meeting will cover Recreational Regional Management of Red Snapper as well as Amendments 19 & 20 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan.
Can’t attend any of the meetings? Comments on Reef Fish Amendment 39 will also be accepted online at http://bit.ly/177mEcD.
Copies of the public hearing documents can be obtained by calling 813-348-1630, or by visiting www.gulfcouncil.org. – See more at: http://www.thefishingwire.com/story/293248#sthash.LhHSZpXz.dpuf
