Gulf of Mexico Commercial Grouper/Tilefish IFQ Program: Seeking Public Comment
Comment Period Ends August 18, 2008
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA
Fisheries Service) is seeking public comment on the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)/Amendment 29
to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The DEIS evaluates the
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's (Council)
proposal to establish a regulatory program to reduce
overcapacity and effort in the commercial grouper and
tilefish fisheries. The Environmental Protection Agency
announced the availability of the DEIS on July 3, 2008
(73 FR 38204).
Proposed management measures evaluated in the DEIS
include implementing an individual fishing quota (IFQ)
program or endorsement program. The Council's preferred
alternative is to establish an IFQ program for these
fisheries. IFQ program components are evaluated in the
DEIS and include, but are not limited to: Initial eligibility,
transferability, ownership caps, appeals, cost recovery
plan, and enforcement measures. Details of the proposed
IFQ program can be found in the DEIS.
Request for Comments
Written comments on this DEIS must be received no later
than August 18, 2008, in order to be considered by NOAA
Fisheries Service. See the Addresses section for
information on where and how to submit comments.
Addresses
Electronic copies of the DEIS may be obtained from the
NOAA Fisheries Service Web site at
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, the Council's Web site at
http://www.gulfcouncil.org, or for a paper copy contact:
Sustainable Fisheries Division
Southeast Regional Office
NOAA Fisheries Service
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505
You may submit comments by any of the following
methods:
• Electronic submissions: e-mail: 0648-
AW85.DEIS@noaa.gov
• Fax: (727) 824-5308
• Mail: Sarah DeVido at address above
When submitting fax or e-mail comments, include the
following document identifier in the comment subject
line: 0648-AW85. All comments received are a part of
the public record and will be posted to
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal
identifying information (for example, name, address, etc.)
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly
accessible. Do not submit confidential information or
otherwise sensitive or protected information. Anonymous
comments will be accepted. Attachments to electronic
comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel,
WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
