Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Public Hearings

Résumé

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene four public hearings on Draft Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. Amendment 5 proposes: to establish a moratorium on registration of commercial vessels for up to 4 years to establish compatibility with a Florida statute implementing a moratorium on permits; and provide a framework measure under which rules adopted by Florida can be implemented in the exclusive economic zone by regulatory amendment approved by NMFS. Under the measure, Florida will hold public hearings and provide NMFS and the Council with the administrative record.