NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on Amendment 15 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Waters. NOAA Fisheries is also seeking public comment on the proposed rule to implement the management measures contained in the amendment. Amendment 15 proposes to:

• Modify stock status criteria for three species of shrimp (brown, white, and pink):
  • The maximum sustainable yield is the largest average catch that can continuously be taken from a stock under existing environmental conditions.
  • The overfishing threshold determines if the rate of removal of shrimp is too high.
  • The overfished threshold determines if population abundance is too low.
• Make administrative changes to the procedure for modifying management measures.

 
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 15 to NOAA Fisheries for review, approval, and implementation. The Notice of Availability for public comment on this amendment published in the Federal Register on August 12, 2015, and the proposed rule published on August 25, 2015. Comments will be accepted through October 13, 2015. We will address all comments specifically directed to either the amendment or the proposed rule in the final rule.

For more information on Amendment 15, please visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region Web site at:

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/shrimp/2015/Am%2015/index.html

An electronic copy of the amendment is available at that Web site or from the e-Rule Making Portal www.regulations.gov.

How to Submit Comments

NOAA Fisheries must receive comments on these documents no later than October 13, 2015. You may submit comments on the amendment or the proposed rule, identified by “NOAA-NMFS-2015-0097”, by one of the following methods:

Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0097, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail written comments to Susan Gerhart, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on the regulations.gov Web site without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NOAA Fisheries will accept anonymous comments (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).