The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is hosting a public meeting in Houston at the Coastal Conservation Association National Headquarters Office to receive input from marine anglers to help mold policies and fishery management programs related to offshore recreational fisheries.
The meeting is scheduled for July 8, 2004, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Coastal Conservation Association National Headquarters Office, 6919 Portwest, Suite 100, Houston, Texas. Other meetings in the Gulf region took place in Dania Beach, Florida, on May 11 and a meeting in Orange Beach, Alabama, is scheduled for July 6.
These public meetings will give anglers and the public an opportunity to discuss issues such as data collection, marine managed areas, artificial reef programs, management processes, information exchange, cooperative research, and more. In addition to the public meetings, written or e-mail comments will also be accepted. Comments may be mailed or e-mailed to Michael Kelly, Chief, Division of Constituent Services (Room 9554), NOAA Fisheries (F/CS), 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Comments should be received by July 30, 2004 to ensure that they are given full consideration.
NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to providing and preserving the nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific research, management, and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public.
The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.
By: Michael Kelly
