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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

          - [I.D. 040700F] 

# AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. 

# ACTION:

Notice of public meetings. 

# SUMMARY:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold nine public scoping meetings regarding the concept of using marine reserves as a fishery management tool. 

# DATES:

                        The meetings will be held in April, May, and June. See                         **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**                         for specific dates and times of the public hearings.                     

# ADDRESSES:

                        Copies of the Public Information Document (PID) for Marine Reserves are available by contacting Kerry O'Malley, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, One Southpark Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, SC 29407-4699; telephone: 843-571-4366; email: kerry.omalley@noaa.gov. The PID will also be available at the meeting. See                         **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**                         for specific locations.                     

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer; telephone: 843-571-4366; fax: 843-769-4520; email: kim.iverson@noaa.gov. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

## Purpose of Meetings 

The Council will hold scoping meetings to gather public comments regarding the concept of using marine reserves (nearshore or offshore, natural or man-made) as a fishery management tool, emphasizing the conservation of essential fish habitat and the species associated with the snapper-grouper complex. The Council has not yet decided whether to proceed with the development of marine reserves. 

## Time and Location for Public Meetings 

Public scoping meetings will be held at the following dates, times, and locations. 

1. April 26, 2000, 6:30 p.m., Marine Resources Center, SC Dept. of Natural Resources, 217 Ft. Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29422; telephone: 843-762-5010. 

2. May 9, 2000, 6 p.m., Sea Turtle Inn, One Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233; telephone: 904-249-7402. 

3. May 10, 2000, 6 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1300 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; telephone: 407-783-2271. 

4. May 11, 2000, 6 p.m., Ireland's Inn, 2220 N. Atlantic Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33305; telephone: 954-565-6661. 

5. May 16, 2000, 6 p.m., Classroom 205, McGee Building, Carteret Community College, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557; telephone: 252-247-3097. 

6. May 17, 2000, 6 p.m., NCDMR Field Office, 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, NC 28405-3845; telephone: 910-395-3990. 

7. May 25, 2000, 6 p.m., Murrell's Inlet Community Center, 4450 Murrell's Inlet Road, Murrell's Inlet, SC 29576; telephone: 843-651-7373. 

8. May 31, 2000, 6 p.m., University of Georgia Marine Extension Service, 715 Bay Street, Brunswick, GA 31520; telephone: 912-264-7268. 

9. June 1, 2000, 6 p.m., Hyatt Regency, 2 West Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401; telephone: 912-238-1234. 

## Special Accommodations 

                    These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see                     **ADDRESSES**                    ) by April 20, 2000.                 

Dated: April 11, 2000. 

Bruce Morehaed, 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 00-9563 Filed 4-14-00; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F