The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will meet October 24 - 28, 2011, at the DoubleTree Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Council’s Law Enforcement Committee will meet jointly with the Law Enforcement Advisory Panel Monday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a brief meeting of the Administrative Policy Committee. Tuesday, Council Committees will convene at 8:30 a.m. and will meet through 11:00 a.m. Thursday. The full Council will convene at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, and is expected to adjourn by 12:30 p.m. Friday. Agenda highlights are summarized below. For a copy of the detailed agenda or to review briefing book materials, please visit the Council web site at www.gulfcouncil.org or call 888-833-1844.
The Reef Fish Management Committee will meet all day Tuesday to review and discuss the following:
- October Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting
- Vermilion Snapper and Gray Triggerfish Update Assessments
- Reef Fish Amendment 28 regarding grouper allocations
- Presentation on NOAA’s Catch Share Policy
- Draft Reef Fish Amendment 34 regarding crew size and income requirements
- Public hearing draft of Reef Fish Amendment 35 – Greater Amberjack Rebuilding Plan
- Options paper for Red Snapper Fall Season Regulatory Amendment
- Amendment for Red Snapper Payback Provisions for Overages
- Reef Fish Amendment 36 – Restrict Red Snapper IFQ Transfers
- Report of the Ad Hoc Headboat Advisory Panel
- Reef Fish Amendment 37 – Red Snapper IFQ Five-Year Review
- Reef Fish Limited Access Privilege Program Advisory Panel Meeting Report
The Data Collection Committee will convene Wednesday morning to hear a presentation on the Marine Recreational Information Program, review the charge for the Ad Hoc Private Recreational Data Collection Advisory Panel, hear a presentation on the Mechanisms for Implementing Headboat Electronic Reporting, and to discuss the status of restoration funding.
Later in the morning the Spiny Lobster/Stone Crab Management Committee meets to receive a summary of a meeting held with NOAA Fisheries, industry representatives, and Sanctuary staff. The Committee will also review a public hearing draft of Joint Spiny Lobster Amendment 11, as well as select public hearing locations for that amendment. The Red Drum Committee will meet to discuss the status of red drum, followed by a meeting of the Sustainable Fisheries/Ecosystem Committee. That Committee is scheduled to review and discuss a report from the Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committee; a paper on sector separation; a proposed joint South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Goliath Grouper Panel; and an Ad Hoc Joint South Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Committee to consider a South Florida Fishery Management Plan.
Also on Wednesday, the Council and NOAA Fisheries will hold an informal Question and Answer session on general fishery management issues.
On Thursday, the Mackerel Management Committee will discuss Mackerel Amendment 19 – No Sale of Recreationally Caught Fish and Permit Revisions and discuss possible issues for inclusion in future amendments, e.g., Bag Limit Sales, Trip Limits, Transit, and Latent Gill Net Permits.
The Shrimp Management Committee will then meet to review and discuss the Shrimp Scientific & Statistical Committee Report, receive a presentation and discuss the Status of Shrimp Stocks and Alternative Stock Assessment Methods, and receive a preliminary report of the 2011 Shrimping Effort.
The full Council will convene Thursday at 11:00 a.m. beginning with Committee appointments, followed by Fisheries 101. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. the Council will take public comment on agenda items, Draft Reef Fish Amendment 34, Draft Reef Fish Amendment 36, and exempted fishing permits (if any).
The Council will also hold an open public comment session to give members of the public an opportunity to address the Council on fishery issues that may not be on the agenda. Open public comment will be taken immediately following public testimony until 3:30 p.m. Comment cards must be completed before the start of public testimony.
Beginning at 3:30 p.m. Thursday through 12:30 p.m. Friday, the Council will deliberate and take action on committee recommendations made earlier in the week. The meeting is expected to conclude Friday by 12:30 p.m.
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Council and Committees for discussion, in accordance with the M-SFCMA, those issues may not be the subject of formal action. Actions of the Council and Committees will be restricted to issues specifically identified in the agendas and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the M-SFCMA, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.
The established times for addressing items on the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items. In order to allow for such adjustments and completion of all items on the agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to, the date established in this notice. Meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Council office at least five days prior to the meeting.
