The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will meet August 15 – 19, 2011, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Austin, Texas. Council Committees will convene Monday at 1:30 p.m. and will meet through Wednesday. The full Council will convene at 9:00 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 <http://www.gulfcouncil.org> or call 888-833-1844.
The Outreach and Education Committee will meet to review and discuss recommendations made by the Outreach and Education Advisory Panel, followed by the Sustainable Fisheries/Ecosystem Committee that is scheduled to review and discuss a report from the Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committee. The Committee will also receive a presentation by Buzz Thompson on Resource Allocation, and discuss final action on the Generic Amendment to address Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures.
On Tuesday, the Reef Fish Management Committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to discuss myriad issues, including final action on both Reef Fish Amendment 32, which establishes a rebuilding plan for gag and addresses annual catch limits, and a Regulatory Amendment for Red Grouper that addresses total allowable catch and bag limits. The Committee will also review and discuss the following:
· Review a draft Regulatory Amendment for a fall red snapper season
· Receive a presentation on Red Snapper Economics by Wade Griffin
· Discuss a draft of Amendment 35 – Greater Amberjack
· Review a report of the Ad Hoc Red Snapper Individual Fishing Quota Five-Year Review Advisory Panel meeting
· Review a report of the Commercial Reef Fish Individual Fishing Quota Advisory Panel meeting
Wednesday’s meeting will begin with the Budget/Personnel Committee review of the Quarterly Budget, followed by the Mackerel Management Committee. Up for discussion is final action on Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan, which addressed Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for mackerel and cobia, and Action 4 of the South Atlantic Council’s Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2.
The Joint Mackerel/Reef Fish/Red Drum Management Committees will also meet to review a proposed rule implementing the Council’s Aquaculture Fishery Management Plan. Later in the day, the Artificial Reef Committee will receive a presentation from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulations and Enforcement. The Committee will also discuss oil rig removals and review the status of artificial reefs in fishery management.
The Data Collection Committee will receive a presentation on the I-Snapper program and discuss creating an Ad Hoc Advisory Panel to collect private recreational angler data.
The Administrative Policy Committee will review and discuss the Council Strategic Plan, Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review Guidelines, and Ad Hoc Advisory Panel membership. Immediately following committee recess on Wednesday, the Council and NOAA Fisheries will host an informal Question and Answer Session on Gulf of Mexico fishery management issues.
The full Council will convene Thursday at 9:00 a.m. beginning with the investiture of the newly appointed Council members, followed by Fisheries 101. The Council will review Advisory Panel selections and committee reports for the following Committees:
· Outreach and Education
· Joint Mackerel/Reef Fish/Red Drum
· Artificial Reef
· Data Collection
· Budget/Personnel
· Administrative Policy
Beginning at 12:30 p.m. the Council will take public comment on exempted fishing permits (if any), and final action on the following:
· Reef Fish Amendment 32
· Generic Amendment to address Annual Catch Limits/Accountability Measures
· Joint Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan
· Regulatory Amendment to set total allowable catch and bag limits for red grouper
· Action 4 to the South Atlantic Council’s Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2
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 4:30 p.m. Comment cards must be completed before the start of public testimony.
Beginning at 4:30 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.
http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments
No comments:
Post a Comment