News from Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

Press Release January 25, 2012 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to Hold  Shrimp Stock Assessment Workshop The Gulf Council will convene a  Shrimp Stock Assessment Workshop  February 14 - 16, 2012, from 8:30 am - 5:00pm daily. The workshop will be held at the NOAA Fisheries Galveston Laboratory, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston, Texas 77551-5997.  The Shrimp Stock Assessment Review Workshop will evaluate the data used in the recent stock assessment and determine whether data uncertainties acknowledged/reported are within normal or expected levels. For example: recruitment deviations; whether data were applied properly within the assessment model; are input data series reliable and sufficient to support the assessment approach and findings; whether selectivity functions are acceptable and biologically realistic for both fisheries independent and dependent data.  The Workshop will also evaluate the assessment findings with respect to the following:  are abundance, exploitation, and biomass estimates reliable and consistent with input data and population biological characteristics, and useful to support status inferences;  are quantitative estimates of the status determination criteria for this stock reliable, and;  how uncertainties in the assessment, and their potential consequences, are addressed.  A Panel Review Report summarizing the evaluation of the stock assessment and addressing each Term of Reference will be developed along with a list of tasks to be completed following the workshop.  Copies of the agenda and other related materials can be obtained by calling 813-348-1630. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Shrimp Stock Assessment Workshop for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting.  Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency. This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at least five working days prior to the meeting.

About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Charlene Ponce Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext. 229

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