Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to Convene its Special Coral Scientific and Statistical Committee

Meeting Notice February 14, 2012 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to Convene its Special Coral Scientific and Statistical Committee The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Special Coral Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 8, 2012, concluding no later than 4:30 p.m., and will be held at the Gulf Council office, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, in Tampa, Florida.   During its meeting, the SSC will discuss and provide expert guidance to Council staff on two projects that are part of a NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program grant that addresses the relationship between trends in coral reef communities and their associated fisheries. The first project involves development of a publicly accessible spatial database of Gulf of Mexico corals and related fisheries information that will be used to enhance spatial planning and management actions. The Committee will provide expert advice and recommendations about datasets and data sources, as well as data gaps and needs. The second project involves convening a workshop of respected coral experts and managers to examine the interrelationships between corals and fisheries relative to long-term trends in coral condition. The SSC will provide recommendations about participants and potential conference topics, including threats to coral health, management, coral habitats, habitat suitability models, and emerging research.  Copies of the agenda and other related materials can be obtained by calling 813-348-1630, or by visiting www.gulfcouncil.org. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the SSC 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 by the SSC will be restricted to those issues 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 the Council 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.        The Gulf Council has an APP for that - Download it for free!         iPhone         Droid

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

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