Gulf Council to Hold In-Person and Virtual Public Hearings on Cobia

Gulf Council to Hold In-Person and Virtual Public Hearings on Cobia

For Immediate Release September 17, 2021   The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold eight in-person public hearings and one webinar to solicit public comments on Draft Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment 32: Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Catch Limits, Possession Limits, Size Limits, and Framework Procedure.   Amendment 32 considers modifying cobia catch limits, apportionment between the Gulf and Florida East Coast (FLEC) Zones, sector allocations in the FLEC Zone, and management measures including possession limits, vessel/trip limits, and minimum size limits. The recent SEDAR 28 Update stock assessment showed that the cobia stock is not overfished but is currently experiencing overfishing. The assessment used the new Marine Recreational Information Program’s Fishing Effort Survey (MRIP-FES) estimates which increased the estimates of recreational catch and effort. Based on the assessment, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committees recommended new overfishing limits and acceptable biological catch levels for 2021-2023 and subsequent years. While the assessment projections appear to allow for increased harvest, under MRIP-FES they actually represent an approximately 33% reduction from the current allowable harvest. The Council is required to end overfishing and is considering updating cobia catch limits and management measures.   The public hearings will begin at 6:00 PM and conclude no later than 9:00 PM, local time. In-person attendees will be required to follow the most up-to-date COVID-19 protocols determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local and state guidelines. Dates and locations are as follows In-Person Hearings   Monday, October 4, 2021 Destin, Florida Destin Community Center 100 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL 32541   Tuesday, October 5, 2021 Gulfport, Mississippi Holiday Inn Gulfport-Airport Hotel 9515 Highway 49, Gulfport, MS 39503   Wednesday, October 6, 2021 Corpus Christi, Texas Omni Bayfront, 900 North Shoreline Boulevard Corpus Christi, TX 78401   Thursday, October 7, 2021 Galveston, Texas Hilton Galveston Island, 5400 Seawall Boulevard Galveston, TX 77551    Wednesday, October 13, 2021 Madeira Beach, FL The City Centre at City Hall 300 Municipal Dr. Madeira Beach, FL 33708   Thursday, October 14, 2021 Baton Rouge, Louisiana Crowne Plaza Baton Rouge 4728 Constitution Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70808    Monday, October 18, 2021 Ft. Myers, Florida Crowne Plaza Ft. Myers at Bell Tower Shops 13051 Bell Tower Drive Ft. Myers, FL 33907   Monday, October 25, 2021 Orange Beach, Alabama Perdido Beach Resort 27200 Perdido Beach Resort Boulevard, Orange Beach, AL 36561     Webinar Hearing  Tuesday, October 19, 202: 6-9 PM, EDT Register for the Webinar https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2394715852160838667   To view the document and supplemental materials, or to submit comments, follow the links below:   Read the Document Submit Comments Read Comments   Written public comments must be received by 5:00 PM on October 19, 2021. If you have any questions, email our Council office at gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org

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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.

Emily Muehlstein Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext.2380

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