August Council Meeting Preview

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will meet next week, August 20-23, at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas, to make some important fishery management decisions. You’re welcome to join us in person or you can watch a live broadcast of the meeting. 

Public comment will be held Wednesday August 22^nd, from 1:30 – 5:00. If you aren’t able to come and testify in person, visit our “Amendments Under Development” web page to learn about the different issues we’re working on and submit your comments.

Photo: Scott Toliver

The meeting agenda and materials will help you prepare for the meeting. The following is a summary of some issues the Council plans to address:

Recreational Red Snapper ACT Buffers

After hearing a summary of public comment received on the issue, the Council plans to take final action on a Framework action that considers modifying the buffers between the annual catch target (ACT) and annual catch limit (ACL) for the for-hire and private components of the recreational sector.An ACT is the level of harvest, set by the Council, below the ACL to account for management uncertainty and reduce the chance that the ACL is exceeded. The Council’s current preferred alternatives would apply the ACL/ACT Control Rule to set the for-hire component ACT 9% below its ACL though the end of 2019.  The private angling component ACT would remain at 20% below its ACL and the total recreational sector ACT would be 15% below the recreational sector ACL. 

Watch the public hearing video

Submit comments

Photo: Randy Lumsden

Red Snapper and Hogfish Catch Limits

The Council plans to take final action on a Framework Action that considers modifying red snapper and hogfish catch limits. Recent stock assessments have determined that red snapper and hogfish are not experiencing overfishing and are not considered to be overfished. The Council’s scientific advisors, the Scientific and Statistical Committee, updated the Acceptable Biological Catch levels for both species and the Council is considering updating the catch limits to reflect those changes. 

Watch the public hearing video

Submit comments

Spiny Lobster Gear and Management Procedures

The Council will hear a summary of comments received on Spiny Lobster Amendment 13 and take final action on this Amendment which considers modifying gear requirements and the cooperative management procedures for spiny lobster. The Council’s current preferred alternatives would align federal regulations with Florida’s regulations and allow Florida to request changes to spiny lobster federal regulations through the NMFS rulemaking process.

Watch the public hearing video

Submit comments

Cobia Size and Possession Limits

Photo: Mary Ochello Jackson

The Council will continue to work on Coastal Migratory Pelagic Framework Action 7, which considers modifying the Gulf cobia minimum size and possessi

on limits. The Council’s current preferred alternatives align with the State of Florida’s recent changes, and would decrease the recreational and commercial possession limit to one fish per day and create a commercial and recreational vessel limit of two cobia per day.

State Management of Recreational Red Snapper

The Council will continue working on a draft amendment that considers permanently allowing each Gulf state to manage a portion of the recreational red snapper quota in federal waters. The 2018 and 2019 red snapper seasons are being managed by the Gulf States through Exempted Fishing Permits which allow the States to manage a portion of the recreational red snapper quota. 

June Council 2016 Meeting Preview

Photo Credit: Primofish

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meets next week at the Hilton in Clearwater Beach, Florida to discuss some important fisheries issues.  You’re welcome to join us. Since it’s not always practical to travel to a meeting, you can watch this live broadcast from the comfort of your home or office if you prefer.

Public comment is set for Wednesday, June 22 at 1:45 pm. If you can’t testify in person, visit this page to submit comments and learn about the different fisheries management issues we’re currently working on.

You can also check out this the meeting agenda and briefing materials to prepare for the meeting. The following is a quick look at some of the issues the Council will address next week:

Photo: Emily Muehlstein

Hogfish

After hearing a summary of the comments received during public hearings, the Council plans to take final action on Reef Fish Amendment 43, which considers changes to hogfish management. A recent stock assessment prompted the Council to consider changing the jurisdictional boundary of the hogfish stock in the Gulf and revise hogfish annual catch limits. The Council is also considering increasing the commercial and recreational minimum size limits for hogfish.

Click here to watch a short video on the proposed changes

Click here to read the amendment guide

Click here to submit comment

Red Snapper Sector Separation Sunset Provision

After hearing a summary of the comments received during public hearings, the Council plans to take final action on Amendment 45, which considers changing the sunset provision that will end the separate management of private anglers and federally permitted charter boats at the end of 2017.

Click here to watch a short video on the proposed changes

Click here to read the amendment guide

Click here to submit comment

Photo: Emily Muehlstein

Spiny Lobster

The Council is considering increasing the spiny lobster annual catch limit. This proposed revision is triggered by two factors; the combined commercial and recreational spiny lobster harvest has exceeded the annual catch limit in two of the past four years, and the Gulf Council’s scientific advisors increased the spiny lobster acceptable biological catch level.

Triggerfish

A recent stock assessment indicates that the triggerfish stock remains overfished. The Council’s scientific advisors revised the acceptable biological catch levels and the Council needs to consider developing a new rebuilding plan for the stock.  Along with determining new catch levels for the stock, the Council will also consider changes to the recreational bag limits, size limits, and closed season; and commercial closed season and trip limit.

Red Snapper Management for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels

The Council will discuss the latest draft of Reef Fish Amendment 41, which considers creating a red snapper management plan for federally permitted for-hire vessels fishing under the for-hire component of the recreational red snapper allocation.

Click here to submit comments

Photo: Emily Muehlstein

Federal Reef Fish Headboat Management

The Council will review the input received from its Ad Hoc Reef Fish Headboat Advisory Panel and discuss a revised draft of Reef Fish Amendment 42 which considers creating a management plan for federally permitted headboats fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Click here to submit comments

After the Council meeting we’ll host a wrap-up webinar to review what happened. Please join us at 6 p.m. EST Wednesday, June 29^, for a quick presentation followed by a question and answer session.

Register here

As always, if you have any questions you’re welcome to email us.

April 2016 Council Meeting Preview

Photo: Joseph Cawthon

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meets next week at the Doubletree Hotel in Austin, Texas to discuss some important decisions for our Gulf of Mexico fisheries. One of the hottest topics on the agenda is a presentation from National Marine Fisheries Service on this year's recreational red snapper season projection. 

You’re always welcome to join us in person but, since it’s not always practical to travel for a meeting, you can also watch a live broadcast of the meeting. This agenda and the background materials will help you be prepared for what the Council is addressing.

Public comment will be held on Wednesday, April 6th at 1:45 pm. If you can’t make it to the meeting to testify, visit this page on our website to submit comments and learn about all of the fisheries management issues we’re currently working on.

Here’s a quick look at some of the issues the Council will address next week: 

Modifications to Charter Vessel and Headboat Reporting 

The Council is working on an amendment that considers modifying the frequency and method of reporting for charter vessels and headboats fishing for reef fish and coastal migratory pelagics in the Gulf of Mexico. In January, the Council requested that the Southeast Fishery Science Center develop a flowchart illustrating alternatives for implementing electronic reporting for federally permitted for-hire vessels. During the April meeting, the Council will review the alternatives outlined in the flowchart and hear an update on the commercial electronic reporting pilot program. 

Click here to submit comments

Photo: George Niles

King Mackerel

The Council is scheduled to take final action on Amendment 26 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics fishery management plan. Amendment 26 considers changing allocations, stock boundaries, and sale provisions for king mackerel in the Gulf and South Atlantic. 

Click here to watch a short video on the proposed changes

Click here to submit comments

Red Snapper Management for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels

The Council will review the input received from the its Ad Hoc Red Snapper Charter-for-Hire Advisory Panel on Reef Fish Amendment 41 which considers creating a red snapper management plan for federally permitted for-hire vessels fishing under the for-hire component of the recreational red snapper allocation. The Council will also discuss the latest draft of the amendment and decide how to move forward.

Click here to submit comments

Federal Reef Fish Headboat Management

The Council will also review a revised draft of Reef Fish Amendment 42 which considers creating a management plan for federally permitted headboats fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Click here to submit comments

Photo: Ava Lasseter

Framework Action - Modify Red Grouper Annual Catch Limit

Based on its science advisors’ conclusions, the Council is considering whether to increase the ACL, which can be set below or equal to the acceptable biological catch (ABC).  The Council is scheduled to take final action on this Framework Amendment. 

Click here to watch a short video on the proposed changes

Click here to submit comments

Shrimp Amendment 17B

The Council will discuss Shrimp Amendment 17B which considers shrimp permit issues such as setting a minimum threshold number of Gulf shrimp vessel permits and whether to create a Gulf shrimp vessel permit reserve pool, specification of optimum yield, and issues about transiting in federal waters. The Council recently convened a working group to estimate the aggregate maximum sustainable yield and optimum yield for all shrimp species, and a summary report of that meeting will be provided to the Council.

Click here to submit comments

Photo: Emily Muehlstein

Hogfish Annual Catch Limit, Minimum Size Limit, and Stock Definition

The Gulf Council is will review a public hearing draft of an Amendment that considers taking responsibility for the western stock of hogfish, which is located entirely in the Gulf of Mexico jurisdiction. The Council is also considering setting an annual catch limit and increasing both the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for hogfish. 

Click here to submit comments

As always, if you have any questions or concerns contact us at gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org

January 2016 Council Meeting Preview

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meets next week at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama to make some important decisions about our fishery.

The Council plans to take final action on a number of different issues - regional management of recreational red snapper, shrimp, and electronic reporting for for-hire vessels. Development of amendments on hogfish, yellowtail, triggerfish, and red snapper management for charter vessels and headboats will also be discussed.

You’re welcome to join us in person or watch a live broadcast of the meeting. This agenda will help you figure out when the Council plans to discuss the topics that interest you. Here are all the background materials available you’ll want to follow along.

Photo: Mark Miller

Public comment will be held from 1:30 – 5:30 on Wednesday, January 27.

Below you’ll find a quick explanation of some of the topics that will be addressed next week.

Regional Management of Recreational Red Snapper

The Council plans to take final action on Reef Fish Amendment 39, which considers dividing the recreational red snapper quota among different regions in the Gulf to allow for the creation of different management measures that best suit each area.  The Council will hear summaries of the comments received during public hearings held in December before making final management decisions. Watch this video tutorial on the amendment if you’re interested in knowing more.

Electronic Charter Vessel Reporting Amendment

The Council is scheduled to take final action on this amendment, which considers modifying the frequency and method of reporting for charter and headboats fishing for reef fish and coastal migratory pelagics in the Gulf of Mexico. Before making any decisions, the Council will review the comments that have been submitted. Check out this quick video if you would like to learn more about what’s being considered.

Expiration of the Shrimp Permit Moratorium and the Future of the Royal Red Endorsement

In October of this year, the moratorium on issuing new shrimp permits is scheduled to expire. In Shrimp Amendment 17A, the Council is expected to make a final decision on whether to end or extend the moratorium. The Council will also decided whether to continue requiring shrimpers to hold a Royal Red Shrimp Endorsement to harvest royal reds.

Red Snapper Management for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels

The Council will review the input received from the public during scoping workshops on Reef Fish Amendment 41 which considers creating a red snapper management plan for federally permitted for-hire vessels fishing under the for-hire component of the recreational red snapper allocation. The Council will discuss the latest draft of the amendment and make suggestions on how to move forward.

Federal Reef Fish Headboat Management

The Council will review scoping comments on Reef Fish Amendment42 which considers creating a management plan for federally permitted headboats fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. The Council will discuss how to move forward and consider which species to include, and how to manage the fishery.

Photo: Emily Muehlstein

Hogfish Annual Catch Limit, Minimum Size Limit, and Stock Definition

The most recent hogfish stock assessment determined that there are three separate stocks throughout the Gulf and South Atlantic Council jurisdictions. The Gulf Council is considering taking responsibility for the western stock, which is located entirely in the Gulf of Mexico jurisdiction. The Council is also considering setting an annual catch limit and increasing the minimum size limit for hogfish.

Recreational Red Snapper Annual Catch Target

The annual catch target is a level of harvest set below the annual catch limit. The annual catch target provides a buffer to ensure the annual catch limit is not exceeded. Currently the annual catch target for recreational red snapper is set 20% below the catch limit. Since the recreational sector has not met the annual catch limit in recent years, the Council is considering reducing the buffer to allow for a greater level of harvest before the season is closed.

Photo: Chris Phillips

King Mackerel

The Council will review a draft of Amendment 26 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics fishery management plan, which considers changing allocations, stock boundaries, and sale provisions for king mackerel in the Gulf and South Atlantic. Stay tuned, public hearings will be scheduled for February.