June Council Meeting 2021

June 21 – 25, 2021

Hybrid

Virtual via Webinar

and

 On Site at Opal Key Resort & Marina
245 Front Street
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 294-4000

Important Links

In-Person and Virtual Participation Instructions

Register/Log in to Council Meeting via Webinar:  June 21-25, 2021

Register for After Council Meeting Q & A:  Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 5:00 – 6:00 PM EDT

Virtual Participation Including Public Testimony Instructions

Register for Virtual Public Testimony:  Available June 24, 2021, 8:00 AM – 1:15 PM EDT

Note:  These tabs will be updated on June 4, 11, and 18

• Council Committee Roster 2020-2021 (Tab A, No. 2) 
• Committees and Council Agenda (Tab A, No. 3)
• Meetings Minutes from April 2021 Council (Tab A, No. 4)
• 2021 Council Meeting Dates (Tab A, No. 5)
• Action Schedule (Tab A, No. 6)

8:30 AM – 11:30 AM EDT:  CLOSED SESSION (Tab T) – Dr. Frazer

• Finalize Selection of Reef Fish and Shrimp Advisory Panel Members
• Selection of Standing and Special Scientific and Statistical Committee Members

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EDT:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Ms. Bosarge

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab D, No. 1) – Ms. Bosarge
• Approval of April 2021 Minutes (Tab D, No. 2) – Ms. Bosarge
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab D, No. 3) – Dr. Freeman
• Update on Effort Data Collection for 2021 (Tab D, No. 4) – Dr. Gloeckner
  • Background Information – cELB Letter (Tab D, No. 4a)
  • Background Information – SD Card Removal Instructions (Tab D, No. 4b)
• Draft Framework Action: Modification of the Vessel Position Data Collection Program for the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery (Tab D, No. 5) – Dr. Freeman
  • Presentation (Tab D, No. 5a)
  • Background Information – NOAA OLE VMS Type-Approval Specifications (Tab D, No. 5b)
  • Background Information – Shrimp AP Summary, March 2021 (Tab D, No. 5c)
• Update on P-Sea Windplot Pilot Program (Tab D, No. 6) – Dr. Gallaway
• Other Business – Ms. Bosarge

2:45 PM – 4:00 PM EDT: Administrative/Budget Committee (Tab G) – Mr. Dyskow

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab G, No. 1) – Mr. Dyskow
• Approval of January 2021 Minutes (Tab G, No. 2) – Mr. Dyskow
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab G, No. 3) – Dr. Simmons
• Review and Approval of Final Funded 2021 Budget (Tab G, No. 4) – Ms. Hager
• Overview and Discussion of Potential Projects for Council Funding – Dr. Simmons
  • Expanded Sampling and Ageing Study on Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish, with SSC Recommendations (Tab G, No. 5a)
  • Expanded Sampling of the Fleet for Effort Monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Industry (Tab G, No. 5b)
• Discussion of SSC’s Best Practices and Voting Procedures (Tab G, No. 6) – Dr. Simmons / Mr. Rindone
• Other Business – Mr. Dyskow
  • Informational Overview of NMFS Draft Policy 01-116 (Tab G, No. 7a) and NMFS Draft Procedure 01-116-01 (Tab G, No. 7b) – Dr. Simmons / Ms. Levy

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT:  Migratory Species Committee (Tab M) – Dr. Stunz

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab M, No. 1) – Dr. Stunz
• Approval of November 2020 Minutes (Tab M, No. 2) – Dr. Stunz
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab M, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Highly Migratory Species Amendment 13: Three-Year Review of the Individual Bluefin Quota Program that Addresses the Directed Fisheries for Bluefin Tuna, and the Incidental Catch of Bluefin by the Pelagic Longline Fishery
  • Presentation (Tab M, No. 4a) – Mr. Warren
  • Background: Amendment 13 Document (Tab M, No. 4b)
• Other Business – Dr. Stunz

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM EDT:  Mackerel (Tab C) – Mr. Riechers

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab C, No. 1) – Mr. Riechers
• Approval of April 2021 Minutes (Tab C, No. 2) – Mr. Riechers
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab C, No. 3) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Coastal Migratory Pelagics Landings Updates (Tab C, No. 4a) and (Tab C, No. 4b) – Mr. Hood
• Draft Amendment 32:  Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Catch Limits, Possession Limits, Size Limits, and Framework Procedure and South Atlantic Recommendations (Tab C, No. 5) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
  • Background:  Decision Support Tool (Tab C, No. 5a)

10:15 AM – 12:00 PM EDT:  Mackerel (Tab C) continued – Mr. Riechers

• Draft Amendment 33:  Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group King Mackerel Catch Limits and Sector Allocations (Tab C, No. 6) – Mr. Rindone
• Draft Amendment 34:  Atlantic King Mackerel Catch Levels and Management Measures (Tab C, No. 7) – Ms. Wiegand, SAFMC
  • Background:  Decision Document (Tab C, No. 7a)
• Other Business – Mr. Riechers

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EDT:  Habitat Protection and Restoration Committee (Tab P) – Mr. Banks

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab P, No. 1) – Mr. Banks
• Approval of April 2021 Minutes (Tab P, No. 2) – Mr. Banks
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab P, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Draft Options: Generic Essential Fish Habitat Amendment – Dr. Hollensead
  • Presentation (Tab P, No. 4a)
  • Document (Tab P, No. 4b)
  • Background: 2010 5-year Review Response Letter (Tab P, No. 4c)
  • Background: 2016 5-year Review Response Letter (Tab P, No. 4d)
  • Background: Current Gulf Council Habitat Policy (Tab P, No. 4e)

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM EDT:  Habitat Protection and Restoration Committee continued (Tab P) – Mr. Banks

• Discussion Session on President Biden’s E.O. 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
  • Presentation:  America the Beautiful to Conserve 30% of our Nation’s Lands and Waters by 2030 (Tab P, No. 5a) – Dr. Doremus/Mr. Rauch
  • Background:  Preliminary Report (Tab P, No. 5b)
• Section 216 (c): Conserving our Nation’s Lands and Waters
  • Summary of Public Comments (Tab P, No. 6a) – Ms. Muehlstein
  • Draft Recommendations and Letter (Tab P, No. 6b) – Dr. Hollensead
• Other Business

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM EDT:  Red Drum Committee (Tab J) – Gen. Spraggins

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab J, No. 1) – Gen. Spraggins
• Approval of October 2014 Minutes (Tab J, No. 2) – Gen. Spraggins
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab J, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
• Presentation on Process to Modify Red Drum Management Out to 9nm (Tab J, No. 4) – Mr. Rindone
• Other Business – Gen. Spraggins

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM EDT:  Reef Fish Committee (Tab B) – Ms. Guyas

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab B, No. 1) – Ms. Guyas
• Approval of April 2021 Minutes (Tab B, No. 2) – Ms. Guyas
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab B, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
• Review of Reef Fish Landings (Tab B, No. 4a) and Review of Fish ACL Figures (Tab B, No. 4b) – Mr. Hood
• Final Action:  Reef Fish Amendment 53: Red Grouper Allocations and Annual Catch Levels and Targets – Dr. Freeman
  • SSC Review of the Red Grouper Catch Analysis (Tab B, No. 5a) – Dr. Lorenzen
    • Background:  SEFSC Red Grouper Catch Analysis Report (Tab B, No. 5ai)
    • Background:  SSC Meeting Summary Report:  May 3-4, 2021 (Tab B, No. 5aii)
  • Public Comments
    • Public Comments (Tab B, No. 5bi) – Ms. Muehlstein
    • DEIS Comment Summary (Tab B, No. 5bii) – Mr. Hood
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 5c) – Dr. Freeman
  • Document (Tab B, No. 5d) – Dr. Freeman
  • Review of Codified Text (Tab B, No. 5e) – Mr. Hood

10:15 AM – 12:00 PM EDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Ms. Guyas

• Presentation on Greater Amberjack Historical Landings and Potential Management Actions (Tab B, No. 6a) and Table of Greater Amberjack Landings (Tab B, No. 6b) – Dr. Froeschke

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Ms. Guyas

• Overview and Discussion of Individual Fishing Quota Programs Review
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 7a) – Dr. Diagne/Ms. Gray
  • SSC Recommendations (Tab B, No. 5aii) – Dr. Lorenzen
  • Ad-Hoc Reef Fish IFQ AP Recommendations (Tab B, No. 7c) – Dr. Diagne
  • Background:  Individual Fishing Quota Programs Joint Review Document (Tab B, No. 7d)

3:15 PM – 5:00 PM EDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Ms. Guyas

• Reef Fish Amendments 36B and 36C: Modifications to Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs – Dr. Lasseter
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 8a)
  • Document:  Amendment 36B (Tab B, No. 8b)
  • Document:  Amendment 36C (Tab B, No. 8c)
  • Reef Fish AP Summary (Tab B, No. 8d)
  • Ad-Hoc Reef Fish IFQ AP Recommendations (Tab B, No. 7c)
• Other Business – Ms. Guyas

Gulf Council and NOAA Fisheries

Public Virtual Question and Answer Session

featuring Dr. Frazer, Dr. Porch, and Mr. Strelcheck

Wednesday, June 23, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT

Participants will be able to listen online through the GoToWebinar application or through the phone.  If you want to speak to ask a question, you must join the webinar online.  Alternatively, during the meeting, you can email questions to [email protected] or text them to (813) 317-6220 and a staff member will ask on your behalf.

See LINK above to register to join the session online using your computer or smartphone.

To listen in by phone, call :  1-(914) 614-3221 / Audio Access Code:  329-652-909

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM EDT:  Data Collection Committee (Tab F) – Mr. Anson

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab F, No. 1) – Mr. Anson
• Approval of April 2021 Minutes (Tab F, No. 2) – Mr. Anson
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab F, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Update on Southeast For-hire Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) Program (Tab F, No 4) – Mr. Hood/Mr. Malinowski
• Presentation: Draft Options for Electronic Reporting due to Equipment Failure (Tab F, No. 5) – Ms. Somerset
• Other Business – Mr. Anson

10:15 AM – 12:00 PM EDT:  Sustainable Fisheries Committee (Tab E) – Mr. Diaz

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab E, No. 1) – Mr. Diaz
• Approval of January 2021 Minutes (Tab E, No. 2) – Mr. Diaz
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab E, No. 3) – Dr. Diagne
• Summary Report from the Joint Council Section 102 Workgroup (Tab E, No. 4) – Mr. Rindone
• SSC Recommendations on Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rule (Tab E, No. 5) – Dr. Lorenzen
• Manna Fish Farms, Gulf of Mexico Update (Tab E, No. 6) – Dr. Lucas
• Bycatch Reporting Methodology (Tab E, No. 7) – Mr. Luers
• Other Business – Mr. Diaz

All times listed are EDT

• 1:30 PM – 1:35 PM:  Call to Order, Announcements, and Introductions – Dr. Frazer
• 1:35 PM – 1:40 PM:  Adoption of Agenda and Approval of Minutes (Tab A, Nos. 3 and 4 ) – Dr. Frazer
• 1:40 PM – 2:00 PM:  Presentations
  • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) (Tab A, No. 7) – ASAC O’Malley
  • Commercial Fish Rules App Overview (Tab A, No. 8) – Ms. Muehlstein

All times listed are EDT

2:15 PM – 5:30 PM:  Public Comment – Dr. Frazer

• Final Action:  Reef Fish Amendment 53:  Red Grouper Allocations and Annual Catch Levels and Targets
• Comments on E.O. 14008 Sec 216c: Conserving Our Nations Lands and Waters
• Open Testimony on Other Fishery Issues or Concerns

All times listed are EDT

• • • Committee Reports 
      • 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Ms. Bosarge 
      • 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM:  Administrative/Budget (Tab G) – Mr. Dyskow 
      • 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM:  Migratory Species (Tab M) – Dr. Stunz
      • 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM:  Mackerel (Tab C) – Mr. Riechers
      • 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM:  Habitat Protection & Restoration (Tab P) – Mr. Banks 

All times listed are EDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued 
      • 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM:  Data Collection (Tab F) – Mr. Anson 
      • 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM:  Sustainable Fisheries (Tab E) – Mr. Diaz

All times listed are EDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued
      • 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM:  Reef Fish (Tab B) – Ms. Guyas 
      • 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM:  Red Drum (Tab J) – Gen. Spraggins

All times listed are EDT

• • • 3:15 PM – 3:30 PM:  Closed Session Report (Tab T) – Dr. Frazer 
    • 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM:  Supporting Agencies Update (Tab R) – Dr. Frazer
      • South Atlantic Council Liaison – Mr. Brewer
      • Florida Law Enforcement Efforts (Tab R, No. 2) – Cpt. Pearce
      • Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission – Mr. Donaldson
      • U.S. Coast Guard
      • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
      • Department of State
    • 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM:  Other Business (Tab U) – Dr. Frazer