June Council Meeting 2022

Important Links

Virtual Participation Instructions Including Virtual Public Testimony

Register/Log in to Council Meeting via Webinar:  June 21-24, 2022

Register for Virtual Public Testimony:  Available Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 8:00 AM through Thursday, June 23, 2022, 1:45 PM EDT

Note:  These tabs will be updated on June 3, 10, and 17

• Council Committee Roster (Tab A, No. 2) 
• Committees and Council Agenda (Tab A, No. 3)
• April 2022 Council Meeting Minutes (Tab A, No. 4)
• 2022 Council Meeting Dates (Tab A, No. 5)
• Action Schedule (Tab A, No. 6)

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM EDT:  Habitat Protection and Restoration (Tab P) – Mr. Gill

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab P, No. 1) – Mr. Gill
• Approval of January 2022 Minutes (Tab P, No. 2) – Mr. Gill
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab P, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Essential Fish Habitat Generic Amendment – Dr. Hollensead
  • Presentation (Tab P, No. 4a)
  • Document (Tab P, No. 4b)
  • Background:  Habitat Spatial Layers Metadata (Tab P, No. 4c)
  • Background:  Data to inform Alternatives 3 and 4 (Tab P, No. 4d)
  • Background:  Comparison of Regional Council EFH methods (Tab P, No. 4e)
• Results of the Aquaculture Opportunity Area Atlas for the Gulf of Mexico (Tab P, No. 5) – Mr. Richard
• Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in the Gulf of Mexico – Mr. Richard
  • Presentation (Tab P, No. 6a)
  • Background:  Summary of AOA Options Atlas (Tab P, No. 6b)
  • Background:  AOA PEIS Announcement (Tab P, No. 6c)
  • Background:  FRN (Tab P, No. 6d)

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM EDT:  Habitat Protection and Restoration continued (Tab P) – Mr. Gill

• Update on Ocean Era and Manna Fish Farms Projects in the Gulf of Mexico (Tab P, No. 7) – Mr. Richard
• America the Beautiful 30 x 30 CCC Area-based Management Subcommittee Update – Dr. Froeschke
  • Background: Final Report: Evaluation of Conservation Areas in the U.S. EEZ (Tab P, No. 8a)
• Other Business – Mr. Gill

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM EDT:  Coral (Tab N) – Dr. Frazer

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab N, No. 1) – Dr. Frazer
• Approval of January 2020 Minutes (Tab N, No. 2) – Dr. Frazer
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab N, No. 3) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Results from Coral RFP: Gulf of Mexico Mesophotic and Deepwater Coral Assessment
  • Presentation (Tab N, No. 4a) – Mr. Viada
  • Background: Report (Tab N, No. 4b)
  • Background: Dashboard (Tab N, No. 4c)
• Joint Coral AP and Coral SSC Recommendations and Proposed Next Steps (Tab N, No. 5) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
  • Background:  February 2022 Meeting Summary (Tab N, No. 5a)
• Other Business – Dr. Frazer

1:00 PM – 3:15 PM EDT:  Mackerel Committee (Tab C) – Mr. Riechers

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab C, No. 1) – Mr. Riechers
• Approval of April 2022 Minutes (Tab C, No. 2) – Mr. Riechers
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab C, No. 3) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Review of Coastal Migratory Pelagics Landings – Ms. O’Donnell
  • Presentation (Tab C, No. 4a)
  • ACL Updates (Tab C, No. 4b)
• Final Action: Framework Amendment 11:  Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group King Mackerel Catch Limits
  • Document (Tab C, No. 5a) – Mr. Rindone
  • Public Comments (Tab C, 5b) – Ms. Muehlstein
  • Codified Text (Tab C, No. 5c) – Ms. Levy
• Research Set Aside (RSA)  Presentations
  • New England Council (Tab C, No. 6a) – Mr. Peros
  • Mid-Atlantic Council (Tab C, No. 6b) – Mr. Muffley
  • Background Information:  Links Relevant to RSA Programs (Tab C, No. 6c)
  • Background Information: Mid-Atlantic Council’s RSA Program Comparisons (Tab C, No. 6d)
  • Background Information: Thesis on Measuring the Performance of the Northeastern United States Research Set Aside Programs (Tab C, No. 6e)
• Draft Amendment 33: Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group King Mackerel Sector Allocation – Dr. Freeman
  • Presentation (Tab C, No. 7a)
  • Document (Tab C, No. 7b)
• Other Business – Mr. Riechers

3:30 PM – 4:45 PM EDT:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Ms. Bosarge

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab D, No. 1) – Ms. Bosarge
• Approval of April 2022 Minutes (Tab D, No. 2) – Ms. Bosarge
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab D, No. 3) – Dr. Freeman
• Update on Testing and Development of Options Proposed as Replacements for the Historical cELB Devices for the Gulf Shrimp Fishery
  • NMFS’ Side-by-side Pilot Testing of cVMS and Historical cELB Units on Gulf Shrimp Vessels (Tab D. No. 4a) – Mr. Wallace (SEFSC)
  • LGL’s Research on P-Sea WindPlot Modifications (Tab D, No. 4b) – Mr. Putman (LGL)
• Finfish Commercial Logbook Reporting: Considerations Related to the Potential Applicability of this System to Shrimp Effort Collection (Tab D, No. 5) – Dr. Brown
• Updated Draft Framework Action:  Modification of the Vessel Position Data Collection Program for the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery – Dr. Freeman
  • Presentation (Tab D, No. 6a)
  • Document (Tab D, No. 6b)
  • Summary of the March 2022 Shrimp Advisory Panel Meeting (Tab D, No. 6c)
• SSC Recommendations – Dr. Nance
  • SSC Presentation (pages 1-4) (Tab B, No. 10a)
  • May 2022 SSC Summary Report (Tab B, No. 10b)
• Other Business – Ms. Bosarge

5:00 PM – 5:15 PM EDT:  Closed Session

• Finalize Selection of Coral, Data Collection, and Spiny Lobster Advisory Panel Members

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM EDT:  Reef Fish Committee (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab B, No. 1) – Dr. Frazer
• Approval of April 2022 Minutes (Tab B, No. 2) – Dr. Frazer
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab B, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
• Review of Reef Fish and Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Landings – Ms. O’Donnell
  • Reef Fish Landings Presentation (Tab B, No. 4a)
  • IFQ Landings Presentation (Tab B, No. 4b)
  • ACL Updates (Tab B, No. 4c)
  • Status of Revised Recreational Red Snapper Calibration Ratios – Dr. Cody
• Draft Amendment 54: Modifications to the Greater Amberjack Catch Limits and Sector Allocations, and other Rebuilding Plan Modifications – Dr. Froeschke
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 5a)
  • Document (Tab B, No. 5b)

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

• Draft Emergency Rule to Modify Recreational and Commercial Greater Amberjack Fishing Seasons – Ms. O’Donnell
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 6a)
  • Document (Tab B, No. 6b)
• Draft Options: Modification of Catch Limits for Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper (Tab B, No. 7) – Mr. Rindone

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM EDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer

• Presentation and Discussion of Gulf of Mexico Gag Grouper Interim Rule – SERO
  • Presentation: Regional Fishery Dynamics (Tab B, No. 8a) – Mr. Rindone
  • Presentation:  Interim Measures for Gag (Tab B, No. 8b)

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM EDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer

• IFQ Focus Group Update – Dr. Lasseter
• Review of SEFSC Analysis of Historical Red Grouper Stock Assessments using Alternative Marine Recreational Information Program Landings Data – Dr. Nance
  • Presentation (pages 5-8) (Tab B, No. 10a)
  • Background: May 2022 SSC Summary Report (Tab B, No. 10b)
• Discussion of Goliath Grouper Closure and Federal Catch Limits – Dr. Nance
  • Presentation (pages 9-15) (Tab B, No. 10a)
  • Background: May 2022 SSC Summary Report (Tab B, No. 10b)
• Presentation: Return ‘Em Right (Tab B, No. 12) – Mr. Haddad
• Other Business – Dr. Frazer

4:45 PM – 5:15 PM EDT:  Gulf SEDAR Committee (Tab I) – Mr. Diaz

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab I, No. 1) – Mr. Diaz
• Approval of October 2021 Minutes (Tab I, No. 2) – Mr. Diaz
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab I, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
• Summary Report of May 9, 2022 SEDAR Steering Committee Meeting – Dr. Simmons
  • Presentation (Tab I, No. 4a)
  • Report (Tab I, No. 4b)
  • Gulf of Mexico SEDAR Stock Assessment Schedule (Tab I, No. 4c) – Background
  • All May 9, 2022 SEDAR Steering Committee Materials
• Other Business – Mr. Diaz

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM EDT:  Data Collection Committee (Tab F) – Ms. Boggs

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab F, No. 1) – Ms. Boggs
• Approval of April 2022 Minutes (Tab F, No. 2) – Ms. Boggs
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab F, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Final Action: Framework Action:  Modification to Location Reporting Requirements for For-Hire Vessels – Ms. Somerset
  • Document (Tab F, No. 4a)
  • Public Comment (Tab F, No. 4b)
  • Codified Text (Tab F, No. 4c)
• Update on Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) Program (Tab F, No. 5) – Dr. Masi

9:45 AM – 11:15 AM EDT:  Data Collection Committee continued (Tab F) – Ms. Boggs

• Presentation on Framework Action to Modify For-hire Trip Declaration Requirements (Tab F, No. 6) – Ms. Somerset
• Draft Options Joint Amendment to Require Electronic Reporting for Commercial Logbooks Presentation (Tab F, No. 7) – Dr. Hollensead
  • Background: SEFSC Presentation to Data Collection AP (Tab F, No. 7a)
• Presentation:  Overview and Demonstration of new SERO-Permits System (Tab F, No. 8) – Mr. McIntosh
• Other Business – Ms. Boggs

All times listed are EDT

• 11:30 – 11:35 AM:  Call to Order, Announcements, and Introductions – Mr. Diaz
• 11:35 – 11:50 AM:  Presentation of the 2021 Law Enforcement Team of the Year Award – Gen. Spraggins / Mr. Diaz
• 11:50 AM – 12:00 PM:  Adoption of Agenda (Tab A, No. 3) and Approval of Minutes (Tab A, No. 4 ) – Mr. Diaz

All times listed are EDT

• 1:30 – 2:30 PM:  Presentations:
  • NOAA Fisheries’ Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy – Ms. Blough and Dr. Stoffle
    • • Presentation (Tab A, No. 7a)
      • Strategy (Tab A, No. 7b)
      • GMFMC Draft Comment Letter (Tab A, No. 7c) – Dr. Simmons
    • Update on CCC informal-working group: Equity and Environmental Justice in Fisheries Management (Tab A, No. 7d) – Dr. Lasseter
  • Update from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Wind Energy Development in the Gulf of Mexico (Tab A, No. 8) – Ms. Matthews
  • ICCAT Presentation – Dr. Stunz

VIRTUAL COMMENTERS ONLY:  Registration available beginning on June 21 at 8:00 AM through June 23 at 1:45 PM EDT

All times listed are EDT

2:45 PM – 5:15 PM:  Public Comment – Mr. Diaz

• Final Action: Framework Action:  Modification to Location Reporting Requirements for For-Hire Vessels (Tab F, No. 4a)
• Final Action: Final Draft Framework Amendment 11:  Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group King Mackerel Catch Limits (Tab C, No. 5a)
• Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in the Gulf of Mexico Notice of Intent
• Open Testimony on Other Fishery Issues or Concerns
• General Written Public Comment

All times listed are EDT

• • • Committee Reports 
      • 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM:  Coral (Tab N) – Dr. Frazer 
      • 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM:  Habitat Protection and Restoration (Tab P) – Mr. Gill
      • 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM:  Mackerel (Tab C) – Mr. Riechers
      • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Ms. Bosarge

All times listed are EDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued 
      • 10:15 AM – 12:00 PM:  Reef Fish (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer 

All times listed are EDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued
      • 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM:  Reef Fish continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer
      • 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM:  Data Collection (Tab F) – Ms. Boggs
      • 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM:  Gulf SEDAR (Tab I) – Mr. Diaz
      • 2:45 PM – 2:50 PM:  Closed Session Report (Tab T) – Mr. Diaz

All times listed are EDT

• • • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM:  Supporting Agencies Update (Tab R) – Mr. Diaz
      • • South Atlantic Council Liaison (Tab R, No. 1) – Mr. Brewer
        • Florida Law Enforcement Efforts (Tab R, No. 2) – Capt. Pearce
        • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) – DSAC Gregory
          • Fiscal Year 2022, Quarter 2 Fishery Management Council Report (Tab R, No. 3a)
          • Presentation:  FY 2022 Quarter 2 Enforcement Overview (Tab R, No. 3b)
        • Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission – Mr. Donaldson
        • U.S. Coast Guard (Tab R, No. 3c) – LCDR Motoi
        • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
        • Department of State
    • 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM:  Other Business (Tab U) – Mr. Diaz