June Council Meeting 2023

Important Links

Virtual Participation Instructions Including Virtual Public Testimony

Register/Log in to Council Meeting via Webinar:  June 5 – 8, 2023

Register for Virtual Public Testimony:  Available Monday, June 5, 2023, 8:00 AM – Wednesday, June 7, 1:00 PM CDT

Note:  These tabs will be updated on May 19, 26, and June 2

• Council Committee Roster (October 2022 through August 2023) (Tab A, No. 2) 
• Committees and Council Agenda (Tab A, No. 3)
• April 2023 Council Meeting Minutes (Tab A, No. 4)
• 2023 Council Meeting Dates (Tab A, No. 5)
• Action Schedule (Tab A, No. 6)

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM CDT:  Law Enforcement Committee (Tab L) – Gen. Spraggins, Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab L, No. 1) – Gen. Spraggins
• Approval of October 2022 Minutes (Tab L, No. 2) – Gen. Spraggins
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab L, No. 3) – Dr. Froeschke
• Law Enforcement Technical Committee (LETC) Meeting Summary from March 2023 Meeting (Tab L, No. 4) – Dr. Froeschke
• Other Business – Gen. Spraggins

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM CDT:  Ecosystem Committee (Tab Q) – Mr. Anson, Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab Q, No. 1) – Mr. Anson
• Approval of April 2022 Minutes (Tab Q, No. 2) – Mr. Anson
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab Q, No. 3) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Ecosystem Technical Committee Report – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
  • Meeting Summary (Tab Q, No. 4a)
  • Presentation (Tab Q, No. 4b)
• SSC Recommendations on a Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Model (GoMEM) to Support Fisheries Management (Tab B, No. 8a) – Mr. Mareska
  • a. Background: SSC May 2023 Meeting Summary Report (Tab B, No. 8b)
• Other Business – Mr. Anson

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM CDT:  Data Collection Committee (Tab F) – Ms. Boggs, Chair 

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab F, No. 1) – Ms. Boggs
• Approval of April 2023 Minutes (Tab F, No. 2) – Ms. Boggs
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab F, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• SEFHIER Program Update and Next Steps (Tab F, No. 4) – Dr. Stephen
  • Background: Electronic Reporting for For-Hire Vessels Document (Tab F, No. 4a)
• Status Update on Plan with GSMFC and NMFS on the Private Angler Permit – Mr. Donaldson
• Other Business – Ms. Boggs

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM CDT:  Shrimp Committee (Tab D) – Mr. Banks, Chair/Mr. Schieble

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab D, No. 1) – Mr. Banks/Mr. Schieble
• Approval of April 2023 Minutes (Tab D, No. 2) – Mr. Banks/Mr. Schieble
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab D, No. 3) – Dr. Freeman
• Next Steps for Congressional Funding Budget for Shrimp Vessel Position Data Reporting – Dr. Walter
  • Presentation (Tab D, No. 4ai)
  • Document (Tab D, No. 4aii)
  • Summary of the May 18, 2023 Shrimp Advisory Panel Webinar Meeting (Tab D, No. 4b) – Dr. Freeman
  • Background Information:  Proposed Changes from the Shrimp AP to NMFS’ Draft Budget Proposal for Congressional Funds for Shrimp Vessel Position Data Reporting (Tab D, No. 4c)
• Other Business – Mr. Banks/Mr. Schieble

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM CDT:  Sustainable Fisheries Committee (Tab E) – Dr. Sweetman, Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab E, No. 1) – Dr. Sweetman
• Approval of April 2023 Minutes (Tab E, No. 2) – Dr. Sweetman
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab E, No. 3) – Dr. Diagne
• Overview Presentation on Rice’s Whale Status and Recent Speed Limit Petition in the Gulf of Mexico
  • Presentation (Tab E, No. 4a) – Mr. Baysinger
  • Background and Additional Data Sources on Rice’s Whale Status and the Speed Limit Petition in the Gulf of Mexico (Tab E, No. 4b)
• Review of Multi-year Annual Catch Limits (Tab E, No. 5) – SEFSC Staff

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM CDT:  Sustainable Fisheries Committee continued (Tab E) – Dr. Sweetman, Chair

• SSC Recommendations on Report from the MRIP Transition Team on Red Snapper and Other Species in Gulf State Supplemental Surveys (Tab B, No. 8a) – Mr. Mareska
  • Background: SSC May 2023 Meeting Summary Report (Tab B, No. 8b)
• SSC Recommendations on the Evaluation of Interim Analysis Process (Tab B, No. 8a) – Mr. Mareska
  • Background: SSC May 2023 Meeting Summary Report (Tab B, No. 8b)
• SSC Recommendations on Management Strategy Evaluation Workshop (Tab B, No. 8a) – Dr. Saul
  • Background: SSC May 2023 Meeting Summary Report (Tab B, No. 8b)
• Other Business – Dr. Sweetman

4:50 – 5:15 PM CDT:  Closed Session (Tab T) – Dr. Stunz, Chair

• Selection of Coastal Migratory Pelagic AP Members

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

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab B, No. 1) – Dr. Frazer
• Approval of April 2023 Minutes (Tab B, No. 2) – Dr. Frazer
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab B, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
• IFQ Objectives
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 4a) – Dr. Stephen
  • Background:  SERO proposed IFQ-Related Issues List (Tab B, No. 4b)
  • Background:  Red Snapper and Grouper-Tilefish IFQ Programs Review (2021) (Tab B, No. 4c)
  • Background:  NMFS’ Red Snapper IFQ Program Annual Report (2021) (Tab B, No. 4d)
  • Background:  NMFS’ Grouper-Tilefish IFQ Program Annual Report (2021) (Tab B, No. 4e)
  • Background:  Agar et al. paper (Tab B, No. 4f)
  • IFQ Fact Sheet (Tab B, No. 4g)
  • Frequently Asked Questions for Active IFQ Participants (Tab B, No. 4h)
  • Background:  Draft Amendment 36B (Tab B, No. 4i)
  • Background:  Draft Amendment 36C (Tab B, No. 4j)

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

• Discussion of IFQ Program Objectives continued

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

• Review of State Survey Private Angling Landings and Discards for Red Snapper
  • Florida Presentation (Tab B, No. 5a) – Dr. Sweetman
  • Alabama Presentation (Tab B, No. 5b) – Mr. Anson
  • Mississippi Presentation (Tab B, No. 5c) – Gen. Spraggins
  • Louisiana Presentation (Tab B, No. 5d) – Mr. Schieble
  • Texas Presentation (Tab B, No. 5e) – Mr. Geeslin
• FINAL ACTION: Recalibration of Red Snapper Recreational Catch Limits and Modification of Gray Snapper Catch Limits – Dr. Hollensead
  • Document (Tab B, No. 6a)
  • Public Comments Received (Tab B, No. 6b) – Ms. Muehlstein
  • Review of Codified Text (Tab B, No. 6c) – SERO Staff
• Draft Framework Action: Modifications to Recreational and Commercial Greater Amberjack Management Measures
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 7a) – Dr. Hollensead
  • Document (Tab B, No. 7b)
  • Supplemental Material (Tab B, No. 7c)

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer, Chair

• SSC Summary Report from the May 2023 Meeting – Mr. Mareska
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 8a)
    • Black Grouper and Yellowfin Grouper Catch Limits
    • Mid-water Snapper Complex Catch Limits (Tab B, No. 8aii)
  • Background: SSC May 2023 Meeting Summary Report (Tab B, No. 8b)

8:00 AM – 9:45 AM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer, Chair

• FINAL ACTION:  Draft Amendment 56: Modifications to the Gag Grouper Catch Limits, Sector Allocations, and Fishing Seasons
  a. Update: Gag Grouper Interim Rule – SERO Staff
  b. Presentation (Tab B. No. 9b) – Mr. Rindone
  c. Document: Draft Options for Amendment 56 (Tab B, No. 9c) – Mr. Rindone
  d. Public Hearing Summary and Public Comments Received (Tab B, No. 9d) – Ms. Muehlstein
  e. Review of Codified Text (Tab B, No. 9e) – SERO Staff

10:00 AM – 11:15 AM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer, Chair

• Draft:  Snapper Grouper Amendment 44 / Reef Fish Amendment 55: Catch Level Adjustments and Allocations for Southeast U.S. Yellowtail Snapper – Ms. Somerset
  • a. Presentation (Tab B, No. 10a)
  • b. Document (Tab B, No. 10b)
• Other Business – Dr. Frazer

All times listed are CDT

• 11:15 AM – 11:18 AM:  Call to Order, Announcements, and Introductions – Dr. Stunz
• 11:18 AM – 11:20 AM:  Adoption of Agenda (Tab A, No. 3) and Approval of Minutes (Tab A, No. 4) – Dr. Stunz
• 11:20 AM – 11:25 AM:  Presentation of the 2022 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award – Gen. Spraggins / Dr. Stunz / Mr. Anson
• 11:25 AM – 12:30 PM:  Presentations
  • Update on the Commission’s Recently-Finished Red Drum Fishery Profile (Tab A, No. 7) – Mr. Vanderkooy
  • Presentation on Exempted Fishing Permit from Mote Marine Lab (Tab A, No. 8) – Mr. Hood
  • NOAA Fisheries Request for Comments on Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for National Standard Guidelines 4, 8, and 9 – Ms. Macpherson
    • Presentation (Tab A, No. 9a)
    • Background:  Federal Register Notice (Tab A, No. 9b)
  • Update from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Wind Energy Development in the Gulf of Mexico (Tab A, No. 10) – Dr. Kendell / Mr. Filostat

Available beginning on June 5, 2023 at 8:00 AM CDT

All times listed are CDT

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM:  Public Comment – Dr. Stunz

• Final Action:  Recalibration of Red Snapper Recreational Catch Limits and Modification of Gray Snapper Catch Limits (Tab B, No. 6a)
• Final Action: Draft Amendment 56:  Modifications to the Gag Grouper Catch Limits, Sector Allocations, and Fishing Seasons (Tab B, No. 9c)
• Comments on Rice’s Whale Petition
  • Presentation (Tab E, No. 4a)
  • Background and Additional Data Sources on Rice’s Whale Status and the Speed Limit Petition in the Gulf of Mexico (Tab E, No. 4b)
• Exempted Fishing Permit (Tab A, No. 8)
• Open Testimony on Other Fishery Issues or Concerns

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports 
      • 8:00 AM – 8:10 AM:  Law Enforcement (Tab L) – Gen. Spraggins
      • 8:10 AM – 8:40 AM:  Ecosystem (Tab Q) – Mr. Anson
      • 8:40 AM – 9:10 AM:  Data Collection (Tab F) – Ms. Boggs
      • 9:10 AM – 9:30 AM:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Mr. Banks/Mr. Schieble
      • 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM:  Sustainable Fisheries (Tab E) – Dr. Sweetman

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued 
      • 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM:  Reef Fish (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued
      • 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM:  Reef Fish continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer
      • 2:30 PM – 2:35 PM:  Closed Session (Tab T) – Dr. Stunz
      • 2:35 PM – 3:00 PM:  Exempted Fishing Permit – Dr. Stunz

All times listed are CDT

• • • 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM:  Supporting Agencies Update (Tab R) – Dr. Stunz
      • • Alabama Law Enforcement Efforts (Tab R, No. 1) – Major Downey
        • South Atlantic Council Liaison (Tab R, No. 2) – Mr. Brewer
        • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) Presentation(Tab R, No. 3) and Report (Tab R, No. 3a) – ASAC O’Malley
        • Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (Tab R, No. 4) – Mr. Donaldson
        • U.S. Coast Guard (Tab R, No. 5) – LTJG Threlkeld
        • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
        • Department of State
    • 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM:  Other Business (Tab U) – Dr. Stunz
      • • Litigation Update – Ms. Levy