October Council Meeting 2021

October 25 – 28, 2021

Hybrid (on-site and virtual)

Perdido Beach Resort
27200 Perdido Beach Resort Boulevard
Orange Beach, AL 36561

(251) 981-9811

Important Links

Virtual Participation Instructions Including Virtual Public Testimony

Register/Log in to Council Meeting via Webinar:  October 25-28, 2021

Register for After Council Meeting Q & A:  Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 5:30 – 6:30 PM CDT

Register for Virtual Public Testimony:  Available Wednesday, October 27, 2021, 8:30 AM – 1:15 PM CDT

Note:  These tabs will be updated on October 8, 15, and 22

• Council Committee Roster
  • Current (Tab A, No. 2a) 
  • Proposed (Tab A, No. 2b) 
• Committees and Council Agenda (Tab A, No. 3)
• Meetings Minutes from August 2021 Council (Tab A, No. 4)
• 2022 Council Meeting Dates (Tab A, No. 5)
• Action Schedule (Tab A, No. 6)

All times listed are CDT

• 8:30 AM – 8:40 AM:  Review and Adoption of Council Committee Assignments October 2021 through August 2022 (Tab A, No. 2b) – Mr. Diaz
• 8:40 AM – 8:45 AM:  Update on Hurricane Ida’s Impacts to Fishing Communities – Mr. Schieble 

8:45 AM – 9:45 AM CDT:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab D, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Proposed Committee Members
• Approval of August 2021 Minutes (Tab D, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab D, No. 3) – Dr. Freeman
• Shrimp Focus Group Summary (Tab D, No. 4) – Dr. Freeman
• Updated Draft Framework Action: Modification of the Vessel Position Data Collection Program for the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery (Tab D, No. 5) – Dr. Freeman
• Other Business – Chair

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT:  Gulf SEDAR (Tab I) – Mr. Diaz

• • Adoption of Agenda (Tab I, No. 1) – Mr. Diaz
    • Agenda with Proposed Committee Members
  • Approval of October 2020 Minutes (Tab I, No. 2) – Mr. Diaz
  • Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab I, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
  • SEDAR Steering Committee Summary October 2021 Meeting (Tab I, No. 4) – Dr. Simmons
  • Review of Gulf SEDAR Stock Assessment Schedule (Tab I, No. 5) – Mr. Rindone
  • Other Business – Mr. Diaz

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CDT:  Sustainable Fisheries Committee (Tab E) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab E, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Proposed Committee Members
• Approval of August 2021 Minutes (Tab E, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab E, No. 3) – Dr. Diagne
• Draft Allocation Review Guidelines (Tab E, No. 4) – Dr. Diagne
• SSC Recommendations on using Field Experiments to Assess Alternative Mechanisms for Distributing Fish to the Recreational Sector (Tab B, No. 6a) – Dr. Nance
  • Background: Presentation by Dr. Gordan: Using Field Experiments to Assess Alternative Mechanisms for Distributing Fish to the Recreational Sector (Tab E, No. 5)
• Report to Congress on Shark and Dolphin Depredation (Tab E, No. 6) – Ms. Brewster-Geisz
  • Background:  Request for Input Letter (Tab E, No. 6a)
• Other Business – Chair

2:00 PM – 5:30 PM CDT:  Mackerel Committee (Tab C) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab C, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Proposed Committee Members
• Approval of August 2021 Minutes (Tab C, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab C, No. 3) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Review of Coastal Migratory Pelagics (CMP) Landings – Ms. O’Donnell
  • CMP Figures (Tab C, No. 4a)
  • CMP ACL Updates (Tab C, No. 4b)
• Presentation on History of Coastal Migratory Pelagics Permits and Sale of Recreational Cobia (Tab C, No. 5) – Ms. O’Donnell
  • White Paper:  State Regulations for the Sale of Cobia (Tab C, No. 5a) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• FINAL ACTION:  Amendment 32:  Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Catch Limits, Possession Limits, Size Limits, and Framework Procedure
  • Gulf Public Comments (Tab C, No. 6a) – Ms. Muehlstein
  • South Atlantic Public Comments (Tab C, No. 6b) – Ms. Wiegand
  • Document (Tab C, No. 6c) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
  • Review of Codified Text (Tab C, No. 6d) – Ms. Levy

• Draft Amendment 33:  Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group King Mackerel Catch Limits and Sector Allocations – Mr. Rindone
  • Document (Tab C, No. 7a)
  • CMP Advisory Panel Recommendations (Tab C, No. 7b)
  • Background:  SEFSC Analysis (Tab C, No. 7c)
• Public Hearing Draft Amendment 34: Atlantic Migratory Group King Mackerel Catch Levels and Atlantic King and Spanish Mackerel Management Measures – Ms. Wiegand
  • Decision Document (Tab C, No. 8a)
  • Draft Amendment (Tab C, No. 8b)
• Other Business – Chair

Immediately following Mackerel Committee Virtual and In-person Public Hearing on Final Action:  Amendment 32: Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Catch Limits, Possession Limits, Size Limits, and Framework Procedure

Register for Public Hearing

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee (Tab B) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab B, No. 1) – Ms. Guyas
  • Agenda with Proposed Committee Members
• Approval of August 2021 Minutes (Tab B, No. 2) – Ms. Guyas
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab B, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
• Review of Reef Fish (Tab B, No. 4a) and IFQ Landings (Tab B, No. 4b) – Ms. O’Donnell
  • Gray Triggerfish Commercial Landings and Management Review (Tab B, No. 4c) – Dr. Simmons
  • Imputed 2020 Landings for Gulf Managed Species (Tab B, No. 4d) – Dr. Cody
• Final Action: Draft Framework Action: Modification of Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Catch Limits – Dr. Freeman
  • Public Comments Received (Tab B, No. 5a) – Ms. Muehlstein
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 5b) – Dr. Freeman
  • Document (Tab B, No. 5c) – Dr. Freeman
  • Review of Codified Text (Tab B, No. 5d) – Ms. Levy

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee (Tab B) – Chair

• Presentation on SEDAR 70: Greater Amberjack Stock Assessment Report – Dr. Nance
  • Review of SEDAR 70 Base Model with New Projections Method (Tab B, No. 6a)
  • Calibrated Catch Presentation and SSC Recommendations (Tab B, No. 6a)
  • Background: SSC September 2021 Meeting Summary Report (Tab B, No. 6c)
  • Background: Greater Amberjack One-page Hot Sheet (Tab B, No. 6d)
  • Background:  Stock Assessment Report (Tab B, No. 6e)

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee (Tab B) – Ms. Guyas

• Presentation on SEDAR 72: Gag Grouper Stock Assessment Report
  • Presentation, Projections, and SSC Recommendations (Tab B, No. 6a) – Dr. Nance
  • Background: Stock Assessment Report (Tab B, No. 7b) – Dr. Nance
  • Background: SSC September 2021 Meeting Summary Report (Tab B, No. 6c)
  • Background: Gag One-page Hot Sheet (Tab B, No. 7c)
• Discussion: Draft Snapper Grouper Amendment 44 and Reef Fish Amendment 55:  Modifications to Southeastern U.S. Yellowtail Snapper Jurisdictional Allocations, Catch Limits, and South Atlantic Sector Annual Catch Limits – Mr. Rindone
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 8a)

3:00 PM – 5:30 PM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee (Tab B) – Ms. Guyas

• Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs – Dr. Lasseter
  • Presentation from the National Academy of Sciences on The Use of Limited Access Privilege Programs in Mixed-Use Fisheries – Dr. McCay and Dr. Smith (Tab B, No. 9a)
  • Background:  Summary Report (Tab B, No. 9b)
  • Background:  Full Report (Tab B, No. 9c)
  • Discussion: Focus Group Formation (Tab B, No. 9d)
• Draft Framework Action: Modification of Vermilion Snapper Catch Limits (Tab B, No. 10) – Dr. Diagne
• Discussion:  SSC Recommendation on Final GRSC Report and LDWF Red Snapper Abundance Studies (Tab B, No. 6a) – Dr. Nance
• Other Business – Chair

Gulf Council and NOAA Fisheries

Public Virtual Question and Answer Session

featuring NMFS and Council Leadership

Tuesday, October 26, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CDT

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.

Register to join the session online using your computer or smartphone.

To listen in by phone, call :  1-(914) 614-3221 / Audio Access Code:  857-515-680

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM CDT:  Data Collection Committee (Tab F) – Chair 

15-minute break at approximately 10:45 AM

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab F, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Proposed Committee Members
• Approval of August 2021 Minutes (Tab F, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab F, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Presentation from the National Academy of Sciences on Data and Management Strategies for Recreational Fisheries with Annual Catch Limits (Tab F, No. 4a) – Dr. Barbieri
  • Background: Report Summary (Tab F, No. 4b)
  • Background: Full Report (Tab F, No. 4c)
• Presentation: Update on Southeast for-hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) Program (Tab F, No. 5) – Dr. Masi
• Draft Framework Action: Modification to Location Reporting Requirements for For-Hire and Commercial Vessels – Ms. Somerset
  • Presentation: Framework Action and Relevant Data Collection AP Recommendations (Tab F, No. 6a)
  • Background: Draft Framework Action (Tab F, No. 6b)
• Presentation: Update on Modifications to the Commercial Electronic Reporting Program (Tab F, No. 7) – Dr. Brown
  • Data Collection AP Summary (Tab F, No. 8)
• Remaining Data Collection AP Recommendations (Tab F, No. 8) – Dr. Hollensead
• Other Business – Chair

All times listed are CDT

• 1:30 PM – 1:35 PM:  Call to Order, Announcements, and Introductions – Mr. Diaz
• 1:35 PM – 1:40 PM:  Adoption of Agenda (Tab A, No. 3) and Approval of Minutes (Tab A, No. 4 ) – Mr. Diaz
• 1:40 PM – 2:00 PM:  Presentation
  • Network Analysis of Quota Trading in the Gulf of Mexico Individual Fishing Quota Fisheries – Dr. Ropicki
    • Presentation (Tab A, No. 7a)
    • Report (Tab A, No. 7b)

All times listed are CDT

2:15 PM – 5:30 PM:  Public Comment – Mr. Diaz

• Final Action:  Amendment 32:  Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Catch Limits, Possession Limits, Size Limits, and Framework Procedure
• Final Action:  Draft Framework Action: Modification of Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Catch Limits
• Input on Shark and Dolphin Depredation Issues and Interactions
• Open Testimony on Other Fishery Issues or Concerns

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports 
      • 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Chair 
      • 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM:  Gulf SEDAR (Tab I) – Mr. Diaz
      • 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM: Mackerel (Tab C) – Chair 

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued 
      • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM:  Data Collection (Tab F) – Chair 
      • 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM:  Sustainable Fisheries (Tab E) – Chair 

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued
      • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM:  Reef Fish (Tab B) – Chair

All times listed are CDT

• • • 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM:  Supporting Agencies Update (Tab R) – Dr. Frazer
      • • South Atlantic Council Liaison – Mr. Griner
        • Alabama Law Enforcement Efforts (Tab R, No. 2) – Major Downey
        • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) (Tab R, No. 3) – ASAC O’Malley
        • Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (Tab R, No. 4 short video) – Mr. Donaldson
        • U.S. Coast Guard (Tab R, No. 5) – LCDR Motoi
        • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
        • Department of State
  • 4:15 PM – 4:30 PM:  Other Business (Tab U) – Mr. Diaz