October Council Meeting 2022

Important Links

Virtual Participation Instructions Including Virtual Public Testimony

Register/Log in to Council Meeting via Webinar:  October 24-27, 2022

Register for After Council Meeting Q & A with National Marine Fisheries:  Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 5:00 – 6:00 PM CDT (approximate time – meeting will begin after Council session)

Register for Virtual Public Testimony:  Available Monday, October 24, 2022, 8:00 AM – Wednesday, October 26, 12:30 PM CDT

Note:  These tabs will be updated on October 7, 14, and 21

• Council Committee Roster
  • Proposed:  October 2022 through August 2023 (Tab A, No. 2a) 
  • Current:  October 2021 through August 2022 (Tab A, No. 2b)
• Committees and Council Agenda (Tab A, No. 3)
• August 2022 Council Meeting Minutes (Tab A, No. 4)
• 2023 Council Meeting Dates
• Action Schedule (Tab A, No. 6)

8:00 AM – 8:05 AM CDT: 

• Review and Adoption of Proposed Council Committee Assignments October 2022 through August 2023 (Tab A, No. 2a) and Background:  Current Council Committee Assignments (Tab A, No. 2b) – Mr. Diaz

8:05 AM – 8:30 AM CDT: 

• Demonstration of Electronic Voting Technology (Tab A, No. 7) – Ms. Hager, Ms. Roy, and Dr. Simmons

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM CDT:  Shrimp Committee (Tab D) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab D, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members
• Approval of June 2022 Minutes (Tab D, No. 2) – Chair
• 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)
    • Supplemental Information:  Faria Recall (Tab D, No. 4a.i.)
  • LGL’s Research on P-Sea WindPlot Modifications (Tab D, No. 4b) – Dr. Putman (LGL)
• Other Business – Chair

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM CDT:  Habitat Protection & Restoration Committee (Tab P) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab P, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members
• Approval of June 2022 Minutes (Tab P, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab P, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Draft Generic Essential Fish Habitat Amendment – Dr. Hollensead
  • Presentation (Tab P, No. 4a)
  • Beta Version of Webtool (Tab P, No. 4b)
  • SSC Recommendations (Tab B, No. 10a) – Dr. Powers
• Other Business – Chair

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM CDT:  Sustainable Fisheries Committee (Tab E) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab E, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members
• Approval of August 2022 Minutes (Tab E, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab E, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Review of Florida Pompano Landings and Requirements for Consideration of Federal Fisheries Management (Tab E, No. 4) – Mr. Rindone and Mr. Hood
  • Presentation (Tab E, No. 4)
• SSC Recommendations from the September 2022 Gulf SSC Meeting – Dr. Powers
  • Socioeconomic Stock Assessment Workshop Report (Tab B, No. 10a)
• Other Business – Chair

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM CDT: 

• Remarks on NOAA Fisheries Priorities – Ms. Coit

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM CDT:  Mackerel Committee (Tab C) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab C, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members
• Approval of June 2022 Minutes (Tab C, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab C, No. 3) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Review of Coastal Migratory Pelagics Landings – Mr. Hood
  • ACL Updates (Tab C, No. 4)
• Public Hearing Draft Amendment 33: Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group King Mackerel Sector Allocation – Dr. Freeman
  • Presentation (Tab C, No. 5a)
  • Document (Tab C, No. 5b)
  • Background Information:  Location of Allocation Review Components in CMP 33 PH Draft (Tab C, No. 5c)
• Draft Framework Amendment: Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group King Mackerel Gillnet Fishing Season (Tab C, No. 6) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Other Business – Chair

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM CDT:  Law Enforcement Committee (Tab L) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab L, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members
• Approval of August 2021 Minutes (Tab L, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab L, No. 3) – Dr. Lasseter
• LETC Meeting Summary from October 2022 Meeting (Tab L, No. 4) – Dr. Lasseter
• Other Business – Chair

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee (Tab B) – Chair

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab B, No. 1) – Chair
• Approval of August 2022 Minutes (Tab B, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab B, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
• Review of Reef Fish (RF) and Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Landings – Ms. O’Donnell
  • RF Landings Presentation (Tab B, No. 4a)
  • ACL Updates, IFQ Landings, and Federal For-hire Red Snapper Landings (Tab B, No. 4b)
  • Status of Revised Recreational Red Snapper Calibration Ratios – Dr. Cody (Tab B, No. 4c)
• Review of State-specific Private Angling and State For-Hire Red Snapper Landings – State Representatives
  • Florida (Tab B, No. 5a) – Dr. Sweetman
  • Alabama (Tab B, No. 5b) – Mr. Anson
  • Mississippi (Tab B, No. 5c) – Gen. Spraggins
  • Louisiana (Tab B, No. 5d) – Mr. Schieble
  • Texas (Tab B, No. 5e) – Mr. Geeslin

8:00 AM – 10:30 AM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Chair

• Final Action: Draft Amendment 54:  Modifications to the Greater Amberjack Catch Limits and Sector Allocations, and other Rebuilding Plan Modifications
  • Public Hearings and Written Public Comments (Tab B, No. 6a) – Ms. Muehlstein
  • Reef Fish AP Recommendations (Tab B, No. 6b) – Capt. Walker / Mr. Rindone
  • Document (Tab B, No. 6c) – Dr. Froeschke
  • Codified Text (Tab B, No. 6d) – SERO Staff
• Draft Options: Modifications to Recreational and Commercial Greater Amberjack Management Measures
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 7) – Dr. Froeschke
  • Reef Fish AP Recommendations (Tab B, No. 6b) – Capt. Walker / Mr. Rindone

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

• IFQ Focus Group – Dr. Lasseter
  • Presentation: Meeting #2 Charge and Expected Deliverables (Tab B, No. 8a)
  • Final Report (Tab B, No. 8b)
• Draft Framework Action for Gray Triggerfish Commercial Trip Limit (Tab B, No. 9) – Ms. Somerset
  • Reef Fish AP Recommendations (Tab B, No. 6b) – Capt. Walker / Mr. Rindone

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

• Draft Options for Amendment 56:  Modifications to the Gag Grouper Catch Limits, Sector Allocations, Fishing Seasons, and other Rebuilding Plan Measures
  • Update: Gag Grouper Interim Rule – SERO Staff
  • SSC Recommendations on Updated Projections (Tab B, No. 10a) – Dr. Powers
  • Reef Fish AP Recommendations (Tab B, No. 6b) – Capt. Walker / Mr. Rindone
  • Document: Draft Options for Amendment 56 (Tab B, No. 10b) – Mr. Rindone
  • Background: June 2022 Presentation on Gag Grouper Regional Fishery Dynamics (Tab B, No. 10c)
  • Background: June 2022 Presentation on Interim Rule (Tab B, No. 10d)
  • Background: September 2022 SSC Meeting Summary (Tab B, No. 10e)

3:15 PM – 5:00 PM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Chair

• SSC Recommendations: Review of the SEDAR 68 Operational Assessment for Gulf of Mexico Scamp (Tab B, No. 10a) – Dr. Powers
• Reef Fish AP Recommendations from October 2022 Meeting (Tab B, No. 6b) – Capt. Walker / Mr. Rindone
  • Southeastern U.S. Yellowtail Snapper
  • Gulf of Mexico Scamp
  • US Coast Guard Inspection Requirements for Gulf Federal Commercial Reef Fish Permits
• Other Business – Chair

Public In-Person and Virtual Question and Answer Session

featuring NMFS and Gulf Council Leadership

Tuesday, October 25, immediately following the end of Reef Fish Committee (approx. time 5:05 PM – 6:00 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] 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-(631) 992-3221 / Audio Access Code: 827-652-439

8:00 AM – 10:30 AM CDT:  Data Collection Committee (Tab F) – Chair 

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab F, No. 1) – Chair
  • Agenda with PROPOSED Committee Members
• Approval of August 2022 Minutes (Tab F, No. 2) – Chair
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab F, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Abbreviated Framework Action to Modify For-hire Trip Declaration Requirements – Ms. Somerset
  • Administrative Changes Presentation (Tab F, No. 4a) – Dr. Masi
  • Document (Tab F, No. 4b)
  • Recommendations from Reef Fish AP (Tab B, No. 6b)
• Review of South Atlantic Council Workgroup Discussions on Federal Private Angling Reef Fish Permit (Tab F, No. 5a) – Mr. Carmichael
  • Recommendations from the Joint Council Workgroup on Section 102 of the Modern Fish Act – Mr. Rindone
  • Background:  Joint Council Workgroup on Section 102 of the Modern Fish Act Summary from October 12, 2022 Meeting (Tab F, No. 5b)
  • Background: Joint Council Workgroup on Section 102 of the Modern Fish Act Minutes from October 12, 2022 Meeting (Tab F No. 5c)
• Update from GSMFC on Fisheries Data Collection and Management (Tab F, No. 6) – Mr. Bray
• Update on Commercial Electronic Reporting – Dr. Hollensead
  • Background:  SEFSC Presentation to Reef Fish AP (Tab F, No. 7a)
  • Background:  Data Field Modification Spreadsheet (Tab F, No. 7b)
  • Recommendations from Reef Fish AP (Tab B, No. 6b)
• Other Business – Chair

All times listed are CDT

• 10:45 AM – 10:48 AM:  Call to Order, Announcements, and Introductions – Mr. Diaz
• 10:48 AM – 10:50 AM:  Adoption of Agenda (Tab A, No. 3) and Approval of Minutes (Tab A, No. 4) – Mr. Diaz
• 10:50 AM – 12:00 PM:  Presentations
  • Recommendations from the Joint Council Workgroup on Section 102 of the Modern Fish Act (Tab A, No. 8a) – Mr. Anson
  • Joint Council Workgroup on Section 102 of the Modern Fish Act Minutes from October 12, 2022 Meeting (Tab A, No 8 b)
  • Joint Council Workgroup on Section 102 of the Modern Fish Act Summary from October 12, 2022 Meeting (Tab A, No 8c)
  • Deepwater Horizon Fish Restoration and Future Restoration Planning (Tab A, No. 9) – Dr. Reinhardt 
  • Update from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Wind Energy Development in the Gulf of Mexico (Tab A, No. 10) – Ms. Matthews 

Available beginning on October 24, 2022 at 8:00 AM CDT

All times listed are CDT

1:30 PM – 5:00 PM:  Public Comment – Mr. Diaz

• Final Action:  Draft of Amendment 54:  Modifications to the Greater Amberjack Catch Limits and Sector Allocations, and other Rebuilding Plan Modification (Tab B, No. 6c)
• Open Testimony on Other Fishery Issues or Concerns

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports 
      • 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Chair 
      • 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM:  Habitat Protection and Restoration (Tab P) – Chair
      • 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM:  Law Enforcement (Tab L) – Chair
      • 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM:  Sustainable Fisheries (Tab E) – Chair
      • 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM:  Mackerel (Tab C) – Chair

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued 
      • 10:40 AM – 12:00 PM:  Reef Fish (Tab B) – Chair 

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued
      • 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM:  Reef Fish continued (Tab B) – Chair
      • 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM:  Data Collection (Tab F) – Chair

All times listed are CDT

• • • 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM:  Supporting Agencies Update (Tab R) – Mr. Diaz
      • • South Atlantic Council Liaison (Tab R, No. 1) – Mr. Brewer
        • Mississippi Law Enforcement Efforts (Tab R, No. 2) – Lt. Carron
        • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) – ASAC O’Malley
          • Summary (Tab R, No. 3a)
          • FY 2022, Quarter 4 Report (Tab R, No. 3b)
        • Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission:  Human Dimension Survey Fact Sheet (Tab R, No. 4) – 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
      • • Litigation Update – Ms. Levy