October Council Meeting 2023

Important Links

Virtual Participation Instructions Including Virtual Public Testimony

Register/Log in to Council Meeting via Webinar:  October 23 – 26, 2023

Register for Virtual Public Testimony:  Available Monday, October 23, 2023, 8:00 AM – Wednesday, October 25, 1:00 PM CDT

Note:  These tabs will be updated on October 6, 13, and 20

• Council Committee Roster
  • Proposed:  October 2023 through August 2024 (Tab A, No. 2a) 
  • Current:  October 2022 through August 2023 (Tab A, No. 2b)
• Committees and Council Agenda (Tab A, No. 3)
• August 2023 Council Meeting Minutes (Tab A, No. 4)
• 2024 Council Meeting Dates (Tab A, No. 5)
• Action Schedule (Tab A, No. 6)

8:00 – 8:10 AM CDT:  Review and Adoption of Proposed Council Committee Assignments October 2023 through August 2024 (Tab A, No. 2a) and Current Council Committee Assignments (Tab A, No. 2b) – Mr. Anson

8:10 AM – 10:00 AM CDT:  Data Collection Committee (Tab F) – Ms. Boggs

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab F, No. 1) – Ms. Boggs
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members (Oct 2023 – Aug 2024 term)
• Approval of August 2023 Minutes (Tab F, No. 2) – Ms. Boggs
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab F, No. 3) – Dr. Hollensead
• Final Action: Joint Amendment Commercial Electronic Reporting
  • Summary of Public Comment (Tab F, No. 4a) – Ms. Muehlstein
  • Document (Tab F, No. 4b) – Dr. Hollensead
  • Proposed Codified Text (Tab F, No. 4c)
• Development of Gulf for-hire Data Collection Program
  • Presentation: Overview of Current For-hire Data Collection Programs (Tab F, No. 5a) – Dr. Stephen
  • Presentation:  Summary Results from SEFHIER (Tab F, No. 5b) – Dr. Masi
  • Presentation:  For-hire Data Usage and Next Steps (Tab F, No. 5c) – Dr. Stephen

10:15 AM – 11:30 AM CDT:  Data Collection Committee continued (Tab F) – Ms. Boggs

• SSC Discussions on MRIP-FES Pilot Study and Next Steps (Tab B, No. 4a) – Dr. Barbieri
• Discussion of MRIP-FES Inventory for the Gulf of Mexico (Tab F, No. 7) – Dr. Froeschke
  • Data Exposure Analysis (Tab F, No. 7a)
• Summary Report from Technical Coordinating Committee Deliberations at the GSMFC Meeting (Tab F, No. 8a) – Mr. Donaldson
• Other Business – Ms. Boggs

IFQ Information Presentation – Dr. Jessica Stephen

Presentation

1:15 PM – 2:45 PM CDT:  Shrimp Committee (Tab D) – Mr.Banks/Mr.Schieble

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab D, No. 1) – Mr.Banks/Mr.Schieble
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members (Oct 2023 – Aug 2024 term)
• Approval of August 2023 Minutes (Tab D, No. 2) – Mr.Banks/Mr.Schieble
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab D, No. 3) – Dr. Freeman
• Results of Side-by-Side Testing of Cellular Vessel Monitoring Systems (cVMS) and Cellular Electronic Logbooks (cELBs) on Gulf Shrimp Vessels (Tab D, No. 4) – Dr. Walter
  • Summary of the October 19, 2023, Shrimp Advisory Panel Meeting (Tab D, No. 4a) – Ms. Bosarge
  • Background:  Status and Next Steps for Draft Shrimp Framework Action:  Modification of the Vessel Position Data Collection Program for the Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery (Tab D, No. 4b)
• Remaining Items from Summary of the October 19, 2023, Shrimp Advisory Panel Meeting (Tab D, No. 4a) – Ms. Bosarge
• Other Business – Chair
  • Early Adopter Program Rollout
    • Background:  NOAA-SEFSC Shrimp cVMS Hand Out (Tab D, No. 6a)
    • Background:  Fishery Bulletin – Shrimp cVMS Early Adopter (Tab D, No. 6b)
    • Background:  Web Story – Shrimp Effort Early Adopter (Tab D, No. 6c)

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab B, No. 1) – Dr. Frazer
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members (Oct 2023 – Aug 2024 term)
• Approval of August 2023 Minutes (Tab B, No. 2) – Dr. Frazer
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab B, No. 3) – Mr. Rindone
• SSC Review of 2023 Gulf Vermilion Snapper Interim Analysis – Dr. Barbieri
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 4a)
  • Background: September 2023 Gulf SSC Meeting Summary (Tab B, No. 4b)
  • Reef Fish AP Comments (Tab B, No. 4c) – Capt. Hubbard/Mr. Rindone
• SSC Review of 2023 Gulf Lane Snapper Catch Analysis – Dr. Barbieri
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 4a)
  • Background: September 2023 Gulf SSC Meeting Summary (Tab B, No. 4b)
  • Reef Fish AP Comments (Tab B, No. 4c) – Capt. Hubbard/Mr. Rindone

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM CDT:  Closed Session – Mr. Anson, Chair

• Selection of Ad Hoc Charter For-Hire Data Collection Advisory Panel Members

8:00 AM – 10:45 AM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer

• Review of IFQ Program Goals and Objectives – Dr. Diagne
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 6a) – Dr. Stephen

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT:  Reef Fish Committee continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer

• Discussion and Review of IFQ Program Goals and Objectives continued

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

• FINAL ACTION:  Modifications to Recreational and Commercial Greater Amberjack Management Measures – Dr. Hollensead
  • Document (Tab B, No. 7a)
  • Public Comments Received (Tab B, No. 7b) – Ms. Muehlstein
  • Proposed Codified Text (Tab B, No. 7c) – SERO Staff
  • Reef Fish AP Comments (Tab B, No. 4c) – Capt. Hubbard/Mr. Rindone
• Draft:  Snapper Grouper Amendment 44 / Reef Fish Amendment 55: Catch Level Adjustments and Allocations for Southeastern U.S. Yellowtail Snapper – Ms. Somerset
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 8a)
  • Document (Tab B, No. 8b)
  • Background:  Letter from SAFMC to GMFMC (Tab B, No. 8c)
  • Reef Fish AP Comments (Tab B, No. 4c) – Capt. Hubbard/Mr. Rindone
• Update on 2023 Recreational Gag Fishing Season Closure – Mr. Strelcheck
  • Fishery Bulletin (Tab B, No. 9)
• SSC Discussions on Recent Gag Grouper Research and Implications for Gag Grouper Management – Dr. Barbieri
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 4a)
  • Background: September 2023 Gulf SSC Meeting Summary (Tab B, No. 4b)
  • Reef Fish AP Comments (Tab B, No. 4c) – Capt. Hubbard/Mr. Rindone

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

• SSC Discussions on 2023 Gulf Gag Grouper Health Check – Dr. Barbieri
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 4a)
  • Background: September 2023 Gulf SSC Meeting Summary (Tab B, No. 4b)
  • Reef Fish AP Comments (Tab B, No. 4c) – Capt. Hubbard/Mr. Rindone
• Draft Options: Gag and Black Grouper Management Measures (Tab B, No. 12) – Mr. Rindone
  • Presentation (Tab B, No. 12a)
  • Background: Reef Fish Amendment 56 (Tab B, No. 12b)
  • Background: SEDAR 72 2022 (Tab B, No. 12c)
  • Background: Gag Hot Sheet (Tab B, No. 12d)
  • Background: Gag Fishery Dynamics (Tab B, No. 12e)
  • Background: Black Grouper Hot Sheet (Tab B, No. 12f)
  • Reef Fish AP Comments (Tab B, No. 4c) – Capt. Hubbard/Mr. Rindone
• Review of Reef Fish and IFQ Program Landings, and State Program Landings for Red Snapper
  • Reef Fish Landings (Tab B, No. 13ai) and IFQ Program Landings (Tab B, No. 13aii) – SERO Staff
  • Florida Red Snapper Landings Update (Tab B, No. 13b) – Dr. Sweetman
  • Alabama Red Snapper Landings Update (Tab B, No. 13c) – Mr. Anson
  • Mississippi Red Snapper Landings Update (Tab B, No. 13d) – Gen. Spraggins
  • Louisiana Red Snapper Landings Update (Tab B, No. 13e) – Mr. Schieble
  • Texas Red Snapper Landings Update (Tab B, No. 13f) – Mr. Geeslin
• Other Business – Chair
  • Remaining Reef Fish AP Comments (Tab B, No. 4c) – Capt. Hubbard/Mr. Rindone

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM CDT:  Ecosystem Committee (Tab Q) – Mr. Gill

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab Q, No. 1) – Mr. Gill
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members (Oct 2023 – Aug 2024 term)
• Approval of June 2023 Minutes (Tab Q, No. 2) – Mr. Gill
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab Q, No. 3) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Ecosystem Technical Committee Recommendations – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
  • September 21, 2023 Meeting Summary (Tab Q, No. 4a) and Ecosystem Committee Recommendations Presentation (Tab Q, No. 4ai)
  • Background:  LGL Proposed EFP (Tab Q, No. 4b)
• Other Business – Mr. Gill

8:45 AM – 10:00 AM CDT:  Administrative / Budget Committee (Tab G) – Gen. Spraggins/Mr. Burris

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab G, No. 1) – Gen. Spraggins/Mr. Burris
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members (Oct 2023 – Aug 2024 term)
• Approval of August 2023 Minutes (Tab G, No. 2) – Gen. Spraggins/Mr. Burris
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab G, No. 3) – Dr. Simmons
• Draft Activities for Proposed Use of Administrative Award Carryover Funds
  • Proposed Approach for Fulfilling the Recreational Initiative (Tab G, No. 4a) – Ms. Muehlstein/Dr. Simmons
  • Other Activities (Tab G, No. 4b) – Dr. Simmons
• Information on Inflation Reduction Act Funding for the Regional Management Councils – Dr. Simmons
  • Proposed Activities Phase I (Tab G, No. 5a) 
  • Proposed Process for Phase II (Tab G, No. 5b)
• Other Business – Gen. Spraggins/Mr. Burris

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM CDT:  Mackerel Committee (Tab C) – Mr. Riechers/Mr. Geeslin

• Adoption of Agenda (Tab C, No. 1) – Mr. Riechers/Mr. Geeslin
  • Agenda with Adopted Committee Members (Oct 2023 – Aug 2024 term)
• Approval of April 2023 Minutes (Tab C, No. 2) – Mr. Riechers/Mr. Geeslin
• Action Guide and Next Steps (Tab C, No. 3) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Coastal Migratory Pelagic Landings (Tab C, No. 4) – SERO Staff
• Draft Framework Amendment 14:  Modifications to Gulf Spanish Mackerel Catch Limits (Tab C, No. 5) – Dr. Méndez-Ferrer
• Other Business – Mr. Riechers/Mr. Geeslin

All times listed are CDT

• 11:15 AM – 11:20 AM:  Call to Order, Announcements, and Introductions – Mr. Anson
• 11:20 AM – 11:30 AM:  Adoption of Agenda (Tab A, No. 3) and Approval of Minutes (Tab A, No. 4) – Mr. Anson
• 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:  Presentations
  • Update from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Wind Energy Development in the Gulf of Mexico (Tab A, No. 7) – Mr. Celata
  • Update on NOAA Fisheries Efforts to Incorporate Feedback from Underserved Communities and other Stakeholders into a Southeast Equity and Environmental Justice Implementation Plan (Tab A, No. 8) – Mr. Strelcheck

Available beginning on October 23, 2023 at 8:00 AM CDT

All times listed are CDT

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM:  Public Comment – Mr. Anson

• FINAL ACTION: Comprehensive Amendment Addressing Electronic Reporting for Commercial Vessels (Tab F, No. 4b) 
• FINAL ACTION: Modifications to Recreational and Commercial Greater Amberjack Management Measures (Tab B, No. 7a)
• Open Testimony on Other Fishery Issues or Concerns

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports 
      • 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM:  Data Collection (Tab F) – Ms. Boggs
      • 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM:  Shrimp (Tab D) – Mr. Banks/Mr. Schieble
      • 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM:  Closed Session (Tab T) – Mr. Anson
      • 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM:  Reef Fish (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued 
      • 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM:  Reef Fish continued (Tab B) – Dr. Frazer
      • 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM:  Ecosystem (Tab Q) – Mr. Gill

All times listed are CDT

• • • Committee Reports – continued
      • 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM:  Ecosystem continued (Tab Q) – Mr. Gill
      • 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM:  Administrative / Budget (Tab G) – Gen. Spraggins/Mr. Burris
      • 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM:  Mackerel (Tab C) – Mr. Riechers/Mr. Geeslin

All times listed are CDT

• • • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM:  Supporting Agencies Update (Tab R) – Mr. Anson
      • • Florida Law Enforcement Efforts (Tab R, No. 1) – Capt. Pearce
        • South Atlantic Council Liaison (Tab R, No. 2) – Mr. Griner
        • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) Presentation (Tab R, No. 3) – ASAC Bradford
        • Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (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
    • 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM:  Other Business (Tab U) – Mr. Anson