For Immediate Release
September 17, 2021
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold eight in-person public hearings and one webinar to solicit public comments on Draft Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment 32: Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Catch Limits, Possession Limits, Size Limits, and Framework Procedure.
Amendment 32 considers modifying cobia catch limits, apportionment between the Gulf and Florida East Coast (FLEC) Zones, sector allocations in the FLEC Zone, and management measures including possession limits, vessel/trip limits, and minimum size limits. The recent SEDAR 28 Update stock assessment showed that the cobia stock is not overfished but is currently experiencing overfishing. The assessment used the new Marine Recreational Information Program’s Fishing Effort Survey (MRIP-FES) estimates which increased the estimates of recreational catch and effort. Based on the assessment, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committees recommended new overfishing limits and acceptable biological catch levels for 2021-2023 and subsequent years. While the assessment projections appear to allow for increased harvest, under MRIP-FES they actually represent an approximately 33% reduction from the current allowable harvest. The Council is required to end overfishing and is considering updating cobia catch limits and management measures.
The public hearings will begin at 6:00 PM and conclude no later than 9:00 PM, local time. In-person attendees will be required to follow the most up-to-date COVID-19 protocols determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local and state guidelines. Dates and locations are as follows
In-Person Hearings
Monday, October 4, 2021
Destin, Florida
Destin Community Center
100 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL 32541
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Gulfport, Mississippi
Holiday Inn Gulfport-Airport Hotel
9515 Highway 49, Gulfport, MS 39503
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Corpus Christi, Texas
Omni Bayfront, 900 North Shoreline Boulevard
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Galveston, Texas
Hilton Galveston Island, 5400 Seawall Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77551
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Madeira Beach, FL
The City Centre at City Hall
300 Municipal Dr.
Madeira Beach, FL 33708
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Crowne Plaza Baton Rouge
4728 Constitution Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Monday, October 18, 2021
Ft. Myers, Florida
Crowne Plaza Ft. Myers at Bell Tower Shops
13051 Bell Tower Drive
Ft. Myers, FL 33907
Monday, October 25, 2021
Orange Beach, Alabama
Perdido Beach Resort
27200 Perdido Beach Resort Boulevard, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Webinar Hearing
Tuesday, October 19, 202: 6-9 PM, EDT
Register for the Webinar
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2394715852160838667
To view the document and supplemental materials, or to submit comments, follow the links below:
Written public comments must be received by 5:00 PM on October 19, 2021. If you have any questions, email our Council office at [email protected]