For Immediate Release
September 21, 2022
The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils will convene their joint workgroup to address Section 102: Fishery Management Measures of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018 (Modern Fish Act). This section of the Modern Fish Act expands the range of management mechanisms for the recreational sector and provides additional flexibility for regional fishery management Councils to apply new approaches for recreational management. Any new approaches are still required to comply with the requirements set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
This hybrid (virtual and in-person) meeting will be held from 9:30 – 4:00 PM, EST on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. The in-person meeting will take place at the Gulf Council office located at 4107 W. Spruce Street, Suite 200, Tampa, Florida.
The workgroup, comprised of Council members from the Gulf and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, will hear a presentation from NOAA Fisheries on whether status quo fishery management can resolve recreational fisheries challenges. The workgroup will then hear a presentation on the South Atlantic Council Workgroup Summary on Reporting and Permitting in the Private Recreational Snapper Grouper Fishery. Next the workgroup will hear a presentation from NOAA Fisheries on the NMFS National Saltwater Recreational Policy and a recap of the March 2022 Recreational Fisheries Summit. Finally, the workgroup will review its goals in relation to what the Councils are already doing, and consider recommendations regarding potential new approaches to recreational fisheries management.
Public comment will be held before the meeting adjourns.
View the Agenda and Meeting Materials here.
Register for the webinar here.