The
webinar will begin at 1 pm and will conclude by 5 pm.
The Standing and Special Reef Fish SSCs will meet jointly to review an analysis of the 2012 red snapper
overharvest. Under a rule published May 30, 2012 [77 FR 31734], the acceptable biological catch for
red snapper was set at 8.080 million pounds for 2013 and 8.690 million pounds for 2012, with 51
percent of the acceptable biological catch allocated to a commercial quota and 49 per cent to a
recreational quota.
The increase in the 2013 acceptable biological catch was contingent upon catch
levels remaining within the 2012 stock acceptable biological catch. Preliminary estimates indicate that
the 2012 recreational red snapper quota of 3.959 million pounds was exceeded by 440,000 - 840,000
pounds. As a result, the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center will
evaluate the effect of this overharvest on the red snapper rebuilding plan. Based on the results of the
analysis, the SSC will determine whether the acceptable biological catch can be increased to the 2013
level, should remain at the 2012 level, or should be set to some other level.
Copies of the agenda and other related materials can be obtained by calling 813-348-1630. Materials
can also be downloaded from the Council's FTP site - ftp.gulfcouncil.org. To view the webinar online,
visit http://www.gulfcouncil.org/council_meetings/Webinars.php to register.
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the SSCs for discussion, in
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not
be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Actions of the Committee will be restricted to
those issues specifically identified in the agenda and any issues arising after publication of this notice
that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address
the emergency.
This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at least five working days
prior to the meeting.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to Convene its Standing, Special Reef Fish SSC
US - The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of its Standing and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) Thursday, 8 November, 2012, via webinar.
by Lucy Towers