The Reef Fish Advisory Panel will convene at 8:30 a.m. 6 August,
2012, and conclude no later than 5:00 p.m. 7 August, 2012.
The Advisory Panel will review several amendments under development, which include:
- Generic Amendment for Dealer Permits & Electronic Reporting
- Reef Fish Amendment 28 to modify post-season accountability measures for shallow-water grouper and revise the framework procedure for establishing regulatory actions
- Reef Fish Amendment 37 to revise the gray triggerfish rebuilding plan
- Framework action to provide a recreational split season for gag in 2013 and to modify or eliminate February - March fixed closed season for recreational shallow-water grouper
- Scoping document for a possible amendment to designate petroleum platforms and artificial reefs as essential fish habitat
The Panel will also reconsider its previous recommendations on vermilion snapper annual catch limits in light of
revised analysis and new acceptable biological catch recommendations from the Council's Scientific and
Statistical Committee.
Finally, the Advisory Panel will review updated information on fish venting and recompression, and may consider
recommendations for changes to the regulations that require possession and use of venting tools when fishing for
reef fish.
A copy of the agenda and related materials can be obtained by calling 813-348-1630. Documents can also be
downloaded from the Council's FTP site - ftp.gulfcouncil.org.
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Panel 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 Panel 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 aides should be directed to Kathy Pereira at least five working days prior to the meeting.
Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Panel 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 Panel 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. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils
established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery
management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of
Mexico.
