March 2024 Council Meeting

Date/Time:

March 4, 2024 - March 8, 2024

Location:

Villas by the Sea Resort 1175 N. Beachview Drive Jekyll Island, GA 31527

meeting agenda

news release

briefing book

Meeting Agenda & Briefing Materials

Except for advertised public hearings and public comment sessions, the timing of agenda items may change.

Committee Reports

The public comment session (Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, 4 p.m.), will allow for in-person and remote (via webinar) verbal public comment. Individuals intending to provide comments remotely are asked to sign up HERE. Those intending to provide verbal public comment in person will be asked to sign in at the meeting.

Written Comments:

Read public comments

Click here for additional comments:

Written comments submitted by mail/fax received by close of business the Monday before the meeting (February 26th, 2024) will be compiled, posted to the website as part of the meeting materials, and included in the administrative record.

Monday, March 4th, 2024

Council Session I/Belcher 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Reports:

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel (AP) Report

NOAA Law Enforcement
1. Attachment 1a: NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Report Presentation (available at the meeting)
2. Attachment 1b: NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Report Q1 FY 2024
3. Attachment 1c: Gulf of Mexico FMC Report
Best Fishing Practices and 2024 Outreach Update
1. Attachment 2a: Best Fishing Practice Projects and Outreach Update Presentation
2. Attachment 2b: BFP Master Volunteer Program Overview
Potential Modifications to the Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) Program
1. Attachment 3a: SCDNR For-Hire Reporting Compliance Presentation (also in Recent Documents)
2. Attachment 3b: Southeast Region Headboat Survey Compliance Presentation
3. Attachment 3c: SEFHIER Program Update (also in Recent Documents)
Consideration of Limited Entry in South Atlantic For-Hire Fisheries
- Attachment 4: For-Hire Limited Entry Discussion Document

Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

Mackerel Cobia Committee/Roller 8:30 am – 10:00 am

Mackerel Port Meetings
- Attachment 1: Mackerel Port Meetings Discussion Document

SEDAR Committee/Belcher 10:00 am – 12:00 noon (PARTIALLY CLOSED)

OPEN SESSION:

Agenda and Overview
December 2023 minutes
Update on SEDAR 89 (Tilefish) and 92 (Blueline Tilefish)

Terms of Reference for SEDAR 90 (Red Snapper) and SEDAR 96 (Yellowtail Snapper)
1. Attachment 1a: TOR SEDAR 90 Red Snapper Research Track
2. Attachment 1b: TOR SEDAR 90 Red Snapper Benchmark Assessment
3. Attachment 1c: TOR 96 Yellowtail Snapper Operational Assessment (also in Recent Documents)
SEDAR Projects Update
- Attachment 2: SEDAR Projects Update
Review of Statements of Work for 2026 Species
1. Attachment 3a: 2026 Statements of Work Submitted
2. Attachment 3b: Comments by SEFSC on 2026 Statements of Work
Review of 2027 Species for SEDAR Assessment Slots
- Attachment 4: 2027 Projects for SEDAR Assessments Slots

CLOSED SESSION:

System Management Plan Workgroup and SEDAR appointments

Lunch 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm

Snapper Grouper Committee/McCawley 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Agenda and Overview
December 2023 Minutes
Law Enforcement AP Report
Scientific and Statistical Committee Report (also in Recent Documents)
Briefing on exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications – NMFS SERO
Presentation on projections for 2024 recreational seasons for red snapper and gag – NMFS SERO

Wreckfish (Amendment 48)
1. Attachment 1a: Wreckfish Sub-Committee Report
2. Attachment 1b: Amendment 48 Draft Amendment
Scamp/Yellowmouth Grouper (Amendment 55)
- Attachment 2a: Amendment 55 Decision Document
- Attachment 2b: Amendment 55 Draft Amendment
Gag and Black Grouper Vessel Limit and On-Demand Gear for Black Sea Bass (Regulatory Amendment 36)
- Attachment 3: Regulatory Amendment 36 Decision Document

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

Snapper Grouper Committee/McCawley 8:30 am – 12:00 noon

Black Sea Bass (Amendment 56)
1. Attachment 4a: SEDAR 76 (Black Sea Bass) Stock Assessment Projections Presentation (also in Recent Documents)
2. Attachment 4b: Black Sea Bass Management Response Options Presentation (also in Recent Documents)
Private Recreational Permit and Education Requirement (Amendment 46)
1. Attachment 5a: Amendment 46 Decision Document
2. Attachment 5b: Amendment 46 Draft Amendment

Lunch 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm

Snapper Grouper Committee/McCawley 1:30 pm – 3:45 pm

Red Snapper (Regulatory Amendment 35)
1. Attachment 6a: Regulatory Amendment 35 Decision Document
2. Attachment 6b: Regulatory Amendment 35 Draft Amendment

Public comments 4:00 pm

Public comment will be accepted from individuals attending the meeting (in-person and remotely) regarding any of the items on the Council agenda. The Council Chair, based on the number of individuals wishing to comment, will determine the amount of time provided to each commenter. Those intending to provide verbal public comment via webinar can sign up HERE.