Gulf Council to Hold Public Hearings Around the Gulf of Mexico

 The Gulf Council will hold a series of public hearings around the Gulf of Mexico to collect public comments on two proposed actions:

CMP Amendment 26   This amendment considers changes in allocations, stock boundaries, and sale provisions for Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic migratory groups of king mackerel. Public Hearing Schedule: Mon, February 22, 2016 Hilton Garden Inn 6717 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78412 Hilton Garden Inn 2703 Denny Avenue Pascagoula, MS  39567 Tues, February 23, 2016 Holiday Inn Express 2440 Gulf Freeway Texas City, TX 77591 Hilton Garden Inn 23092 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach, AL 36561 All in-person meetings begin at 6:00 pm local time and end no later than 9:00 pm local time. Webinars begin at 6:00 pm Eastern Time. Wed, February 24, 2016 Hilton New Orleans Airport 901 Airline Drive Kenner, LA 70062 Destin Community Center 101 Stahlman Ave. Destin, FL 32541 Mon, February 29, 2016 Harvey Government Center 1200 Truman Avenue Key West, FL 33040 Wed, March 2, 2016 Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch 6231 Osprey Drive Sarasota, FL 34240 Thurs, March 3, 2016 Webinar Click here to register! Yellowtail Snapper Framework Action This framework action will address inconsistencies between Gulf and South Atlantic Councils’ circle hook requirements for yellowtail snapper commercial fishing in Gulf waters and increase the operational efficiency of the commercial yellowtail snapper fishery.  Public Hearing Schedule: Tues, March 1, 2016 Harvey Government Center 1200 Truman Avenue Key West, FL 33040 Meetings begin at 6:00 pm local time and end no later than 9:00 pm local time.  Wed, March 2, 2016 Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch 6231 Osprey Drive Sarasota, FL 34240 Public Hearing Guides and online comment forms will be posted at http://gulfcouncil.org/fishery_management_plans/scoping-thru-implementation.php.

About the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 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.   Submit comments and stay updated on fishery issues: Check it out! Go to www.gulfcouncil.org and click on the thermometer in the middle of the page. From there you can read up on all the pending actions, watch the video presentations, read comments, and submit your own. All comments submitted through the online form are automatically posted on our web site for Council review. Other comments are manually posted every couple of days.    There is also a thermometer for each issue that lets you know where the Council is in the process for that particular amendment, whether it’s the scoping phase, final action, or implementation.    You can also find information on our Facebook page, blog, and YouTube channel.