Your Comments on This Please

This just showed up in my email - 


I am not sure how to interpret it - 


Please read it over and leave your comments for discussion.


Meeting Notice Contact: Dr. Karen Burns
November 12, 2009 813-348-1630
Gulf Council to convene its Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committee


The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene its Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committee in Tampa, Florida at the Crowne Plaza, 5303 W. Kennedy Boulevard. The meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 7, 2009 and conclude by noon Tuesday, December 8, 2009. It will also be webcast over the internet via Gulf Council TV. A link to Gulf Council TV is available on the Council’s web site – www.gulfcouncil.org.

During its meeting, the Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committee will begin developing a conceptual framework for advancing an ecosystem approach for fishery management. The committee will also explore the use of ecological attributes in the Acceptable Biological Catch Control Rule. Finally, the committee will conduct an evaluation on the efficacy of the various models and approaches proposed to determine how recovering red snapper interact with vermilion snapper and groupers, as well as future data and research needs for these models.
Copies of the agenda and other related materials can be obtained by calling the Council office at 813-348-1630, or it can be downloaded from the Council’s ftp site – ftp.gulfcouncil.org.

The Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committee is a committee of biologists, economists, and sociologists knowledgeable about the biological and human aspects of Gulf of Mexico ecosystems. Members are appointed by the Council to provide advice on ways to add ecosystem considerations to the fishery management plans and actions, as well as advice on other ecosystem related issues.

The ecosystem approach to fishery management takes into account the protection of marine ecosystems and fosters the long-term sustainable use of marine resources in an ecologically and culturally sensitive manner through the use of a science-based ecosystem approach to resource management. The ecosystem approach does not replace current management, but instead supplements and enhances it.

Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committee for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical 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 intent to take action to address the emergency.

Meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Tina O’Hern at the Council at least five days prior to the meeting date.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans designed to manage fishery resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

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