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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 19 (Thursday, January 30, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8522-8523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01977]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE635]

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of meeting open to the public.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold its third Recreational Initiative Working Group meeting in Tampa, 
FL.

DATES: The meeting will convene Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 9 
a.m. to 5 p.m., EST and Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 
p.m., EST.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Gulf Council Office. You 
may ``listen in'' by accessing the log-on information by visiting our 
website at www.gulfcouncil.org.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 4107 W 
Spruce Street, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348-1630.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Carrie Simmons, Executive 
Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 
348-1630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this meeting is to explore 
innovative management strategies for reef species in the Gulf of 
Mexico, using the five focal species to illustrate potential 
approaches. The Working Group will develop consensus-based 
recommendations on actions for the Council to consider on priority 
action items and goals identified.

Wednesday, February 19, 2025; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., EST

    The meeting will begin with a welcome and recap of previous Working 
Group Meetings 1 and 2, and an overview of the second Public Engagement 
Meeting. The Group will be tasked with a homework assignment and 
convene in breakout sessions to consider preferred seasons, bag limits, 
and vessel limits and considerations for the 5 focal species. Afterward 
there will be a report out to the larger group.
    The Group will hear a presentation on: Lessons from the Mid-
Atlantic--Alternative Approaches to Management of Federally Managed 
Recreational Fisheries, including Specific Examples of Engagement of 
the Recreational Sector and Application of Harvest Control Rules. After 
a working lunch, the Group will hear a series of overviews on 
Alternative Management Strategies Proposed in Previous Efforts: 
Potential Benefits and Challenges. Then, the Group will have a breakout 
session and report out on pros and cons and feasibility of each 
alternative management strategy including Harvest Control Rule. The 
Group will be tasked with Homework and Discuss Agenda for Day 2, and 
any remaining logistics.

[[Page 8523]]

Thursday, February 20, 2025; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., EST

    The Working Group will begin with review of agenda for Day 2, and a 
recap key element of Working Groups 1, 2 & 3 for consensus 
recommendations questions and discussion, followed by a report-out of 
each breakout. The Group is tasked with identifying commonalities 
identified by Working Group members on developing trusted data; 
establishing trust with the recreational community; developing 
predictable and reliable recreational access; allowing for regional 
flexibility in management; increasing recreational community engagement 
in the management process; maximizing angler satisfaction and 
accommodating growth.
    Following the lunch, consultants will guide the Working Group by 
pulling it all together: consensus recommendations on goals and 
objectives for recreational fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico 
Reef Fish Fisheries for future management approaches that: prevent 
overfishing; address discards and/or discard mortality; address 
uncertainty in recreational data; and provide innovative new management 
approaches. The meeting will end with a wrapping up and Finalize 
Consensus Recommendations. Lastly, Council staff will offer closing 
remarks and logistics.

--Meeting Adjourns

    The full agenda and additional information will be posted on 
https://gulfcouncil.org/recreational-initiative/. You may register for 
the webinar to listen-in only by visiting www.gulfcouncil.org and click 
on the meeting on the calendar.
    The timing and order in which agenda items are addressed may change 
as required to effectively address the issue, and the latest version 
along with other meeting materials will be posted on the website as 
they become available.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aid or accommodations should be directed to Kathy Pereira, 
(813) 348-1630, at least 15 days prior to the meeting date.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: January 27, 2025.
Rey Israel Marquez,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-01977 Filed 1-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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