Goliath Grouper, Others Up for Review in Key Largo, Jan. 7-9

From Press Release, Dec. 26, 2013

Joint Meeting on South Florida Management Issues and the Goliath Grouper Joint Council Steering Committee Scheduled

The Gulf and South Atlantic Councils will convene a joint steering committee at the Hilton Key Largo Resort January 7 - 9, 2014 to discuss South Florida Management Issues. The meeting will begin at 8:30 am Tuesday, January 7, 2014, and conclude no later than noon Thursday, January 9, 2014.

 The Joint Council Committee on South Florida Management Issues will hear a presentation on the South Florida Issues workshops that were held in July and August of 2013, as well as an overview of status and trends for South Florida species. The Committee will discuss species specific management concerns and next steps for the following species:

• yellowtail snapper



• mutton snapper



• hogfish



• mangrove snapper



• shallow-water groupers



• Nassau grouper



• warsaw



• speckled hind

The Ad Hoc Goliath Grouper Joint Council Committee will also meet to review the last stock assessment for goliath grouper and to hear a presentation on the recent Goliath Grouper Stakeholder Workshops and survey. Other items on the agenda include the review of recommendations from the Ad Hoc Goliath Grouper Joint Science workshop and a review of ongoing goliath grouper research.

 "We are aware that the Keys fishermen are eager to get consistent fishing regulations throughout the region.  This meeting represents a major effort by the Gulf and South Atlantic Councils and the Florida Fish Commission to attempt to accomplish this," said Doug Gregory, Executive Director of the Gulf Council.

 For a complete agenda, visit http://bit.ly/1cMg3rP.

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