Photo by National Parks Conservation Association
Gulf Council to Hold Hearings on Hogfish Regs
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has scheduled two public hearings and one public webinar to take public comments on Reef Fish Amendment 43. This amendment considers setting a management boundary between the west Florida stock of hogfish, which is located entirely in the Gulf of Mexico jurisdiction, and the east Florida/Florida Keys stock, which occurs primarily in the south Atlantic but extends partially into the Gulf Council’s jurisdiction in the Florida Keys.
The draft amendment also looks at defining overfished and overfishing thresholds, setting an annual catch limit and increasing both the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for hogfish. During its April meeting, the Council selected a preferred alternative that would raise the minimum size limit of hogfish to 16 inches fork length.
The first hearing will be held May 9 at the Holiday Inn at 1785 5th Avenue South, Naples, Fla. (239-261-3500). A second meeting will be held May 10 at the Holiday Inn at 2171 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Fla. (727-520-7800). Meetings begin at 6 p.m.
A webinar will be held May 11 at 6 p.m. Go to http://www.safmc.net/meetings/scientific-and-statistical-committee-meetings to register.
Comments may be submitted online at: http://gulfcouncil.org/council_meetings/comment_forms/Amendment_43.php.
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