The Council reviewed a scoping document for Reef Fish Amendment 39 – Regional Management for Recreational Red Snapper during its October Council meeting and a series of scoping meetings. The document examines:
• Defining regional boundaries
• Allocation among regions
• Program administration
• Accountability measures
Meetings will be held around the Gulf to get public input on the issues and concerns related to regional management.

The scoping workshop schedule is listed below. All workshops begin at 6 pm and will conclude after public input has ended, but no later than 9 pm.

After reviewing public hearing comments and the actions and alternatives contained in a regulatory amendment to address the 2013 gag season and bag limits, the Council chose to keep the July 1 gag season opening, but allow the season to remain open until the annual catch target has been met. The 2-fish bag limit also remains in effect, giving an estimated season of 133-155 days, compared to the 123 days in 2012.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will meet in Mobile, Alabama, February 5 - 8, 2013. Agenda items for which the Council is tentatively scheduled to take final action include:

Starting January 1st Smoke, a loud noise, and a flash of light; a warning from Coast Guard personnel stationed in St. Petersburg, will be caused by the LA 51, used as a signal to potential violators on the water.

Correction: Atlantic recreational snook slot limit is 28 to 32 inches. Incorrect information ran in the previous release.

December brings closure of snook season in Atlantic state, federal waters

The recreational harvest of snook will close in all Atlantic waters, including the inland waters of Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, beginning Dec. 15, with the last day of harvest being Dec. 14. The season will reopen in the Atlantic’s state and federal waters Feb. 1, 2013. 

The 2010 blowout of the Macondo well in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the region's largest oil spill in U.S. history. As the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) incident unfolded, in an effort to prevent the oil from coming to the surface and reaching coastal and marsh ecosystems, chemical dispersants were injected at the wellhead. These powerful dispersants, typically used to break up oil slicks at the sea surface had never been used in such large quantities and over such a prolonged period of time in the deep ocean.

Scientists from the University of Miami recently completed a study of the potential effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. Their findings suggest that local fish populations, including cobia and mahi-mahi, could be experiencing stunted growth.

Researchers at the university worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the University of North Texas to study the effects of toxic elements from the oil spill on developing fish.

On Thursday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved staff’s recommendations for revisions to two boating safety zones on the Okeechobee Waterway in Hendry and Martin counties.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) unanimously decided on a draft 2013 Gulf of Mexico gag grouper recreational season Wednesday, Dec. 5, at its Commission meeting in Apalachicola. After discussing several options and hearing public testimony from 26 people, Commissioners chose draft options that, if approved in February, will make most Gulf state waters consistent with the current federal season, with the exception of a four-county region.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed the possibility of creating saltwater game fish and sport fish designations at its Dec. 5 Commission meeting in Apalachicola. After public comment from 18 people and the Commissioners’ discussion, the FWC decided to approve the proposed draft rule about the designation. The Commission will possibly make a final decision on this measure at its February meeting in Orlando.