Technical issues with vessel monitoring systems will be considered, including a review of existing procedures to safeguard data from unauthorized use or distribution. Other applications of VMS in Gulf of Mexico fisheries are also up for discussion. The meeting will conclude with draft recommendations, which will be presented to the Council during its June meeting in Key West, Florida.
The meeting will be held at the Gulf Council office, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, and will begin at noon Tuesday May 24, 2011, concluding by 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2011.
The Vessel Monitoring Advisory Panel was formed to advise the Council on matters pertaining to the use of VMS in the reef fish fishery, as well as the system’s effectiveness and how the data collected might be used.
Although other issues not on the agenda may come before the panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, those issues may not be the subject of formal panel action during this meeting. Panel action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda listed as available by this notice.
Copies of the agenda and related materials can be obtained by calling the Council office at 813-348-1630.
This meeting is open to the public and is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira five working days prior to the meeting.
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 federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
