Marine Protected Area Workshops
The Council held a series of workshops to give the public the opportunity to provide data on locations of speckled hind and warsaw grouper as well as important habitat areas for these two species. Previously held MPA Workshops included: May 16, 2012 in Pooler, GA; and April 18, 2012 in N. Charleston, SC. The Council considered input from the first two public workshops during its June 11-15, 2012 meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Additional MPA Workshops in NC and FL were held in conjunction with Public Hearings in August 2012. The Council considered input from the additional workshops and the use of MPAs to address bycatch of speckled hind and warsaw grouper during its September 10-14, 2012 meeting in Charleston, SC.
The Council accepted comments regarding the use of MPAs for speckled hind and warsaw grouper through August 20, 2012.
MPA Workshop Summary
Marine Protected Area (MPA) Expert Workgroup Meetings
New! February 4-6, 2013 Meeting
Register - Monday, Feb 4, 1:30 - 6:00pm
Register - Tuesday, Feb 5, 8:00am - 6:00pm
Register - Wednesday, Feb 6, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Final Report and MPA Expert Workgroup information provided to Council for the March 2013 SAFMC meeting briefing book:
MPA Expert Workgroup Meeting Minutes February 2013
MPA Expert Workgroup Report from February 2013 meeting
MPA Rankings (Excel file)
MPA Expert Workgroup Minority Report
Presentation to Council March 2013 on MPA Expert Workgroup meeting results
May 16-17, 2012 Meeting
A group of experts met from May 16-17, 2012 in Pooler, GA to provide scientific input on using MPAs to help protect speckled hind and warsaw grouper by reducing bycatch mortality. Selection of experts was based on knowledge and expertise on these two species, their habitat, and/or fishery. Expert Workgroup Overview
A copy of the Final Report from the MPA Expert Workgroup was provided to the Council in June 2012. After reviewing public comment, MPA Public Workshop recommendations, the MPA Expert Workgroup Report and recommendations from the Science and Statistical Committee (SSC), the Council opted to move forward with exploring the use of MPAs, including holding additional MPA Workshops. (see above for schedule)
May 2012 Expert Workgroup Meeting Materials:
Workgroup Meeting Agenda
Briefing Book Materials:
Attachment 1 April 2012 SSC Report
Attachment 2 Snapper Grouper AP Report April 2012
Attachment 3a Law Enforcement AP Recommendations 1998
Attachment 3b SERMA Final Report 2011
Attachment 3c Law Enforcement AP Recommendations 2012
Literature/Articles of Interest:
Babcock MacCall et al 2011
Botsford et al 2009
Coleman et al 2011
Field et al 2006
Hart 2006
Heyman 2011
Heyman Wright 2011
Lindeman, et al. 2000
Minority Report - Snapper Grouper Amendment 17B
Federal Register Notice - 90 Day Finding for Speckled Hind
Federal Register Notice - 90 Day Finding for Warsaw Grouper
Zinskin 2008 - Thesis for Speckled Hind