Overview
Title
Fisheries of the Gulf of America; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service will have an online meeting on May 30, 2025, to talk about how the red snapper fish are doing in a big water area now called the "Gulf of America." They want to check if their plans to help the fish are working and discuss it with scientists and other people who know about fish.
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a public meeting for the SEDAR 98 Assessment Webinar II focusing on Gulf of America red snapper. The meeting will take place on May 30, 2025, and will be held online. The purpose is to review data recommendations and ongoing assessment work for the red snapper stock. The meeting is part of a larger SEDAR process aimed at evaluating fish stock status in the Southeast region, involving workshops and assessments with various participants including scientists, fishermen, and conservation experts.
Abstract
The SEDAR 98 assessment process for Gulf of America red snapper will consist of a Data Workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is an official notice from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Commerce Department. It announces a public online meeting as part of the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) process, which is focused on assessing the status of the red snapper fish stock in the newly termed Gulf of America. The meeting, scheduled for May 30, 2025, is the second webinar in a series aimed at reviewing data and assessment models for these fish stocks.
General Summary
This public meeting is part of a structured process to evaluate fish stock status across the Southeast region, involving workshops and webinars. Participants, including scientists, fishermen, and conservationist groups, will review data recommendations and the ongoing assessment work related to red snapper. These sessions form part of the multi-step SEDAR process which is designed to ensure comprehensive and collaborative assessment of fishery resources.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue is the recent change in nomenclature from the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America," instituted by Executive Order 14172 by President Trump. This new terminology has the potential to create confusion, as it has not been widely adopted or recognized. Clarifying its use and limitations may be necessary to prevent misunderstanding.
Another point of concern is the provision that allows discussions on non-emergency issues not listed in the agenda, which cannot be formally acted upon during the meeting. This might lead to confusion regarding what the meeting will actually cover and could create false impressions about the purpose of these meetings among the public.
Furthermore, participants are required to request an invitation at least 24 hours in advance to join the webinar. This requirement might pose a barrier to entry, particularly for individuals who decide last minute to participate or lack prior awareness. It could limit public engagement and participation, contrary to the open approach that public meetings typically signify.
In addition, there is a lack of specificity regarding the type of data and models that will be reviewed during Webinar II. This could lead to ambiguity for participants about the scope of the discussions and may hinder meaningful preparation or input from stakeholders.
Impact on the Public
The document broadly impacts the public by involving them in the management and conservation of important fishery resources. By providing an open forum for discussion, it enhances transparency and community involvement in decision-making processes regarding regional fishery management.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders like fishermen, environmental groups, and scientific communities, participating in the assessment webinar offers an opportunity to contribute to discussions that could affect fishery regulations and conservation efforts directly. Their input is crucial in ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in assessments that inform policy and regulation.
However, the potential confusion over name changes and meeting focus might impede full and effective participation. There might also be a risk of excluding those unable to meet the advance registration requirement. Ensuring clear communication and accessible participation will be fundamental in maximizing the positive impacts of this meeting for all stakeholders involved.
Issues
• The reference to 'Gulf of America' was introduced by Executive Order 14172 effective January 20, 2025, by President Trump, which might cause confusion as this name change is not widely recognized or used. This should be clarified with regard to its applicability and scope to avoid misunderstanding.
• The mention of non-emergency issues potentially being discussed at the meeting, which are not on the agenda and cannot be formally acted upon, could lead to public misunderstanding about the purpose and scope of the meeting.
• The need to request webinar invitations at least 24 hours in advance may be restrictive for potential participants and might not facilitate open public participation.
• The mention of participants reviewing 'the data recommendations and the assessment modelling work to date' during the Webinar II does not specify the nature of data or models, leading to ambiguity about the focus and depth of the meeting.