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About the
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management
Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fi shery
management plans, which are designed to manage fi shery resources within the federal waters of the Gulf of
Mexico.
The Council consists of 17 voting members: the Southeast Regional Administrator of NOAA Fisheries Southeast
Regional Offi ce, the directors of the fi ve Gulf state marine resource management agencies, and 11 members who
are nominated by the state governors and appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. There are also four nonvoting members representing the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of State, and the
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
When reviewing potential rule changes, the Council draws upon the services of knowledgeable people from
other state and federal agencies, universities, and the public to balance competing interests and achieve the
greatest overall benefi t to the nation.
Scoping workshops and public hearings are held throughout the Gulf coast to collect your
input. Public comment is considered by the Council before it takes fi nal action on proposed
rule changes. The Council also collects comments on proposed changes through virtual
meetings and online comment forms. Public testimony is heard during each Council meeting.
After the Council takes fi nal acton, proposed rule changes are submitted to National Marine
Fisheries Service for further review and approval before implementation by the Secretary of
Commerce.
336
About the
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management
Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fi shery
management plans, which are designed to manage fi shery resources within the federal waters of the Gulf of
Mexico.
The Council consists of 17 voting members: the Southeast Regional Administrator of NOAA Fisheries Southeast
Regional Offi ce, the directors of the fi ve Gulf state marine resource management agencies, and 11 members who
are nominated by the state governors and appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. There are also four nonvoting members representing the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of State, and the
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
When reviewing potential rule changes, the Council draws upon the services of knowledgeable people from
other state and federal agencies, universities, and the public to balance competing interests and achieve the
greatest overall benefi t to the nation.
Scoping workshops and public hearings are held throughout the Gulf coast to collect your
input. Public comment is considered by the Council before it takes fi nal action on proposed
rule changes. The Council also collects comments on proposed changes through virtual
meetings and online comment forms. Public testimony is heard during each Council meeting.
After the Council takes fi nal acton, proposed rule changes are submitted to National Marine
Fisheries Service for further review and approval before implementation by the Secretary of
Commerce.
336