The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a virtual meeting of its Standing and Special Mackerel Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) on December 5, 2024. The meeting will convene at 8:30 EST and will adjourn by 4:30 EST.

The meeting will begin with the Standing and Special Mackerel SSCs reviewing the terms of reference and taking volunteers for the upcoming Gulf Migratory Group King Mackerel stock assessment.

Next, the Standing SSC will select volunteers for the assessment process portion of the red snapper stock assessment and review the Southeastern U.S. Black Grouper Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE). An MSE is a way for researchers to simulate different outcomes by methodically changing different variables and studying the results. The SSC will then review the most recent red grouper stock assessment and provide feedback to the analysts ahead of a final presentation in February 2025. Finally, the SSC will discuss research and monitoring priorities for 2025-2028.

For an agenda and meeting materials, click here.

Public comment will be held in-person and over the webinar each day before the meeting adjourns.

Register for the webinar here.