SUMMARYMEETINGREPORT-NOAAFisheries.pdfVIP

SUMMARY MEETING REPORT MARINE FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Key West, FL ? May 24‐26, 2011 The Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC or ?the Committee?) met May 24‐26, 2011 at the Florida Eco-Discovery Center in Key West, Florida. Heather McCarty, Acting Chair, presided at this first scheduled meeting in calendar year 2011. This meeting covered three days of work, and was split into several major topic areas. Day 1 focused on regional and Gulf of Mexico issues (including the efforts of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force), as well as updates on the status of the National Ocean Policy; opportunities for MAFAC engagement on the development of the nine Strategic Action Plans for the NOP nine priority areas; ocean energy issues; and the state of science and policy that is leading to the development of national climate change adaptation strategies. On Day 2, MAFAC strategized on revising and updating its report, Vision 2020, to reflect new emerging trends and issues. The Committee also received updates and briefings on NMFS budgets and the status of the new NOAA and Department of Commerce Aquaculture Policies and their implementation. On Day 3 additional updates and briefings were presented on: seafood safety issues; the fishery quota allocation project; and planning for the NOAA/Regional Fishery Councils Managing Fisheries III Workshop. Subcommittees met throughout the meeting to further consider the information presented and to develop recommendations and actions. Subcommittee reports were presented to the full Committee for consideration and discussion on Day 3. The meeting was open to the public in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 92-463, and