NOAA to Peer-review Red Snapper Research in the Gulf of Mexico

Experts are being solicited to serve on scientific peer review panels that will analyze current research and management of the red snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is accepting nominations for independent experts who are not currently involved in the management of red snapper or have financial interest in the outcome of the reviews. The agency will select three qualified people to serve on the statistics review panel, three on the economics review panel, and four people for the science and management review panel.

The statistics review panel will examine the accuracy, precision, and adequacy of the commercial, recreational, and charter boat red snapper catch and fishing effort statistics along with procedures for estimating bycatch in the shrimp trawl fishery.

The economics review panel will study the cost and benefit analyses conducted in preparation of Amendment 8 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan, including a review of all reasonable alternatives to an individual fishing quota program for the red snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.

The science and management review panel will examine the scientific and management basis for managing the red snapper stock along with the results of the statistics and economics reviews.

Each review panel will meet at least once with scientists, fishery managers, and industry representatives to collect information that will help each member prepare independent reports on their findings and recommendations. These reviews comply with provisions of the newly reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as mandated by the U.S. Congress.

Interested members of the public or of organizations should submit nominations along with detailed information on the qualifications of the nominee to the Director, Office of Science and Technology, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 20910.