The Gulf Council will host two virtual workgroup meetings to discuss shrimp trawl bycatch methodologies for finfish species. The meetings will be held via webinar and will convene from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT on both May 11 and 12, 2026.
During the meetings, the Workgroup will hear presentations on the estimation of shrimp trawl bycatch of gray triggerfish using SEAMAP data and the proposed proxy species lane snapper. The Workgroup will also hear presentations on the protocols to expand bycatch estimates from observer data to fleet level, on gear selectivity and efficiency, and on species-specific shrimp effort estimates to better inform bycatch. The Workgroup is expected to discuss each topic and provide recommendations that will be summarized and presented to the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee at a future meeting.
The meeting agenda and meeting materials will be posted as they become available.
Register to join the webinar here.
About The Gulf Council: The Gulf Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of America.