Meeting Minutes

Minutes from GSMFC meetings combined into yearly sets.

To inform the public of issues pertaining to fisheries management discussed by authorities in the field.

Printed publications are available upon request until the supply is exhausted. For more information, contact Steve VanderKooy at (228) 875-5912.

The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission was established by an act of Congress (P.L. 81-66) in 1949 as a compact of the five Gulf States. Its charge is:

"to promote better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of the seaboard of the Gulf of Mexico, by the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause."

The Commission is composed of three members from each of the five Gulf States. The head of the marine resource agency of each state, a member of the legislature, and a citizen with knowledge of marine fisheries appointed by the governor.

The Commission is empowered to make recommendations to the governors and legislatures of the five Gulf States regarding the management of the fisheries. The states do not relinquish any of their rights or responsibilities in regulating their own fisheries, however. Recommendations to the states are based on scientific studies made by experts employed by state and federal resource agencies and advice from law enforcement officials and the commercial and recreational fishing industries.

In addition, the Commission advises the United States Congress and may testify on legislation and marine policies that affect the Gulf. One of the most important functions of the Commission is to serve as a forum for the discussion of various problems, issues, and programs concerning marine management.