Council members ask whether groundfish exclusion area can be paused after restoration delays

During council discussion following the sanctuaries briefing, multiple council members raised concerns that a groundfish exclusion area (GEA) created to enable restoration work under Amendment 34 has not progressed as expected and asked whether the council or NMFS could pause enforcement until on‑the‑water work begins.

Jamie Dimond noted the closed area was created to allow restoration that “haven't begun and may not begin for some time,” and asked whether surveys had been done at the sink site and when coral outplanting would start. Kevin Grant responded that ONMS has provided the report materials available and expects to provide a more substantive update in the spring; he said he was not the technical lead on that project.

Executive Director Burton and General Counsel Lynch clarified the procedural constraints: Burton said the council would need to schedule a noticed agenda item to reconsider prior action and that rescission is possible only after appropriate notice and follow-up. Lynch added that the rule has moved through the final-rule phase and is effective; making it not effective would require further action and coordination with NMFS and enforcement offices. No formal action was taken at this meeting.