September 20, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
Note: The Council meeting was rescheduled due to Hurricane Irma. Please check out the information below regarding next week’s meeting schedule and opportunities for public comment. Unless otherwise indicated, members of the public are invited to attend all meetings.
Meeting materials, including agendas, overviews, presentations, and documents are available via the Council’s website at www.safmc.net.
Meeting Location:
Town and Country Inn
2008 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: Reservations: 843/571-1000
Agenda Highlights
- Full Council Session – Monday, September 25
Harvest Options for Red Snapper
The Council will hold a special session from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Monday of the meeting week to specifically address measures to allow harvest of red snapper. The Council will review alternatives in Snapper Grouper Amendment 43 to determine an annual catch limit for red snapper and allow a limited season in 2018. The Council will also consider options to request that NOAA Fisheries take emergency action for a red snapper mini-season in 2017.- Red Snapper Public Comment – Monday, September 25
10:15 AM
Public comment will be solicited on measures proposed in Amendment 43 to allow for a limited harvest of red snapper in 2018 and options for requesting emergency action for harvest in 2017. The Council is scheduled to take action during Monday’s Full Council Session. Provide your comments online now and register to attend the meeting via webinar as it occurs (see below).
- Red Snapper Public Comment – Monday, September 25
- Snapper Grouper Committee The committee will continue to review measures proposed for both recreational (Regulatory Amendment 26) and commercial (Regulatory Amendment 27) sectors as identified through the Council’s 2016-2020 Vision Blueprint.
- Mackerel Cobia Committee The committee will receive an update on the development of an interstate fishery management plan for Atlantic cobia (Georgia through New York) by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The committee will also review options to modify the current commercial trip limit for king mackerel during their meeting.
- NOTE: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a public hearing on measures proposed for Atlantic cobia on Tuesday, September 26th beginning at 7:00 PM in conjunction with the Council meeting.