April 26, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council are soliciting public input on a number of measures proposed for both recreational and commercial fishermen targeting species in the snapper grouper management complex. The management measures are being proposed in two amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan as part of the Council’s Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery.
Vision Blueprint Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 26 (Recreational):
The amendment proposes modifying the species composition of recreational aggregates to better reflect how fishermen are currently fishing and allow more focused management measures (i.e., for deep-water species). Alternatives for aggregate bag limits, minimum size limits and gear requirements are included. The regulatory amendment also proposes modification to the spawning season closure for red grouper off the North and South Carolina coasts, removing the minimum size limit for three deep-water snappers, and reducing the minimum size limit for gray triggerfish off the east coast of Florida to bring consistency with regulations in state waters.
Vision Blueprint Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 27 (Commercial):
The amendment addresses concerns over equitable access for commercial fishermen fishing in the snapper grouper fishery and proposes measures to help minimize discards. The regulatory amendment includes actions for split commercial seasons for blueline tilefish, snowy grouper, greater amberjack, and red porgy. The amendment also includes actions to modify the commercial trip limit for blueline tilefish, greater amberjack, red porgy, and vermilion snapper. Other measures include specifying a minimum size limit for almaco jack, implementing a trip limit for the Other Jacks complex, extending the seasonal closure for red grouper in federal waters off North Carolina and South Carolina, removing the minimum size limit for three deep-water snappers, and reducing the commercial minimum size limit for gray triggerfish off the east coast of Florida.
Additional information for each amendment, including public hearing summaries, video presentations, and other materials is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.
Public Hearings via Webinar with Listening Stations
Public hearings will be held via webinar with Listening Stations in areas as noted below. Area Council members will be present at each of the Listening Stations. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record to offer their comments for consideration by the Council during the webinars.
Webinar registration is required for each public hearing.
Webinar #1 – May 8, 2018 at 6 pm
Listening Stations
Haddrell’s Point Tackle
885 Ben Sawyer Blvd.
Mt Pleasant, SC
Southeast Regional Branch Library
10599 Deerwood Park Blvd
Jacksonville, FL
NC Division of Marine Fisheries
Southern District Office
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, NC
Webinar #2 – May 9, 2018 at 6 pm
Listening Stations
Cocoa Beach Public Library
550 North Brevard Avenue
Cocoa Beach, FL
NC Division of Marine Fisheries
Central District Office
5285 Hwy 70 West
Morehead City, NC
Webinar #3 – May 10, 2018 at 6 pm
Listening Stations
Murrells Inlet Community Center
4462 Murrells Inlet Rd
Murrells Inlet, SC
Marathon Government Center – BOCC
2798 Overseas Hwy, 2nd Floor
Marathon, FL
Hatteras Community Building
57689 NC Hwy 12
Hatteras, NC
Written Comments
The Council is also accepting written comments until May 11, 2018 at 5 p.m.Written comments may be submitted using the online comment form and also be viewed via the website. Additional information on how to submit written comments is available from the website.