November 22, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
Agenda Highlights
Mackerel Cobia Committee
Review public comment and take final action for changing the fishing year for Atlantic cobia (GA to NY); and take final action on Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment 29 addressing king mackerel allocations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Snapper Grouper Committee
Take final action for measures to reduce the harvest of mutton snapper; continue discussion on options for red snapper and recreational reporting; receive the annual review of the Vision Blueprint and consider options to include in the Vision Blueprint amendments for commercial and recreational snapper grouper fisheries; and consider measures to reduce harvest of golden tilefish based on the most recent stock assessment
Data Collection Committee Take final action on the For-Hire Electronic Reporting Amendment that would require electronic reporting for federally permitted charter vessels and modify current reporting requirements for headboats.
Joint Dolphin Wahoo/Snapper Grouper/Mackerel Cobia Committees Continue work on alternatives to modify allocations for dolphin (mahi mahi) and yellowtail snapper and approve for public hearings to be held in Jan/Feb 2017; and continue discussion on options for limited entry for federally permitted for-hire (charter) vessels.