Atlantic Cobia Archives - Page 4 of 4

SAFMC News Release: Federal Fishery Managers Continue to Explore Options for Red Snapper

March 13, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council addressed a number of issues affecting offshore fisheries during their meeting this week in Jekyll Island, Georgia including the continued closure of the red snapper fishery in federal waters off the South Atlantic coast and the prohibition of recreational harvest of Atlantic cobia in federal waters from Georgia to New York. Red snapper were initially closed to harvest in the South Atlantic in 2010 in order to rebuild the stock and end overfishing. Limited harvest was allowed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 through weekend openings. Recreational fishing for Atlantic cobia closed early in 2016 after it was estimated that anglers had exceeded the total annual catch limit for the year. NOAA Fisheries announced on January 24, 2017 that the Atlantic cobia recreational fishery would be closed for the remainder of the year in federal waters after exceeding the annual catch limit in 2016 and in anticipation of harvest being allowed by some states that will likely result in the catch limit being exceeded again in 2017.

The Council, whose members include representatives from state marine resources agencies, federal agencies, and recreational, charter and commercial fishermen, discussed options to reduce discards, improve the survival rate of fish that are released, and perhaps allow limited harvest of red snapper in the future as the stock continues to rebuild. The latest stock assessment update for red snapper was completed in 2016 using data collected through 2014. The Council recently received notification from NOAA Fisheries, the agency responsible for collecting fisheries data, that due to several factors, including uncertainty in the stock assessment and in estimates of fishing mortality, along with anticipated changes to the current methods used for recreational data collection, that an Acceptable Biological Catch for red snapper cannot be determined at this time. Without this number, the Council is unable to set other parameters for red snapper, including Annual Catch Limits. During its meeting the Council requested a joint meeting of the Scientific and Statistical Committees from both the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, along with scientists from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center and the Marine Recreational Information Program to address the issue as it applies to red snapper and other species.

“We have to come to some resolution of what kind of management approach may be acceptable as we work towards getting an ABC for red snapper,” said Council Chair Dr. Michelle Duval. “We should stay focused on the goal of Amendment 43 to reduce discards and turn discards into landings. The unfortunate reality is that we simply aren’t going to have numbers for the next few months.” The Council is developing Snapper Grouper Amendment 43 with management options to reduce discards, improve discard mortality, and improve recreational data collection. Public scoping meetings were held in January and February of this year to get input from the public on how best to reduce discards/discard mortality and improve private recreational data. The Council removed an action that considered large area closures and agreed to continue to develop best fishing practices management measures during its June 2017 meeting.

Vision Blueprint

Development of additional management measures continues as part of the Council’s 2016-2020 Vision Blueprint for the snapper grouper fishery. The Council reviewed public comment received as part of the public scoping held earlier this year and discussed options for the recreational fishery including restructuring aggregate bag limits, adjusting the current shallow-water grouper spawning season closure, and reducing the minimum size limit for black sea bass through Visioning Regulatory Amendment 26. Commercial measures are being addressed through Visioning Regulatory Amendment 27 and include options for split seasons, and modifications to trip limits and step-downs.

Yellowtail Snapper and Dolphin

The Council decided to postpone further actions on two amendments to allow for further analyses that may be necessary following changes underway to NOAA Fisheries Marine Recreational Information Program. Management measures addressing allocations of yellowtail snapper through Snapper Grouper Amendment 44 and for dolphin (fish) through Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 10 will be delayed until the revised recreational catch data are available.

Atlantic Cobia

The Council also received an update on management measures affecting Atlantic cobia, including a report from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission on its development of a complementary management plan that will allow additional flexibility for cobia management. In September 2016, the Council approved measures through Regulatory Amendment 4 to help reduce harvest of Atlantic cobia in federal waters that include increasing the minimum size limit, reducing the recreational bag limit, and establishing vessel limits. The regulations are currently being reviewed by NOAA Fisheries. The Council’s Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel will meet April 19-20, 2017 to continue discussions and provide input.

Other Actions

The Council heard from more than 30 fishermen and other stakeholders during a public comment session held on Wednesday afternoon, with the majority of comments directed toward opposition to a proposed Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) that would have allowed for a voluntary pilot catch share program. The Council may provide recommendations for the permits with the final determination made by NOAA Fisheries. Dr. Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office announced just prior to the public comment session that the EFP for the pilot project had been withdrawn by the applicants. Although many attending the public comment session expressed support for withdrawal of the pilot project, some had driven several hours to provide comment. The Council allowed attendees to voice their concerns and discussed ways to avoid the situation for reviewing EFPs in the future. Over 600 written comments were received online regarding the EFP for the pilot program and various other issues addressed by the Council this week.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for June 12-17, 2017 at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Final committee reports, public comments, and other materials from this week’s meeting are available from the Council’s website at http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Read further details and see images and other related meeting links at the March 2017 Council Meeting Round-up Story Map

The March 2017 Meeting Report is also available.

Reminder: SAFMC Meeting Next Week – March 6-10, 2017 in Jekyll Island, GA

March 1, 2017 — The following has been released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Meeting Location:

Westin Jekyll Island
110 Ocean Way
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Phone: Reservations: 888/627-8316 or 912/635-4545

Mackerel Cobia Committee:

The committee will receive an update on the development of an interstate fishery management plan for Atlantic cobia by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and discuss the 2017 recreational fishing season and closure.

NOTE: The Council approved measures during its September 2016 meeting through Framework Amendment 4 to help reduce the likelihood of a closure due to reaching the annual catch limit, including reducing the recreational bag limit to 1 per person/day with a vessel limit of 6 fish/day, whichever is more restrictive. The measures are currently under Secretarial review. NOAA Fisheries is soliciting public comment on Framework Amendment 4 through March 23, 2017. Read the Fishery Bulletin for details and to submit comments.

Snapper Grouper Committee:

The committee will review public input from hearing/scoping meetings held in January and February will be reviewed for: 1) options for red snapper and recreational reporting in Snapper Grouper Amendment 43; 2) the Council’s Visioning Amendments with management options for both recreational and commercial fisheries; and 3) public hearing comments on proposed allocations of yellowtail snapper. The Committee will also review approaches for a limited entry system affecting federal for-hire permits in the snapper grouper fishery.

Request for Comments: Proposed Rule to Modify Management of Atlantic Cobia (Georgia through New York)

February 22, 2017 — The following has been released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule to implement Framework Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (Framework Amendment 4).

Measures for Atlantic cobia in the proposed rule for Framework Amendment 4 would:

increase the recreational minimum size limit
reduce the recreational bag limit
establish a recreational vessel limit
establish a commercial trip limit
modify the recreational accountability measure

The proposed actions are expected to reduce the likelihood of exceeding the recreational and commercial Atlantic cobia catch limits in future years.

The 2016 and 2017 recreational fishing seasons for Atlantic cobia were shortened due to the overage of the catch limits.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:

For the Atlantic cobia recreational fishery, the proposed actions include an increase to the minimum size limit from 33 inches fork length to 36 inches fork length. In addition, the proposed rule specifies a bag limit of one fish per person per day, or a vessel limit of six fish per person per day, whichever is more restrictive.

For the Atlantic cobia commercial fishery, the proposed actions include a commercial trip limit of two fish per person per day or six fish per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive.

The proposed rule would also modify the accountability measure for the recreational sector. If the recreational and total catch limits (commercial and recreational combined) are exceeded, NOAA Fisheries would reduce the vessel limit, and if necessary, shorten the following season.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED RULE:

The comment period is open now through March 23, 2016. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 82 FR 11166, published February 21, 2017

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

1. Go to: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0167-0001

2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.

3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Karla Gore, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What are the actions in the proposed rule for Framework Amendment 4?

Recreational minimum size limit: Increase in the minimum size limit for recreationally caught Atlantic cobia from 33 inches to 36 inches fork length.

Recreational bag/vessel limits: Specify a bag limit of one fish per person per day or a vessel limit of six fish per person per day, whichever is more restrictive.

Commercial trip limit: Establish a commercial trip limit of two fish per person per day or six fish per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive.

Modify the recreational accountability measure: If the recreational and total catch limits (commercial and recreational combined) are exceeded, NOAA Fisheries would reduce the vessel limit, and if necessary, shorten the following season.

Where would these regulations apply?

These proposed regulations would apply to the Atlantic group cobia, which extends from Georgia through New York.
- Cobia off the east coast of Florida are part of the Gulf of Mexico migratory group.
- The boundary between the Gulf of Mexico migratory group and the Atlantic migratory group is the Georgia/Florida border.
- Genetic information from the most recent population assessment for cobia indicates that the Gulf of Mexico cobia stock extends through the Florida east coast.

Why are these changes needed?

In 2015 and 2016, recreational landings for Atlantic cobia exceeded the recreational catch limit and the stock catch limit. The current accountability measure is to reduce the length of the following recreational season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings achieve the recreational annual catch target, but not exceed the recreational catch limit.

Based on the accountability measure, the recreational portion of the Atlantic group cobia was closed in federal waters on June 20, 2016, and January 24, 2017.

The actions in Framework Amendment 4 are intended to reduce the likelihood of exceeding the stock catch limit and triggering the accountability measures in the future.

Where can I find more information on Framework Amendment 4?

Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Karla Gore

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

Framework Amendment 4 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/2016/framework_am4/index.html
Additional information on management of cobia in the South Atlantic may be found at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/index.html

Atlantic Cobia (Georgia to New York) Recreational Fishing Season is Closed in Federal Waters

January 26, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

Recreational harvest of Atlantic migratory group cobia (from Georgia to New York) closed at 12:01 a.m. on January 24, 2017. Recreational harvest of cobia will remain closed until January 1, 2018.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

In 2016, the recreational and total annual catch limits of Atlantic migratory group cobia were exceeded. Therefore, the 2017 recreational season must account for this overage.
When landings of Atlantic migratory group cobia exceed annual catch limits, accountability measures are in place to ensure overfishing (rate of removal is too high) does not occur. If total landings (commercial and recreational) for the Atlantic migratory group cobia exceed the total annual catch, NOAA Fisheries is required to reduce the length of the recreational fishing season in the following fishing year.
With the understanding that recreational harvest of cobia will remain open in some state waters during the federal closure, NOAA Fisheries has determined that the annual catch limit in 2017 will likely be exceeded as the majority of cobia landings come from state waters.
NOAA Fisheries will reevaluate the federal closure if state regulations change in 2017.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

During the closure, recreational harvest of cobia is prohibited in federal waters from Georgia through New York. Cobia off the east coast of Florida are part of the Gulf of Mexico migratory group.
This closure only applies to the recreational sector. The possession limit of two cobia per day remains in effect for Atlantic cobia that are sold in state or federal waters.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or here.

Read the complete Fishery Bulletin, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions available from the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website.

Commercial Harvest of Atlantic Group Cobia in South Atlantic Waters Will Close on December 6, 2016

December 1, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Commercial harvest of Atlantic group cobia in South Atlantic waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) December 6, 2016. The 2016 commercial annual catch limit is 50,000 pounds round or gutted weight. Updated landings data indicate that commercial harvest of cobia will likely reach the annual catch limit by that date. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2017.

The operator of a vessel that is landing cobia for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such cobia prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, December 6, 2016. The prohibition on sale and purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of cobia that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time) December 6, 2016, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

This closure is necessary to protect the cobia resource by preventing the commercial annual catch limit from being exceeded.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Update Newsletter; New Regulations for Atlantic Cobia, Mutton Snapper, Hogfish and MoreSA Update Newsletter; New Regulations for Atlantic Cobia, Mutton Snapper, Hogfish and More

November 21, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Managment Council:

Fall 2016 Issue Now Available

Inside this issue:

Atlantic Cobia – New measures designed to help extend 2017 season from GA to NY

Mutton Snapper and Hogfish – Measures to reduce harvest; rebuild hogfish in FL Keys/East FL approved by Council

Public Hearings and Scoping Meetings in Jan/Feb – Allocations for dolphin and yellowtail snapper; management options for red snapper; and options for Visioning amendments.

Limited Entry for Charter Vessels – Discussions continue in December

New Public Comment Process – Details for submitting comments defined as Council encourages using online comment form

December Council Meeting Agenda and more.

Read the full update at the South Atlantic Fishery Managment Council

Reminder! Atlantic Cobia Public Hearing via Webinar Scheduled for Tuesday, October 25th at 6 PM

October 24, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

REMINDER! October 25, 2016: SAFMC Public Hearing Webinar about Changes to the Recreational Fishing Season for Atlantic Cobia

Coastal Migratory Pelagics Amendment 30 includes one action to change the recreational fishing year for Atlantic cobia. In combination with the proposed changes to the recreational bag/vessel limit and minimum size limit in Framework Amendment 4 (approved by the SAFMC in September 2016), the change to the recreational fishing year is expected to reduce the risk of exceeding the recreational annual catch limit before participants in all states have opportunities to fish for cobia. The proposed measure would impact management of Atlantic cobia, which extends from the FL/GA border northward to NY.

Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: The public hearing is being held via webinar only.

Registration for the webinar is required – Click this link to register.

Hearing Overview: Council staff will provide a presentation on the amendment and provide participants an opportunity to ask questions. Once the Q&A session is complete, staff will open the public comment portion of the hearing and participants will be able to provide verbal public comment via the webinar using the mics on their computer or phone.

Amendment Documents/Presentations: Access the amendment documents and a video presentation to learn more about the action in the amendment.

SAFMC Public Hearing Webinar about Changes to the Recreational Fishing Season for Atlantic Cobia

October 12th, 2016 — The following was released from the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council:

The proposed measure would impact management of Atlantic cobia, which extends from the FL/GA border northward to NY.

DATE: October 25, 2016

TIME: 6:00 PM

LOCATION: The public hearing is being held via webinar only.

Registration for the webinar is required –

Click link here to register.

HEARING OVERVIEW:

Council staff will provide a presentation on the amendment and provide participants an opportunity to ask questions. Once the Q&A session is complete, staff will open the public comment portion of the hearing and participants will be able to provide verbal public comment via the webinar using the mics on their computer or phone.

AMENDMENT DOCUMENTS/PRESENTATIONS:

Access the amendment documents and a video presentation to learn more about the action in the amendment.