Cobia Archives - Saving Seafood

ASMFC Coastal Pelagics Board Sets Atlantic Cobia Total Harvest Quota and Recreational Measures for 2027 Fishing Season

August 5, 2026 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Coastal Pelagics Management Board approved a total harvest quota of 80,112 fish and status quo recreational management measures for the Atlantic migratory group of cobia for the 2027 fishing season. This total quota results in a coastwide recreational quota of 76,908 fish and commercial quota of 73,116 pounds for 2027.

The total quota level of 80,112 fish per year has been the same since 2020 and is based on the results of the 2020 benchmark stock assessment. The Board has maintained this quota given the absence of updated stock projections and considering the recent underutilization of recreational quota .

A new Atlantic cobia stock assessment is currently underway and scheduled to be completed in mid-2027. The Board intends to use the new assessment to inform total harvest quotas and management measures for 2028 and beyond.

For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org.

ASMFC 2026 Summer Meeting Supplemental Materials Now Available

July 29, 2026 — Supplemental materials for ASMFC’s 2026 Summer Meeting are now available at https://asmfc.org/events/2026-summer-meeting/ for the following Boards/Committees. Click on “Supplemental Materials” at the bottom of the relevant Board/Committee agenda to access these materials. Combined supplemental materials can also be found at https://asmfc.org/resources/management-meeting-materials/2026-summer-meeting-supplemental-materials-august-2026/

American Lobster Management Board – Public Comment

Winter Flounder Management Board – Staff Memo: Winter Flounder Specifications Process

Tautog Management Board – Draft Addendum I: Regional Response to 2025 Stock Assessment Update

Executive Committee – Draft Meeting Summary from May 2026

Coastal Pelagics Management Board – Draft Cobia FMP Review for the 2025 Fishing Year

Atlantic Menhaden Management Board – Revised Draft Addendum II (this draft was revised July 23 and was updated to the linked meeting materials for the Board; if the copy you have does not have yellow highlighted text on the cover, please see the revised document in the supplemental materials); and Public Comment

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board – Draft FMP Review for the 2025 Fishing Year and Public Comment

Other resources (TA, Roster, Reimbursement Guidelines, etc.) are available near the top of the page in the Background Materials accordion under Meeting Information.

The agenda is subject to change. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled Board meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of Board meetings. Interested parties should anticipate Boards starting earlier or later than indicated herein. At these meetings, action may be taken on any agenda item, including, but not limited to, reports from staff, technical committees, stock assessment committees, peer reviews, Law Enforcement Committee, advisory panels, plan review teams, and plan development teams.

Also of note, the Commission will be considering changes to its Rules and Regulations regarding guidelines on states declared interest on species management boards, as well as changing the name of the Legislative and Governor Appointees Sections to Legislative and Governor Appointees Committees.

Webinar Information

Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, August 4 at 10 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 12:15 PM) on Thursday, August 6. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur. To register for the webinar, please go to:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7353853081544591455 (Webinar ID: 898-319-835). I If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can also call +1 (415) 930-5321, access code 464-559-262. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar. For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.

Please note: The GoToWebinar platform has significantly changed, so please carefully review the webinar instructions to guide you through joining and participating in the webinar.

Each day, the webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the first meeting so that people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter. If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790.

Meeting Process

Board chairs will ask both in-person and virtual board members if they wish to speak. In-person members can simply raise their hands at the meeting without logging on to the webinar, while virtual members will raise their hands on the webinar. The chair will work with staff to balance the flow of questions/comments between in-person and virtual attendees. The same process will be used for public comment. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.

Public Comment Guidelines

To provide a fair opportunity for public input, the ISFMP Policy Board has approved the following guidelines for use at management board meetings:

For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide opportunities to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. Board chairs will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.

For topics that are on the agenda, but have not gone out for public comment, board chairs will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic.

Chairs will have flexibility in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities; this could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition until the chair is satisfied further comments will not provide additional insight to the board.

For agenda action items that have already gone out for public comment, it is the Policy Board’s intent to end the occasional practice of allowing extensive and lengthy public comments. Currently, board chairs have the discretion to decide what public comment to allow in these circumstances.

In addition, the following timeline has been established for the submission of written comments for issues for which the Commission has NOT established a specific public comment period (i.e., in response to proposed management action).

1. Comments received three weeks prior to the start of a meeting week (July 13) will be included in the briefing materials.

2. Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, July 28 will be included in supplemental materials.

3. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, July 31 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.

The submitted comments must clearly indicate the commenter’s expectation from the ASMFC staff regarding distribution. As with other public comment, it will be accepted via mail and email.

We look forward to seeing you at the Summer Meeting!

Commercial fishermen concerned recreational fishing is leading to overfishing

May 13, 2022 — Cobia, Lane Snapper, Greater Amberjack, Gag Grouper, and Gulf of Mexico Jacks Complex — these are all fish you can catch out in the Gulf of Mexico. Many of you have probably eaten, any, or all these fish, but they’re also being overfished, or close to it, according to NOAA, and its annual report on American fisheries.

This report has some commercial fisherman concerned about their own livelihood, and what they say is the lack of oversight for recreational fishing.

“There are plenty of fish out here to be caught,” said Captain Matt Sexton for the Small Shellfishing vessel. “Everyone should have equal chance to catch fish out here, but there are a lot of rules and regulations that are going on that are not fair to the commercial fishermen.”

Those same concerns were repeated by boat captains readying their boats for their next trip.

Read the full story at Fox 4

ASMFC Coastal Pelagics Board Sets Atlantic Cobia Total Harvest Quota for 2023 Fishing Season

May 4, 2022 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Coastal Pelagics Management Board approved a total harvest quota for the Atlantic migratory group of cobia of 80,112 fish for the 2023 fishing season. This total quota results in a coastwide recreational quota of 76,908 fish and commercial quota of 73,116 pounds.

The total quota level of 80,112 fish was first approved in February 2020 for the 2020-2022 fishing seasons. In 2021, the allocation of that total quota changed through Addendum I, and some states implemented new recreational cobia measures in 2021. Based on a recommendation from the Technical Committee, the Board changed the cobia quota timeframe from 2020-2022 to 2021-2023, thereby, maintaining the previous year’s harvest quota of 80,112 fish for the 2023 fishing season. This change to the quota timeframe aligns with the timing of new measures implemented in 2021.

The Board will meet in 2023 to consider setting new specifications for the 2024-2026 fishing seasons. For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org.

Council Exploring Options to Reduce Release Mortality and a Holistic Approach to Management of Snapper Grouper Species

December 15, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council are beginning to explore ways to reduce the number of fish that are released in the Snapper Grouper Management Complex and improve survival rates for those fish that are released. The multi-species complex includes 55 species of snappers, groupers, porgies, grunts, and amberjacks. “We simply have to get a handle on these regulatory discards,” explained Council Chair Mel Bell during the Council’s meeting last week in Beaufort, North Carolina. “Fishermen also play a key role in improving the survival rate for released fish and ultimately determining the future of the fishery.” The Council has consistently encouraged the use of Best Fishing Practices including a descending device requirement and hook modifications for snapper grouper fishermen in federal waters in place since July 15, 2020.

According to the latest stock assessment for Red Snapper, discard mortality (the number of fish that are released and die) accounts for 90% of the overall fishing mortality, primarily from the recreational fishery as anglers continue to fish year-round for other snapper grouper species. Large numbers of discards affect managers’ ability to prevent overfishing while also reducing the number of fish that can be kept and landed by the fishery. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee determined the Red Snapper stock continues to be overfished and undergoing overfishing largely due to discard mortality, and in September provided the Council a total Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) for Red Snapper of 25,000 pounds. Under law, the Council may not set an annual catch limit that exceeds that ABC, leaving little room for an opening of the fishery when the updated ABC is implemented. However, given that the majority of Red Snapper mortality is due to discarded fish, the Council recognizes that reducing discard losses is necessary to prevent overfishing and could possibly increase the amount of fish available to harvest.

The Council is moving forward with a Release Mortality Reduction Framework Amendment to address the Red Snapper ABC recommendation while looking at possible ways to reduce release mortality and end overfishing. After reviewing input from its Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, Council members discussed ideas for reducing the number of fish that are released and increasing survivorship of released fish, including: restricting access to specific areas (spatial or depth) where Red Snapper congregate; gear modifications such as requirements for single hooks, leader lengths, and lines per person; daily weight limits of per person; and seasonal openings. “The Council has a legal mandate to end overfishing and address the Acceptable Biological Catch level from its SSC,” said Jessica McCawley, Chair of the Council’s Snapper Grouper Committee. “We know some of these ideas may be of concern to fishermen and certainly welcome input as we consider things such as regional differences or sector differences in this fishery. One size may not fit all.”

The Council will begin soliciting public input and suggestions for how to best reduce the number of released fish and improve release mortality in early 2022 and discussions will continue during its March 2022 meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Over the last year the Council has been investigating recreational permits or licenses for the Snapper Grouper fishery as a tool to help identify the universe of fishermen and improve data collection. The Council will receive a final report from a Recreational Reporting Workgroup during its March 2022 meeting.

The Council is also considering a holistic approach to managing the Snapper Grouper fishery and approved the use of a Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) to robustly evaluate management impacts across the fishery. The Council intends to use the MSE to evaluate varying strategies to achieve management objectives to rebuild overfished stocks and prevent overfishing, while balancing the needs for fishery access, resource use, and accommodating sector and geographical differences in the fishery. Updates on the MSE will be provided to the Council as the project gets underway.

Other Business

The Council approved Amendment 32 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan with actions affecting Gulf Migratory Group Cobia, including the Florida East Coast Zone. The fishery is managed jointly by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. A recent stock assessment for Gulf Migratory Group Cobia indicates the stock is not overfished but is undergoing overfishing. Actions in the amendment include a reduction in the daily possession limit from 2 fish to 1 fish per person per day with a vessel limit of two fish per trip. The reductions would apply to both recreational and commercial sectors. The amendment would also increase the minimum size limit to 36 inches fork length for the Florida East Coast Zone. Amendment 32 must be approved by the Secretary of Commerce before measures are implemented.

Additional information about the December 2021 Council meeting, including Story Maps, committee reports, and other materials is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for March 7-11, 2022, at the Westin Hotel, Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Reminder! In-Person Public Hearings for Cobia Management Begin Next Week in Florida

October 15, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a series of four in-person public hearings along the east coast of Florida next week to gather input on proposed measures for the Gulf Migratory Group Cobia fishery in federal waters. Written public comment is also being accepted (see below).

Measures are being proposed to modify catch limits, revise the sector allocation for the Florida East Coast Zone, modify size and possession limits, and change Framework procedures. The measures are proposed through Amendment 32 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region.

Public Hearing Schedule

Coastal Migratory Pelagics Amendment 32
All hearings begin at 6 p.m.

Monday, October 18
Harvey Governmental Center
Key West, FL

Tuesday, October 19
The River Center at Burt Reynolds Park
Jupiter, FL

Wednesday, October 20
Hilton Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, FL

Thursday, October 21
Mudville Grill
Jacksonville, FL

During the in-person public hearings Council staff will provide an overview of proposed actions and answer questions. Council representatives will also be present and formal public comment accepted.

Additional information, including public hearing documents, a video presentation, and an online public comment form is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Public comments are due by October 21, 2021 at 5 p.m. The South Atlantic Council will address Amendment 32 during its December 6-10, 2021 meeting.

Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming SAFMC Meetings

The following meetings will be held via webinar

October 19-21, 2021
Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
Briefing book materials and additional meeting information available online
Webinar Registration

October 27-29, 2021
Scientific and Statistical Committee
Briefing book materials and additional meeting information now available online
Webinar Registration

November 2 and 3, 2021
Public Scoping Meetings – Yellowtail Snapper
Starting at 6 p.m.
Snapper Grouper Amendment 44 – Proposed changes to catch levels and allocations
Scoping meeting materials will be posted online as they become available
Webinar Registration:
Tuesday, November 2
Wednesday, November 3

November 3-4, 2021
Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel

November 18-19, 2021
Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel

About the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida. For more information, visit: www.safmc.net.

Reminder: SAFMC Advisory Panel Seats Open for Applicants

April 27, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The deadline to apply for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels is rapidly approaching! The Council is soliciting applicants for several open seats on the Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel as well as the Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel, Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and Law Enforcement Advisory Panel.

The Council’s advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing federal fishery management plans and plan amendments. Management issues on the table for 2021 include climate vulnerability and impacts relative to fisheries, development of the Council’s Habitat Blueprint, King Mackerel catch levels and management adjustments, and modifications to management of Snowy Grouper, Yellowtail Snapper, Red Porgy, Red Snapper and several other species in the Snapper Grouper management complex. Members of the Council’s Law Enforcement Advisory Panel will provide recommendations specific to enforcement issues affecting these and other fisheries.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
(1) Florida Seat, (1) South Carolina Seat, (1) Georgia Seat, and (2) At-Large Seats

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
(1) Recreational Seat and (1) Commercial Seat

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
(6) Open Seats

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
(1) North Carolina Seat and (1) Florida Seat

The Council will consider applicants during its June 14-18, 2021 meeting scheduled via webinar. Additional details, including links to the online application forms are available from the Council’s website. Questions? Contact Kim Iverson at kim.iverson@safmc.net or 843/302-8440.

NORTH CAROLINA: Cobia recreation fishery opens May 1

April 15, 2021 — North Carolina Marine Fisheries Proclamation FF-25-2021 opens the recreational cobia fishery in coastal fishing waters effective May 1, 2021. The recreational season will remain open through Dec. 31, 2021.

The proclamation maintains the season for the commercial cobia fishery.

For the recreation fishery, the size limit is 36 inches fork length or greater with a possession limit of one per person per day.

Read the full story at The Coastland Times

Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants

April 8, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Are you interested in federal fisheries management and want to become more involved? Apply now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels. The Council is soliciting applicants for several open seats on the Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Advisory Panel as well as the Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel, Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and Law Enforcement Advisory Panel.

Members of the Council’s advisory panels include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups and fishing organizations, and concerned citizens. Most of the seats on advisory panels are allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered “at large” and open to any interested person. Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council to three-year terms and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
(1) Florida Seat, (1) South Carolina Seat, (1) Georgia Seat, and (2) At-Large Seats

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
(1) Recreational Seat and (1) Commercial Seat

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
(6) Open Seats

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
(1) North Carolina Seat and (1) Florida Seat

How to Apply

Detailed instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels are available online from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Council representatives from their area to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available from the “About Us” section of the Council’s website at www.safmc.net. Applicants may provide letters of recommendation as part of their online application.

Applications must be received by Wednesday, May 5, 2021 for consideration by the Council during its June 14-18, 2021 meeting scheduled via webinar.

ASMFC November/December 2020 issue of Fisheries Focus Now Available

December 22, 2020 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The November/December 2020 issue of ASMFC Fisheries Focus is now available at http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/5fe26519FishFocusNovDec2020.pdf.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Upcoming Meetings

page 2

From the Executive Director’s Desk
page 3

Species Profile

Atlantic Cobia

page 4

ASMFC Seeks Proposals for Regional Pilot Projects in Support of Sustainable Aquaculture

page 6

ASMFC & MAFMC Maintain Status Quo Recreational Management Measures for 2021

page 6

Science Highlight

Current and Future Distributions of Atlantic Cobia

page 8

On the Legislative Front

U.S. Congress Approves 2021 Omnibus Spending Bill, Second Round of Fisheries Disaster Assistance

page 11

The Latest from ACCSP

SAFIS eTRIPS Modernization for the New Year

page 12

Employee of the Quarter

page 13

Happy Holidays!

page 14

Past issues of Fisheries Focus can be found at http://www.asmfc.org/search/%20/%20/Fishery-Focus