Saving Seafood

SAFMC Recruitment Announcement for Meeting Coordinator/Office Assistant

February 26, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, is currently soliciting applicants for a Meeting Coordinator/Office Assistant. The person in the position will be responsible for all aspects of on-site support of various types of meetings, ranging from public hearings to Council meetings. Significant travel is required. Additional responsibilities include report submission, workflow tracking, and general office support.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is responsible for the conservation and management of fish stocks within the federal 200-mile limit of the Atlantic off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and east Florida to Key West. The Council is responsible for Coastal Migratory Pelagics from New York to Florida and for Dolphin/Wahoo from Maine to Florida.

Additional information including a list of Primary Duties and Responsibilities, Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications required, and how to apply for the position is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/council-news/. Questions should be addressed to Kelly Klasnick, Administrative Officer, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council at kelly.klasnick@safmc.net or by calling the Council office at 843/571-4366.

SAFMC Meeting March 2-6, 2020

February 18, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Briefing book materials are now available for the next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council scheduled for March 2-6, 2020 at the Westin Jekyll Island, 110 Ocean Way, Jekyll Island, GA, 31527. The meeting week begins on Monday at 1:30 p.m. with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday afternoon and Friday. Briefing book materials for each committee meeting as well as a meeting of the Full Council are now available.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, March 4th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form for agenda items is also now available. The meeting is available via webinar as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance for each meeting day. Meeting information, including briefing book materials with committee agendas and overviews, the online comment form, links to webinar registration, and more is available at: https://safmc.net/march-2020-council-meeting-details/.

Agenda Highlights:

  • FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary – The Council will receive updates from meetings held in Florida in early 2020 about proposed regulation changes in the Sanctuary. Based on those updates and subsequent discussions, the Council will provide recommendations to the Sanctuary.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Council is considering management options to add bullet and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan as Ecosystem Component Species. The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will continue discussions and provide recommendations.
  • Coastal Migratory Pelagics – The Mackerel Cobia Committee will continue to discuss CMP Framework Amendment 9 affecting the Spanish mackerel commercial trip limit in the Northern Zone, reviewing public hearing comments and providing recommendations to the Council. The Council will consider the amendment for approval for formal Secretarial Review.
  • Shrimp – The Shrimp Committee will review measures in Shrimp Amendment 11 addressing shrimp vessel transit provisions during cold-weather events, consider public hearing comments received in January of this year, and provide recommendations to the Council. The Council will consider the amendment for formal Secretarial review.
  • Allocations – The Council will discuss the history of sector allocations in the South Atlantic and will begin to consider steps for moving forward with these challenging decisions.

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting March 2-6, 2020

February 7, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its next meeting March 2-6, 2020 at the Westin Jekyll Island, 110 Ocean Way, Jekyll Island, GA, 31527. The meeting week begins on Monday at 1:30 p.m. with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council Thursday afternoon and Friday.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, March 4th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form will be available for written comments beginning February 14, 2020. The meeting will be available via webinar as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance for each meeting day.

Agenda Highlights:

  • FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary – The Council will receive updates from meetings held in Florida in early 2020 about proposed regulation changes in the Sanctuary. Based on those updates and subsequent discussions, the Council will provide recommendations to the Sanctuary.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Council is considering management options to add bullet and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan as Ecosystem Component Species. The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will continue discussions and provide recommendations.
  • Coastal Migratory Pelagics – The Mackerel Cobia Committee will continue to discuss CMP Framework Amendment 9 affecting the Spanish mackerel commercial trip limit in the Northern Zone, reviewing public hearing comments and providing recommendations to the Council. The Council will consider the amendment for approval for formal Secretarial Review.
  • Shrimp – The Shrimp Committee will review measures in Shrimp Amendment 11 addressing shrimp vessel transit provisions during cold-weather events, consider public hearing comments received in January of this year, and provide recommendations to the Council. The Council will consider the amendment for formal Secretarial review.
  • Allocations – The Council will discuss the history of sector allocations in the South Atlantic and will begin to consider steps for moving forward with these challenging decisions.

Additional Information:

Additional meeting information will be available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ as it becomes available. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available on February 14, 2020.

Reminder – SAFMC Meeting December 2-6, 2019 in Wilmington, NC

November 25, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Join members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for their December 2-6, 2019 meeting at the Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. The meeting week includes a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council.

The meeting briefing book materials, including agendas, overviews, and discussion documents, are available from the Council’s website. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings in person or listen in via webinar. The public comment period is open and webinar links are provided below.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Red Snapper – The Council is considering actions to eliminate the current three-day minimum number of fishing days required for the red snapper seasons (recreational or commercial) to open, and to change the start date of the commercial fishing season to May 1st from the current 2nd Monday in July. The Council is scheduled to approve the measures in Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 33 at this meeting.
  • Mackerel Cobia – The Council is scheduled to approve measures affecting king mackerel commercial trip limits in season two (Framework Amendment 8). The Mackerel Cobia Committee will also discuss accountability measures for the Spanish mackerel fishery.
  • Citizen Science – The Council’s Citizen Science Committee will receive updates on the pilot projects SAFMC Scamp Release and FISHstory, review research priorities, discuss program evaluation, and more.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will continue to discuss management options for both dolphin and wahoo to include in draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.

Additional Information:

  • Wednesday, December 4 – Formal Public Comment 4:00 PM
  • Online Public Comment
    • Members of the public may provide written comments on agenda items via the Council’s Online Comment Form. Comments may also be viewed online as they are posted. Additional details are available from the December Council Meeting page.
  • Meeting via Webinar – Listen to the meeting and view presentations via webinar each day as the meeting occurs. Registration required. Click the links below to register ahead for each day and receive an email reminder.

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting December 2-6, 2019

November 7, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its next meeting December 2-6, 2019 at the Hotel Ballast (Hilton Riverside), 301 North Water Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401. The meeting week begins on Monday at 1:30 p.m. with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Friday.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, December 4th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form will be available for written comments, and the meeting will be available via webinar as it occurs.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Red Snapper – The Council is considering actions to eliminate the current three-day minimum number of fishing days required for the red snapper seasons (recreational or commercial) to open, and to change the start date of the commercial fishing season to May 1st from the current 2nd Monday in July. The Council is scheduled to approve the measures in Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 33 at this meeting.
  • Mackerel Cobia – The Council is scheduled to approve measures affecting king mackerel commercial trip limits in season two (Framework Amendment 8). The Mackerel Cobia Committee will also discuss accountability measures for the Spanish mackerel fishery.
  • Citizen Science – The Council’s Citizen Science Committee will receive updates on the pilot projects SAFMC Scamp Release and FISHstory, review research priorities, discuss program evaluation, and more.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will continue to discuss management actions and alternatives for both dolphin and wahoo in draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.

Additional Information:

Additional meeting information will be available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ as it becomes available. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available on November 15, 2019.

Reminder – SAFMC Meeting Next Week in Charleston, SC

September 11, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet next week in Charleston to discuss a variety of federal fishery management issues affecting fisheries off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and east coast of Florida.

  • Meeting Location: Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407.
  • The meeting week includes a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council. Unless otherwise indicated, the meeting is open to the public and available via webinar as it occurs (see list of links below). Briefing book materials, including agendas, overviews, and discussion documents are available from the Council’s website.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Red Snapper – The Snapper Grouper Committee will review public hearing comments and continue discussion of alternatives for modifying the start dates, days of the week, and minimum number of fishing days required for opening the red snapper seasons.
  • Best Fishing Practices and Use of Powerhead Gear – The Snapper Grouper Committee will continue to discuss proposed requirements for the use of descending devices, venting tools, and circle hooks, as well as changes to restrictions on powerhead gear. The Council is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29 for formal Secretarial review at this meeting.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will continue to discuss management options for both dolphin and wahoo to include in draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.

Additional Information:

  • Wednesday, September 18 – Formal Public Comment 4:00 PM
  • Online Public Comment
    • Want to submit a comment on an issue? Read what others are saying?Provide comments on agenda items via the Council’s Online Comment Form. Comments may also be viewed online as they are posted. Additional details are available from the September Council Meeting page.
  • Meeting via Webinar – Listen to the meeting and view presentations via webinar each day as the meeting occurs. Registration required. Click the links below to register ahead for each day and receive an email reminder. Note – on Monday of the meeting week Council members receive training and the Personnel Committee meets in closed session. Thus webinar coverage begins on Tuesday.

SAFMC Meeting September 16-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC

August 22, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its next meeting September 16-20, 2019 at the Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407. The meeting week begins with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Friday.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, September 18th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form will be available for written comments, and the meeting will be available via webinar as it occurs.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Red Snapper – The Council is considering alternatives to modify the start dates, days of the week, and minimum number of fishing days required for opening the red snapper seasons. Public hearing comments received in August will be reviewed as the Snapper Grouper Committee continues discussion of Regulatory Amendment 33.
  • Best Fishing Practices and Use of Powerhead Gear – The Council is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29 addressing best fishing practices including requirements for descending devices and modifications to current hook regulations. The amendment would also modify restrictions on powerhead gear.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will continue to discuss management actions and alternatives for both dolphin and wahoo to include in draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.

Additional Information:

Additional meeting information will be available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ as it becomes available. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available on August 30, 2019.

More than 260 dolphins found stranded along the Gulf Coast since February. Scientists aren’t sure why.

June 17, 2019 — Scientists are trying to determine why more than 260 bottlenose dolphins have been found stranded along the Northern Gulf of Mexico since the beginning of February.

The number of dolphin deaths is about three times higher than the average for the time period, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Friday.

The strandings in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida have been declared an Unusual Mortality Event, or UME.

A UME is defined under the Marine Mammal Protection Act as “a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response.”

Read the full story at USA Today

Dead dolphins keep washing up in Delaware. But why?

May 30, 2019 — Twelve dead dolphins have washed up on bay and ocean breaches in Delaware over the last two months.

Among the most recent: A decomposed bottlenose dolphin calf showed up on Memorial Day at Cape Henlopen State Park, and another was found Saturday on the coast in Rehoboth Beach.

What caused many of those deaths remains unclear: Most of the dolphins that washed ashore were largely decomposed by the time officials arrived from the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute (MERR) in Lewes.

In an ocean filled with predators and scavengers, as well as the sun beating down on hot days, it can often be a challenge to get good enough tissue and fluid samples to figure out what happened.

“I’m not seeing anything out of the ordinary whatsoever at this point,” said Suzanne Thurman, executive director of MERR. “It’s always note-worthy, but it’s not a spike.”

Read the full story at USA Today