Saving Seafood

SAFMC September 2021 Meeting to be Held via Webinar

August 30, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and increasing transmission rates in the region, the September 13-17, 2021meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be held via webinar. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Charleston, South Carolina.

Briefing book materials for the September meeting are now available from the Council’s website along with an online public comment form. The meeting materials include agendas and overviews for each committee meeting throughout the week along with meetings of the Full Council. Presentations and supporting documents are also included.

Council members will discuss federal management measures affecting:

  • Establishment of an allowable fishing area for the Rock Shrimp fishery along the western boundary of the Oculina Bank Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern off the east coast of Florida (Coral Amendment 10)
  • Management measures for Red Porgy, Greater Amberjack, Snowy Grouper, and Yellowtail Snapper
  • Catch level recommendations for Red Snapper
  • Information on the current “two-for-one” federal permit requirement for the commercial snapper grouper fishery

The meeting webinar begins Monday, September 13, 2021 with a meeting of the Full Council at 1 p.m. Meetings of the Council’s committees will continue through the week, concluding with a meeting of the Full Council on Friday, September 17th.

Public Comment Session – Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
The Council will accept public comment on agenda items during this time. Public hearing comments will also be accepted for Snapper Grouper Amendment 50 addressing proposed management measures for Red Porgy.

Unless otherwise indicated, the meeting is open to the public via webinar. Registration is required. Register now and receive reminders as the meeting date approaches.

Meeting materials, the online public comment form and additional meeting information are all now available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

The South Atlantic Bite – Newsworthy Notes – August 4, 2021

August 5, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

SAVE The Date – South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting
September 13-17, 2021
Charleston, SC

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council are currently scheduled to meet at the Town and Country Inn in Charleston, South Carolina from September 13-17, 2021.

Council members will address a broad range of issues affecting federal fishery management during the week-long meeting including:

  • Changes to an allowable fishing area for the Rock Shrimp fishery within the Oculina Bank Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern off the east coast of Florida (Coral Amendment 10)
  • Management measures for Red Porgy, Greater Amberjack, Snowy Grouper, and Yellowtail Snapper
  • Catch level recommendations for Red Snapper
  • Evaluation of the current “two-for-one” federal permit requirement for the commercial snapper grouper fishery

A public hearing for measures proposed for Red Porgy will be held during the meeting. Meeting information, including the agenda and overview, public comment form, and briefing book materials will be posted on the Council’s website two weeks prior to the meeting. Public comment will also be accepted during the meeting.

Note: The Council will continue to monitor COVID-19 and CDC guidelines relative to holding the meeting in-person. If necessary, the meeting may be held via webinar. An announcement will be made from the Council office regarding any changes.

Help Us Improve the SAFMC Website

Work continues on the redesign of the Council’s website to improve user experience and provide you ease of access to the information you need most. Having input along the way will help us to better understand how content on the site can be grouped to better serve you.

Please take a few minutes to provide your input via this navigation exercise: https://s1u2yj8z.optimalworkshop.com/treejack/f7536837-0. Input will be accepted until August 18th, so click now!

Questions? Contact Cameron Rhodes at Cameron.Rhodes@safmc.net.

Can Underwater Cameras on Remotely Operated Vehicles Measure the Size of Reef Fish?
New research shows how effective the cameras can be

Offshore bottom fishermen know that reef fish communities along the Atlantic coast and northern Gulf of Mexico contain a wide variety of ecologically and economically important fishes, including snappers, groupers, triggerfishes, and jacks. Several aspects of these fishes’ life history are often related to their length, including age, maturity, and egg production.

Collecting length information, in addition to identifying which species and how many are present at each reef, can provide insights helpful for stock assessments as well as assessing an ecosystem’s condition and productivity.

A recent blog post from N.C. Sea Grant’s Hook, Line & Science online series provides details on how scientists are using GoPro underwater cameras to obtain accurate length estimates.You can even watch an underwater video from the GoPro’s point of view!

Additional Snippets:

National Academies Completes Draft Report on Recreational Fishing Data, Strategies to Support In-Season Management

A recent study completed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine provides recommendations that could improve in-season management tools for recreational fisheries. The draft report, Data and Management Strategies for Recreational Fisheries with Annual Catch Limits is now available, providing recommendations for the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP). Have questions about recreational fishing data collection or estimation? Email Dave Bard at david.bard@noaa.gov or visit: countmyfish.noaa.gov.

Congressmen Huffman, Case Introduce the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act – Legislation to Update Federal Fisheries Management

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) Chair of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee and subcommittee member Ed Case (D-Honolulu) have introduced the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act, legislation to update and reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the primary law governing federal fisheries management and conservation that has made the U.S. a global leader in sustainable fisheries. See the press release to learn more and to access a one page summary of the bill and the bill in its entirety.

Four Decades of Fresh Fish

August 2021 marks the 40th anniversary for Hull’s Seafood Market and Restaurant in Ormond Beach, Florida. Jimmy Hull, owner of Hull’s Seafood and Chair of the Council’s Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, was recently featured in an article in the Ormond Beach Observer, telling the story of how a small boat at the age of 14 would spark a love of fishing that grew into a successful business through dedication and hard work.

Mark Your Calendar

Keep track of meetings scheduled by the Council from the website and register for meeting webinars as information becomes available. Register early and receive email reminders as the meeting date(s) approach!

August 17, 2021
Allocation Decision Tree Blueprint Meeting
Meeting details
Webinar registration

September 13-17, 2021
SAFMC September Meeting
Charleston, SC

Multiple Fisheries Reopen May 1st in SA Federal Waters

April 26, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Spring fishing season is underway! If you plan to head offshore, fishermen are reminded that beginning May 1st each year there are a few more species to target in South Atlantic federal waters (greater than 3 nautical miles off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the east coast of Florida).

May 1st marks the beginning of the shallow-water grouper season, following the annual spawning season closure from January 1st through April 30th. The one exception is the Red Grouper season in federal waters off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina, which will open for harvest on June 1st.

Regulations also change for Greater Amberjack, Snowy Grouper, Hogfish and several other species.

Check out the Council’s latest blog for details.

Fish Rules: Always Have the Latest Regulations With You

Before heading offshore, download the free Fish Rules mobile application. Then simply check for updates before your next fishing trip and you’ll have the information in your pocket, no matter where your fishing trip takes you. No signal? No problem. None required to access the correct information once the app has been updated.

Fish Rules Download:

iPhone or Android

Questions?

Contact Cameron Rhodes, Outreach Program Manager, cameron.rhodes@safmc.net or Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, kim.iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/571-4366.

Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack Recreational Fishing Season Reopens May 1-31, 2021

April 21, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries reminds recreational fishermen that the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack recreational fishing season reopens 12:01 a.m., local time, on May 1, 2021 and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1, 2021.

What this Means:

  • Preliminary landings indicate the recreational greater amberjack quota has not been met or projected to be met allowing the recreational fishing season to reopen May 1, 2021.
  • The recreational fishing season for greater amberjack will close for the remainder of the fishing year during its second seasonal closure, starting June 1 through July 31.
  • The 2021/2022 recreational greater amberjack fishing year will start on August 1, 2021.

Greater Amberjack Recreational Management Measures:

  • Fishing Year: August 1 – July 31
  • Seasonal Closure: November 1 – April 30 and June 1 – July 31
  • Minimum Size Limit: 34 inch fork length
  • Accountability Measures: Inseason closure and payback of any overage of the annual catch limit
  • Bag Limit: 1 fish per person
  • 2020/2021 annual catch limit: 1,309,620 lbs whole weight
  • 2020/2021 annual catch target: 1,086,985 lbs whole weight

Reminder: SAFMC March 1-5, 2021 Meeting via Webinar

February 23, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Join members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council as they convene their quarterly meeting next week, March 1-5, 2021. The meeting will be held via webinar and is available to the public as it occurs. A single webinar registration will allow access to each day of the meeting. Register now to receive email reminders as the meeting date approaches. Additional materials and meeting details are available from the Council’s website.

Agenda Highlights

  • Amendment 10 to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan
    • The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will review recent public comments and continue to work on the amendment with actions to modify catch levels and sector allocations for both Dolphin and Wahoo, reduce recreational vessel limits for Dolphin and Wahoo, reduce bag limits for Wahoo and other measures affecting the fishery along the Atlantic coast.
  • Shrimp Fishery Access Area in the Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (Coral Amendment 10) – a public hearing on proposed measures will be held during the public comment session (see below)
  • Snapper Grouper Committee will address:
    • Red Porgy – (Snapper Grouper Amendment 50) – management measures to end overfishing and rebuild the stock
    • Greater Amberjack – (Snapper Grouper Amendment 49) – options to adjust catch levels and sector allocations
    • Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) Program – proposed changes to modernize the existing program. Public scoping will be held during the public comment session (see below)
  • King Mackerel – options to adjust catch levels and sector allocations. Public scoping will be held during the public comment session (see below).

The meeting begins Monday afternoon, March 1, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. with a meeting of the Full Council. Meetings of the Council’s committees will continue through the week, concluding with a meeting of the Full Council on Friday, March 5th.

Public Comment Session – Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council will accept public comment on agenda items during this time. In addition, public hearing comments specific to Coral Amendment 10 (Shrimp Fishery Access Areas) and scoping comments for the Wreckfish ITQ Program and proposed management options for King Mackerel will also be solicited. A separate registration is required to provide public comment.

All meeting materials, the online comment form, and webinar registration information is available by selecting the appropriate tab from the March 2021 Council meeting page at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Meeting Materials and Online Public Comment Form Now Available for SAFMC March 1-5, 2021 Meeting via Webinar

February 16, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Meeting materials for the upcoming March 1-5, 2021 meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council are now available, including the meeting week agenda and individual committee agendas and overviews. An online public comment form is also available.

The meeting will be held via webinar and is available to the public as it occurs. A single webinar registration will allow access to each day of the meeting. Register now to receive email reminders as the meeting date approaches. Additional materials and meeting details are available from the Council’s website.

Agenda Highlights

  • Amendment 10 to the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Management Plan
    • The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will review recent public comments and continue to work on the amendment with actions to modify catch levels and sector allocations for both Dolphin and Wahoo, reduce recreational vessel limits for Dolphin and Wahoo, reduce bag limits for Wahoo and other measures affecting the fishery along the Atlantic coast.
  • Shrimp Fishery Access Area in the Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (Coral Amendment 10) – a public hearing on proposed measures will be held during the public comment session (see below)
  • Snapper Grouper Committee will address:
    • Red Porgy – (Snapper Grouper Amendment 50) – management measures to end overfishing and rebuild the stock
    • Greater Amberjack – (Snapper Grouper Amendment 49) – options to adjust catch levels and sector allocations
    • Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) Program – proposed changes to modernize the existing program. Public scoping will be held during the public comment session (see below)
  • King Mackerel – options to adjust catch levels and sector allocations. Public scoping will be held during the public comment session (see below).

The meeting begins Monday afternoon, March 1, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. with a meeting of the Full Council. Meetings of the Council’s committees will continue through the week, concluding with a meeting of the Full Council on Friday, March 5th.

Public Comment Session – Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

The Council will accept public comment on agenda items during this time. In addition, public hearing comments specific to Coral Amendment 10 (Shrimp Fishery Access Areas) and scoping comments for the Wreckfish ITQ Program and proposed management options for King Mackerel will also be solicited. A separate registration is required to provide public comment.

All meeting materials, the online comment form, and webinar registration information is available by selecting the appropriate tab from the March 2021 Council meeting page at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

SAFMC Meeting Scheduled via Webinar for December 7-10, 2020

November 23, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Meeting materials, including agendas, overviews, and documents are now available for the upcoming meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council scheduled December 7-10, 2020 via webinar. Unless otherwise indicated, the meeting is open to the public as it occurs. Register now and receive email reminders as the meeting dates approach.

During the meeting Council members will address management measures affecting fisheries in federal waters, including proposed actions for Red Porgy, Greater Amberjack, King and Spanish Mackerel, Dolphin and Wahoo. Agenda items also include modifications to the Wreckfish Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program, deepwater shrimp closed areas, the Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plan and its Citizen Science Program.

Public Comment and Additional Details

An online public comment form is now available for items on the the Council meeting agenda. Members of the public are encouraged to provide comments using the online comment form prior to the meeting. Written comments submitted online may also be viewed from the meeting website at: https://safmc.net/december-2020-council-meeting-details/.

A formal public comment session will be held via webinar on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Register now to provide comment during the formal public comment session.

Additional meeting details including agenda highlights, items scheduled for approval for public scoping and public hearing, and schedule-at-a-glance are also now available from the website.

Questions? Contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at kim.iverson@safmc.net or 843/302-8440.

SAFMC Reminder: Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting Begins Today via Webinar

April 28, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

A meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) begins this afternoon and is scheduled to continue each day through Thursday via webinar. The SSC will review stock assessments for King Mackerel, Greater Amberjack, and Red Porgy, and provide fishing level recommendations for the Council’s consideration.

The meeting is open to the public each day and webinar registration is required. Additional information, including the meeting agenda, overview, and briefing book materials is available from the Council’s website at:
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/scientific-and-statistical-committee-meetings/

Webinar Registration

May 1st Triggers Opening of Shallow-Water Grouper and Other Species in the South Atlantic

April 26, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Spring is in the air – and that means fishing! Beginning May 1st, fishermen will have a few more species to target in South Atlantic federal waters (greater than 3 miles off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida). May 1st marks the beginning of the shallow-water grouper season, following the annual spawning season closure from January 1st through April 30th.

Regulations also change for red porgy, greater amberjack, snowy grouper, and several other species.

Check out the latest blog for more details.

Always Have the Latest Regulations with You!

Before heading offshore, download the Fish Rules mobile application. Then simply check for updates before your next fishing trip and you’ll have the information with you no matter how far your fishing trip takes you. No signal? No problem. None required to access the correct information once the app is updated.

Fish Rules Download:
iPhone or
Android

Questions? Contact Cameron Rhodes, Outreach Specialist at cameron.rhodes@safmc.net or Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at kim.iverson@safmc.net or call the Council Office at 843/224-7258.

Triggerfish and amberjack seasons cut short by feds

March 25, 2019 — Better hurry if you want to catch a triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico.

And get ready to wait a long time before you can put an amberjack in the icebox.

The recreational season for gray triggerfish will close on May 11, and will not reopen again until March of 2020. The 2019 season is just 72 days, instead of the usual 173 days. It is possible, depending on federal estimates of the 2019 harvest, that triggerfish could remain closed even longer.

Greater amberjack season, meanwhile, which would normally reopen on May 1 will remain closed until August. That’s because federal officials estimated that fishermen caught the entire annual quota of amberjack for the last year during August, September and October of 2018.

Read the full story at AL.com