Saving Seafood

Reminder – Public Hearings for Red Snapper Season Begin Today at 6 PM

August 12, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input on proposed changes to regulations for red snapper affecting how the current limited openings should be handled. Public hearings via webinar begin at 6 PM today and continue this week. Listening stations will also be available at various locations. The proposed changes included in Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 33 would:

  • Remove the minimum number of days for the South Atlantic red snapper seasons
  • Modify the start date for the recreational red snapper season
  • Revise the days of the week recreational harvest of red snapper would be allowed during an open season
  • Modify the start date of the commercial season

Note that the proposed changes would not extend recreational or commercial seasons, increase the annual catch limits for red snapper, or change the recreational bag limit or commercial trip limit.

Public Hearings via Webinar with Listening Stations

The webinars begin tonight at 6 PM with listening stations in Murrells Inlet, SC and Jacksonville, FL. Members of the public are invited to attend the public hearings via webinar or participate via a listening station and provide comment. Webinar registration is required. Council representatives will be in attendance at the various listening stations.

Additional hearings via webinar will be held this week, all beginning at 6 PM. Listening stations will be available in St. Augustine, FL, Mt. Pleasant, SC, Brunswick, GA, New Smyrna Beach, FL, Merritt Island, FL, and Morehead City, NC.

A Public Hearing Summary Document, Presentation, and Story Map along with details for the scheduled listening stations and registration links for the webinars are available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/. Written comments are also being accepted and may be submitted using the online public comment form, also available from the website. Comments are due by August 16, 2019.

Council Seeks Input on Proposed Changes for Red Snapper Season

July 29, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input on proposed changes to regulations for red snapper affecting how the current limited openings should be handled. A series of public hearings will be held via webinar from August 12-15, 2019 with listening stations established along the South Atlantic coast (see schedule below). The proposed changes include: 1) removing the minimum number of days for the South Atlantic red snapper seasons; 2) modifying the start date for the recreational red snapper season; 3) revising the days of the week recreational harvest of red snapper would be allowed during an open season; and 4) modifying the start date of the commercial season. The changes are proposed in Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. Note that the proposed changes would not extend recreational or commercial seasons, increase the annual catch limits for red snapper, or change the recreational bag limit or commercial trip limit.

Each year, NOAA Fisheries uses data collected by the states to predict how long to allow harvest of red snapper the following year. Catch rates are applied to annual catch limits (for recreational and commercial sectors) to predict how long harvest can be open. The red snapper allocation is divided 72% recreational and 28% commercial, with a recreational annual catch limit of 29,656 fish and commercial limit of 124,815 pounds. Catch rates can vary based on factors such as day of the week (e.g., more angler fish on weekends), geographic location, weather, etc. Currently, commercial and recreational harvest of red snapper is not allowed if predictions indicate the season would last three days or fewer. The Council is considering removing this limit to maximize fishing opportunities for red snapper.

The commercial red snapper season begins each year on the second Monday in July and the recreational season begins on the second Friday in July. The Council is considering alternatives to modify the days of the week that are open to red snapper recreational harvest, should harvest be allowed, to help maximize opportunity in the event of bad weather. In addition, fishermen have expressed concern that harvest is being allowed during summer months while red snapper are spawning. Modifying the start date for the commercial season is being considered to maintain fairness and equitability between the sectors.

Public Hearings

The public hearings are being held via webinar. Listening stations will also be available at various locations. Attendees participating via webinar must register prior to each hearing. The hearings will begin at 6:00 PM. Council staff will provide an overview of the actions and alternatives included in the amendment via webinar. Area Council members will be present at each listening station. Formal public comment will be accepted during the hearings. Written comments will also be accepted. Additional details, including the public hearing document and presentation and registration links­­­­ are available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Commercial Closure for Snowy Grouper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 3, 2019

July 29, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of snowy grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 3, 2019. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of snowy grouper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of snowy grouper in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2019 commercial catch limit is 153,935 pounds gutted weight, or 181,644 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for snowy grouper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. on August 3, 2019, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The 2020 commercial fishing season for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2020, with a catch limit of 153,935 pounds gutted weight, or 181,644 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov.

Commercial Closure of the Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 23, 2019

July 19, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 23, 2019.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2019 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish hook-and-line component is 82,935 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit and harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

DURING AND AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure prohibitions for the commercial hook-and-line component apply in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
  • The South Atlantic golden tilefish commercial longline component closed on March 14, 2019, and the recreational sector closed on June 17, 2019, for the remainder of the fishing year. Therefore, because the commercial longline component and the recreational sector are already closed, and the commercial hook-and-line component will close on July 23, 2019, all harvest and possession of South Atlantic golden tilefish will be prohibited effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, July 23, 2019.
  • The prohibitions on harvest or possession and sale or purchase during the closure do not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 23, 2019, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The 2020 fishing season for golden tilefish commercial hook-and-line component in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2020, with a commercial catch limit of 82,935 pounds gutted weight.
  • This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. The complete list of regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at:
    https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6.

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.

Reminder – Public Hearings on Best Fishing Practices, Powerhead Gear – Scheduled via Webinar Next Week

April 24, 2019 — The following was published by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently seeking public input on Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29 that includes proposed requirements designed to help improve survival of released fish. The amendment would also modify current regulations for the use of powerhead gear. Public hearings on proposed measures and alternatives will be held next Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1 via webinar beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The Council is also seeking public comment on a proposal to add two species of mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan as ecosystem-component species to recognize their importance as prey. Public scoping webinars are also scheduled in May as noted below.

PUBLIC HEARING AND SCOPING
Public Hearings (Webinar): Best Fishing Practices and Use of Powerhead Gear
(Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29)
* Tuesday, April 30 at 6:00 PM Webinar registration
* Wednesday, May 1 at 6:00 PM Webinar registration

The draft amendment addresses use of best fishing practices to improve survival of released snapper-grouper species, including alternatives for the use of descending devices and/or venting tools to release fish experiencing barotrauma (injury due to the expansion of the gas when reeled up from depth) and modifications to current non-stainless steel circle hook requirements. The amendment also includes measures to modify powerhead regulations.

The public hearing summary and presentations are available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/. The online public comment form is also available and public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on May 10, 2019.

Public Scoping (Webinar): Bullet and Frigate Mackerels

(Option to add species to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan)
* Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 PM Webinar registration
* Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 PM Webinar registration

The Council is considering adding bullet mackerel and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP as ecosystem component species, acknowledging the role the two currently unmanaged species play as important prey for both dolphin and wahoo.

Learn more and provide your comments!
http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/

Commercial Closure for Gray Triggerfish in South Atlantic Waters on April 17, 2019

April 15, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 17, 2019. During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of gray triggerfish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 January through June commercial catch limit is 156,162 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the January through June commercial catch limit on April 17, 2019. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for gray triggerfish does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 17, 2019, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The commercial gray triggerfish July through December fishing season in the South Atlantic will open on July 1, 2019, with a catch limit of 156,162 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov.

December South Atlantic Council Meeting Summary

December 10, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council held their December meeting in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Below are highlights from the Council’s week-long meeting. Additional information from the meeting is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ including a Meeting Report, Story Map, final committee reports, public comments, and briefing book materials.

Approved for Secretarial Review

Vision Blueprint Regulatory Amendment 26

After considering public comment and much discussion, the Council approved Regulatory Amendment 26 for review by the Secretary of Commerce. However, the Council chose not to take action on measures within the amendment that would have established a deepwater species aggregate (snowy grouper, misty grouper, yellowedge grouper, blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, and wreckfish) and specified seasons and bag limits for the species within the aggregate. Council members noted that establishing two seasons, one proposed for January and February and the other May through August and modifying bag limits could unfairly impact fishermen in the region. The Council discussed seasonal differences in the fishery for deepwater species in Florida and North Carolina, especially for recreational fishermen targeting blueline tilefish and golden tilefish, and chose not to take action. As a result of the discussion, the Council decided to explore options for allocations of the species in the proposed deepwater species aggregate during its June 2019 meeting.

The following actions were approved as part of Regulatory Amendment 26:

  • Change the recreational minimum size limit of gray triggerfish from 14 inches to 12 inches (fork length) in federal waters off the east coast of Florida to maintain consistency with state regulations currently in place;
    Modify the current 20-fish aggregate bag limit in place (for species without individual bag limits) to specify that no more than 10 fish can be of any one species within the 20-fish aggregate; and
  • Remove recreational minimum size limits for queen snapper, silk snapper, and blackfin snapper, currently set at 12 inches total length.
  • The regulatory amendment was developed as part of the Council’s 2017-2020 Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery. NOAA Fisheries will solicit additional public input on the amendment during the Secretarial review process. Regulatory actions in the amendment will be implemented following the review process in 2019, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce.

Other Items:

Yellowtail Snapper – Regulatory Amendment 32

Council members voted to postpone consideration of Regulatory Amendment 32 that would revise accountability measures for yellowtail snapper with the intent to alleviate socio-economic impacts of in-season closures in the fishery. After considering recommendations from the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and public comment, the Council will delay further development of measures until a benchmark stock assessment for yellowtail snapper is completed in 2020.

Red Grouper – Regulatory Amendment 30
The Council delayed final action on Regulatory Amendment 30 addressing red grouper stock rebuilding, modifications to spawning season closures off the Carolinas, and establishment of a commercial trip limit for red grouper. Council members cited concerns about the need to consider new recreational fishing effort estimates from the Marine Recreational Information Program and the need to have input from its Scientific and Statistical Committee. The amendment will be considered again during the Council’s March 2019 meeting.

Citizen Science Program
The Council reviewed and adopted the Program’s Standard Operating Policies and Procedures that will guide the operation of the Program moving forward. The Program has two citizen science projects in development that fishermen will be able to get involved with in 2019. The first project will focus on collecting data on the lengths of scamp discards using a mobile application called, Release. The app will be available on both Android and iOs platforms and will be available in the Google Play Store and App Store in January 2019. The second project called FISHstory will use crowdsourcing to analyze historic photos from a Florida headboat fleet in the 1940s-70s to document species and length composition. For more information on the projects and getting involved, contact Program Manager Amber Von Harten.

Dolphin Wahoo
The Dolphin Wahoo Committee discussed a request from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to consider managing frigate mackerel and bullet mackerel as ecosystem components in the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan (FMP), acknowledging their role as prey species for both dolphin and wahoo. Discussions will continue during the March 2019 meeting. The Committee also identified potential additional items to include in Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP, including: allowing bag-limit sales of dolphin by dually permitted for-hire and commercial permit holders; revising annual catch limits and sector allocations for dolphin and wahoo to accommodate new MRIP data; consider modifying recreational vessel limits for dolphin; and modifying gear, bait, and training requirements in the commercial longline fishery to align with HMS requirements. Development of the amendment will continue throughout 2019 with opportunities for public comment.

Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management
The Committee received an update on collaborative efforts with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and New England Fishery Management Council to address the movement of species northward with changing oceanographic and environmental conditions. The Committee will continue to review landings data and discuss priorities and timing for addressing species movements at its March 2019 meeting with representatives of the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils. The Committee also received presentations on renewable energy activities including the proposed Kitty Hawk Wind Development Project, a system of offshore wind generators proposed approximately 27 miles off the coast of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Presentations are available as part of the briefing book materials at: http://safmc.net/briefing-books/briefing-book-2018-december-council-meeting/.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for March 4-8, 2019 in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Briefing book materials will be available from the Council’s website two weeks prior to the meeting at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

South Atlantic Fisheries Council meets this week in Kitty Hawk

December 3, 2018 — The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk this Monday afternoon through Friday.

The council, headquartered in Charleston, S.C., is responsible for managing fish stocks within the federal 200-mile limit off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida to Key West.

On Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., a training session will be held for charter boat captains for a catch reporting system for the snapper, grouper, dolphin, wahoo and coastal migratory pelagic fisheries.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about upcoming electronic reporting requirements for federal permit holders and to practice using available electronic reporting tools.

Read the full story at The Outer Banks Voice

Reminder: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting December 3-7, 2018

November 30, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council head to the Outer Banks of North Carolina next week to address federal fishery management measures affecting offshore fisheries including snapper grouper, dolphin, wahoo, habitat protection and ecosystem-based management, and the Council’s Citizen Science Program. The Council will also host a For-Hire Electronic Reporting Training Sessions (see below for details). The meetings are open to the public unless otherwise specified, and public comment is now being accepted on agenda items.

Agendas, Overviews, and Briefing Materials:
The agenda for the week-long meeting, as well as individual committee agendas and helpful overviews, are available from the Council meeting website. Documents, summaries, presentations, and other briefing materials for the meeting are also available.

Attend the Meeting via Webinar:
The meeting may be accessed via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration for each day is required. Register now via the links below and receive email reminders for the upcoming sessions. (Note: The Council’s Personnel Committee is meeting in Closed Session on Monday and the meeting will not be available via webinar.)
– Tuesday, December 4 8:30 am – 5 pm
– Wednesday, December 5 8:30 am – 6 pm
– Thursday, December 6 8:30 am – 5 pm
– Friday, December 7 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Public Comment:
Comments on agenda items may be submitted using the online comment form. The form allows Council members immediate access to all comments and gives others the opportunity to read comments as they are posted. The Council will also solicit in-person public comment during the meeting beginning at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Agenda Highlights:
Final Approval: The Council is scheduled to approve two amendments for review by the Secretary of Commerce during the meeting: Snapper Grouper Visioning Regulatory Amendment 26 (recreational measures as outlined in the Council’s Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery); and Snapper Grouper Amendment 32 (Accountability Measures for Yellowtail Snapper).

Additional agenda highlights are available online. Access all of the meeting information, submit comments, and listen live as the meeting occurs.

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