Saving Seafood

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.

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.

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.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Gear and Harvest Limits at Artificial Reef Sites in the South Atlantic Region

April 7, 2021 — NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. The final rule will create 34 special management zones around artificial reefs off North Carolina and South Carolina.

There will be additional gear and harvest restrictions within the proposed special management zones. The purpose of the gear restrictions is to reduce adverse effects to federally managed species at these sites.

WHEN THIS RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

Regulations will be effective May 3, 2021.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES:

  • The final rule will create special management zones around select artificial reef sites off North Carolina (30) and off South Carolina (4).
  • The zones range in size from 0.041 to 1.01 square miles.
  • Harvest of snapper-grouper species will only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear in these zones. Therefore, this action will prohibit the use of bandit reel, powerhead, pot, and longline gear at these sites.
  • In the special management zones off North Carolina, harvest of snapper-grouper species by spear will be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit.
  • In the special management zones off South Carolina, harvest of snapper-grouper species with all gear types will be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit.

Read the full story at the Island Free Press

NORTH CAROLINA: Fisheries service sets new restrictions on fishing near artificial reefs

April 5, 2021 — Recreational and commercial fishermen will have new gear and harvest limits starting in May at artificial reef sites off the coast of North Carolina.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service announced Friday Regulatory Amendment 34 to the South Atlantic region’s snapper-grouper fishery management plan will go into effect Monday, May 3.

The amendment creates 30 special management zones around artificial reefs off of the state’s coast, including off the coast of Carteret County, as well as four off of South Carolina.

Read the full story at the Carteret County News-Times

NOAA Fisheries Announces Gear and Harvest Limits at Artificial Reef Sites in the South Atlantic Region

April 2, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.  The final rule will create 34 special management zones around artificial reefs off North Carolina and South Carolina.

There will be additional gear and harvest restrictions within the proposed special management zones.  The purpose of the gear restrictions is to reduce adverse effects to federally managed species at these sites.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

Regulations will be effective May 3, 2021.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES:

  • The final rule will create special management zones around select artificial reef sites off North Carolina (30) and off South Carolina (4).
  • The zones range in size from 0.041 to 1.01 square miles.
  • Harvest of snapper-grouper species will only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear in these zones. Therefore, this action will prohibit the use of bandit reel, powerhead, pot, and longline gear at these sites.
  • In the special management zones off North Carolina, harvest of snapper-grouper species by spear will be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit.
  • In the special management zones off South Carolina, harvest of snapper-grouper species with all gear types will be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit.

Maps and coordinates of the proposed special management zones found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/regulatory-amendment-34-special-management-zones-smz.

Where can I find more information on Regulatory Amendment 34?

Regulatory Amendment 34 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/regulatory-amendment-34-special-management-zones-smz.

FLORIDA: Group donates 13,000 pounds of fresh grouper, red snapper to Second Harvest

March 18, 2021 — A special delivery arrived at Second Harvest Wednesday morning. A truck dropped off 13,000 pounds of Red Snapper and Grouper fillets at the food bank.

The donation is worth about $20,000. It’s all thanks to North Florida fishermen and members of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance.

It started after the group signed up for a grant through “Catch Together.” Their goal is to help put fishermen back on the water while also feeding those in need. Second Harvest said they’re grateful to soon be able to offer more variety to people.

Read the full story at WTXL

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/.

Seasonal Prohibition on Fishing for and Possession of Red, Black, Tiger, Yellowfin, and Yellowedge Grouper in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters and Seasonal Closure of Grammanik Bank off St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

January 25, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

Annual Seasonal Grouper Closure

NOAA Fisheries reminds fishermen and the public of the upcoming seasonal closure on fishing for or possession of red, black, tiger, yellowfin, and yellowedge grouper in U.S. Caribbean federal waters.

  • This closure begins at 12:01 a.m., local time, on February 1, 2021, and extends through 11:59 p.m., local time, April 30, 2021.
  • This prohibition on possession does not apply to such grouper harvested and landed on shore prior to the closure.

Fishing Prohibitions in Grammanik Bank, U.S. Virgin Islands

NOAA Fisheries reminds fishermen and the public of the upcoming seasonal closure on fishing for or possession of any fish species, except highly migratory species, in the Grammanik Bank area off St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (Figure 1).

  • This closure begins at 12:01 a.m., local time, on February 1, 2021, and extends through 11:59 p.m., local time, April 30, 2021.
  • The term “fish” means finfish, molluscs, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal and plant life other than marine mammals and birds.

The Grammanik Bank area is located south of St. Thomas and bounded by the following coordinates:

A      18°11.898′ N         64°56.328′ W

B      18°11.645′ N         64°56.225′ W

C      18°11.058′ N         64°57.810′ W

D      18°11.311′ N         64°57.913′ W

Read the full release here

Saving Nassau Grouper by Protecting Spawning Aggregations

January 20, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

From December through March, Nassau grouper spawn in large breeding groups in the tropical waters of coastal Florida and the Caribbean. These groups consist of thousands of fish that collectively gather in predictable locations for the sole purpose of reproduction. Unfortunately since 1980, theys have been overfished, leading to an 80 percent loss in the population in some locations. NOAA Fisheries scientists, managers, and our partners collectively are implementing regional strategies for the protection and conservation of Nassau grouper. Two new videos—one for decision makers and one for local fishermen—promote the conservation of Nassau grouper spawning aggregations.

NOAA Fisheries listed Nassau grouper as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2016 and is dedicated to its conservation. Take and possession of Nassau grouper have been prohibited in U.S. Caribbean federal waters since 1990. NOAA Fisheries is a member of the Spawning Aggregation Working Group, which was created by the Western and Central Atlantic Fishery Commission. Nassau grouper travel hundreds of miles crossing international borders to breed in large spawning aggregations; therefore, recovery efforts must be a collaboration across their range. We support a harmonized regional approach to sustainably manage Nassau grouper.

These spawning aggregations are the only known period when Nassau grouper spawn. The working group advocates letting breeding fish “off the hook” by closing fishing and sales of Nassau grouper from December to March. Removing adults has a compound effect of losing reproductive output and a decline in abundance can lead to the long-term loss of the spawning aggregation. This no-take period protects the spawning adults and at the same time safeguards population replenishment and recovery.

Read the full release here

NMFS announces snowy grouper commercial harvest closing Dec. 12

December 11, 2020 — Local commercial fishermen have until Saturday to harvest snowy grouper.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service announced Monday the commercial harvest of snowy grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic, including those waters off North Carolina, will close at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. During the closure, all sale or purchase of snow grouper is prohibited. Harvest or possession of snowy group in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

The closure is happening because commercial landings are projected to reach the increased July through December commercial catch limit. According to the accountability measure, commercial harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

Read the full story at the Carteret County News-Times