Saving Seafood

Gulf Council Asks Anglers and Divers to Provide Information on Red Grouper

August 2, 2018 –The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is seeking information from anglers and divers about trends or “strange things” that scientists and managers may need to know about red grouper.

The council would like to gain a better understanding of the fish in the Gulf of Mexico and a scientific stock assessment of the species is scheduled to begin this September. The council wants to know if fishermen have noticed anything out of the ordinary about the fishing for red grouper or about the fish.

The information provided will help inform scientists and managers as they formulate a current understanding of the red grouper stock.

Read the full story at Houma Today

SAFMC Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisory Panels and Workgroup

August 2, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats as well as fishing representatives to serve on the System Management Plan Workgroup. The Workgroup will address future needs of managed areas in federal waters in the South Atlantic. The Council’s advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans.

The Council has 13 advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of managed species, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or managed species. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups, fishing organizations, etc., and concerned citizens.

Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on an AP may reapply for their positions. These seats are also open to new applicants. Members may serve three consecutive terms before reaching their multi-term limit. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings.

Read the full release here

Final Rule Revises Annual Catch Limits for South Atlantic Red Grouper

July 27, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for red grouper in the South Atlantic. This rule will reduce the annual catch limits (ACLs) for South Atlantic red grouper in response to the results of the latest population assessment. The assessment determined that red grouper in the South Atlantic is undergoing overfishing and is overfished.
WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:
  • The rule will take effect on August 27, 2018.
WHAT THIS MEANS:
  • The final rule will reduce the total and sector annual catch limits for red grouper.
  • New annual catch limits (in pounds whole weight) are as follows:
Total ACL
Commercial ACL
Recreational ACL
  2018
  139,000  61,160  77,840
 2019
  150,000  66,000  84,000
2020 until modified
  162,000  71,280  90,720
FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 83 FR 35435, published July 26, 2018

Feds could pull back on South Carolina offshore fishing rules

July 23, 2018 — Offshore fish stocks could soon be governed by better science or ravaged by loopholes in new rules, depending on which side you ask.

A contested bill to reorganize offshore fishing regulation is now in the U.S. Senate after passing the House of Representatives in a split vote. It pushes alternatives to the daily catch and season limits to restore game species.

Off South Carolina’s coast, it could dramatically change how much stock is caught of popular game and commercial fish such as snapper and grouper.

For example, under the proposed rules, any fishing restriction to rebuild the stock would be based partly on how quickly the fish reproduce, not on the standard 10-year timetable, and would have to take consumer concerns into account.

Fishing for nearly every sought-after offshore species is under a series of timetable restrictions because research indicates overfishing. Anglers have long argued their catches suggest more fish of nearly every regulated species are out there than current surveying suggests.

Federal regulators have conceded that and are working to improve the counts.

The proposed rules, a rework of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, would give anglers and regulators more line.

Read the full story at The Post and Courier

Commercial Closure for Snowy Grouper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 24, 2018

July 20, 2018 — 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 July 24, 2018. 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 2018 commercial catch limit is 144,315 pounds gutted weight, or 170,291 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 July 24, 2018, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The 2019 commercial fishing season for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2019, 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 at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193

Commercial Closure for Gray Triggerfish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on June 13, 2018

June 11, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 A.M., LOCAL TIME, ON JUNE 13, 2018. 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 2018 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 JUNE 13, 2018. 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 JUNE 13, 2018, 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, 2018, 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.

Reminder: SAFMC Meeting Next Week in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

June 6, 2018 — The following has been released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting

June 10-15, 2018 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Unless otherwise indicated, members of the public are invited to attend all meetings.

Meeting materials, including agendas, overviews, presentations, and documents are now available via the Council’s website.

Meeting Location:

Bahia Mar Doubletree by Hilton

801 Seabreeze Boulevard

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Phone: 855/610-8733

Read more about this meeting here

SCROLL DOWN FOR:

– AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

– ADDITIONAL MEETING INFORMATION AND PUBLIC COMMENT   

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS   

MACKEREL COBIA COMMITTEE

The committee will provide recommendations for any management jurisdictional changes for Atlantic cobia (GA to NY) through Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment 31. The committee will also discuss possible changes to commercial trip limits for king mackerel through Framework Amendment 6. The Council will hold a public hearing during the meeting on alternatives for changes to king mackerel trip limits.

SNAPPER GROUPER COMMITTEE

The committee will continue to discuss the Visioning Amendments (both recreational and commercial) and consider input from recent public hearings. The committee will also continue work on Amendment 46 addressing recreational reporting and permitting.  Options for a For-Hire Permit Moratorium will also be discussed. The Committee will provide recommendations on proposed management changes for golden tilefish through Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 28. The Council is scheduled to approve the amendment for Secretarial review.  

For-Hire Electronic Reporting Outreach Training

Thursday, June 14 at 6 PM

The Council will host a training session for charter/headboat federal permit holders. Attendees will be updated on the status of the amendment requiring reporting, learn about some of the possible tools available, and get hands on in-person training with staff.  Learn More [13]…  

ADDITIONAL MEETING INFORMATION

CAN’T ATTEND? WATCH THE MEETING LIVE VIA WEBINAR AT IT OCCURS!

Webinar registration is required for each day of the meeting. Registration information – along with meeting materials including committee agendas, overviews, presentations, and documents – is available from the June 2018 Council Meeting [12] page.

Public Q& A and Comment Sessions

TUESDAY, JUNE 12 – 5:00 PM   

Informal Question & Answer Session

Join NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator Dr. Roy Crabtree, Council Chair Charlie Phillips and others for an informal Q&A session to discuss topics relative to the meeting agenda.   

Wednesday, June 13 – 4:30 PM   

Formal public comment

The Council will accept comments on meeting agenda items. The Council Chair, based on the number of individuals wishing to comment, will determine the amount of time provided to each commenter. Submit Your Written Comments Online. Written comments may be submitted to the Council in one easy step by using the    Online Public Comment Form [14]. Simply complete the form, enter your comment, and hit the submit button. Comments submitted through the online form are immediately recorded and available for everyone to view [15]from the Council’s website.    

Comments will continue to be accepted online through 12:00 PM ON

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018 on agenda items and considered part of the administrative record for the meeting.

NOAA Fisheries: Commercial Closure for Yellowtail Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on June 5, 2018

May 31, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries: 

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The commercial harvest of yellowtail snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 5, 2018. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of yellowtail snapper in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational fishery is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:  

  • The August 2017 through July 2018 commercial catch limit is 1,596,510 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit and 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 August 2018 through July 2019 yellowtail snapper season in the South Atlantic will open on August 1, 2018, with a 1,596,510 pounds whole weight catch limit.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register.

 

NOAA Fisheries: Sea Turtle Safe Handling and Release Gear Workshops

May 3, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • NOAA Fisheries requires sea turtle safe handling and release gear be onboard federally-permitted commercial and for-hire vessels in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery to increase fisherman and sea turtle safety if incidentally captured; there are also sea turtle handling protocols that describe the proper techniques for removing fishing gear.
  • NOAA Fisheries will be holding workshops and dockside outreach in the locations listed below.
  • During the outreach opportunities, NOAA Fisheries personnel will review the gear requirements and handling protocols.
  • For more information, contact Charlie Bergmann at (228) 238-4109 or charles.bergmann@noaa.gov.
  • Additional information on sea turtle safe handling and release gear and protocols are available at the following:

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/turtle_sawfish_release/index.html.

Note: Workshops will take place May 7-15, 2018 in Florida. See the complete Fishery Bulletin from NOAA Fisheries for a list of dates, times, and locations for the workshops.

 

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

May 1, 2018 — The following was release by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Spring is in the air – and that means fishing! Beginning tomorrow, May 1st, fishermen will have a few more species to target in federal waters in the South Atlantic region (greater than 3 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA and the East Coast of FL).  May 1st marks the beginning of the shallow-water grouper season, with an annual spawning season closure in effect 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 Rulesmobile application. Then simply check for updates before your next fishing trip and you’ll have the information with you no matter how far your spring fishing takes you offshore. No signal? No problem. None required to access the correct information once the app is updated.

Fish Rules Download: 

iPhone or Android

Note: Beginning May 7, 2018 commercial regulation information will also be available via Fish Rules. Learn more in the FAQ section available from the Council’s website page.