Saving Seafood

Commercial Hook-and-Line Harvest of King Mackerel in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone Will Reopen on April 4, 2021 and Close on April 9, 2021

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

WHAT/WHEN:

  • Commercial hook-and-line harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone (depicted in map below) will reopen for five days in April 2021. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 4, 2021, and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 9, 2021.
  • Commercial hook-and-line harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 1, 2021.

WHY THIS REOPENING IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2020/2021 commercial hook-and-line quota for the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone is 575,400 pounds.
  • Updated landings data indicate approximately 50,562 pounds of the quota remain.
  • Landings projections indicate that the remaining quota will be caught within five days of reopening the fishery.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • After 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 9, 2021, no commercial hook-and-line fisherman may keep for sale king mackerel in or from the closed Southern Zone.
  • The Southern Zone gillnet component closed on January 28, 2021.
  • Therefore, no king mackerel caught in this zone may be purchased, bartered, traded, or sold after 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 9, 2021.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to trade in hook-and-line king mackerel that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold between 12:01 a.m., local time, April 4, 2021 and 12:01 a.m., local time, April 9, 2021, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • Persons aboard commercial vessels with a federal king mackerel permit may fish for and retain the recreational bag and possession limit of king mackerel during the open recreational season, even if commercial fishing for this species is closed in this zone or others.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why was the fishery closed on February 22, 2021?

  • Original projections indicated that commercial harvest of king mackerel for the hook-and-line component in the Southern Zone would reach their quota by February 22, 2021.
  • In accordance with regulations, NOAA Fisheries closed the fishery when the quota was projected to be met, in order to prevent overfishing.  Overfishing is when the annual catch rate is too high.
Read the full release here

SAFMC Chooses Preferred Management Measures for Dolphin and Wahoo Fisheries

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

During its meeting this week, members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council chose preferred management alternatives affecting Dolphin and Wahoo harvested in federal waters along the entire Atlantic coast. The proposed measures, as outlined in Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan, would reduce the current recreational vessel limit for Dolphin from 60 fish to 48 fish per vessel while maintaining the 10 fish per person/day bag limit and reduce the daily bag limit for Wahoo from 2 fish to 1 fish per person/day. Reductions in harvest are intended to help prevent seasonal closures that could be imposed should catch levels be exceeded.

Regional differences in the Dolphin and Wahoo fisheries became the focus of discussion as members of the Council reviewed concerns expressed during public hearings held in late January. Fishermen in South Florida and the Keys, including charter captains, have expressed concerns about catching fewer Dolphin and encountering smaller fish over the past few years and have requested the Council take action to reduce harvest. Further north, charter captains and other fishermen have raised objections to the proposed reductions, noting the importance of maintaining higher vessel limits for trips that require much farther runs offshore.

“We’ve heard from constituents and advisory panel members and believe their observations. Looking at the various management scenarios for both Dolphin and Wahoo, the Council compromised to reduce catches while addressing concerns of fishermen dependent on these valuable recreational fisheries,” explained Council Chair Mel Bell. “There are many variables affecting these migratory fisheries, including international harvest, environmental conditions, and other factors. We don’t have a clear sense of what the problem is and we’re being more preventative than curative at this point,” said Bell.

Amendment 10 also includes updates to annual catch limits, modifications to sector allocations, and changes to accountability measures designed to ensure the catch levels are not exceeded for both Dolphin and Wahoo. Proposed management measures would also allow properly permitted commercial fishing vessels with trap, pot or buoy gear onboard to retain up to 500 pounds (gutted weight) of Dolphin and remove the Operator Card requirement for for-hire and commercial fishermen in the Atlantic Dolphin Wahoo fishery. After considering recommendations from its advisory panels and public comment, the Council removed an action that would have allowed filleting Dolphin at sea on for-hire vessels in federal waters north of the NC/VA border. The Council is scheduled to approve Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 10 for review by the Secretary of Commerce during its June meeting.

Other Business:

Red Snapper
NOAA Fisheries provided an update on the recreational Red Snapper Season for 2021. Due to delays from COVID-19, some landings data from 2020 are not yet available. Those data are expected in May 2021. NOAA Fisheries intends to announce the 2021 season as soon as data are available and evaluated. If a season is allowed, the recreational season for Red Snapper begins on the second Friday in July. The number of fishing days is determined by NOAA Fisheries based on catch estimates from the previous season. The recreational season was open for four days in 2020 and five days in 2019.

A new stock assessment for Red Snapper will be reviewed by the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) during its meeting in late April. The Council will receive an overview of the assessment and the SSC’s recommendations during its June meeting. The Council discussed management options for considering the stock assessment results in setting the 2021 catch levels and requested that staff determine if an abbreviated framework can be used to adjust catch levels and if so, prepare such an amendment for Council review at their June 2021 meeting. The Council will also move forward with a plan amendment to modify annual catch limits, allocations, and other management measures necessary as a result of the stock assessment.

King Mackerel, Red Porgy, Snowy Grouper and Rock Shrimp Fishery Access Area
The Council continued work on management measures addressing Atlantic migratory group King Mackerel to address the recent stock assessment update that found the stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing. The measures, originally included in Framework Amendment 10 and now Amendment 34 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan, would modify annual catch limits and sector allocations, increase the recreational bag limit and possession limits off the coast of Florida, reduce the minimum size limits for both commercial and recreational sectors, and allow retention of “cut off” King and Spanish Mackerel by recreational fishermen as is allowed for the commercial sector. Public hearings on the amendment will be scheduled following the Council’s June meeting.

Proposed management measures for Red Porgy to end overfishing and rebuild the stock continued to be reviewed in Amendment 50 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, with public hearings scheduled this summer. The Council reviewed recent stock assessment results for Snowy Grouper and recommendations from its SSC and will begin developing an amendment to address management measures. The Council also approved Coral Amendment 10 for public hearings to be held prior to the Council’s June meeting. The amendment addresses a Shrimp Fishery Access Area for rock shrimp along the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern off the east coast of Florida.

Additional information about this week’s meeting, including a meeting Story Map, committee reports, and briefing book materials is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently scheduled for June 14-18, 2021 in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

Commercial Hook-and-Line Harvest of King Mackerel in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone Will Close on February 22, 2021

February 16, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • Commercial hook-and-line harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Southern Zone (depicted in map below) will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on February 22, 2021.
  • Commercial hook-and-line harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 1, 2021.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2020/2021 commercial hook-and-line quota for the Gulf Southern Zone is 575,400 pounds.
  • Updated landings data indicate that commercial hook-and-line harvest of king mackerel in this zone is rapidly approaching the quota.
  • In accordance with the regulations NOAA Fisheries is required to close harvest for a species when the quota has been met or is projected to be met.  This closure is needed to constrain landings to commercial hook-and-line quota in the Southern Zone.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • No commercial hook-and-line fisherman may keep for sale king mackerel in or from the closed Southern Zone after 12:01 a.m., local time, on February 22, 2021.
  • The Southern Zone gillnet component closed on January 28, 2021.
  • Therefore, no king mackerel caught in this zone may be purchased, bartered, traded, or sold after 12:01 a.m., local time, on February 22, 2021.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to trade in hook-and-line king mackerel that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before 12:01 a.m., local time, February 22, 2021, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • Persons aboard commercial vessels with a federal king mackerel permit may fish for and retain the recreational bag and possession limit of king mackerel during the open recreational season, even if commercial fishing for this species is closed in this zone or others.
Read the full release here

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 March 1-5 , 2021

February 4, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meet March 1-5, 2021 via webinar. During the week-long meeting Council members will discuss federal management measures affecting:

  • Dolphin and Wahoo (along the entire Atlantic coast)
  • Greater Amberjack
  • Red Porgy
  • King Mackerel
  • Wreckfish

The meeting agenda also includes continued review of a proposed Shrimp Fishery Access Area in the Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (Coral Amendment 10) and an update on the Council’s Habitat and Ecosystem Blueprint development.

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 Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) Program and proposed management options for King Mackerel will also be solicited.

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 and the public comment form will be posted to the Council’s website two weeks prior to the meeting at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Commercial Gillnet Harvest of King Mackerel in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone Closed on January 28, 2021

January 28, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • Commercial gillnet harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone closed at 12 p.m., local time, on January 28, 2021.
  • Commercial king mackerel gillnet harvest will reopen at 6:00 a.m., (local time) on January 18, 2022.
  • The Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone includes federal waters off Collier and Monroe Counties, Florida (see map).

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2020/2021 commercial gillnet quota is 575,400 pounds.
  • Updated landings data indicate that commercial gillnet harvest of king mackerel has reached its quota.
  • In accordance with the regulations, NOAA Fisheries is required to close this component of the fishery when the quota has been met or projected to be met. The closure is needed to prevent overfishing (too many fish being harvested).

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • No person aboard a vessel with a commercial king mackerel permit with a gillnet endorsement may fish for king mackerel using a run-around gillnet in the closed zone after 12 p.m., local time, on January 28, 2021.
  • The operator of a vessel that has been issued a federal commercial king mackerel permit with a gillnet endorsement and who is landing king mackerel for sale must have harvested, landed ashore, and sold before 12 p.m., local time, January 28, 2021.
  • No person aboard a vessel possessing a gillnet with a stretched-mesh size of 4.75 inches (12.1 cm) or larger, may fish for or possess king mackerel in this zone during the closure.
  • Sale or purchase of gillnet harvested king mackerel in or from federal waters in the Southern Zone after January 28, 2021 is prohibited.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to trade in king mackerel that were harvested by gillnet, landed ashore, and sold before 12 p.m., local time, January 28, 2021, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The hook-and-line component of the fishery remains open in this zone at this time. Therefore, only king mackerel caught by hook-and-line in this zone may be purchased, bartered, traded, or sold after 12 p.m., local time, on January 28, 2021.
  • A vessel for which a king mackerel gillnet endorsement has been issued may not retain king mackerel for sale in or from federal waters harvested with any other gear.
  • Persons aboard commercial vessels with a federal king mackerel permit may fish for and retain the recreational bag and possession limit of king mackerel during the open recreational season, even if commercial fishing for this species is closed in this zone or others.

Read the full release here

SAFMC: Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming Meetings of Interest

October 6, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Offshore fishermen and others interested in federal fisheries management for such species as Dolphin, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, snappers and grouper may want to mark your calendar for upcoming meetings. Join meetings via webinar as fishery managers, scientists, advisory panel members and others discuss fisheries issues.

Meeting materials, including agendas, overviews and briefing book materials for the meetings will be posted on the Council’s website as they become available. Links to webinar registration for each meeting will be available and an online public comment form provided as appropriate. Register early for a meeting and receive an email reminder as the meeting date approaches.

Upcoming Meetings via Webinar:

Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel
October 8
1 PM – 5 PM

SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee
October 13-15
9 AM – 5 PM daily

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
October 21-22
9 AM – 4 PM and 9 AM – 12 PM

Wreckfish ITQ Shareholders and Wholesale Dealers Meeting
October 26
1:30 PM – 4 PM

Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel
October 28
8:30 AM – 5 PM

Joint South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Scientific and Statistical Committees
October 30
9 AM – 1 PM

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
November 2
1 PM – 5 PM

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
November 4-6
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM; 9 AM – 4 PM; and 9 AM-12 PM

SAFMC Meeting – Recreational Fisheries Issues
November 9
10 AM – 4 PM

Coral Advisory Panel and Deep Water Shrimp Advisory Panel
November 10
1 PM – 3 PM

SAFMC Executive Committee Meeting
November 12
10 AM – 12 PM

SAFMC December Meeting
December 7-10

Temporary Increase in Vermilion Snapper Commercial Trip Limit in the South Atlantic and Atlantic King Mackerel Recreational Bag Limit in the Atlantic Beginning September 17, 2020

September 16, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • NOAA Fisheries announces a temporary rule to increase:
    • The commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper from 1,000 pounds gutted weight to 1,500 pounds gutted weight in federal waters of the South Atlantic Region (Virginia/North Carolina boundary south to the Florida Keys in the Atlantic).
    • The recreational bag limit for Atlantic migratory group king mackerel (Atlantic king mackerel) from: (1) 3-fish per person to 4-fish per person in federal waters from the Connecticut/Rhode Island/New York boundary to the Georgia/Florida boundary, and (2) 2-fish per person to 4-fish per person in federal waters from the Georgia/Florida boundary south to the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida boundary.
  • These changes are being made to address economic losses to the commercial and recreational fishing communities and industries that have resulted from recent unforeseen events such as disruptions to market, restricted access to ports, closures of harbors and boat ramps, and disruptions to fishing supplies.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

  • This change to the commercial trip limit and recreational bag limit will be effective on September 17, 2020.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

  • At their June 2020 meeting, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested an emergency rule to increase the commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper and the recreational bag limit for Atlantic king mackerel starting as soon as possible in 2020.
  • The change to the commercial trip limit and recreational bag limit will be effective from September 17, 2020, through March 16, 2021:
    • The commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper will be 1,500 pounds gutted weight in federal waters of the South Atlantic Region (Virginia/North Carolina boundary south to the Florida Keys in the Atlantic).
    • The recreational bag limit for Atlantic king mackerel will be 4-fish per person in federal waters throughout its management area, from the Connecticut/Rhode Island/New York boundary south to the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary.
  • The increase in commercial trip limit and recreational bag limit is necessary to prevent unnecessary economic losses, increase fishing opportunities, and to increase the likelihood of achieving optimum yield for vermilion snapper and Atlantic king mackerel.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

FB20-034: Request for Comments: Proposed Modifications to Atlantic King Mackerel Trip Limits in the Atlantic Southern Zone

May 19, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests comments on a proposed rule for Framework Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (Framework Amendment 8), which if implemented, would increase the Atlantic king mackerel trip limit in federal waters off Florida.

Comments are due by June 18, 2020

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:

The proposed rule for Framework Amendment 8 would increase the Season 2 (October-end of February) Atlantic king mackerel trip limit in Federal waters of the Atlantic Southern Zone.
For Season 2 between the Flagler/Volusia, Florida county line and the Miami-Dade/Monroe, Florida county line, the trip limit would be 100 fish.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED RULE:

The comment period is open through June 18, 2020. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 29916, published May 19, 2020.

Electronic Submissions:  Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

  1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D= NOAA–NMFS–2020–0074.
  2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
  3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Karla Gore, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Read the full release here

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