Saving Seafood

Fishermen Reminded of New Regulations as July Red Snapper Opening Approaches

July 1, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Offshore fishing has proven to be a popular way to practice social distancing this summer while bringing some fish back to the table. To provide released fish a better chance of surviving, new regulations encouraging the use of descending devices and additional hook specifications designed to reduce release mortality are being implemented by NOAA Fisheries.

Effective July 15, 2020, a descending device must be on board and readily available for use (attached to minimum of 60-feet of line with at least a 16-ounce weight) when targeting snapper grouper species in federal waters in the South Atlantic. Descending devices help reduce the effects of barotrauma, a condition that occurs when a fish is rapidly reeled up from depth. Changes in pressure cause the fish’s swim bladder to expand, filling the body cavity with air and preventing the fish from swimming back down. Signs of barotrauma include protrusion of the stomach from the fish’s mouth, bulging eyes, anal prolapse and bubbling scales. A descending device can quickly be used to transport the fish back to depth, greatly improving its chances of survival.

In addition to requiring descending devices to help reduce release mortality, beginning July 15, 2020 , non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks are required when fishing for snapper grouper species with hook-and-line gear with natural baits north of 28 degrees N. latitude (approximately 25 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Florida). The new regulations also require that all hooks must be non-stainless steel when fishing for snapper grouper species with such gear in federal waters in the South Atlantic. The new requirements for descending devices and hooks apply to recreational fishermen as well as federally permitted for-hire and commercial snapper grouper vessels.

“We’ve consistently heard concerns from both commercial and recreational fishermen about the number of fish that must be released as catch limits are met and seasons closed,” said Mel Bell, Vice Chair of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. “It is difficult to avoid some of the co-occurring snapper grouper species such as Vermilion Snapper, Mutton Snapper, and Red Snapper. These new requirements are designed to increase awareness of best fishing practices and help reduce the number of fish that float away on any given fishing trip, a sight that no one wants to see,” explained Bell. The new descending device and hook requirements were implemented through Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. “The Council purposely crafted the definition of a descending device in a manner that gives fishermen the flexibility to create their own devices, likely using some items they have on hand,” explained Bell. “There are also several options available for purchase. I encourage people to visit the Council’s website to get additional information on requirements. The goal is to get fishermen accustomed to using the devices and reduce release mortality.”

Fishermen are encouraged to begin using descending devices and specified hooks prior to the opening of this year’s Red Snapper season. Beginning July 10, 11 and 12 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and again Friday, July 17, 2020 recreational fishermen will have the opportunity to add a Red Snapper to table fare as the 4-day recreational season opens. Fishermen are limited to one fish per person per day with no minimum size limit. The commercial season will open July 13, 2020 with a 75-pound trip limit and no minimum size limit.

Red snapper: A conservation success story

June 26, 2020 — The darkest days are seemingly in the past for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

A restoration of the fishery, decades in the making, has blossomed into one of the most recent success stories in conservation.

“We have more snapper now than in anyone’s lifetime,” said Greg Stunz, director of the Harte Research Institute’s Sportfish Center at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

“And they’re big snapper.”

A federal plan to rebuild the fishery by 2032 is well ahead of schedule.

The goal is to increase the spawning potential to 26 percent, which means the stock would produce about a quarter of the eggs that an unfished population would. The estimated spawning biomass of red snapper in the Gulf is currently about 20 percent, a long climb from the sub-2 percent low mark of 1990.

Read the full story at the Houston Chronicle

Federal Fishery Managers Address Broad Range of Issues During Meeting This Week

June 12, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council held their quarterly June meeting this week via webinar due to COVID-19 and public health concerns. The meeting, originally scheduled to take place in Key West, Florida, began with a discussion of best fishing practices, emphasizing the Council’s outreach campaign and new resources for fishermen now available from the Council’s website. Information includes proper handling techniques, identifying signs of barotrauma, how-to videos demonstrating effectiveness of descending devices, and an online tutorial. Links to state-level resources for the region are also available through the new webpage. Council members have consistently supported the use of best practices to help improve survival of released fish. In September 2019, the Council approved Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29 requiring descending devices be onboard and readily available when fishing for snapper grouper species and other measures promoting best practices. NOAA Fisheries announced the Final Rule for Regulatory Amendment 29 earlier today, implementing the best fishing practice measures effective July 15, 2020.

NOAA Fisheries recently announced the opening of the Red Snapper season for both recreational and commercial fishermen, with a recreational season scheduled for the weekend of July 10, 11, 12, and the following Friday, July 17, 2020. “We encourage fishermen to take advantage of instructional videos and other best fishing practices information available online prior to the opening of this year’s Red Snapper season,” explained Council Chair, Jessica McCawley. During the Council meeting state agency representatives provided updates on sampling efforts planned for the recreational opening, including carcass collections and dockside sampling, dependent upon restrictions in place for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Impacts

The Council discussed the impacts of COVID-19 on fisheries and fishing communities after receiving input from its advisory panels, updates from state agencies, and public comment, most noting the detrimental effects on fishing-related businesses including for-hire and commercial fishermen. There was much discussion about the economic importance of the Red Snapper fishery and the benefit of additional fishing days. However, under the mandates of Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Council must adhere to the current annual catch limit and cannot simply add additional fishing days. The Council agreed to send a letter to the Secretary of Commerce addressing Red Snapper concerns and the effects of the pandemic, as well as expressing their willingness to work with NOAA Fisheries to expand access to the fishery.

In an effort to help mitigate some of the negative impacts of COVID-19, the Council will request that NOAA Fisheries take emergency action to increase the federal recreational bag limit for Atlantic King Mackerel to 4 fish per person/day off east Florida through the Mid-Atlantic and request emergency action to increase the federal commercial trip limit for Vermilion Snapper to 1,500 pounds gutted weight. If approved, the emergency actions would be effective for 180 days and could be extended for an additional 185 days. It is anticipated the new regulations could be implemented within the next three months. The Council will consider requesting emergency action during its September meeting to allow the carry-over of unused annual catch limits from 2020 into 2021 after reviewing additional analyses.

Stock Assessments

There was good news regarding Atlantic King Mackerel and Greater Amberjack stocks following recent assessments that found neither stock overfished nor undergoing overfishing. Council members received the results of recent stock assessments from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center and recommendations from its Scientific and Statistical Committee during this week’s meeting. Harvest has remained relatively consistent and both the King Mackerel and Greater Amberjack stocks have benefited from strong recruitment years (lots of fish born within the year). The Council will develop amendments to adjust catch levels and allocations as needed based on the recent assessments and recommendations.

The Red Porgy stock continues to face challenges. Despite a rebuilding plan being in place for almost 3 decades, the stock assessment finds Red Porgy remains overfished and is undergoing overfishing, with chronically low recruitment. The Council will begin work on an amendment to end overfishing and address rebuilding the stock.

Special Management Zones

The Council approved the designation of specified artificial reefs in federal waters off the North Carolina and South Carolina coasts as Special Management Zones, addressing concerns from members of the Council’s Law Enforcement Advisory Panel regarding how the circular shape of areas complicates enforcement. At the states’ request, the Council approved Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34 that would designate 30 artificial reef sites off of North Carolina and 4 sites off of South Carolina as Special Management Zones. The designations would limit fishing gear types when targeting snapper grouper species and restrict harvest by spear to recreational bag limits for the SMZs in North Carolina. In South Carolina, the harvest of snapper grouper species in the designated SMZs would be limited to recreational bag limits. The amendment must be approved by the Secretary of Commerce before implementation.

Other Business

Council members continued to develop management actions for Dolphin and Wahoo through draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan. The Council received fishing level recommendations for both species from its Scientific and Statistical Committee using recalibrated recreational fishing effort estimates from NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program. The new catch levels will be included in the amendment as the Council considers management actions that include modifications to accountability measures, allocations, and current vessel limits for Dolphin. The Council received numerous public comments from recreational fishermen and for-hire captains in South Florida and the Florida Keys expressing concerns about the decline of the Dolphin fishery in their area.

Additional information about this week’s meeting, including a Story Map highlighting actions, Committee Reports, and Summary Motions are available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/june-2020-council-meeting-details/. The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for September 14-18, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Gear Modifications for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery

June 12, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Regulatory Amendment 29). This final rule modifies gear requirements for the fishery and encourages best fishing practices.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

Regulations will be effective July 15, 2020.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES FOR SNAPPER-GROUPER:

The final rule:

  • requires descending devices be on board and readily available for use on commercial, for-hire, and private recreational vessels while fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species;
  • requires the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural baits north of 28º north latitude;
  • requires all hooks be non-stainless steel when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural baits south of 28º north latitude; and
  • allows the use of powerheads in federal waters off South Carolina.

Please see the complete Fishery Bulletin issued from NOAA Fisheries for additional information and details including a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Limited Openings of Recreational and Commercial Red Snapper Seasons in South Atlantic Federal Waters

June 5, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

Each year, NOAA Fisheries announces the season opening dates for red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic, in addition to the recreational season length.  For the 2020 season:

  • The recreational sector will open for harvest on weekends only on the following 4 days:
      • July 10, 11, and 12, 2020 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) – The recreational season opens at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 10, 2020, and closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 13, 2020.
      • July 17, 2020 (Friday) – The recreational season opens again at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 17, 2020, and closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 18, 2020.
  • The commercial sector will open for harvest at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 13, 2020, and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2021, unless the commercial annual catch limit is met or projected to be met before this date.
  • If the commercial sector needs to close before 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2021, NOAA Fisheries will announce it in the Federal Register and publish another Fishery Bulletin.

WHY THESE LIMITED OPENINGS ARE OCCURRING:

  • The limited openings are based on the final rule for Amendment 43 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (83 FR 35428).
  • The final rule specified recreational and commercial annual catch limits for red snapper beginning in 2018 and subsequent years.

DURING THE LIMITED OPEN SEASONS:

  • The total annual catch limit will be 42,510 fish.
  • The recreational annual catch limit will be 29,656 fish.
    • The recreational bag limit will be one red snapper per person per day.  This applies to private and charterboat/headboat vessels (the captain and crew on for-hire vessels may retain the recreational bag limit).
  • The commercial annual catch limit will be 124,815 pounds whole weight (12,854 fish).
    • The commercial trip limit will be 75 pounds gutted weight.
  • There will be no minimum or maximum size limits for the recreational or commercial sectors.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

How did NOAA Fisheries determine the season length for the recreational sector?

  • NOAA Fisheries used 2019 recreational catch rate estimates to predict the recreational landings in 2020.
  • Catch rate estimates were available from the following data sources: (1) red snapper specific surveys for private recreational and charter vessel anglers conducted by all South Atlantic states, (2) Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), and (3) the Southeast Region Headboat Survey.
  • NOAA Fisheries used catch rate estimates from state surveys conducted by South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and MRIP data were used for North Carolina, because the North Carolina red snapper survey did not provide any catch rate and landings estimates.

Why is the recreational season shorter than last year?

  • Last year, the recreational season was open for 5 days.
  • In 2019, recreational landings exceeded the recreational annual catch limit.
  • Since NOAA Fisheries estimates the season length based upon catch rates from the previous year, this year is shorter by one day to reduce the likelihood that the recreational landings would exceed the recreational annual catch limit in 2020.

What are some Best Fishing Practices while fishing for red snapper?

  • The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council identified the following best practices to reduce release mortality and further protect the population as it rebuilds:
    • Avoid areas likely to have red snapper if you already have met your recreational bag limit.  If you are approaching your commercial vessel limit, move to a different area.
    • When red snapper are out of season, avoid areas where they are common.
    • Use single hook rigs since the recreational bag limit for red snapper during the proposed limited fishing seasons will be one per person per day.  This will potentially reduce the number of red snapper that are caught on one drop.
    • Use non-offset circle hooks while fishing in areas where red snapper are common.
    • Use a dehooking device to remove the hook.  Keep fish in the water if you plan to release them or return them to the water as quickly as possible.
    • Use descending devices when releasing fish with signs of barotrauma.

Where can I find more information on the red snapper limited openings?

  • Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Frank Helies

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

  • Other contacts:

Media: Kim Amendola, 727-551-5707

Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

SAFMC Meeting June 8-11, 2020 via Webinar

May 27, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold their quarterly meeting June 8-11, 2020 via webinar. The meeting, originally scheduled to be held in Key West, Florida was rescheduled via webinar due to the coronavirus and concerns for public safety.

The meeting week begins on Monday, June 8th at 10:30 a.m. with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday, June 11.

Meeting briefing book materials, including committee agendas and overviews, discussion documents, and presentations are now available at: https://safmc.net/june-2020-council-meeting-details/. An online comment form is also available for written comments. The meeting will be available via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, June 10th beginning at 4:00 PM. Details on how to sign up for public comment are available from the meeting page of the website.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Best Fishing Practices – The Information and Education Committee will receive updates on the Council’s Best Fishing Practices campaign including input from its I&E Advisory Panel.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – Work continues on draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan to address revisions to recreational data and catch level recommendations, redefine Optimum Yield for the Dolphin fishery, modify accountability measures, and consider other revisions to the Dolphin and Wahoo fisheries. The Committee will also provide recommendations on management options to add Bullet and Frigate Mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP as Ecosystem Component Species.
  • Snapper Grouper – The Council is scheduled to approve measures to designate existing artificial reefs in federal waters off NC and SC as Special Management Zones at the request of the state marine resource agencies. In addition, the Snapper Grouper Committee will review results of stock assessments for Red Porgy and Greater Amberjack and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Coastal Migratory Pelagics – The Mackerel Cobia Committee will review the results of a recent stock assessment for King Mackerel and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Citizen Science – The Citizen Science Committee will provide feedback on Program goals and objectives, evaluation plan options, and receive updates on current CitSci projects including FISHstory and SAFMC Release.

Additional Information:

Discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 on fisheries will be held during each species-specific committee meeting. Further discussions and consideration of Council actions will take place during the meeting of the Full Council on Thursday in order to consider the impact across fisheries and all public comments. The Council will discuss these impacts and consider any necessary response.

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting June 8-11, 2020

May 12, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its quarterly meeting Jun 8-11, 2020 via webinar. The meeting, originally scheduled to be held in Key West, Florida was rescheduled via webinar due to the coronavirus and concerns for public safety.

“This was a tough decision and a first for our Council,” said John Carmichael, the Council’s Executive Director. “We always look forward to quarterly in-person meetings and seeing constituents in each state in the region but given the circumstances, this approach was our best option,” explained Carmichael. “Council members and staff are experienced with meetings via webinar and we will work with members of the public to ensure access to the meetings as they occur each day. We welcome public participation and comment.” The meeting week begins on Monday, June 8th at 10:30 a.m. with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday, June 11.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, June 10th beginning at 4:00 PM. Meeting materials and an online comment form will be available for written comments beginning May 22, 2020. The meeting will be available via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance for each meeting day.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Best Fishing Practices – The Information and Education Committee will receive updates on the Council’s Best Fishing Practices campaign including input from its I&E Advisory Panel.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – Work continues on draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan to address revisions to recreational data and catch level recommendations, redefine Optimum Yield for the dolphin fishery, modify accountability measures, and other revisions to the dolphin and wahoo fisheries. The Committee will also provide recommendations on management options to add bullet and frigate mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP as Ecosystem Component Species.
  • Snapper Grouper – The Council is scheduled to approve measures to designate existing artificial reefs in federal waters off NC and SC as Special Management Zones at the request of the state marine resource agencies. In addition, the Snapper Grouper Committee will review results of stock assessments for Red Porgy and Greater Amberjack and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Coastal Migratory Pelagics – The Mackerel Cobia Committee will review the results of a recent stock assessment for King Mackerel and provide recommendations for catch levels.
  • Citizen Science – The Citizen Science Committee will provide feedback on Program goals and objectives, evaluation plan options, and receive updates on current CitSci projects including FISHstory and SAFMC Release.

Additional Information:

The impacts of COVID-19 on fisheries will be discussed during each species-specific committee meeting and during Full Council, including updates from individual states, updates on COVID-19 relief funds, and staff operational updates. The Council will discuss these impacts and consider any necessary response.

Additional meeting information will be available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ as it becomes available. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available by May 22, 2020.

Observer Waiver Expires for Southeast, Gulf of Mexico Fisheries

May 7, 2020 — The National Marine Fisheries Service notified permit holders and the public Tuesday that a waiver for observer coverage in some fisheries expired at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2020. As of 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, observer coverage was reinstated for those fisheries.

Those permitted fisheries include:

  • South Atlantic Penaeid Shrimp;
  • South Atlantic Rock Shrimp;
  • South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper;
  • Southeast Gillnet;
  • Gulf of Mexico Commercial Reef Fish;
  • Gulf of Mexico Shrimp;
  • Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Pelagic Longline
  • Shark Bottom Longline (Atlantic HMS); and
  • Shark Gillnet (Atlantic HMS)

Read the full story at Seafood News

Reminder – Public Hearings Scheduled for Proposed Special Management Zones off NC and SC

April 30, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

At the request of state marine resource agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is considering designating existing artificial reefs in federal waters as Special Management Zones (SMZs).

The designation, as proposed in Regulatory Amendment 34 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan would restrict allowable gear and limit harvest for species in the snapper grouper management complex. The measures are being considered in order to prohibit gear that has the potential to result in overexplortation of snapper grouper species at the artificial reefs. The SMZ designation will help optimize fishing opportunities and also define the areas as Essential Fish Habitat.

Proposed Measures

Regulatory Amendment 34 would:

  • Designate 30 artificial reefs in federal waters off NC as SMZs
    • Allow only hand-held fishing gear: handline, rod and reel and spear
    • Restrict harvest of snapper grouper species with spear to the recreational bag limit
  • Designate 4 artificial reefs in federal waters off SC as SMZs
    • Allow only hand-held fishing gear: handline, rod and reel and spear
    • All harvest of snapper grouper species would be limited to the recreational bag limit

Public Hearings and Comment

Public hearings will be held via webinar May 4 and 5, 2020. Hearings begin at 6:00 p.m. Webinar registration is required.

Additional information, including a public hearing document, presentation with detailed maps, and an online comment form is available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

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

April 29, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

If you are fortunate enough to be out on the water this spring, fishing can be a great way to ease stress while practicing social distancing and other safe measures to ensure public safety. Beginning May 1st, fishermen will have 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 latest blog for details.