Saving Seafood

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announces closure for red snapper fishing starting November 15

November 12, 2021 — Starting November 15, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will close red snapper fishing in state waters. According to a release from the agency, red snapper fishing will reopen in January 2022 in Texas waters, while federal water will remain closed until the summer.

Under an agreement between TPWD and the National Marine Fisheries Service, TPWD can establish the opening and closing dates of the annual red snapper fishery in federal waters, while also continuing to manage red snapper fishing in state water. As part of this agreement, however, Texas must close the entire fishery when the state’s allotted poundage is reached for the year.

Read the full story at LMT Online

 

Commercial Reopening for Red Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on November 2, 2021, for Four Days

October 28, 2021 — The following was release by NOAA Fisheries:

Commercial Reopening for Red Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on November 2, 2021, for Four Days

What/When:

•The commercial harvest of red snapper in South Atlantic federal waters will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 2, 2021, and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 6, 2021. During the four-day reopening, the commercial trip limit for red snapper is 75 pounds gutted weight.

Why This Reopening Is Happening:

•The 2021 commercial catch limit for red snapper is 124,815 pounds whole weight. On September 14, 2021, the commercial catch limit for the 2021 season was projected to be met, and NOAA Fisheries closed commercial harvest.  However, new information indicates that the red snapper commercial catch limit was not met.

•As a reminder, recreational harvest is closed. Therefore, the recreational bag and possession limit for red snapper in or from South Atlantic federal waters is zero.

After The Reopening:

•The 2022 fishing season for the red snapper commercial sector opens at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 11, 2022, unless otherwise specified.

•The 2022 recreational season, which consists of weekends only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), begins on the 2nd Friday in July, unless otherwise specified.

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/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#_top.

Sign Up for Text Message Alerts

NOAA’s Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message and data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time. Text alerts you may receive include immediate fishery openings and closures and any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.

Sign up for one or more of the fisheries-related alerts below by texting the following to 888777:

•Gulf of Mexico Recreational: Text GULFRECFISH

•Gulf of Mexico Commercial: Text GULFCOMMFISH

•South Atlantic Recreational: Text SATLRECFISH

•South Atlantic Commercial: Text SATLCOMMFISH

•Caribbean: Text CARIBFISH

Other Contacts

Media: Kim Amendola (727) 551-5705, Allison Garrett (727) 551-5750

SAFMC Approves Expansion of Shrimp Fishery Access Area Adjacent to Deepwater Coral

September 20, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

It has been seven years since expansion of the northern end of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) was approved by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Designed to provide additional protection for the rare, slow growing, deepwater Oculina coral found off the central east coast of Florida, the expansion also included historic fishing grounds for the economically important rock shrimp fishery, shutting off access along the eastern boundary. The initial Oculina Coral HAPC, established in 1984, was the first deepwater coral protected area in the U. S., and its boundaries were developed in cooperation with the rock shrimp industry. Vessel Monitoring Systems have been in place since 2003 for the fishery. Following expansion of the Coral HAPC in 2014, the Council assured rock shrimp fishermen that the area would be reviewed to determine if the historic trawling areas could be reopened. During its quarterly meeting this week, members of the Council voted to approve Coral Amendment 10 to establish the rock shrimp fishery access area. The amendment must be approved by the Secretary of Commerce before the measures are implemented.

The decision to reopen the fishery access area, a narrow strip along the eastern edge of the Coral HAPC measuring approximately 22-square miles, was not without controversy. Over the years, the Oculina Bank has suffered extensive habitat damage due to mobile fishing gear (trawls and dredges) and anchoring. Council members considered recommendations from its advisory panels and received public comment both in support of and against the rock shrimp fishery access area.

Letters in support of the fishery access area included those from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, fishing industry leaders, and a former Council member. Coral biologists, scientists, and environmental groups were among those who expressed concerns that reopening the trawling area could damage existing coral habitat, noting the negative impacts of sediment from trawling activities. “We’ve heard from both sides on this issue and sincerely appreciate all of the letters and public comment received,” said Council Chair, Mel Bell. “After exploring options, including additional mapping and bottom surveys, we felt it important to move forward with this amendment.” If approved by the Secretary, the new regulations would become effective in 2022.

Red Snapper

Discussion of Red Snapper management continued to focus on the challenge of dealing with the increasing number of fish that are released throughout the year as the stock continues to rebuild, and the estimated number of released fish that don’t survive. In June 2021, the Council received the results of the most recent stock assessment for Red Snapper, which indicated that the stock is not yet rebuilt and experiencing overfishing. According to the stock assessment, released fish account for 90% of the fishing mortality for Red Snapper in the South Atlantic.

After receiving a report from its Scientific and Statistical Committee at this week’s meeting, the Council agreed to immediately look at actions to help reduce the number Red Snapper killed by discarding. Measures to be considered include gear modifications (single hook rigs, larger hooks, leader modifications, natural bait prohibition), consideration of a slot limit, increased outreach on best fishing practices, and data collection through the Council’s Citizen Science Project, SAFMC Release. The Council also requested a Research Track stock assessment be conducted for Red Snapper at the next available opportunity. Council members acknowledged the need to consider the multi-species snapper grouper fishery as a whole and will form a work group to lead a Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) approach to reduce discards and increase landed yield across the entire snapper grouper fishery.

As required, the Council will also begin an amendment to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan to revise management parameters for Red Snapper based on the latest stock assessment and recommendations from its Scientific and Statistical Committee. The amendment will incorporate the results of the MSE project and consider additional actions for the snapper grouper fishery to address widespread fishery issues such as discard losses. The Council will receive input from its Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and continue work during its December 2021 meeting.

Red Snapper Season Closes in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 14

September 13, 2021 — A NOAA bulletin confirmed that the commercial harvest of red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 14, 2021.

During the closure, the sale or purchase of red snapper is prohibited. The harvest/possession of red snapper in or from South Atlantic federal waters is now prohibited, as the recreational fishing season is also closed for 2021.

Read the full story at Seafood News

 

Commercial Closure for Red Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 14, 2021

September 9, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

What/When:

  • The commercial harvest of red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 14, 2021. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of red snapper is prohibited.
  • All harvest or possession of red snapper in or from South Atlantic federal waters is now prohibited, as the recreational fishing season is also closed for 2021.

Why This Closure is Happening:

  • The commercial catch limit is 124,815 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the commercial catch limit from being exceeded.

After the Closure:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper, regardless of where such fish are harvested or possessed, i.e.,in state or federal waters.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for red snapper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 14, 2021, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • Unless specified otherwise, commercial harvest will open on July 11, 2022, for the 2022 commercial fishing season.

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/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

 

US anti-IUU bill would expand SIMP to cover all imported seafood

August 9, 2021 — A recent committee meeting started the discussions on a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and slave labor in the seafood supply chain.

The bill, H.R. 3075, was covered during a recent meeting of the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee. It would enact the expansion of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to cover all seafood and seafood products – the program, initiated in 2016, originally included tuna, king crab, blue crab, red snapper, Pacific and Atlantic cod, dolphinfish, grouper, sea cucumber, swordfish, and sharks in its coverage requirements, with shrimp added in 2019.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 1, 2021

July 27, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

What/When:

  • The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 1, 2021. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish 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 current commercial catch limit is 117,148 pounds whole weight. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

After the Closure:

  • The harvest or possession of blueline tilefish is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector for blueline tilefish is open.
  • These bag and possession limits apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel with a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, and apply to the harvest of blueline tilefish in both state and federal waters.
  • The 2022 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2022, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 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/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

The South Atlantic Bite – Newsworthy Notes – July 22, 2021

July 22, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting to Address Red Snapper Catch Levels
Wednesday, July 28
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. via webinar

Join members of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) as they meet next week to discuss catch level recommendations for Red Snapper based on the most recent stock assessment. The SSC reviewed the assessment in April 2021 and requested additional information be provided before making catch level recommendations, including a presentation on the usage rates of descending devices when releasing Red Snapper. The stock assessment used data through 2019.

In 2020, new regulations were implemented requiring a descending device be on board when harvesting or possessing species in the Snapper Grouper complex in federal waters, including Red Snapper. The SSC will receive presentations on estimating usage rate of descending devices and other information before setting catch level recommendations. The Council will receive a report from the SSC during the September 2021 Council meeting in Charleston, SC.

The SSC will also discuss managing annual catch limits for data-limited stocks and guidance for developing catch level projections. Meeting information, including the agenda and overview, public comment form, and briefing book materials are available from the Council’s website. Public comment will also be accepted during the meeting. Register now for the SSC meeting webinar and receive email reminders.

Learn more about descending device requirements and other best fishing practices from the Best Fishing Practices page of the Council’s website.

Get Your Fish On
Tour the best fishing guide of Gray’s Reef
Thursday, August 5
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. via webinar

Responsible recreation has kept Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary an ideal fishing destination for over 40 years. Join the sanctuary as they introduce an online best fishing practice guide for you to make the most of your trip to Gray’s Reef. Learn about the sanctuary’s regulations and other applicable federal and state fishing regulations, how to properly rig a fish descending device, and learn about apps to help you log your catch. Register now for the webinar.

Located 19 miles east of Sapelo Island, Georgia, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is in the South Atlantic Bight (the offshore area between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Cape Canaveral, Florida) on an area of the continental shelf where temperate and tropical waters mingle west of the Gulf Stream. Because of Gray’s Reef’s unique location at the intersection of temperate and tropical waters, the sanctuary serves as a sentinel point for various monitoring programs of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Learn more about Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary!

Can You Name That Fish?
Test your fish ID skills and share your photos

Occasionally we receive email inquiries from fishermen and others asking for help to identify a fish that doesn’t commonly land on a boat deck. It is exciting to see the photos and the challenge of identifying the fish is always welcome.

This photo was recently sent to the Council office from Graham Harrison, a commercial snapper grouper fisherman from Hatteras, North Carolina. He was fishing off of Cape Hatteras, about 135 fathoms (810 feet) deep, near the Continental Shelf, when this Blackbar Drum (Pareques iwamotoi) took the squid bait he was using.

The deepwater drum is found off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S., the Caribbean, and South America. It has some interesting color variations and body shape transitions from juvenile to adult. While sometimes observed by scientists from deepwater submersibles and caught by commercial fishermen, Captain Harrison has fished for over 30 years and said he’s never seen one! Special thanks to the NCFishes.com team for their helpful online resource: Drum and Croaker Diversity in North Carolina.

Do you have an unusual fish photo and story to share? If so, send it our way. Kim Iverson at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net

A Battle On The Gulf Pits The Coast Guard Against Mexican Red Snapper Poachers

July 19, 2021 — It’s the hidden U.S.-Mexico border war.

For years, Mexican fisherman have crossed into U.S. waters to illegally catch high-priced red snapper. It has become a multimillion-dollar black market, a Mexican cartel is involved, Texas fishermen are outraged and the federal government can’t seem to stop it.

The U.S. Coast Guard on South Padre Island has a one-of-a-kind mission among the 197 stations along the nation’s seacoasts. Its chief enforcement activity entails bouncing across the swells of the Gulf of Mexico near lower Texas in pursuit of wily Mexican fishing boats filled with plump, rosy fish destined for seafood houses in Mexico City and Houston.

These are the red snapper poachers.

“United States Coast Guard! Stop your vessel! Stop your vessel!” yells a Coastie into his bullhorn as the 900-horsepower, fast-pursuit boat pulls alongside the Mexican lancha. Four Mexican fishermen tried to outrun it but thought better and throttled down. The fishermen are handcuffed, their catch is confiscated and the boat is towed back to the Coast Guard station.

Read the full story at NPR

SAFMC Feature: A Successful Offshore Fishing Trip Begins Before You Hit the Water

July 6, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The summer fishing season is in mid-swing. Perhaps you’re planning to head offshore this weekend to target Red Snapper during this year’s July 9-11 mini season. Whether you’re bottom fishing or trolling for Dolphin (mahi), Wahoo or maybe a mackerel or two, as a responsible angler, planning your offshore fishing trip includes knowing the rules and regulations and incorporating best fishing practices.

Know the Rules
Keep up with the latest regulations by downloading the free Fish Rules mobile app. The app provides reliable state and federal saltwater recreational regulations from Maine to Texas based on your location. Going out of cell phone range? Check for updates before you leave the dock and manually select your location offshore to see relevant regulations.

Targeting reef fish? Make sure you have a descending device on board and ready for use. There are also specific hook requirements. Regulations specific to fishing for species in the snapper grouper management complex, including Red Snapper, went into effect in July 2020 for federal waters and are intended to encourage best fishing practices. Dehookers are also required on board.

Best Practices – Plan Ahead
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Best Fishing Practices webpage provides anglers with important information to consider for each fishing trip, including an online tutorial to test your knowledge. The tips below are also outlined in detail.

Odds are you’ve marked a few spots on your GPS as you get ready for your next offshore trip. Remember to make a plan to move on once bag limits are met. Odds are also good that you’ll need to release fish due to size or trip limits. Plan ahead and have the appropriate gear on board to safely release those fish. Have rubberized gloves and nets handy to avoid removing slime. If targeting snapper grouper species, remember that a descending device is required on board along with the use of specific hooks and a dehooker.

Know how to properly handle the fish. Once on the water, have your camera or cell phone ready and minimize the time the fish is on deck. Avoid dropping the fish on deck and release the fish without removing it from the water if possible.

Best Practices for Deep Water Release – avoid “floaters”
No one wants to release a fish only to watch it float away. Fish caught in deeper water may suffer from barotrauma, the expansion of gases after rapidly being reeled up from depth. Barotrauma often makes it difficult for a fish to swim back down. Learn to recognize signs of barotrauma and assess the condition of the fish while you are reeling it in. If the fish appears sluggish, eyes are bulging, the stomach is protruding from its mouth or the mid-section appears bloated, it could be suffering from barotrauma.

Recompression by getting the fish back down to the depth it was caught as quickly as possible is key to ensuring the fish survives. It may be tempting, but do not puncture the stomach if it is protruding from the fish’s mouth. Instead, use your descending device as an easy and efficient way to return the fish to depth and release it. As a reminder, if the fish doesn’t show signs of barotrauma, the use if a descending device isn’t necessary.

Information about various types of descending devices and video instructions on how to rig them are available from the Council’s Best Fishing Practices webpage by clicking on the “Descending Device” tab. There’s even a video on how to make your own device using gear you might already have in your tackle box.

Get Involved – cooperate with Red Snapper sampling
The 2021 recreational season for Red Snapper in the South Atlantic opens this Friday, July 9th and closes on Sunday, July 11th. The daily bag limit is one fish per person with no minimum size limit. See the NOAA Fisheries Fishery Bulletin for details.

Each year, state marine resource agencies work to collect data from fishermen targeting Red Snapper. Cooperating with agency staff when you get back to the dock or the boat ramp will provide useful information. Allow samplers to collect biological samples. Assist by donating carcasses at drop off points. Data collected during the season from fishermen like you contribute to a better understanding of the Red Snapper stock and its continuing recovery.

South Atlantic Red Snapper Sampling 2021