SAFMC Archives - Page 14 of 39

Provide Comment on Proposed Changes to Federal Fisheries Management

October 18, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently seeking public comment on a variety of proposed changes affecting federal fisheries management, including designating specified artificial reefs off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina as Special Management Zones to restrict the types of gear that can be used to harvest snapper grouper species. The designations are being considered at the request of each state’s marine resources agencies. Public comment is also being solicited on proposed changes to the trip limit for the commercial king mackerel fishery in the Southern Zone and measures to modify transit provisions for shrimp vessels.

Learn more about the proposed measures with summary documents and video presentations, provide written comment online, and mark your calendar to participate in the webinars!

Public Scoping – Designation of Special Management Zones in NC and SC
Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34
October 28-30, 2019 6:00 PM
Webinars with Listening Stations in NC

The draft regulatory amendment contains actions to:

* Establish 30 Special Management Zones (SMZs) at permitted artificial reef sites in federal waters off the coast of North Carolina. Within the SMZs, harvest of snapper grouper species by spear would be limited to the recreational bag limit.

* Establish four additional SMZs at permitted artificial reef sites in federal waters off the coast of South Carolina. Harvest of snapper grouper species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear (without powerheads) and harvest would be limited to the recreational bag limits.

SMZ Public Comment Period Now Open – Webinars with Listening Stations Scheduled

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34 Summary Document, video presentation, and the Online Comment Form are now available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Register now to participate in the public scoping meetings via webinar or participate in-person at designated listening stations in North Carolina. Details are available from the Council’s website.

Public Hearings – Modifications to Commercial Southern Zone King Mackerel Season 2 Trip Limits
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 8
October 29-30, 2019 5:00 PM
Webinars

The draft amendment would modify the trip limit for the commercial king mackerel fishery in the Southern Zone (NC/SC line to Miami-Dade/Monroe Co. boundary) during Season 2 (October 1st to the end of February). Access the Public Hearing Summary, view the video, submit comments online and register now to participate in the scheduled webinars. https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Public Scoping – Shrimp Transit Provisions
Amendment 11 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan
November 5 & 7, 2019 7:00 PM
Webinars

The draft amendment proposes modifications to current transit provisions during cold-weather closures of the fishery. Additional information is available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

SAFMC Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisory Panels

October 16, 2019 — 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. Advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. 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. 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.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:
Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel
(1) Open Seat

Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
(1) NC Seat; (1) SC Seat; and (1) FL Seat

Information and Education Advisory Panel
(1) Recreational Seat and (1) Commercial Seat

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
(3) Open Seats

How to Apply

Additional information including application forms for individual advisory panels is available online from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions about the advisory panel seats please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/571-4366.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving. Contact information for all Council members is available at: https://safmc.net/council-members/.

Applications must be received by November 6, 2019 for consideration by the Council during its December 2-6, 2019 meeting in Wilmington, NC.

Correction – Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming SAFMC Meetings

October 1, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold several meetings in the coming weeks on topics affecting federal fisheries management off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida. Fishermen and others interested in offshore fisheries are encouraged to attend the meetings (in-person or via webinar) and provide their viewpoints and comments as the Council’s Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel, Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, and Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Advisory Panel meet to discuss issues, as well as the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. Working groups for the Citizen Science Program and System Management Plan are also meeting.

All meetings are open to the public and available via webinar. Meeting materials, including agendas/overviews, public comment forms, briefing book materials, and presentations, are available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/ as noted below.

Read the meeting materials, provide comment, and mark your calendar to listen in!

Citizen Science Projects Advisory Committee
October 3, 2019
Webinar Only – Beginning at 3:00 PM
Briefing book, webinar registration, and public comment form now available at:
https://safmc.net/citizen-science-program/

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
October 7-8, 2019
Town and Country Inn
Charleston, SC
Briefing book, webinar registration, and public comment form now available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/current-advisory-panel-meetings/

System Management Plan Workgroup
October 8-9, 2019
Town and Country Inn
Charleston, SC
Briefing book, webinar registration, and public comment form now available at:
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/other-meetings/.

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
October 9-11, 2019
Town and Country Inn
Charleston, SC
Briefing book, webinar registration, and public comment form now available at:
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/current-advisory-panel-meetings/.

Scientific and Statistical Committee
October 15-17, 2019
Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport – Convention Center
Charleston, SC
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/scientific-and-statistical-committee-meetings/.

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
October 22-24, 2019
FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
St. Petersburg, FL
https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/current-advisory-panel-meetings/.

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Meetings Affecting Federal Fisheries and Opportunities for Public Input

September 30, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Read the meeting materials, provide comment, and mark your calendar to listen in!

Citizen Science Projects Advisory Committee
October 7-8, 2019
Webinar Only
Briefing book, webinar registration, and public comment form now available at:
https://safmc.net/citizen-science-program/

Temporary Increase in Atlantic King Mackerel Commercial Trip Limit in the Atlantic Southern Zone Beginning October 1, 2019

September 30, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces a temporary rule to increase the commercial king mackerel trip limit from 50 to 75 fish in the Atlantic Southern Zone during Season 2 (October 1, 2019, through February 29, 2020).
The commercial trip limit will increase in federal waters in the areabetween the Flagler/Volusia County, Florida, boundary and the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary.
WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:
This change to the commercial trip limit will be effective on October 1, 2019.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

At their June 2019 meeting, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested an emergency rule to increase the commercial trip limit for king mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone during Season 2 (October-February) of the 2019/2020 fishing year.
From October 1, 2019, through February 29, 2020, the commercial trip limit for Atlantic king mackerel will be 75 fish in federal waters between the Flagler/Volusia County, Florida, boundary and the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary.
The temporary rule will also remove the potential for a trip limit reduction in February 2020 from 75 to 50 fish when 70 percent of the quota is reached.
There are no changes to the Season 2 trip limit in federal waters north of Volusia County, Florida.
The increase in trip limit is necessary to prevent unnecessary economic losses and will substantially increase the likelihood of achieving optimum yield for king mackerel in the 2019/2020 fishing year.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently developing a framework amendment to consider changes to the commercial king mackerel trip limits in Season 2 in the Atlantic Southern Zone in future years.

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

For more information on the emergency rule, you may contact the following:

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Karla Gore

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

SAFMC Soliciting Applicants for Deputy Executive Director of Science Position

September 27, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, is currently soliciting applicants for the Deputy Executive Director of Science. This is a Senior Staff position with the Deputy Executive Director of Science providing guidance and leadership to Council activities, including the SEDAR stock assessment program, Citizen Science Program, the Scientific and Statistical Committee, and a broad array of scientific issues related to Council activities. The Deputy Director represents the Council at regional and national science workshops and meetings and supports the science-related committees of the Council.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is responsible for the conservation and management of fish stocks within the federal 200-mile limit of the Atlantic off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and east Florida to Key West. The Council is responsible for Coastal Migratory Pelagics from New York to Florida and for Dolphin/Wahoo from Maine to Florida.

Additional information including a list of Primary Duties and Responsibilities, Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications required, and how to apply for the position is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/download/DD-SciencePositionAnnoun092719.pdf. Please note the closing date for the position is October 9, 2019. Questions should be addressed to Kelly Klasnick, Administrative Officer, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council at kelly.klasnick@safmc.net or by calling the Council office at 843/571-4366.

Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) Solicits Participants for 2020

September 23, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is pleased to announce the eighth offering of the Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) in the Southeast fishery region.

MREP provides fishermen and others interested in federal fisheries with an opportunity to gain insight into how fisheries data are collected and how those data lead to regulations. MREP brings together commercial, charter, and recreational fishermen with scientists, managers, and other marine resource professionals from the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to learn, share insights, and network in a neutral and professional setting. Participants leave the program empowered and better prepared to participate in federal fisheries management.

The two-part workshop series is free to selected participants and includes meals, travel and accommodation. Seats are limited.

MREP Southeast Fisheries Science Workshop
St. Petersburg, FL February 18-20, 2020

MREP Southeast Fisheries Management Workshop
Tampa Bay, FL April 28-30, 2020

Applications to participate can be found at: gmri.org/mrepsoutheast

The program principals are available to respond to inquiries about the workshop:

Bob Gill, Commercial Fisherman and Seafood Retailer, at (888) 833-1844
Dave Webb, Recreational Angler, at (901) 606-1886
Ira Laks, Commercial Fisherman, at (561) 719-8857

General questions about the program should be directed to Alexa Dayton, MREP Senior Program Manager, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, (207) 228-1645 or adayton@gmri.org.

SAFMC Wraps Up Meeting Week by Approving Measures for Best Fishing Practices

September 23, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council concluded their week-long meeting in Charleston, SC after approving federal fishery management measures intended to help implement best fishing practices and improve survivability of released fish. The measures, as included in Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, would require fishermen fishing for snapper grouper species to have a descending device onboard and readily available for use when fishing in federal waters. The devices can be used to help reduce injuries caused by barotrauma, injury that occurs due to expansion of gas when fish are reeled up from deeper water. The condition may result in protruding stomachs from a fish’s mouth, enlarged eyes, and other conditions that keep fish from swimming back to depth. Descending devices are designed to help get the fish back down to deeper water and alleviate the symptoms. Both descending devices and venting tools, when properly used, can be used to treat barotrauma and significantly increase the likelihood that a released fish survives.

The amendment includes additional measures to modify existing requirements for the use of non-stainless-steel and circle hooks when fishing for snapper grouper species with natural baits to help reduce injury to released fish. A measure to standardize the use of powerhead gear by divers off the coast of South Carolina is also included. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, regulations in Regulatory Amendment 29 may be implemented in 2020.

The Council had lengthy discussions about requiring the devices onboard and how to best define a descending device for regulatory purposes. “The intent is to encourage fishermen to use descending devices when necessary to help increase the likelihood that a fish pulled up rapidly from deep water survives,” said Council Vice Chair Mel Bel, representing the SC Department of Natural Resources Division of Marine Fisheries. “No one wants to see fish floating on the surface after being released. The purpose of the regulation isn’t to write tickets, but to reduce release mortality by providing fishermen with the understanding and tools needed to do so when they run offshore.”

Council members continued to stress the importance of outreach and education for informing fishermen on the proper use of the devices. A Best Practices video tutorial is currently available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/electronic-reporting-projects/myfishcount/(click the “Best Practices” tab) and additional outreach materials will be developed. The regulatory amendment also includes a research and monitoring plan that recommends NOAA Fisheries monitor the use of descending devices and continue research to determine their effectiveness in reducing discard mortality. The information may be used to evaluate improvements in the survival of released snapper grouper species in order to incorporate new discard mortality estimates into future stock assessments.

Read the full release here

Recreational Closure for Almaco Jack, Banded Rudderfish, and Lesser Amberjack in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 25, 2019

September 23, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The recreational harvest of almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack (Other Jacks Complex) in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., (local time), on September 25, 2019. During the recreational closure, harvest or possession of species in the Other Jacks Complex in or from federal waters is prohibited.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2019 recreational catch limit is 267,799 pounds whole weight.
Recreational landings have exceeded the recreational catch limit; therefore, recreational harvest must close.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

As a reminder, commercial harvest is closed.
The 2020 fishing season for both the recreational sector and commercial sector of the Other Jacks Complex will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2020.

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

Recreational Closure for Red Grouper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 25, 2019

September 23, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The recreational harvest of red grouper in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, September 25, 2019.
Recreational harvest will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on May 1, 2020.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2019 recreational catch limit is 88,000 pounds whole weight.
Recreational landings have exceeded the recreational catch limit; therefore, recreational harvest must close.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits of red grouper in or from federal waters are zero.
The prohibition on harvest or possession of red grouper applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper.

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.