SAFMC Archives - Page 23 of 39

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting September 16-21, 2018

September 4, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet in September to address federal fishery management measures affecting offshore fisheries including snapper grouper, king and Spanish mackerel, spiny lobster, and habitat protection and ecosystem-based management. The meeting is open to the public unless otherwise specified, and public comment is now being accepted on agenda items.

Agendas, Overviews, and Briefing Materials:
The agenda for the week long meeting as well as individual committee agendas and helpful overviews are available from the Council meeting website. Documents, summaries, presentations, and other briefing materials for the meeting are also available.

Attend the Meeting via Webinar:
The meeting may be accessed via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration for each day is required. Register now and receive email reminders for the upcoming sessions.
– Monday, September 17 2:30 pm – 5 pm
– Tuesday, September 18 8:30 am – 5 pm
– Wednesday, September 19 8:30 am – 6 pm
– Thursday, September 20 8:30 am – 5 pm
– Friday, September 21 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Public Comment:
Comments on agenda items may be submitted using the online comment form. The form allows Council members immediate access to all comments and gives others the opportunity to read comments as they are posted. The Council will also solicit public comment during the meeting beginning at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

Agenda Highlights:
Final Approval: The Council is scheduled to approve four amendments for review by the Secretary of Commerce during the meeting. The amendments address vermilion snapper and black sea bass fishing levels, commercial king mackerel trip limits, use of bully nets in the spiny lobster fishery, and commercial measures as outlined in the Council’s Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery.

Species Migration Northward
Representatives from the New England Fishery Management Council and the Mid-Atlantic Council will come together during the Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee meeting to discuss changes in migratory patterns being observed as ocean temperatures continue to warm and other environmental changes occur.

Additional agenda highlights are available online. Access all of the meeting information, submit comments, and listen live as the meeting occurs.

Commercial Harvest of Atlantic Group Cobia (Georgia to New York) Will Close in Federal Waters on September 5, 2018

August 24, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

Commercial harvest of Atlantic group cobia (Georgia to New York) will close in federal waters at 12:01 a.m. (local time) September 5, 2018. Commercial harvest will reopen in federal waters at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2019.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2018 commercial annual catch limit is 50,000 pounds round or gutted weight. NOAA Fisheries projects the 2018 cobia annual catch limit for the commercial sector will be reached by September 5th based on reported landings to date and landings that are expected to be reported by dealers that do not have a federal dealer permit.
This closure is necessary to protect the Atlantic cobia resource by preventing the commercial annual catch limit from being exceeded.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

The operator of a vessel that is landing cobia for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such cobia prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, September 5, 2018. The prohibition on sale and purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of cobia that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time) September 5, 2018, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

Recreational Harvest of Golden Tilefish Will Close in Federal Waters of the South Atlantic on August 28, 2018

August 24, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

Recreational harvest of golden tilefish in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on August 28, 2018. Recreational harvest in federal waters will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2019.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2018 recreational annual catch limit is 2,187 fish. Reports indicate that recreational landings have reached the 2018 annual catch limit for the recreational sector.
According to the regulations, NOAA Fisheries must close the harvest when the annual catch limit has been reached. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish population.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

Recreational harvest or possession of golden tilefish in or from the federal waters of the South Atlantic is prohibited.
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels which have a valid charter/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
Commercial harvest or possession of golden tilefish in or from federal waters is also prohibited.

SAFMC: Reminder! Applications for Advisory Panels and System Management Plan Workgroup Due

August 21, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

If you are considering applying for an open seat on one of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels or serving as a fisherman on the Council’s new System Management Plan Workgroup, today is the day to do so!

Applications must be received by tomorrow, August 22, 2018 for consideration by the Council during its September 16-20, 2018 meeting. Complete the online application using the instructions below.

Applications are being solicited for the following advisory panel positions:

Coral Advisory Panel

(3) Open Seats

Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel

(1) SC Open Seat
(1) GA Open Seat

Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel

(1) NC Commercial
(1) NC Conservation
(1) FL Recreational
(1) FL Commercial
(1) At-Large Research/Geologist Seat

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel

(2) Recreational Seats

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel

(3) Open Seats

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel

(3) NC Open Seats
(1) SC Open Seat
(1) GA Open Seat
(2) Florida Open Seats
(1) NGO Seat

The Council is also soliciting applicants to represent commercial and recreational interests on its System Management Plan (SMP) Workgroup. The newly formed workgroup will provide recommendations on managed areas in federal waters under the Council’s jurisdiction. The Council currently has system management plans in place for Deepwater Marine Protected Areas, Spawning Special Management Zones, and the Oculina Experimental Closed Area. Additional areas will be added, with the goal to eventually have a single System Management Plan in place for all managed areas.

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 22, 2018

August 20, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

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 22, 2018. 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 2018 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by August 22, 2018. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
The 2019 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2019, with a commercial catch limit of 87,521 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.

SAFMC Recruitment Announcement for Administrative Officer

August 14, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in Charleston, SC, is currently soliciting applicants for an Administrative Officer staff position. The 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. Learn more about the Council at www.safmc.net.

The Administrative Officer is responsible for supervising all administrative staff. Responsibilities also include budget and finance, personnel management, property management, records management, and meeting support.

Closing Date: August 28, 2018

Contact:

Send a complete resume, a brief statement of interest describing the skills you would bring to this position, and contact information for 3 references to:

Gregg T. Waugh, Executive Director

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201

North Charleston, SC 29405

Or via email to: gregg.waugh@safmc.net

For more information:

Additional details, including a complete job description, is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/other-fishery-news/08-13-18-safmc-recruitment-announcement-administrative-officer/.

Applicants may also contact Mike Collins, Administrative Officer at mike.collins@safmc.net or by calling the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.

Commercial Closure of the Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 14, 2018

August 10, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 14, 2018.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2018 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish hook-and-line component is 78,328 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit on August 14, 2018. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

DURING AND AFTER THE CLOSURE:

The commercial hook-and-line component closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
The prohibition on sale or purchase during the closure does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 14, 2018, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
The commercial longline component for South Atlantic golden tilefish closed on March 25, 2018, for the remainder of the fishing year. Therefore, because the commercial longline component is already closed, and the commercial hook-and-line component will close on August 14, 2018, all commercial fishing for South Atlantic golden tilefish will close effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 14, 2018.
During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of golden tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open.
Harvest by the commercial hook-and-line and longline components will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2019.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. The complete list of 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 .

Georgia DNR Announces Red Snapper Reporting Program

August 9, 2018 — SEAFOOD NEWS –Disagreements regarding stock assessments for red snapper drives a significant amount of debate on whether the fishery should be open, how long it should be open and limits that should be imposed. However, the state Department of Natural Resources is advising recreational fishermen to participate in a data collection project that is in concert with NOAA Fisheries.

During discussion in March at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting on Jekyll Island, Bill Kelly of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association emphasized the need for better data.

“We’ve got the (harvest) allocation that we think needs to be revisited on an annual basis — it’s easy enough to do with the data inputs nowadays, and then the second would be more frequent spot assessments on commercially important species, or economically important species, whether it’s the commercial sector or the recreational,” Kelly said.

To assist in better data collection, DNR advised different ways anglers can help develop “current information on the age, size and growth of red snapper in the population.”

One way is to discard red snapper carcasses in freezer chests along the coast. To draw in participants, DNR is offering a $50 Academy Sports gift card that will be awarded at random to two people. Also, folks can document their red snapper fishing trips through the smartphone app MyFishCount, or go to MyFishCount.com, and fill out a survey.

Along with these methods, state Coastal Resources Division staff will be on hand at boat ramps to interview people on their catch. For people who are releasing red snapper back into the water, CRD partnered with Yamaha and FishSmart to provide free descending devices that rapidly reintroduce the fish back to the depth they were caught, in an attempt to improve survival.

“Anglers have an opportunity to be citizen scientists by providing red snapper data,” Carolyn Belcher, CRD chief of Marine Fisheries, said in a statement. “During the last mini-season, with the help of anglers, CRD biologists examined 122 carcasses ranging in age from 1-to-19 years, with approximately 95 percent younger than 14. Data collected during 2018 will be combined with that from other South Atlantic states for future population assessments.”

Red snapper fishing is open in federal waters Aug. 10-12, and Aug. 17-19, with recreational fishermen limited to one fish per day with no size restriction. Freezer coolers are in place at Two-Way Fish Camp, 250 Ricefield Way, in Brunswick; Morningstar Marina, 206 Marina Dr. on St. Simons Island; and St. Simons Fishing Club, 1000 Arthur J. Moore Dr., on St. Simons Island.

This story originally appeared on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

Red Snapper Opening Offers Opportunity for Limited Harvest and Improved Data Collection

August 3, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Recreational fishermen gearing up for the upcoming red snapper mini-season are reminded that the weekend openings provide more than just an opportunity to land a nice red snapper for dinner. The season also provides an important window for data collection crucial to red snapper management and fishermen can help in a number of ways. The recreational fishery will open for two consecutive 3-day weekends: August 10-12, 2018 and August 17-19, 2018 with a 1 fish per person per day bag limit and no minimum size limit. The commercial fishery is currently open with a 75 pound (gutted weight) trip limit, no minimum size limit, and will close when the commercial annual catch limit of 124,815 pounds whole weight (12,854 fish) is met or by December 31, 2018. The recreational annual catch limit is 42,510 fish.

During the opening, state marine resource agencies along with NOAA Fisheries will have personnel stationed along the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the east coast of Florida to gather information from fishermen as they return from their fishing trips. In addition to cooperating with these efforts, recreational fishermen can also take the initiative to report their fishing activities via a mobile app as they occur offshore and keep a personal log for future reference.

Recreational anglers now have the opportunity to report and log information about their recreational trips and catches through the MyFishCount electronic reporting mobile app. The app is available for free download at the Google Play and App Store, or through the MyFishCount website at www.myfishcount.com. In addition to providing information to fishery scientists and managers, anglers have the ability to access information about their previous trips and catches.

The MyFishCount app is easy to use and instructional videos are available via YouTube. To learn more, visit https://www.myfishcount.com or http://safmc.net/electronic-reporting-projects/myfishcount/.

The MyFishCount project was developed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council in conjunction with Angler Action (Snook and Gamefish Foundation) and Elemental Methods with funding from NOAA Fisheries. The project is designed to help provide information not previously captured in current monitoring programs. Once a personal MyFishCount account is established, fishermen may report information about their fishing activities, including species kept and released, the length and number of fish released, catch location, depth fished, gear used, release treatment, reason for release and more. Anglers can also report trips that had to be abandoned due to poor weather conditions, which was an important data point collected in the 2017 red snapper mini-season that contributed to the decision to allow for additional fishing days.

MyFishCount participants are able to record their fishing trips throughout the year, regardless of the species targeted or location fished, and will have access to their stored information. The 2018 red snapper mini-season offers an excellent opportunity for recreational fishermen to open an account and participate in the new pilot project.

Fishermen heading back to boat ramps and marinas during the red snapper mini-season are encouraged to assist state marine resource agency staff and NOAA Fisheries personnel with expanded efforts to collect information, even if the MyFishCount app has been used offshore. Pausing to provide answers to a few questions or allowing staff to quickly take biological samples such as otoliths (ear bones) from red snapper catches will provide valuable data that may be used in future stock assessments and management decisions. Carcass collection sites with freezers and catch cards for recording information about the fish will also be established by some states.

In addition, law enforcement personnel will have a higher presence on the water. Safety will be a primary focus for enforcement officers as fishermen head offshore, along with ensuring regulations are being followed.

It may seem simple, but good angler ethics and best practices will go a long way in making a good fishing trip a great one. Know the rules. For example, the use of non-stainless steel circle hooks is required when targeting snapper grouper species (including red snapper) when fishing with natural baits in waters North of 28 degrees latitude (a line just south of Melbourne, Florida). Dehooking devices are also required onboard.

Plan ahead and have the equipment needed to properly release a fish. Know how to properly handle a fish and if snapping a photo of your catch, be ready with your camera before the fish comes onboard. Catch and release is okay, but move off of an area to avoid releasing too many fish. To help you plan ahead and prepare for a successful trip, check out the list of Best Fishing Practices and other information now available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/2018-red-snapper-season/. The website also includes additional details on data collection efforts by state marine resources agencies during the 2018 red snapper season, including carcass collection sites.

The Council is currently considering options for requiring best fishing practices to reduce the number of released fish and release mortality for species in the snapper grouper management complex. Public scoping webinars are scheduled for August 7th and 8th, and written public comment is being accepted until August 17, 2018. Learn more at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Final Rule Revises Annual Catch Limits for South Atlantic Red Grouper

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

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for red grouper in the South Atlantic. This rule will reduce the annual catch limits (ACLs) for South Atlantic red grouper in response to the results of the latest population assessment. The assessment determined that red grouper in the South Atlantic is undergoing overfishing and is overfished.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

The rule will take effect on August 27, 2018.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

The final rule will reduce the total and sector annual catch limits for red grouper.
New annual catch limits (in pounds whole weight) are as follows:

	Total ACL	Commercial ACL	Recreational ACL
2018	139,000	61,160	77,840
2019	150,000	66,000	84,000
2020 until modified	162,000	71,280	90,720

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 83 FR 35435, published July 26, 2018