Saving Seafood

NOAA: South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper Commercial Trip Limit Reduced to 555 Pounds Whole Weight on April 26, 2018

April 23, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:    

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The daily trip limit for the commercial harvest of vermilion snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic is reduced from 1,100 to 555 pounds whole weight, or from 1,000 to 500 pounds gutted weight, effective 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 26, 2018.

WHY THIS TRIP LIMIT REDUCTION IS HAPPENING:

  • When commercial landings of South Atlantic vermilion snapper reach or are projected to reach 75 percent of the quota, regulations are in place to reduce the daily trip limit.
  • The trip limit reduction is necessary to slow the rate of commercial harvest to avoid exceeding the quota.

AFTER THE TRIP LIMIT REDUCTION:

  • The 555-pound whole weight or 500-pound gutted weight trip limit will remain in effect until the end of the current fishing season on June 30, 2018, or when 100 percent of the quota is reached or projected to be reached, whichever occurs first. The second 2018 vermilion snapper season in the South Atlantic will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 1, 2018, with a 1,100-pound whole weight or 1,000-pound gutted weight trip limit.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1191.

 

SAMFC: Proposed Changes to Sea Turtle Release Gear Types for For-Hire/Charter and Commercial Fishermen

April 23, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council: 

Written comments due by May 18, 2018

 The Council is soliciting public comment on options for changes to current sea turtle release gear types for use in handling and releasing incidentally caught sea turtles. Vessels with Commercial or For-Hire South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Federal Permits are required to follow the sea turtle release gear requirements.

The proposed changes provide additional options for approved gear. The new gear would require less space on vessels while still providing the necessary function. These new gear types are only additional options, and not the only gear that industry may use to satisfy the current regulatory requirements.

Learn More

Additional information, including the Amendment 42 Scoping Document, Overview, and Video Presentation is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Comments may be submitted via the online public comment form available from the link above. Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on May 18, 2018.

See the Story Map for Amendment 42 for a quick overview of proposed options.

Scoping Meetings via Webinar Begin Today! 

In addition to the information available online, the Council is offering two public scoping webinars, each beginning at 6:00 PM. Registration is required.

Monday, April 23

Register

Tuesday, April 24

Register

During the scoping meetings, Council staff will present an overview of the proposed changes and will be available for informal discussions and to answer questions via webinar. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record to record their comments for consideration by the Council.

Learn more about the SAFMC by visiting their site here.

 

SAFMC Solicits Input on Proposed Changes to Sea Turtle Release Gear Requirements for For-Hire/Charter and Commercial Fishermen

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

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public comment on options for changes to current turtle release gear requirements and protocol. Vessels with Commercial or For-Hire South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Federal Permits already have requirements for such gear.

The proposed changes in Amendment 42 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan provide additional options for approved gear. The new gear would require less space on vessels while still providing the necessary function.

Additional information, including the Amendment 42 Scoping Document, Overview, and Video Presentation is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.

Comments may be submitted via an online public comment form available from the link above. Written comments are due by May 18, 2018.

Scoping Meetings via Webinar

In addition to the information available online, the Council will offer two public scoping webinars, each beginning at 6:00 PM. Registration is required.

Monday, April 23

Register

Tuesday, April 24

Register

During the scoping meetings, Council staff will present an overview of the proposed changes and will be available for informal discussions and to answer questions via webinar. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record to record their comments for consideration by the Council.

See the Story Map for Amendment 43 for a quick overview of proposed options. Contact Christina Wiegand at Christina.Wiegand@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/224-7258 with any questions.

 

Request for Comments: Limited Opening of Recreational and Commercial Red Snapper Fishery in South Atlantic Federal Waters

April 17, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:   

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests comments on Amendment 43 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 43). The proposed actions would specify recreational and commercial annual catch limits for red snapper beginning in 2018.

  • Red snapper recreational and commercial seasons would open in South Atlantic federal waters for limited harvest in 2018.
  • The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved Amendment 43 after recent scientific information indicated an increase in the red snapper population since 2014.
  • NOAA Fisheries determined the proposed limited harvest in 2018 is neither expected to result in overfishing, nor prevent continued rebuilding of the population.

*Comment period begins on April 16, 2018, and comments are due by June 15, 2018*

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES FOR RED SNAPPER:

  • The total annual catch limit would be 42,510 fish.
  • The recreational annual catch limit would be 29,656 fish.
  • The recreational bag limit would 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 would be 124,815 pounds whole weight.
  • The commercial trip limit would be 75 pounds gutted weight.
  • There would be no minimum size limit for the recreational or commercial sectors.
  • The opening and closing of the recreational sector would be specified before the recreational season begins and would be weekends only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
  • The commercial sector would close when the commercial annual catch limit is projected to be met.
  • Amendment 43 specifies that the commercial sector would open the 2nd Monday in July and the recreational sector would open the 2nd Friday in July.  If the fishing seasons do not open exactly on these dates, they would open as close to these dates as possible.
  • NOAA Fisheries will announce the opening dates, if the amendment is approved, in a future Fishery Bulletin.

PLEASE NOTE: The timing of the 2018 season is contingent on when the final rule for Amendment 43 is implemented, if approved.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY:

The comment period begins on April 16, 2018, and comments are due by June 15, 2018. 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.

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

  1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0148.
  2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
  3. Enter or attach your comments.

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

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Why is limited harvest of South Atlantic red snapper being proposed to begin in 2018?

How would the proposed limited harvest in 2018 affect the overfishing and overfished status of red snapper?

  • NOAA Fisheries has determined that the proposed limited harvest beginning in 2018 is not expected to result in overfishing and would not prevent the continued rebuilding of the red snapper population.

What would the regulations be for red snapper during these proposed seasons?

  • The recreational bag limit would be one red snapper per person per day.
  • The commercial trip limit would be 75 pounds gutted weight.
  • There would be no minimum size limit for either the recreational or commercial sector.

What is the history of South Atlantic red snapper harvest and prohibitions since 2010?   

  • Harvest of red snapper from South Atlantic federal waters was prohibited in 2010 when the population was determined to be severely overfished and undergoing overfishing (See  2008 population assessment – Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review [SEDAR] 15).
  •  Amendment 28 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region established a process that allowed harvest if total removals (landings plus dead discards) were below the acceptable biological catch in the previous year.
  • Limited harvest of red snapper was allowed in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
  • The estimated total removals of red snapper exceeded the acceptable biological catch in 2014, 2015, and 2016, resulting in no allowable harvest since 2014.
  • NOAA Fisheries temporarily allowed limited harvest of red snapper beginning November 2, 2017, by a temporary rule through emergency action. The temporary rule was effective through December 31, 2017.

What is the current status of the red snapper population in the South Atlantic Region?

  • The latest population assessment (SEDAR 41) was completed in 2016 and revised in 2017. It indicated the South Atlantic red snapper population is overfished and undergoing overfishing; however, the population is rebuilding.
  • The red snapper overfishing determination in the assessment came from 2012-2014 when only a small amount of harvest was allowed to occur. However, discards during this time period were high due to fishermen targeting other species that co-occur with red snapper, which likely contributed to the overfishing determination.
  • SEDAR 41 stated that recreational discards were one of the most important and uncertain sources of information used in the stock assessment during the harvest prohibition from 2010-2014.
  • Recent results from fishery-independent studies suggest that the relative abundance of red snapper has increased since 2014.

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 season would be one per person per day. This will potentially reduce the number of red snapper that are caught on one drop.
    • Use a dehooking device to remove the hook. Keep fish in the water if you plan to release them or return them as quickly as possible.
    • Use descending devices when releasing fish with signs of barotrauma.

Where can I find more information on the environmental assessment?

 

Request for Comments: Proposed Charter Vessel Electronic Reporting Requirements and Modifications to Current Headboat Electronic Reporting

April 6, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests comments on a For-Hire Reporting Amendmentand proposed rule, which if implemented, would establish electronic reporting requirements for charter vessels with federal permits and would modify the reporting deadline for headboats. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved the For-Hire Reporting Amendment in an effort to improve data collection and fisheries management.

Comments are due by May 13, 2018 

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES

  • Charter vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper species would be required to report weekly using electronic reporting.
  • Reports would be due by Tuesday following the end of each reporting week, which runs from Monday through Sunday, and would include information such as fishing dates, fishing location, depth fished, species kept and discarded, and charter fee.
  • Reporting would be through NOAA Fisheries-approved hardware and software, which would be specified at a later date.
  • Headboat vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper species would continue to submit reports to the Southeast Headboat Survey but would be required to submit electronic fishing reports by Tuesday following a reporting week, rather than by Sunday.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE AMENDMENT AND PROPOSED RULE:

The comment period is open through May 03, 2018. 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: 83 FR 11164, published March 14, 2018.

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

  1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0152.
  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.

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What would the For-Hire Reporting Amendment and proposed rule do?

The For-Hire Reporting Amendment and proposed rule would require charter vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper speciesto submit electronic reports by Tuesday following the end of each reporting week, which runs from Monday through Sunday, using NOAA Fisheries approved hardware and software applications.

The For-Hire Reporting Amendment would also change the day that headboats are required to submit an electronic fishing record from Sunday to Tuesday following the end of a reporting week, reducing the time when reports are due from seven to two days.

Why are the proposed actions needed?

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) is working to enhance data collection for better fisheries management. Accurate and reliable fisheries information about catch, effort, and discards is critical to population assessments and management evaluations. The South Atlantic Council believes that weekly electronic reporting for federally permitted charter vessels could provide more timely information than the current Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) survey, and more accurate and reliable information for many species with low catches, low annual catch limits, or for species that are only rarely encountered by fishery participants. This proposed action is intended to improve information collected from federally permitted for-hire vessels in the Atlantic. The proposed change to the reporting day for headboat vessels would make the reporting day for the headboat sector consistent with the proposed reporting day for charter vessels.

How would the electronic reporting for charter vessels work? Do I need to have a computer?

NOAA Fisheries is currently evaluating potential software applications for the electronic reporting program, and is considering the use of software applications that are already being used by partners in the region, including “e-trips online” and “e-trips mobile,” which are products of the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program.

These programs would require the use of a computer or tablet with access to the internet. We are looking into the possibility of using smartphones for reporting in the future. If the rule is implemented, outreach sessions will be held to explain the reporting program software and requirements.

What type of information would be collected?

Charter vessels would be required to submit information such as: start and end dates, start and end time, start and end fishing location, vessel and captain identification, number of crew, method of fishing, hours fished, depth fished, species kept, species discarded, charter fee, fuel used, and fuel price per gallon. These core data elements may be modified through coordination with the South Atlantic Council. This information would be required to be reported regardless of where fishing occurs or what species are harvested. If no fishing occurs in a particular week, an electronic no-fishing report would be required.

Does this electronic reporting program replace MRIP?

Even if the new electronic reporting program is implemented, charter vessels with a federal permit would still need to report to MRIP. Currently, landings and discards from federally permitted charter vessels in Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, Atlantic dolphin wahoo, and South Atlantic snapper-grouper fisheries are monitored through a MRIP survey of charter vessels. Fishing effort is calculated based on a monthly sample of federally permitted charter vessels through a phone survey, which is transitioning to a new mail survey. Catch rate observations and catch sampling are provided through dockside monitoring. If NOAA Fisheries implements the electronic reporting requirements described in the For-hire Reporting Amendment, the MRIP survey of charter vessels would continue until the proposed electronic reporting program described in the For-hire Reporting Amendment is certified by NOAA Fisheries, and then the electronic reporting program would replace the MRIP survey of charter vessels.

What if I also have federal for-hire permits for fisheries in other regions such as the Gulf of Mexico or Mid-Atlantic? Do I have to submit multiple reports?

To reduce duplicative reporting by charter vessels, fishermen with federal charter vessel/headboat permits subject to electronic reporting requirements in other regions would not be required to report to multiple times. Instead, federal permit holders would be required to comply with the electronic reporting program that is more restrictive, regardless of where fishermen are fishing.

For example, the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) has implemented an electronic reporting requirement for owners and operators of a charter vessel or party boat (headboat) issued a federal for-hire permit for species managed by Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to submit an electronic vessel trip report using NOAA Fisheries-approved software within 48 hours of completing a for-hire fishing trip (82 FR 42610, September 11, 2017). Because NOAA Fisheries GARFO requires more restrictive reporting than what is proposed in the For-hire Reporting Amendment, owners and operators of a vessel issued a federal for-hire permit for species in both the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic would be required to report under the electronic reporting program managed by GARFO, regardless of where fishing occurs or what species are caught.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) has recommended for-hire electronic reporting for charter vessels that is more stringent than those reporting requirements contained in the South Atlantic For-hire Reporting Amendment. The proposed Gulf of Mexico for-hire electronic reporting program would require trip-level reporting, a pre-trip notification to NOAA Fisheries, and location information monitored by a vessel monitoring system, among other requirements. Therefore, an owner or operator of a charter vessel that has been issued federal charter vessel/headboat permits for applicable fisheries in both the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico would be required to comply with the Gulf Council’s more stringent for-hire electronic reporting program requirements, if the Gulf Council’s amendments to address for-hire electronic reporting are approved and implemented.

Does the For-Hire Reporting Amendment and proposed rule make any changes to the headboat sector?

Currently, headboats submit an electronic fishing report to NOAA Fisheries via the internet by the Sunday following the end of each reporting week, which runs from Monday through Sunday. The For-Hire Amendment and proposed rule would shorten the time to report and proposes that headboats submit electronic reports to NOAA Fisheries by the Tuesday following the end of a reporting week. This is a change in the grace period to prepare and submit reports from seven days to two days.

Does the For-Hire Reporting Amendment and proposed rule implement a video monitoring requirement for charter vessels?

No. In 2008, through Amendment 15B to the Fishery Management Plan for Snapper-Grouper of the South Atlantic Region, a provision was implemented that requires those with a charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper to use video monitoring technology if landing snapper-grouper species and selected by the Science Research Director. Since then, no vessels have been selected to use video monitoring and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center is not actively pursuing a video monitoring program. The For-Hire Reporting Amendment does not change the requirement specified through Amendment 15B.

Where can I find more information on the environmental assessment and proposed rule?

  • Contact 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

The For-Hire Reporting Amendment and proposed rule may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/generic/2017/for_hire_reporting/index.html.

Proposed Rule Would Reduce Red Grouper ACLs in South Atlantic Fisheries by 82%

April 6, 2018 — SEAFOOD NEWS — In response to a 2017 assessment showing red grouper stock was overfished, undergoing overfishing and not making rebuilding progress, NMFS is proposing a dramatic reduction in the 2018 and 2019 annual catch limits for the stock.

Under the proposed rule, the total ACL for 2017 was 780,000 pounds, with 343,200 pounds allotted to the commercial sector. This year, those figures would drop to 139,00 pounds for the total ACL and 61,160 pounds for the commercial sector. The ACL in 2019 would increase slightly, to 150,000 pounds, with a corresponding commercial sector quota of 66,000 pounds. The ACL and sector amounts for 2020 would also increase slightly.

This is a cut of 82% vs. 2017.

NMFS is currently seeking comments on the proposed rule for Abbreviated Framework Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which addresses red grouper in the South Atlantic. Comments are due by May 3.

The proposed rule is based on actions taken by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council in June, September and December 2017. The reductions are based on a low-recruitment scenario. The expedited framework of this rule will adjust the ACLs for the next few years while the Council and NMFS finish development of Amendment 42 to the fishery management plan that is designed for comprehensive rebuilding of the red grouper stock.

Red grouper is typically a secondary species caught in association with targeted species such as snowy grouper, black sea bass, greater amberjack, snapper species and others, depending on the location. At the same time, red grouper landings have been declining in recent years.

In 2016, the commercial ACL was 343,200 pounds but fishermen landed only 13 percent, or 44,995 pounds. Landings in 2015 of 66,610 pounds were only 19 percent of the commercial ACL.

“The reduced level of observed landings is supported by anecdotal information received from commercial and recreational stakeholder who often state that red grouper are not being seen in large quantities in the South Atlantic,” documents for the April 2018 SAFMC meeting say. “A productivity regime shift and certain environmental factors could be driving the low observed numbers of fish, and the recent (since 2005) poor recruitment may or may not continue into the future … .”

The reductions are not expected to cause significant issues for the commercial sector since landings already have been dropping.

“With a large reduction in the ACL, commercial harvest of red grouper is expected to become primarily bycatch while fishermen target other snapper grouper species,” the Socio-Economic Profile of the Snapper Grouper Fishery in the South Atlantic Region document said. ” … While unlikely, a reduction in the red grouper ACLs could increase occurrences of regulatory discards if fishermen continue to encounter the species if the ACL is reached and possession and retention is prohibited.”

The Council documents also indicate an early closure of red grouper in 2018 is unlikely.

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

 

SAFMC Request for Comments: Proposed Rule to Revise Annual Catch Limits for South Atlantic Red Grouper

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

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule for Abbreviated Framework Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which addresses red grouper in the South Atlantic. This proposed rule would reduce the annual catch limits for South Atlantic red grouper in response to the results of the latest population assessment.Comments are due by May 3, 2018.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES: 

  • The proposed rule would reduce the total and sector annual catch limits (ACLs) for red grouper.
  • New ACLs (in pounds whole weight) are as follows:
  Total ACL Commercial ACL Recreational ACL
current 780,000 343,200 436,800
2018 139,000 61,160 77,840
2019 150,000 66,000 84,000
2020 until modified 162,000 71,280 90,720

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED RULE:

The comment period is open now through May 3, 2018. 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: 

83 FR 14234, published April 3, 2018

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

  1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0162.
  2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
  3. Enter or attach your comments.

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

Abbreviated Framework Amendment 1 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_atl/sg/2017/red_grouper_framework/index.html.

 

SAFMC: Upcoming Meetings Will Address Federal Fisheries Management Issues

Advisory panels provide grassroots input; Cobia Stock ID Workshop; Scientists convene in May

April 3, 2018 — NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Fishermen and others interested in federal fishery management issues will want to mark their calendars for upcoming meetings that may affect fishing for snapper, grouper, black sea bass, mackerel, cobia, rock shrimp, and golden crab as well as policies affecting essential fish habitat and ecosystem-based management. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold several advisory panel meetings as well as a meeting of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) in the coming weeks. A workshop to address stock boundaries for cobia is also scheduled as part of a benchmark stock assessment for cobia.

The Council’s advisory panel members, representing recreational fishermen, charter captains, commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and others knowledgeable about fisheries issues, provide grassroots input into the fishery management process. The Council’s SSC is responsible for reviewing the scientific basis of Council management plans and actions and developing fishing level recommendations in accordance with national fisheries guidelines. Members of the SSC include stock assessment scientists, economists, biologists, sociologists, and others knowledgeable about fisheries in the South Atlantic.

Additional information about the meetings listed below, including meeting agendas, overviews, and briefing book materials will be available online (see details below). Members of the public are invited to attend all meetings. The advisory panel meetings and the SSC meeting will also be accessible online via webinar as they occur. Webinar registration is required and details are posted on the meeting pages of the website.

SEDAR Cobia Stock ID Workshop

April 10-12, 2018

Meeting Location: Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407

The Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) benchmark stock assessment for cobia is scheduled to start in 2018. It will be a multi-step process consisting of a series of workshops and webinars. Cobia stock identification will be resolved through a multi-step process prior to the Data Workshop scheduled as part of the SEDAR 58 stock assessment. The Cobia Stock ID Workshop is the first step in this process. Participants in the Stock ID Workshop include data collectors, database managers, stock assessment scientists, fishermen, environmentalists and non-government organizations, and staff from state and federal agencies.

Workshop participants will review all available, relevant information on cobia stock structure including genetic studies, growth patterns, movement and migration, existing stock definitions, and oceanographic and habitat characteristics and make recommendations on biological stock structure and the assessment unit stock or stocks to be addressed through the SEDAR 58 assessment. They will also document the rationale behind their recommendations. Additional information is available at: http://sedarweb.org/sedar-58.

Read the full list of meetings at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

South Atlantic Council to Offer Training Opportunities in SC and GA on Proposed Electronic Reporting Requirements for Federally Permitted Charter Captains

March 28, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is offering hands-on training sessions for federally permitted charter captains in South Carolina and Georgia over the course of the next week.  Informational webinars are also being offered in April and May. (See training and webinar schedule below.)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: 

Charter captains with South Atlantic federal, for-hire permits (Snapper Grouper, Dolphin Wahoo, and/or Coastal Migratory Pelagic fisheries).

TRAINING TOPICS:

The training sessions will provide captains with an overview of the South Atlantic For-Hire Electronic Reporting Amendment that is under review by the Secretary of Commerce, proposed reporting requirements, the timeline for possible implementation, and how you can provide feedback on the proposed requirements during the anticipated 2018 public comment period.  Fishermen will also have the opportunity to try out some of the electronic reporting tools (website and tablet-based app) that may be used for submitting reports once the reporting requirements are implemented.

Training Session Schedule – South Carolina

All Meetings Begin at 6:00 PM 

March 28

SCDNR – Ft. Johnson

(training will be held in the

indoor classroom in the lab building)

217 Fort Johnson Rd

Charleston, SC 29412

 Click here to RSVP

 March 29

Hilton Head Boathouse,

405 Squire Pope Rd,

Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

Click here to RSVP

Training Session Schedule – Georgia

All Meetings Begin at 6:00 PM 

April 2

GADNR Coastal Resources Headquarters,

Susan Shipman Environmental

Learning Center,

One Conservation Way

Brunswick, GA 31520

Click here to RSVP

 April 3

Armstrong Campus (GSU),

University Hall, Room 111,

11935 Abercorn Street

Savannah, GA 31419

 Click here to RSVP 

(Note: Click here for campus map/directions; After parking, come directly to Rm. 111 to receive your parking pass.)

*Note: Additional training sessions will be scheduled for 

Florida in June and July 2018 and for North Carolina in the Fall 2018.

Informational Webinars

Can’t attend an in-person training? Council staff will also host informational webinars twice a month for federal for-hire permit holders to provide information about electronic reporting, the proposed amendment, and upcoming training sessions. Registration is required.

Below is the current schedule for informational webinars:

Learn more about the SAFMC by visiting their site here.

 

SAMFC: South Atlantic Black Sea Bass Recreational Season Starts April 1, 2018

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

KEY MESSAGE:

The 2018-2019 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic, south of 35°15.9′ N. latitude (Cape Hatteras, North Carolina), will start on April 1, 2018, and end at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 1, 2019. Estimates indicate recreational landings for the 2018-2019 fishing year will be below the 2018-2019 recreational catch limit. Therefore, black sea bass will be open for the entire 2018-2019 recreational fishing year.

WHY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS HAPPENING: 

  • This announcement is in compliance with the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 14 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which published on November 7, 2014 (79 FR 66316).
  • NOAA Fisheries projects that the 2018-2019 recreational catch limit of 1,001,177 pounds whole weight will not be met as recreational landings in the past three fishing years were substantially below this value.

Access this and other Fishery Bulletins from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office by clicking here.