Saving Seafood

Commercial Closure for Almaco Jack, Banded Rudderfish, and Lesser Amberjack in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 4, 2017

August 1, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The commercial harvest of the Other Jacks Complex (almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack) in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on August 4, 2017.  During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of species in this complex is prohibited, and harvest or possession of species in the Other Jacks Complex in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational fishery is open.

WHY IS THIS CLOSURE HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 189,422 pounds whole weight.  Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by August 4, 2017.  According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.  This closure date will provide sufficient notice to fishermen to make preparations for the closure, while minimizing the chance that harvest will exceed the commercial catch limit.

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 2018 commercial fishing season for the Other Jacks Complex in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, with a commercial catch limit of 189,422 pounds whole weight.

Reminder: Red Snapper Q&A Thursday at 6 PM via webinar; Public Hearings Scheduled

August 1, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Join members of the Council’s staff this Thursday, August 3rd at 6:00 PM for an informal Question and Answer session to discuss proposed changes to the annual catch limit for red snapper in the South Atlantic. Council staff will provide an overview of alternatives in Amendment 43 and then answer questions from the public via webinar.

 NOTE: Formal public comment will not be taken during the Q&A session. Public comment will be accepted during the public hearings via webinar. The Council is also accepting written comments until August 15, 2017. An online comment form is available (see below).

Red Snapper – Q&A and Public Hearings via Webinar

Amendment 43 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan

This amendment would modify the current annual catch limit for red snapper in the South Atlantic. The Council proposes the modification in order to allow options for a limited harvest of red snapper in federal waters in 2018.

Webinar Schedule:

  • August 3rd – Informal Question & Answer Session at 6:00 PM
  • August 8th – Public Hearing at 6:00 PM
  • August 10th – Public Hearings at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM

Learn More

Access the Amendment 43 Public Hearing Story Map to quickly get an idea of what is being proposed and how it may affect red snapper fishing in the future. Watch a video presentation of the proposed changes, review the public hearing document, and sign up for any or all of the webinars from the Council’s website. Note that webinar registration is required.

Submit your own comments online and read what others are saying about Amendment 43! Additional information, including the online public comment form, comment summary table, and links for webinar registration is available at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearing-and-scoping-meeting-schedule/.

Federal Scientists, Fishermen Question Shark Fin Ban

July 27, 2017 — The following is an excerpt from a report, by Jim Strickland of WSB-TV in Atlanta, about a new bill, co-sponsored by Georgia Congressmen David Scott and Buddy Carter, that would outlaw the sale of all shark fins, including legally caught ones, in the United States:

The new bill, which would create the Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act, has stirred a fight over whether dealing in shark fins should be made illegal.

Videos of “finning,” where foreign fishing fleets cut the fins off live sharks then throw the fish back to slowly die, pepper YouTube.

“You shouldn’t do it and that’s all there is to it. Not to mention it’s cruel,” said licensed Georgia shark fisherman Charlie Phillips. As vice chair of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Phillips advises the government on seafood policy.

Finning live sharks has been outlawed in the U.S. since 2000. Here, fins must be harvested on land, after the fish is caught and killed at sea. Violators risk fines and banishment from the industry.

“I don’t let anyone do anything illegal on my boat,” said commercial shark fisherman Dave Campo.

“They’re impacting the American fisherman for what may be happening in other places, that we’ll never control,” Campo said.

It’s not just the fishermen saying so. So does the director of the nation’s official shark research lab, Dr. Bob Hueter of Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota.

“They’ll have to throw the fins in the dumpsters which is wasteful and it doesn’t make any sense for the fishery,” Dr. Hueter said.

According to Dr. Hueter, a ban will wipe out responsible shark fishing here, while countries that still allow live finning will fill the void.

“By doing this we’re essentially punishing the wrong people,” Dr. Hueter told Strickland.

Read and watch the full story at WSB-TV

Final Rule for Hogfish Management in South Atlantic Federal Waters

July 27, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for Amendment 37 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 37).  Hogfish in the South Atlantic will be managed as two populations: Georgia through North Carolina and Florida Keys/East Florida.  A population assessment determined that the Florida Keys/East Florida population is undergoing overfishing (rate of removal is too high) and is overfished (population abundance is too low) and, therefore, in need of a rebuilding plan.  The overfishing and overfished status of the Georgia/North Carolina population is unknown.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

  • Regulations will be effective August 24, 2017.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

The final rule for Amendment 37 will implement the following management measures in addition to specifying commercial and recreational annual catch limits and accountability measures:

Management Measures Georgia-North Carolina Florida Keys/East Florida
Minimum size limit

(for both commercial and recreational sectors)

 17 inches fork length 16 inches fork length
Commercial trip limit 500 pounds whole weight 25 pounds whole weight
Recreational bag limit 2 fish per person per day 1 fish per person per day
Recreational fishing season Open year-round Open – May through October

Closed- January through April; November through December

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER:

82 FR 34584, published July 25, 2017.

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

SAFMC Fishery Social Scientist Position Open

July 26, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting applicants for a Fishery Social Scientist to join its staff at the Council’s headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. The Fishery Social Scientist is responsible for all aspects of social analysis for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council as it relates to managing fisheries stocks through fishery management plans.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Social Scientist conducts social impact assessments, fishery impact statements, and assists with analyses of socio-economic data related to fishery management actions and development of appropriate documents, including fishery management plans/amendments and environmental impact statements. The Social Scientist is expected to present analyses to various groups (e.g., fishermen, scientists, advisory panels, and Council members) and also compile and analyze social, anthropological, socio-economic, and other data.

Additional Information:

For the complete position description and information on how to apply, visit the Council’s website: http://safmc.net/other-fishery-news/position-available-with-the-safmc/. 

Reminder: SAFMC Executive/Finance Committee Meeting July 26, 2017

July 25, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Executive Finance Committee are scheduled to meet via webinar from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.  The meeting is open to the public. Registration for the webinar is required. Public comment on agenda items is currently being accepted via the Council’s website (see link below). Public comment will also be accepted at the beginning of the meeting following approval of the minutes.  Agenda items include:

  • Council Coordinating Committee Working Paper – with key issues being considered as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) reauthorization process
  • Current Proposed Legislation – relative to MSA reauthorization
  • Fisheries Leadership and Sustainability Forum
  • Participation of external organizations at Council meetings

Additional information about the meeting, including webinar registration, public comment form, meeting agenda, and briefing book materials is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Mark Your Calendar: Red Snapper Public Hearings and Cobia Scoping via Webinar Scheduled

July 20, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Please mark your calendar now to take advantage of a series of webinars scheduled by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council in August. The  Council will solicit public input on management measures affecting red snapper and Atlantic cobia in federal waters.

Red Snapper – Q&A and Public Hearings via Webinar 

Amendment 43 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan

This amendment would modify the current annual catch limit for red snapper in the South Atlantic.  The Council proposes the modification in order to allow options for a limited harvest of red snapper in federal waters in 2018.  

Webinar Schedule: 

  • August 3rd – Informal Question & Answer Session at 6:00 PM
  • August 8th – Public Hearing at 6:00 PM
  • August 10th – Public Hearings at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM

Atlantic Cobia – Public Scoping via Webinar 

Amendment 31 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan 

  • August 15th – Public Scoping via Webinar at 6:00 PM*
    • *A second presentation and comment opportunity will be repeated at 7:00 PM or later, depending on the end time of the first comment session.

The Council is soliciting public input on options for the management of Atlantic cobia (GA to NY).  The recreational fishery for Atlantic cobia was closed in federal waters earlier this year after NOAA Fisheries determined the annual catch limit would be met.  Options currently in the amendment include continuing efforts to develop a complementary plan with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) or the complete transfer of Atlantic cobia management to the ASMFC. The Council is considering options to allow additional flexibility for managing the fishery. 

Note that webinar registration is required. Written comments will also be accepted. Additional information, including webinar registration, online public comment forms, comment deadlines, and public hearing and scoping documents are being posted on the Council’s website at:  http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearing-and-scoping-meeting-schedule/ as they become available.

Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants

July 18, 2017 — 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. Working at the grassroots level, advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. The Council has eleven advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of managed species, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or managed species. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, formal representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists, and concerned citizens.

Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP may reapply for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. Members may serve for three consecutive terms before reaching their term limit.  AP members generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Members must have access to a working email account and the Internet in order to receive meeting materials and correspondence relative to their service on the advisory panel. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel: (1) SC Open Seat; (1) FL Open Seat

Habitat Protection & Ecosystem- Based Management Advisory Panel: (1) SC Recreational Representative

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel: (1) Open Seat; (1) Recreational Fishing Representative; and (1) Commercial Fishing Representative 

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel: (1) Open Seat; (1) NGO Representative; and (1) At-Large Cobia Subpanel Seat

 Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel: (1) NC Open Seat; (3) SC Open Seats; and (2) FL Open Seats

Advisory Panel Applicants    

Additional information, including new online application forms are now available from the Advisory Panel page of the Council’s website at http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/.  Please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/571-4366 with any questions.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving.  Contact information for all Council members is available from the About Us section of the Council’s website at http://safmc.net/council-members/ or through the Council office.  Advisory panel members will be selected during the Council’s September 11-15, 2017 meeting in Charleston, SC. Advisory panel applications must be received by August 16, 2017 for consideration by the Council during the September meeting.             

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 18, 2017

July 12, 2017 — 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. on July 18, 2017. 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 fishery is open.

WHY IS THIS CLOSURE HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by July 18, 2017. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded. This closure date will provide sufficient notice to fishermen to make preparations for the closure, while minimizing the chance that harvest will exceed the commercial catch limit.

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 2018 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, 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 by clicking here.

Meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Executive Finance Committee Scheduled via Webinar July 26, 2017

July 11, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Executive Finance Committee are scheduled to meet via webinar from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.  The meeting is open to the public. Registration for the webinar is required. Public comment on agenda items is currently being accepted via the Council’s website (see link below). Public comment will also be accepted at the beginning of the meeting following approval of the minutes.  Agenda items include:

    • Council Coordinating Committee Working Paper – with key issues being considered as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) reauthorization process
    • Current Proposed Legislation – relative to MSA reauthorization
    • Fisheries Leadership and Sustainability Forum
    • Participation of external organizations at Council meetings

Additional information about the meeting, including webinar registration, public comment form, meeting agenda, and briefing book materials is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.