Saving Seafood

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.   

 

Commercial Closure for Snowy Grouper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on June 22, 2017

June 16, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

WHAT/WHEN:The commercial harvest of snowy grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on June 22, 2017. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of snowy grouper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of snowy grouper 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 135,380 pounds gutted weight, or 159,749 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit. 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 prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for snowy grouper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. on June 22, 2017,and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The 2018 commercial fishing season for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, with a catch limit of 144,315 pounds gutted weight, or 170,291 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.

Commercial Harvest of Snowy Grouper in South Atlantic Federal Waters Will Close on June 14, 2016

June 9, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA:

Commercial harvest of snowy grouper in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on June 14, 2016. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2017. The 2016 commercial catch limit is 125,760 pounds gutted weight. Updated landings data indicate that commercial harvest of snowy grouper will reach the annual catch limit by that date. As a result, commercial harvest will be closed in federal waters of the South Atlantic.

The operator of a vessel with a federal commercial permit for snapper-grouper that is landing snowy grouper for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such snowy grouper prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time), June 14, 2016. The prohibition on sale does not apply to sale or purchase of snowy grouper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time), June 14, 2016, and held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

During the closure:

  • Sale and purchase of snowy grouper in or from federal waters in the South Atlantic is prohibited.
  • Harvest or possession of snowy grouper in or from federal waters in the South Atlantic is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open.
  • These bag and possession limits apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or federal waters.

This closure is necessary to protect the snapper-grouper fishery.

Commercial Harvest of Snowy Grouper and Vermilion Snapper Will Close on September 22, 2015 in South Atlantic Waters

September 16, 2015 — The following was released by NOAA:

Commercial harvest of snowy grouper and vermilion snapper in South Atlantic waters will close, at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on September 22, 2015.

Snowy Grouper
The commercial sector of snowy grouper was closed on June 30, 2015, because the catch limit was met. On August 20, 2015, the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 20 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region increased the catch limit to 115,451 pounds gutted weight. Reports indicate the revised catch limit will be met by September 22, 2015. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2016.

Vermilion Snapper
The 2015 July-December commercial catch limit of vermilion snapper is 438,260 pounds whole weight. Reports indicate the catch limit will be met by September 22, 2015. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2016.

The operator of a vessel with a federal commercial permit for snapper-grouper that is landing snowy grouper or vermilion snapper for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such snowy grouper and vermilion snapper prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time), September 22, 2015. The prohibition on sale does not apply to sale or purchase of snowy grouper or vermilion snapper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time), September 22, 2015, and held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

During the closure:

  • Harvest or possession of snowy grouper or vermilion snapper is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits.
  • Sale or purchase of snowy grouper or vermilion snapper is prohibited.
  • The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of snowy grouper or vermilion snapper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, September 22, 2015, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for a vessel with a federal commercial permit for snapper-grouper.

These closures are necessary to protect the snapper-grouper fishery.