South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Archives

Dr. Jack McGovern awarded 2025 Award of Excellence

October 21, 2025 — Dr. Jack McGovern is the recipient of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s 2025 Award of Excellence. The award was presented during a social held at the SC Department of Natural Resources as part of the Council’s September meeting. The recognition came as a surprise to Jack as he was surrounded by his family, friends, and colleagues representing 33 years of career service to marine research and federal fisheries management.

The Council established the Award of Excellence in 2022 to recognize those who have made substantial contributions to the science, management or sustainability of the marine resources and habitats under the Council’s jurisdiction. Nominations are accepted by Council members, advisory panel members, and members of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. “This year’s award recipient has been instrumental in providing quality fisheries research and management over his successful career,” said Council Chair Trish Murphey. “It is an honor to present this award to Dr. Jack McGovern to recognize not only his achievements but his tireless work and mentorship to those privileged to work with him for the past three decades.”

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

FLORIDA: ‘Out of sight, out of mind’: Scientists warn rare Florida reef could be destroyed again

October 7, 2025 — Beneath the surface of the Atlantic, about 15 miles off the coast of Fort Pierce, lies one of the most unique coral reefs in the world — and one of the most fragile.

Known as the Oculina Bank, this 300-square-mile deep-water reef was the first of its kind ever discovered.

But this protected ecosystem now faces potential destruction as federal officials consider reopening parts of it to shrimp trawling after decades of restrictions.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight federally appointed councils across the country, proposed two amendments this year that would allow commercial shrimp boats to drag massive nets across portions of the reef.

The proposals directly respond to a Trump administration executive order calling for reduced fishing regulations and enhanced economic opportunities for the seafood industry.

Read the full article at WPTV

Federal Fishery Managers Consider New Approaches

June 18, 2025 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council met this past week in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to address federal fishery management issues in the South Atlantic region. During the week-long meeting, the Council acknowledged that new approaches may be necessary to federal fisheries management given recent changes that include reductions in staffing and funding at NOAA Fisheries, as well as Executive Order 14276 Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.

The Council will develop its response to the directives in Executive Order 14276, including identifying measures to reduce regulatory burden and promote domestic fisheries. Information will be provided on the Council website and input solicited from the public and Council advisory panels. Council members identified initial items that respond to the Executive Order during last week’s meeting, including revision or removal of the “2 for 1” provision for commercial snapper grouper federal permits, removing species from the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Unit, addressing shark depredation, and shifting management of Spiny Lobster to the State of Florida. The Council will review public input and continue discussions during its September 2025 meeting.

Final rule for Amendment 59 sets stricter red snapper limits

June 10, 2025 — NOAA Fisheries has finalized new regulations for the South Atlantic red snapper fishery through Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, tightening limits and restricting access for both commercial and recreational fishermen in the 2025 season.

According to NOAA Fisheries, the red snapper population in the South Atlantic is “undergoing overfishing, not overfished, but not yet rebuilt,” prompting the agency to revise catch limits and season dates through this final rule. The changes are based on the most recent update to the SEDAR 73 stock assessment, which includes data through 2023.

“NOAA Fisheries developed Amendment 59 on the Secretary’s behalf to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and a court order,” the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) stated, “because the SAFMC failed to develop and submit, after a reasonable period of time, needed conservation and management measures to end and prevent overfishing of the South Atlantic red snapper population, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.”

Read the full article at The National Fisherman

Council Addresses Broad Range of Federal Fisheries Issues During March Meeting

March 12, 2025 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council began their week-long meeting in Jekyll Island, GA with a focused look at issues facing the federal commercial snapper grouper fishery and continued to discuss several federal fishery issues throughout the week. The impacts of recent reductions in workforce at NOAA Fisheries were acknowledged as the Council considers future management measures for species such as Black Sea Bass, Golden Tilefish, and Atlantic King and Spanish Mackerels

Mackerel Port Meetings

A series of 16 in-person and six virtual port meetings were held along the Atlantic coast in 2024-25, focusing on the Atlantic King and Spanish Mackerel fisheries. The port meetings, held at the request of the Council’s Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel, provided an opportunity for meeting attendees to discuss their perspectives with other fishery participants and local Council members. Council staff reviewed the comprehensive draft report from the port meetings and provided options for moving forward with the development of management actions.

The overview of the draft report divides the seven goals and objectives of the port meetings into three categories: 1) environmental conditions affecting the fisheries, for example, when and where the fish are available to fishermen; 2) any needed management changes; and 3) fishing dynamics. The report describes the fisheries by region and individual South Atlantic states, providing insight into the similarities and differences in these economically important fisheries. A total of 263 stakeholders, including private recreational, for-hire, and commercial fishermen participated in the meetings. “The idea of stakeholder meetings is something that was initiated by the advisory panel and has been a huge undertaking,” explained Tom Roller, Chair of the Mackerel Cobia Committee and Council representative from North Carolina. “Thank you to all of the fishermen that participated and kudos to the staff, states, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and other councils for their assistance in making this effort a success.”

Before determining how to move forward with management actions, the Council will consider input from its Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel during the June 2025 Council meeting in Port Canaveral, Florida. The Council will also receive information from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council on its coastal migratory pelagics stakeholder engagement efforts.

For-Hire Reporting Amendment

The Council received input from its For-Hire Reporting and Law Enforcement Advisory Panels on potential actions to improve for-hire reporting in the South Atlantic region. An amendment is under development with actions to address reporting frequency, trip declaration requirements, approved landing locations, collection of economic data, and a mandatory validation survey. Scoping on the amendment will be held prior to the Council’s June 2025 meeting.

Commercial Snapper Grouper Fishery

After reviewing input from its Snapper Grouper Commercial Sub-committee, the Council expressed an intent to develop an amendment addressing Snapper Grouper federal commercial permits and trip efficiency issues. Permit issues to consider may include revising the current 2 for 1 permit requirements, permit transfers, leasing of permitted vessels, limits for the number of permits that can be owned by an entity, and income requirements for “use it or lose” it provisions. Options to increase trip efficiencies may include an allowance for incidental catch and trip limit increases if landings are below a threshold by a specified date in the season. The Sub-Committee will meet again prior to the Council’s June meeting and continue discussion of commercial fishery issues.

Private Recreational Permit and Education Requirements

The Council continued discussion of Amendment 46 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan that would establish a federal private recreational permit in the Snapper Grouper Fishery. The permit system would help identify the universe of private anglers or vessels targeting those species and enhance the ability to collect recreational effort and catch data. The amendment also includes an education component associated with the permit to promote the use of best fishing practices. Public hearings on the amendment will be scheduled for later in 2025.

Red Snapper

After receiving a presentation from NOAA Fisheries on measures proposed in Secretarial Amendment 59 to end overfishing of Red Snapper and reduce dead discards, the Council discussed the proposed actions and will provide feedback and recommendations to NOAA Fisheries by March 17, 2025.

Additional Information

Additional information about the Council’s March 2025 meeting, including individual committee reports and reports from meetings of the Full Council, is now available from the Council’s website:https://safmc.net/events/march-2025-council-meeting/ The next meeting ofthe Council is scheduled for June 9-13, 2025, in Cape Canaveral, Florida..

SAFMC Meeting March 3-7, 2025 in Jekyll Island, GA

February 25, 2025 — The following was released by South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet next week, March 3-7, 2025, in Jekyll Island, GA to address federal fishery management issues. The meeting begins on Monday morning, March 3rd and continues through noon on Friday at Villas by the Sea, 1175 Beachview Drive N., Jekyll Island, GA 31527.

The meeting is open to the public and also available via webinar each day as it occurs. Register now to attend the meeting via webinar and receive email reminders as the meeting date approaches, or review the week-long meeting agenda and plan to attend in person.

The Council will meet in Full Session at the beginning and end of the meeting week, and hold meetings of the following committees throughout the week: Snapper Grouper Commercial Sub-Committee; Habitat & Ecosystem; Joint Habitat & Ecoystem and Shrimp; Snapper Grouper; Mackerel Cobia; and SEDAR (Southeast Data, Assessment and Review).

Meeting materials, including individual committee agendas and overviews, documents, and presentations are available from the Council’s website:https://safmc.net/events/march-2025-council-meeting/.

Public Comment

The Council will hold a public comment session on Wednesday, March 5th, 2024 beginning at 4 p.m., allowing for both in-person and remote (via webinar) verbal public comment. Registration is required to comment via webinar. Details are available from the meeting website. An online public comment form for written comments is also available, with comments posted for both Council members and the public to view via the website.

South Atlantic black sea bass fishery approves ropeless gear intended to protect right whales

November 27, 2024 — The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) has approved the use of ropeless fishing gear, also known as on-demand gear, in its black sea bass fishery, which spans the U.S. coastline from the state of North Carolina to Florida.

The new gear aims to reduce instances of right whale entanglements. The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most critically endangered species in the world, with an estimated 372 individuals remaining.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

SAFMC King and Spanish Mackerel Port Meetings Continue in the Mid-Atlantic Region

November 14, 2024 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

A series of port meetings are being hosted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and state partners along the Atlantic coast throughout 2024. The meetings are being held to gather input on Atlantic King Mackerel and Atlantic Spanish Mackerel fisheries, managed through the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishery Management Plan along the entire Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico.

The November port meetings will be held next week in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey. Meetings include discussion of a variety of issues related to the mackerel fisheries including changing environmental conditions, needed management changes, and commercial and recreational fishery dynamics.

Attendees will have the chance to actively discuss their perspectives with other fishery participants and South Atlantic Council staff. The informal meetings allow stakeholders to share their insights and help determine the future of these fisheries. A list of goals and objectives for the port meetings is available from the South Atlantic Council’s website.

Meetings were held in North Carolina in April, New England in May, New York in June, Georgia in July, and Florida and South Carolina in early October.

Upcoming Port Meetings

Note: All meetings will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday, November 18th, 2024 – Virginia Beach, VA. Brock Environmental Center – Oyster Conference Room, 3663 Marlin Bay Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.
Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 – White Stone, VA. Town of White Stone Town Hall Building, 433 Rappahannock Drive, White Stone, VA 22578.
Wednesday, November 20th. 2024 – Berlin, MD. Worcester County Library Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Avenue, Berlin, MD 21811.
Thursday, November 21st, 2024 – Manahawkin, NJ. Stafford Township Administration Building, 260 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

Those interested in attending a port meeting are encouraged to sign up using the online form.

Questions? Contact Christina Wiegand at Christina.Wiegand@safmc.net.

NOAA Fisheries drafting plan to end red snapper overfishing in the South Atlantic

October 23, 2024 — NOAA Fisheries has taken the first steps towards implementing a plan to stop red snapper overfishing in the South Atlantic after years of alleged inaction by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

“NOAA Fisheries firmly believes that we must find ways to end overfishing and improve how the red snapper population in the South Atlantic is managed,” NOAA Fisheries said in a statement. “Currently, there are short commercial and recreational seasons, and low retention limits for red snapper.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Council Approves Proposed Changes to Snapper Grouper Fishery; Receives Red Snapper Notification

September 23, 2024 —

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved two amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan that, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, would modify current federal regulations for species in the snapper grouper management complex. The Council considered input received during public comment and recommendations from its Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and Scientific and Statistical Committee before taking action during its quarterly meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. The following amendments were approved:

Regulatory Amendment 36 – Gag and Black Grouper Recreational Vessel Limits and On-Demand Gear for Black Sea Bass Pot Fishery

The amendment would revise the recreational vessel limits for Gag and Black Grouper. To remain consistent with a bag limit of one Gag or Black Grouper, the amendment would change the aggregate private recreational vessel limit to two fish of either species per day. For-hire (charter and headboat) would have the same vessel limit per trip.

Gag are currently overfished and experiencing overfishing. Black Grouper are included in the amendment due to misidentification issues that occur in some areas within the region. The Council will address Black Grouper regulations again following the results of a management strategy evaluation underway for the species.

The amendment would also revise transit stowage requirements for commercial black sea bass pots with on-demand (ropeless) gear.

Amendment 55 – Scamp, Yellowmouth Grouper, and the Other Shallow Water Grouper Complex

Scamp and Yellowmouth Grouper are overfished, but overfishing is not occurring. A rebuilding plan is needed to address the overfished stock status. Measures proposed in Amendment 55 would establish a Scamp and Yellowmouth Grouper Complex. A rebuilding plan would be established for the new management complex along with catch levels, sector allocations, and accountability measures.

Updates would be made to the Other Shallow Water Grouper Complex (Rock Hind, Red Hind, Coney, Graysby, and Yellowfin Grouper), to remove Yellowmouth Grouper.

Red Snapper

During its meeting, the Council received a litigation briefing from NOAA General Counsel noting there are three Red Snapper cases currently under litigation. One lawsuit alleges that NOAA Fisheries violated the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act because it failed to address overfishing of Red Snapper. The settlement agreement for this case was approved on August 22, 2024, and includes NOAA Fisheries agreeing to complete and submit a Secretarial amendment to end overfishing of Red Snapper. The Final Rule for the amendment must be submitted to the Federal Register by June 6, 2025.

The Council will be able to comment on the Secretarial amendment, and there will be opportunities for public comment prior to implementation. For additional details, see the Fishery Bulletin from NOAA Fisheries.

Other Business

The Council continued discussion of management measures proposed for the Black Sea Bass fishery that will be addressed in Snapper Grouper Amendment 56. The amendment will also consider revised catch level recommendations and status determination reference points. The Scientific and Statistical Committee will discuss Black Sea Bass during its October 22-24, 2024 meeting and provide recommendations for the Council to consider when it meets again in December. Public scoping meetings on proposed measures are tentatively scheduled for early 2025.

The Council approved a motion to amend both the Coral and Shrimp Fishery Management Plans to establish a Shrimp Fishery Access Area along the eastern edge of the Northern Oculina Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern, located off the central east coast of Florida. The designated area would allow access to historical fishing areas used by the rock shrimp fishery while minimizing impacts on deepwater coral.

A listening session hosted by the Marine Recreational Information Program, administered by NOAA Fisheries, was held during the meeting week. Fishery managers use data from the program to make management decisions affecting recreational fisheries. Council members received an update on a large-scale study being conducted to determine differences in recreational fishing effort estimates between different survey designs. The program is also re-evaluating approaches to data collection partnerships. Council members provided an extensive list of recommendations and members of the public also provided input.

New Chair and Vice-Chair

During the meeting the Council elected Trish Murphey, representative for the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and former vice-chair as the new chair of the Council. She replaces Dr. Carolyn Belcher. Jessica McCawley, state representative for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission was elected vice chair. Both will serve two-year terms.

Additional information about the Council’s September meeting, including final committee reports, is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/events/september-2024-council-meeting/. The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for December 2-6, 2024, in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

Photo credit: SC Sea Grant; Return ‘Em Right