Saving Seafood

June Council Meeting Addresses Commercial Management, Headboats, Black Sea Bass, and Dolphin

June 16, 2026 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council met June 8-12, 2026, in St. Augustine, Florida. Below are some of the notable topics that were covered throughout the week.

During the first Full Council session, members received a series of reports and updates. Among the updates was a presentation from NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) that addressed the newly announced Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive (RAPID), a national initiative aimed at modernizing recreational fishing data collection through stronger collaboration between NOAA Fisheries, states, and regional partners. 

Commercial Management Measures (Amendment 60)

On Tuesday, the Council continued development of Amendment 60, which addresses commercial management measures in the snapper grouper fishery. The amendment is intended to increase flexibility and adaptability in the commercial sector by revising permit accessibility, trip limits, and bottom longline gear stowage requirements to allow fishermen to switch to or from bottom longline gear during a trip. The amendment also considers changes to the commercial snapper grouper (SG1) permit program, including eliminating the current “2-for-1” permit requirement, increasing trip limits for several species, and requiring that all snapper grouper harvested on vessels with commercial SG permits be sold.

The Council reviewed additional trip limit analyses conducted by NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office (SERO), selected preferred alternatives for several actions, and approved the amendment for public hearings. Public hearings will be held in August 2026 and during the Council’s September 2026 meeting in North Charleston, South Carolina. Feedback received during the public comment period will be used to further refine the amendment before the Council takes final action, so if you are interested, be sure to provide your comment during this period.

Headboat Vessel Limits

The Council continued discussions on measures intended to address the needs of the South Atlantic headboat fleet by adjusting possession limits for vessels that carry large numbers of passengers. Under regulations that will go into effect soon, being considered through Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 36, a vessel carrying 40 passengers would be subject to the same vessel limit for gag and black grouper as a vessel carrying six passengers. To address this issue, the Council is evaluating a six-passenger-based vessel limit that would allow federally permitted headboats to retain additional gag and black grouper.

After further deliberation, the Council decided to continue looking at a “per six passengers” vessel limit for gag and black grouper. However, the Council removed scampand yellowmouth grouper from further consideration after learning that a vessel limit for those species would be more restrictive than the current per-person bag limit. The amendment will return for further discussion in September, with the Council expected to approve it for public hearings in December 2026.

Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Unit Revision (Amendment 61)

On Wednesday, the Council proceeded with work on Snapper Grouper Amendment 61, which would reduce the number of species included in the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Unit (FMU). The Council is evaluating a subset of species to determine whether they continue to require federal conservation and management under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Potential changes include removing species from the FMU or designating them as Ecosystem Component (EC) species, which remain in the Fishery Management Plan to support ecosystem management goals but are not subject to management measures such as annual catch limits.

The Council reviewed feedback from the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (AP) and an updated decision document. The Council clarified their intent to maintain permitting requirements for EC species to support data collection, bycatch monitoring, and habitat protections in the multi-species snapper grouper fishery. The Council also removed a proposed aggregate commercial trip limit for EC species while still considering a separate recreational aggregate bag limit. The amendment is on the agenda for September, with the Council expected to approve it for public hearings in December 2026.

Spawning Special Management Zones

The Council discussed three Spawning Special Management Zones (SSMZs) established to protect important spawning areas for snapper grouper species. While five SSMZs were created in 2017, regulations for three natural-bottom sites (South Cape Lookout, Georgetown Hole/Devils Hole, and Warsaw Hole) are scheduled to expire in August 2027 unless further action is taken. Through Regulatory Amendment 39, the Council will consider extending the sunset provision from 7 to 20 years or removing it entirely, making the protections permanent. The Council will continue reviewing this amendment at its next meeting and public hearings, which will likely be held this fall.

Changes to Seasonal Closures for Black Sea Bass Pots 

he Council advanced Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 40, which would allow the black sea basspots equipped with on-demand retrieval systems to be fished inside seasonal closed areas currently in place to protect North Atlantic right whales and other marine mammals from entanglement in vertical fishing lines. On-demand retrieval systems keep buoy lines stowed at depth and only deploy them “on-demand” when fishermen return to retrieve their gear. The Council also considered reducing the trip limit for black sea bass pot gear in anticipation of lower catch limits soon to go into effect but removed the measure after receiving opposition from advisors and the public who cited concerns about trip profitability. Additional changes to black sea bass management are expected to be addressed through Snapper Grouper Amendment 56following completion of the upcoming stock assessment.

Dolphin Management

On Thursday, the Council received an update on the ongoing Dolphin Management Strategy Evaluation(MSE), a tool designed to test potential management strategies before they are implemented in a fishery. The Council reviewed recent modeling results from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center and provided feedback on management scenarios that could be evaluated through the MSE, including measures previously considered in Dolphin Wahoo Regulatory Amendment 3, such as changes to the minimum size limit and recreational retention limits for dolphin.

Following discussion, the Council voted to discontinue work on Regulatory Amendment 3. Council members noted that preliminary MSE results indicated the dolphin stock remains at a healthy biomass level and that the management measures under consideration were not expected to result in declines in spawning stock biomass. The Southeast Fisheries Science Center will continue developing and refining the MSE, which may serve as a tool for evaluating future management options in the dolphin fishery.

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.

  1. Monday, November 18th, 2024 – Virginia Beach, VA. Brock Environmental Center – Oyster Conference Room, 3663 Marlin Bay Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.
  2. Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 – White Stone, VA. Town of White Stone Town Hall Building, 433 Rappahannock Drive, White Stone, VA 22578.
  3. Wednesday, November 20th. 2024 – Berlin, MD. Worcester County Library Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Avenue, Berlin, MD 21811.
  4. 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