Saving Seafood

SAFMC Wraps Up Meeting Week by Approving Measures for Best Fishing Practices

September 23, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council concluded their week-long meeting in Charleston, SC after approving federal fishery management measures intended to help implement best fishing practices and improve survivability of released fish. The measures, as included in Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, would require fishermen fishing for snapper grouper species to have a descending device onboard and readily available for use when fishing in federal waters. The devices can be used to help reduce injuries caused by barotrauma, injury that occurs due to expansion of gas when fish are reeled up from deeper water. The condition may result in protruding stomachs from a fish’s mouth, enlarged eyes, and other conditions that keep fish from swimming back to depth. Descending devices are designed to help get the fish back down to deeper water and alleviate the symptoms. Both descending devices and venting tools, when properly used, can be used to treat barotrauma and significantly increase the likelihood that a released fish survives.

The amendment includes additional measures to modify existing requirements for the use of non-stainless-steel and circle hooks when fishing for snapper grouper species with natural baits to help reduce injury to released fish. A measure to standardize the use of powerhead gear by divers off the coast of South Carolina is also included. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, regulations in Regulatory Amendment 29 may be implemented in 2020.

The Council had lengthy discussions about requiring the devices onboard and how to best define a descending device for regulatory purposes. “The intent is to encourage fishermen to use descending devices when necessary to help increase the likelihood that a fish pulled up rapidly from deep water survives,” said Council Vice Chair Mel Bel, representing the SC Department of Natural Resources Division of Marine Fisheries. “No one wants to see fish floating on the surface after being released. The purpose of the regulation isn’t to write tickets, but to reduce release mortality by providing fishermen with the understanding and tools needed to do so when they run offshore.”

Council members continued to stress the importance of outreach and education for informing fishermen on the proper use of the devices. A Best Practices video tutorial is currently available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/electronic-reporting-projects/myfishcount/(click the “Best Practices” tab) and additional outreach materials will be developed. The regulatory amendment also includes a research and monitoring plan that recommends NOAA Fisheries monitor the use of descending devices and continue research to determine their effectiveness in reducing discard mortality. The information may be used to evaluate improvements in the survival of released snapper grouper species in order to incorporate new discard mortality estimates into future stock assessments.

Read the full release here

Recreational Closure for Almaco Jack, Banded Rudderfish, and Lesser Amberjack in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 25, 2019

September 23, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The recreational harvest of almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack (Other Jacks Complex) in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., (local time), on September 25, 2019. During the recreational closure, harvest or possession of species in the Other Jacks Complex in or from federal waters is prohibited.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 recreational catch limit is 267,799 pounds whole weight.
  • Recreational landings have exceeded the recreational catch limit; therefore, recreational harvest must close.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • As a reminder, commercial harvest is closed.
  • The 2020 fishing season for both the recreational sector and commercial sector of the Other Jacks Complex will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2020.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register.

Recreational Closure for Red Grouper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 25, 2019

September 23, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The recreational harvest of red grouper in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, September 25, 2019.
    Recreational harvest will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on May 1, 2020.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 recreational catch limit is 88,000 pounds whole weight.
  • Recreational landings have exceeded the recreational catch limit; therefore, recreational harvest must close.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits of red grouper in or from federal waters are zero.
  • The prohibition on harvest or possession of red grouper applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper.

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

SAFMC Recognizes USCG Cutter CORMORANT Crew for Fisheries Enforcement Efforts

September 20, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Each year the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council presents its Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award to recognize enforcement personnel that exceed their duty requirements to enforce fisheries regulations in federal waters off the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia and the east coast of Florida. “The Council recognizes the important role that law enforcement personnel play in effective fisheries management,” said Council Chair Jessica McCawley. “Both at the state and federal level, enforcement officers not only enforce fisheries regulations but often act as ambassadors, providing information and educating fishermen and others on a daily basis. This annual award allows us to acknowledge those who go the extra mile – those who demonstrate teamwork, effective communication with the public, excellence and innovation, leadership, and conduct that reflects honesty and fairness.”

For the first time, this year’s award was presented not to an individual but to the twelve active duty crew members of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter CORMORANT, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat homeported in Charleston, South Carolina. The crew, consisting of four Boarding Officers, two Boarding Team Members, and two Living Marine Resource boarding officers, exemplify the criteria outlined for the award. The crew conducts a wide array of enforcement missions including search and rescue, counter narcotics, migrant interdiction, and Presidential security zones, as well as living marine resources enforcement and commercial fishing vessel inspections from Little River, South Carolina to Cumberland Island, Georgia. The award was made during the Council’s quarterly meeting this week in Charleston.

Read the full release here

Reminder – SAFMC Meeting Next Week in Charleston, SC

September 11, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet next week in Charleston to discuss a variety of federal fishery management issues affecting fisheries off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and east coast of Florida.

  • Meeting Location: Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407.
  • The meeting week includes a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council. Unless otherwise indicated, the meeting is open to the public and available via webinar as it occurs (see list of links below). Briefing book materials, including agendas, overviews, and discussion documents are available from the Council’s website.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Red Snapper – The Snapper Grouper Committee will review public hearing comments and continue discussion of alternatives for modifying the start dates, days of the week, and minimum number of fishing days required for opening the red snapper seasons.
  • Best Fishing Practices and Use of Powerhead Gear – The Snapper Grouper Committee will continue to discuss proposed requirements for the use of descending devices, venting tools, and circle hooks, as well as changes to restrictions on powerhead gear. The Council is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29 for formal Secretarial review at this meeting.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will continue to discuss management options for both dolphin and wahoo to include in draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.

Additional Information:

  • Wednesday, September 18 – Formal Public Comment 4:00 PM
  • Online Public Comment
    • Want to submit a comment on an issue? Read what others are saying?Provide comments on agenda items via the Council’s Online Comment Form. Comments may also be viewed online as they are posted. Additional details are available from the September Council Meeting page.
  • Meeting via Webinar – Listen to the meeting and view presentations via webinar each day as the meeting occurs. Registration required. Click the links below to register ahead for each day and receive an email reminder. Note – on Monday of the meeting week Council members receive training and the Personnel Committee meets in closed session. Thus webinar coverage begins on Tuesday.

SAFMC Meeting September 16-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC

September 3, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Briefing book materials are now available for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s September 16-20, 2019 meeting at the Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407. The meeting week includes a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council.

The briefing book materials, including agendas, overviews, and discussion documents, are now available from the Council’s website.

Commercial Closure for Red Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 30, 2019

August 27, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The commercial harvest of red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 30, 2019. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of red snapper is prohibited.
  • All harvest or possession of red snapper in or from federal waters is now prohibited, as the recreational fishing season is also closed for 2019.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 commercial catch limit is 124,815 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the annual 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 red snapper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. on August 30, 2019, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • Unless specified otherwise, commercial harvest will open on July 13, 2020, for the 2020 commercial fishing season.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov.

SAFMC Meeting September 16-20, 2019 in Charleston, SC

August 22, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its next meeting September 16-20, 2019 at the Town and Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407. The meeting week begins with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council on Friday.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, September 18th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form will be available for written comments, and the meeting will be available via webinar as it occurs.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Red Snapper – The Council is considering alternatives to modify the start dates, days of the week, and minimum number of fishing days required for opening the red snapper seasons. Public hearing comments received in August will be reviewed as the Snapper Grouper Committee continues discussion of Regulatory Amendment 33.
  • Best Fishing Practices and Use of Powerhead Gear – The Council is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29 addressing best fishing practices including requirements for descending devices and modifications to current hook regulations. The amendment would also modify restrictions on powerhead gear.
  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will continue to discuss management actions and alternatives for both dolphin and wahoo to include in draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.

Additional Information:

Additional meeting information will be available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/ as it becomes available. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available on August 30, 2019.

Federal red snapper rules getting another look

August 14, 2019 — If you want a change in red snapper annual catch limits, if you’re itching for extended seasons or changing bag or trip limits, you’re out of luck. But some smaller changes could be coming as the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council examines red snapper regulations for the coming year.

Major changes, like significant changes to the season or catch limits, won’t be possible until the conclusion of the next stock assessment, which isn’t scheduled to start until 2021. Currently, however there are four actions proposed. Myra Brouwer, a fisheries scientist with the SAFMC, is leading webinars on the actions this week, at the end of which people can ask questions. There are webinars scheduled for this evening and Thursday evening.

“The first (action) would remove that minimum number of days for both (recreational and commercial) seasons, for each of those seasons to open,” Brouwer said during Monday’s webinar. “The second action would modify the start day for the recreational season. Action 3 would revise the days of the week that recreational harvest is allowed during an open season, and Action 4 would modify the start date for the commercial season.”

Read the full story at The Brunswick News

Reminder – Public Hearings for Red Snapper Season Begin Today at 6 PM

August 12, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input on proposed changes to regulations for red snapper affecting how the current limited openings should be handled. Public hearings via webinar begin at 6 PM today and continue this week. Listening stations will also be available at various locations. The proposed changes included in Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 33 would:

  • Remove the minimum number of days for the South Atlantic red snapper seasons
  • Modify the start date for the recreational red snapper season
  • Revise the days of the week recreational harvest of red snapper would be allowed during an open season
  • Modify the start date of the commercial season

Note that the proposed changes would not extend recreational or commercial seasons, increase the annual catch limits for red snapper, or change the recreational bag limit or commercial trip limit.

Public Hearings via Webinar with Listening Stations

The webinars begin tonight at 6 PM with listening stations in Murrells Inlet, SC and Jacksonville, FL. Members of the public are invited to attend the public hearings via webinar or participate via a listening station and provide comment. Webinar registration is required. Council representatives will be in attendance at the various listening stations.

Additional hearings via webinar will be held this week, all beginning at 6 PM. Listening stations will be available in St. Augustine, FL, Mt. Pleasant, SC, Brunswick, GA, New Smyrna Beach, FL, Merritt Island, FL, and Morehead City, NC.

A Public Hearing Summary Document, Presentation, and Story Map along with details for the scheduled listening stations and registration links for the webinars are available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/. Written comments are also being accepted and may be submitted using the online public comment form, also available from the website. Comments are due by August 16, 2019.