South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Archives - Page 18 of 42

Early South Atlantic Snapper Closure Draws Ire

June 10, 2019 — SEAFOOD NEWS — Another early mandated closure of yellowtail snapper commercial fishery has local commercial fishermen again calling for a reallocation of that species because the recreational fishing side has not been meeting its annual allocation every year.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will close the fishery Friday, June 7, and will reopen it Aug. 1, which is the start of a new fishing year for yellowtail snapper. The fishing year for yellowtail runs from Aug. 1 to July 31.

The August 2018 through July 2019 commercial catch limit is 1,596,510 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit and harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded, according to the South Atlantic Fishery Management.

During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of yellowtail snapper in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open, according to council.

This is the second straight year the council closed the commercial yellowtail fishery roughly two months early.

Yellowtail snapper is one of the most profitable commercial fin fisheries in the Keys. The Keys account for 90 percent of the yellowtail landings in the United States.

The top five communities with the highest levels of commercial landings of yellowtail snapper include the Florida communities of Key West, Miami, Marathon, Fort Lauderdale and Key Largo, according to the South Atlantic Council. The top Florida communities for recreational fishing also include communities in South Florida and the Florida Keys.

For the past several years, Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association Executive Director Bill Kelly has lobbied state and federal fishery managers to reallocate some of the unused yellowtail annual catch allocation from the recreational sector to the commercial sector.

The annual catch limit for commercially harvested yellowtail is about 1.6 million pounds and the recreational annual catch limit is roughly 1.4 million pounds.

The recreational side has not harvested 500,000 to 700,000 pounds of yellowtail in South Atlantic waters for the past six of seven years and 500,000 pounds in Gulf waters, according to Kelly.

“The recreational sector has not harvested more than 50 percent in the past 10 years, but still we have early closures,” Kelly said.

Reallocation is a hugely controversial issue when it comes to all fisheries. The federal General Accounting Office is currently taking input on fishery reallocation and is interviewing fishermen this week at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council this week at Gulf Council’s meeting in Florida.

The General Accounting Office will be at the South Atlantic’s meeting next week in Stuart, Florida to take input.

This story was originally published on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

REMINDER: SAFMC Meeting Starts Next Week in Stuart, FL

June 4, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet next week (June 10-14, 2019) in Stuart, Florida to discuss a number of federal fishery issues affecting offshore fisheries from NC to the Florida Keys. The meeting will be held at the Hutchinson Island Marriott, 555 NE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34996. The meeting week begins with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council.

There are several opportunities for public comment relative to the upcoming meeting. The briefing book materials, including agendas, overviews, and discussion documents, are available from the Council’s website. An online public comment form is now available from the meeting page, and in-person public comment will be taken at the meeting. You may also view public comments from the website.

Commercial Closure for Yellowtail Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on June 7, 2019

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

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of yellowtail snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 7, 2019. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of yellowtail snapper in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

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 August 2019 through July 2020 yellowtail snapper season in the South Atlantic will open on August 1, 2019, with a 1,596,510 pounds whole weight catch limit.

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 Seeks Applicants for Executive Director

May 31, 2019 — SEAFOOD NEWS — The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has recently started recruitment for a new executive director.

The executive director serves as the chief executive officer of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and is responsible for managing all administrative and technical aspects of Council operations. The SAFMC is based in North Charleston, SC, and covers the management of stocks along North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida to Key West. It’s also responsible for coastal migratory pelagics species from New York to Florida and for dolphin/wahoo from Maine to Florida.

The new director will replace current director Gregg Waugh. Waugh was the SAFMC deputy director until he succeeded then-executive director Robert Mahood in 2016.

According to the SAFMC, Waugh began working as a contractor for Council’s Spiny Lobster Fishery management Plan in 1980.

“I grew up on the water fishing and spearfishing as a kid and selling conch shells, dried starfish, and sea fans to tourists as a youngster, and later commercial spearfishing to make spending money,” Waugh said in a SAFMC press release in 2015. He went on to study marine science at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and then to more work at the SAFMC. He became deputy director in 1990.

Some of the SAFMC executive director’s duties and responsibilities, according to the recruitment announcement, include:

planning, organizing and implementing fishery management activities in support of Council programs and policies;
interacting and coordinating with other Councils, state and federal agencies, NMFS, universities, and the public;
serving as spokesperson for the South Atlantic Council when participating in meetings and conferences;
providiung administrative and technical support for the Council through subordinate staff. Recruits, conducts interviews and hires staff on behalf of the Council;
the position requires sensitive and facilitative leadership skills as this position identifies critical and complex political, managerial and organizational challenges and recommends courses of action to solve such problems to the Council;
serving as the focal point for the Council’s efforts to work together toward a common purpose in marine fisheries conservation and management; and
responsibility for internal operations of the Council including the review of all administrative practices and also for the accounting and control of fiscal resources.

The starting salary range is $121,280 – $137,450, negotiable depending upon education and experience. It is a non-federal position with benefits. The closing date is June 21, 2019, and the full position announcement can be found at: http://safmc.net/announcements/safmc-recruitment-announcement-executive-director/ .

This story was originally published on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.

SAFMC Meeting June 10-14, 2019 in Stuart, FL

May 29, 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 June 10-14, 2019 meeting at the Hutchinson Island Marriott, 555 NE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34996. The meeting week begins with 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.

SAFMC Recruitment Announcement: Executive Director

May 28, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in North Charleston, S.C., is responsible for the conservation and management of fish stocks within the federal 200-mile limit of the Atlantic off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and east Florida to Key West. The Council is responsible for Coastal Migratory Pelagics from New York to Florida and for Dolphin/Wahoo from Maine to Florida.

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive offer of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and is responsible for managing all administrative and technical aspects of Council operations.

For additional information including primary duties and responsibilities, knowledge, ability and skill requirements, and other details about the position, please visit the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/announcements/safmc-recruitment-announcement-executive-director/. Questions may be sent to Kelly Klasnick, Administrative Officer, at kelly.klasnick@safmc.net or by calling the Council office at 843/763-1050.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Seeks Applicants for Executive Director

May 20, 2019 — The following was published by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

For additional information including primary duties and responsibilities, knowledge, ability and skill requirements, and other details about the position, please visit the Council’s website at http://safmc.net/announcements/safmc-recruitment-announcement-executive-director/. Questions may be sent to Kelly Klasnick, Administrative Officer, at kelly.klasnick@safmc.net or by calling the Council office at 843/763-1050.

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting June 10-14, 2019 in Stuart, FL

May 16, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold their next meeting June 10-14, 2019 at the Marriott Hutchinson Island, 555 N.E. Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL, 34996. The meeting week begins with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council.

An informal Public Discussion Session will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. and a formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, June 12th beginning at 4:00 PM. For-Hire Electronic Reporting Training Sessions are also scheduled, dependent upon the publication of the final rule implementing the reporting requirement. An online comment form will be available for written comments, and the meeting will be available via webinar as it occurs. A Saltonstall-Kennedy (S/K) Grant Program discussion will be held on Tuesday, June 11th and Wednesday, June 12th beginning at 5:00 p.m.; public input will be accepted.

Agenda Highlights:

Red Snapper – The Snapper Grouper Committee will discuss alternatives for modifying the start dates, days of the week, and minimum number of fishing days required for opening the red snapper seasons. The Council is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment for public hearings.
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.
Dolphin Wahoo – The 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.
Allocations – The Council will meet as a Committee of the Whole to begin discussions of allocations between recreational and commercial sectors.
King Mackerel – The Council will consider an increase in the Atlantic king mackerel commercial trip limit through emergency action.

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 May 24, 2019.

Reminder! Council Seeks Applicants for Habitat Advisory Panel and the System Management Plan Workgroup

May 8, 2019 — The following was published by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking applicants for open seats on its Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel and for the Council’s System Management Plan Workgroup. Members of the Council’s advisory panels provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of fishery management plans. The System Management Plan Workgroup will be responsible for drafting reports on the recommendations for size, configuration, and regulations for managed areas; discussing research, outreach and enforcement efforts; and commenting on research priorities. Travel and per diem expenses are covered for all in-person meetings.

See the news release for additional information and how to apply.

May 1st Triggers Opening of Shallow-Water Grouper and Other Species in the South Atlantic

April 26, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Spring is in the air – and that means fishing! Beginning May 1st, fishermen will have a few more species to target in South Atlantic federal waters (greater than 3 miles off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida). May 1st marks the beginning of the shallow-water grouper season, following the annual spawning season closure from January 1st through April 30th.

Regulations also change for red porgy, greater amberjack, snowy grouper, and several other species.

Check out the latest blog for more details.

Always Have the Latest Regulations with You!

Before heading offshore, download the Fish Rules mobile application. Then simply check for updates before your next fishing trip and you’ll have the information with you no matter how far your fishing trip takes you. No signal? No problem. None required to access the correct information once the app is updated.

Fish Rules Download:
iPhone or
Android

Questions? Contact Cameron Rhodes, Outreach Specialist at cameron.rhodes@safmc.net or Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at kim.iverson@safmc.net or call the Council Office at 843/224-7258.