South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Archives - Page 24 of 42

The September 16-21, 2018 meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has been postponed due to Hurricane Florence

September 11, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will postpone its quarterly meeting originally scheduled for September 16 – 21, 2018 in Charleston, SC due to the threat of Hurricane Florence. The rescheduled Council meeting will be held September 30 – October 5, 2018 at the originally planned location: Town and Country Inn at 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC.

A Recreational Fishing Workshop originally scheduled prior to the Council meeting has also been rescheduled for Sunday, September 30 and Monday, October 1, 2018 at the Town and Country Inn.

Council meeting information, including briefing book materials for the September Council meeting is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION: September 10-13 Trainings for Federally Permitted Charter Captains in South Florida to be rescheduled

September 10, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council was scheduled to hold a series of hands-on training sessions for federally permitted charter captains September 10-13, 2018. However, the Council office is located in Charleston, SC which is currently under a State of Emergency due to the impending threat of Hurricane Florence. To allow staff to make hurricane preparations, the trainings scheduled in Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, and Miami for this week are CANCELLED and will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

New dates for South Florida trainings will be posted as soon as possible. Check the following website for up-to-date training dates and webinars: http://safmc.net/satl-federal-for-hire-electronic-reporting-outreach/

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting September 16-21, 2018

September 4, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet in September to address federal fishery management measures affecting offshore fisheries including snapper grouper, king and Spanish mackerel, spiny lobster, and habitat protection and ecosystem-based management. The meeting is open to the public unless otherwise specified, and public comment is now being accepted on agenda items.

Agendas, Overviews, and Briefing Materials:
The agenda for the week long meeting as well as individual committee agendas and helpful overviews are available from the Council meeting website. Documents, summaries, presentations, and other briefing materials for the meeting are also available.

Attend the Meeting via Webinar:
The meeting may be accessed via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration for each day is required. Register now and receive email reminders for the upcoming sessions.
– Monday, September 17 2:30 pm – 5 pm
– Tuesday, September 18 8:30 am – 5 pm
– Wednesday, September 19 8:30 am – 6 pm
– Thursday, September 20 8:30 am – 5 pm
– Friday, September 21 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Public Comment:
Comments on agenda items may be submitted using the online comment form. The form allows Council members immediate access to all comments and gives others the opportunity to read comments as they are posted. The Council will also solicit public comment during the meeting beginning at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

Agenda Highlights:
Final Approval: The Council is scheduled to approve four amendments for review by the Secretary of Commerce during the meeting. The amendments address vermilion snapper and black sea bass fishing levels, commercial king mackerel trip limits, use of bully nets in the spiny lobster fishery, and commercial measures as outlined in the Council’s Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery.

Species Migration Northward
Representatives from the New England Fishery Management Council and the Mid-Atlantic Council will come together during the Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Committee meeting to discuss changes in migratory patterns being observed as ocean temperatures continue to warm and other environmental changes occur.

Additional agenda highlights are available online. Access all of the meeting information, submit comments, and listen live as the meeting occurs.

Commercial Harvest of Atlantic Group Cobia (Georgia to New York) Will Close in Federal Waters on September 5, 2018

August 24, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

Commercial harvest of Atlantic group cobia (Georgia to New York) will close in federal waters at 12:01 a.m. (local time) September 5, 2018. Commercial harvest will reopen in federal waters at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2019.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2018 commercial annual catch limit is 50,000 pounds round or gutted weight. NOAA Fisheries projects the 2018 cobia annual catch limit for the commercial sector will be reached by September 5th based on reported landings to date and landings that are expected to be reported by dealers that do not have a federal dealer permit.
This closure is necessary to protect the Atlantic cobia resource by preventing the commercial annual catch limit from being exceeded.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

The operator of a vessel that is landing cobia for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such cobia prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, September 5, 2018. The prohibition on sale and purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of cobia that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time) September 5, 2018, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

Recreational Harvest of Golden Tilefish Will Close in Federal Waters of the South Atlantic on August 28, 2018

August 24, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

Recreational harvest of golden tilefish in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on August 28, 2018. Recreational harvest in federal waters will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2019.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2018 recreational annual catch limit is 2,187 fish. Reports indicate that recreational landings have reached the 2018 annual catch limit for the recreational sector.
According to the regulations, NOAA Fisheries must close the harvest when the annual catch limit has been reached. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish population.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

Recreational harvest or possession of golden tilefish in or from the federal waters of the South Atlantic is prohibited.
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels which have a valid charter/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
Commercial harvest or possession of golden tilefish in or from federal waters is also prohibited.

SAFMC: Reminder! Applications for Advisory Panels and System Management Plan Workgroup Due

August 21, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

If you are considering applying for an open seat on one of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels or serving as a fisherman on the Council’s new System Management Plan Workgroup, today is the day to do so!

Applications must be received by tomorrow, August 22, 2018 for consideration by the Council during its September 16-20, 2018 meeting. Complete the online application using the instructions below.

Applications are being solicited for the following advisory panel positions:

Coral Advisory Panel

(3) Open Seats

Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel

(1) SC Open Seat
(1) GA Open Seat

Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel

(1) NC Commercial
(1) NC Conservation
(1) FL Recreational
(1) FL Commercial
(1) At-Large Research/Geologist Seat

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel

(2) Recreational Seats

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel

(3) Open Seats

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel

(3) NC Open Seats
(1) SC Open Seat
(1) GA Open Seat
(2) Florida Open Seats
(1) NGO Seat

The Council is also soliciting applicants to represent commercial and recreational interests on its System Management Plan (SMP) Workgroup. The newly formed workgroup will provide recommendations on managed areas in federal waters under the Council’s jurisdiction. The Council currently has system management plans in place for Deepwater Marine Protected Areas, Spawning Special Management Zones, and the Oculina Experimental Closed Area. Additional areas will be added, with the goal to eventually have a single System Management Plan in place for all managed areas.

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 22, 2018

August 20, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 22, 2018. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish 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:

The 2018 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by August 22, 2018. 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 2019 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2019, with a commercial catch limit of 87,521 pounds whole weight.

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#se50.12.622_1193.

SAFMC Recruitment Announcement for Administrative Officer

August 14, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, headquartered in Charleston, SC, is currently soliciting applicants for an Administrative Officer staff position. The Council 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. Learn more about the Council at www.safmc.net.

The Administrative Officer is responsible for supervising all administrative staff. Responsibilities also include budget and finance, personnel management, property management, records management, and meeting support.

Closing Date: August 28, 2018

Contact:

Send a complete resume, a brief statement of interest describing the skills you would bring to this position, and contact information for 3 references to:

Gregg T. Waugh, Executive Director

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201

North Charleston, SC 29405

Or via email to: gregg.waugh@safmc.net

For more information:

Additional details, including a complete job description, is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/other-fishery-news/08-13-18-safmc-recruitment-announcement-administrative-officer/.

Applicants may also contact Mike Collins, Administrative Officer at mike.collins@safmc.net or by calling the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.

Commercial Closure of the Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 14, 2018

August 10, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 14, 2018.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2018 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish hook-and-line component is 78,328 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit on August 14, 2018. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

DURING AND AFTER THE CLOSURE:

The commercial hook-and-line component closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
The prohibition on sale or purchase during the closure does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 14, 2018, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
The commercial longline component for South Atlantic golden tilefish closed on March 25, 2018, for the remainder of the fishing year. Therefore, because the commercial longline component is already closed, and the commercial hook-and-line component will close on August 14, 2018, all commercial fishing for South Atlantic golden tilefish will close effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 14, 2018.
During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of golden tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open.
Harvest by the commercial hook-and-line and longline components will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2019.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. The complete list of 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 .

Georgia DNR Announces Red Snapper Reporting Program

August 9, 2018 — SEAFOOD NEWS –Disagreements regarding stock assessments for red snapper drives a significant amount of debate on whether the fishery should be open, how long it should be open and limits that should be imposed. However, the state Department of Natural Resources is advising recreational fishermen to participate in a data collection project that is in concert with NOAA Fisheries.

During discussion in March at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting on Jekyll Island, Bill Kelly of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association emphasized the need for better data.

“We’ve got the (harvest) allocation that we think needs to be revisited on an annual basis — it’s easy enough to do with the data inputs nowadays, and then the second would be more frequent spot assessments on commercially important species, or economically important species, whether it’s the commercial sector or the recreational,” Kelly said.

To assist in better data collection, DNR advised different ways anglers can help develop “current information on the age, size and growth of red snapper in the population.”

One way is to discard red snapper carcasses in freezer chests along the coast. To draw in participants, DNR is offering a $50 Academy Sports gift card that will be awarded at random to two people. Also, folks can document their red snapper fishing trips through the smartphone app MyFishCount, or go to MyFishCount.com, and fill out a survey.

Along with these methods, state Coastal Resources Division staff will be on hand at boat ramps to interview people on their catch. For people who are releasing red snapper back into the water, CRD partnered with Yamaha and FishSmart to provide free descending devices that rapidly reintroduce the fish back to the depth they were caught, in an attempt to improve survival.

“Anglers have an opportunity to be citizen scientists by providing red snapper data,” Carolyn Belcher, CRD chief of Marine Fisheries, said in a statement. “During the last mini-season, with the help of anglers, CRD biologists examined 122 carcasses ranging in age from 1-to-19 years, with approximately 95 percent younger than 14. Data collected during 2018 will be combined with that from other South Atlantic states for future population assessments.”

Red snapper fishing is open in federal waters Aug. 10-12, and Aug. 17-19, with recreational fishermen limited to one fish per day with no size restriction. Freezer coolers are in place at Two-Way Fish Camp, 250 Ricefield Way, in Brunswick; Morningstar Marina, 206 Marina Dr. on St. Simons Island; and St. Simons Fishing Club, 1000 Arthur J. Moore Dr., on St. Simons Island.

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