South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Archives - Page 3 of 25

NOAA Fisheries Announces Changes to Management of Cobia in Federal Waters of the Atlantic

February 21, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule to implement Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region. This final rule removes Atlantic cobia from the fishery management plan. Atlantic cobia is now managed under the purview of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission because the majority of Atlantic cobia landings are in state waters.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

The final rule will is effective on March 21, 2019.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

Atlantic cobia is no longer managed under the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan.
Regulations in federal waters will be implemented through the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act.
Most existing management measures in federal waters for commercial and recreational harvest of Atlantic cobia from Georgia through New York do not change through this rule.
For the commercial sector, the minimum size limit is 33 inches fork length and the trip limit is two fish per person per day or six fish per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive.
For the recreational sector, the minimum size limit is 36 inches fork length and the bag and vessel limits are one fish per person per day or six fish per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive. For both sectors, persons harvesting Atlantic cobia must comply with more restrictive size limits, bag limits, and possession limits in the states where the fish are landed.
Fishermen should contact the state for regulations in state waters.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: Final Rule: 84 FR 4733, published February 19, 2019.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Why remove Atlantic cobia from the fishery management plan?
The majority of Atlantic cobia are caught in state waters.
NOAA Fisheries closed the 2016 and 2017 federal recreational fishing seasons because the current recreational accountability measure requires NOAA Fisheries to reduce the length of the fishing season in the year following an annual catch limit overage by the amount needed to prevent a similar overage from occurring.
Despite federal closures, recreational landings have still exceeded the annual catch limit and the combined stock annual catch limit.
The South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries have determined that management of Atlantic cobia by the states through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission would be more effective at constraining harvest and preventing overfishing; thereby, offering greater biological protection to the population and decreasing adverse socioeconomic effects to fishermen.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has implemented an Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic cobia in state waters.

How does this change the regulations of cobia in federal waters?

Most management measures in federal waters for commercial and recreational harvest of Atlantic cobia in the exclusive economic zone from Georgia through New York do not change.
For the commercial sector, the minimum size limit is 33 inches fork length and the trip limit is two fish per person per day or six fish per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive.
For the recreational sector, the minimum size limit is 36 inches fork length and the bag and vessel limits are one fish per person per day or six fish per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive.
For both sectors, persons harvesting Atlantic cobia must comply with more restrictive size limits, bag limits, and possession limits in the states where the fish are landed.
Fishermen should contact the state for regulations in state waters.

SAFMC Meeting March 4-8, 2019 in Jekyll Island, GA

February 19, 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 March 4-8, 2019 meeting at the Westin Jekyll Island, 110 Ocean Way, Jekyll Island, Georgia. 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.

Agenda Highlights:

Red Snapper – The Snapper Grouper Committee is expected to receive an update from NOAA Fisheries on the status of the 2019 red snapper season.
Species Movement Northward – An Atlantic coast-wide discussion will take place during the Habitat Committee meeting. Members of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, New England Fishery Management Council, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will participate.
Sea Turtle Release Gear – The Council is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper Amendment 42, allowing commercial and for-hire fishermen additional choices for turtle release gear.
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. In addition, the Committee of the Whole will also discuss the ABC Control Rule Amendment and an amendment to address Recreational Accountability Measures.

Additional Information:

Wednesday, March 6th 4:00 PM
The Council will hold a formal public comment session as part of the meeting week.

Online Public Comment

Members of the public may also provide written 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 March 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 for each day:

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Public Input for Next Five-Year Strategic Plan

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

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public input on the future of fisheries management in the Mid-Atlantic. A survey released today provides an opportunity for stakeholders to weigh in on how the Council has performed under its current strategic plan and what issues should be addressed in the Council’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.

All interested stakeholders are invited to take the survey, which is designed to take about 15 minutes. The survey includes opportunities to comment on the Council’s vision and mission as well as the specific goals and objectives that will guide the Council’s management activities over the next five years.

The Council encourages everyone to visit www.mafmc.org/strategic-plan to access the survey. Paper copies can be obtained by contacting the Council office at 877-446-2362. The survey will be available through February 28, 2019.

All responses are anonymous and will be aggregated for analysis and presentation. The public will have another opportunity to provide comments on the draft strategic plan later in 2019.

For additional information and updates on the strategic planning process, please visit www.mafmc.org/strategic-plan or contact Michelle Duval at michelleduval22@gmail.com or 919-601-3798.

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting March 4-8, 2019 in Jekyll Island, GA

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

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold their next meeting March 4-8, 2019 at the Westin Jekyll Island, 110 Ocean Way, Jekyll Island, Georgia. The meeting week begins with a series of committee meetings and concludes with a meeting of the Full Council. A public comment session will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 4:00 PM. An online comment form will also be available for written comments, and the meeting will be available via webinar as it occurs.

Agenda Highlights:

Red Snapper – The Snapper Grouper Committee is expected to receive an update from NOAA Fisheries on the status of the 2019 red snapper season.
Species Movement Northward – An Atlantic coast-wide discussion will take place during the Habitat Committee meeting. Members of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, New England Fishery Management Council, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will participate.
Sea Turtle Release Gear – The Council is scheduled to approve Snapper Grouper Amendment 42, allowing commercial and for-hire fishermen additional choices for turtle release gear.
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. In addition, the Committee of the Whole will also discuss the ABC Control Rule Amendment and an amendment to address Recreational Accountability Measures.

Additional Information:

A meeting Schedule-at-a-Glance, links to webinar registration, and additional meeting information is currently available from the March 2019 Council Meeting page. Briefing book materials, including the meeting agenda, committee agendas/overviews, and the public comment form will be available on February 15, 2019.

King Mackerel Trip Limit Increases to 75 Fish per Day for Commercial Hook-And-Line Vessels Fishing in Federal Waters off Florida Between the Flagler/Volusia and Miami-Dade/Monroe County Lines

February 7, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

On February 7, 2019, the daily vessel trip limit increased from 50 to 75 fish for commercial hook-and-line vessels fishing for Atlantic migratory group king mackerel in federal waters off Florida between the Flagler/Volusia and Miami-Dade/Monroe County lines.
The 75-fish daily vessel trip limit will remain in effect through February 28, 2019, unless the Southern zone’s quota is reached and the fishery is closed earlier.
On March 1, 2019, the new fishing year begins and a commercial trip limit of 50 fish will again be in effect for this area.

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.

MyFishCount Winter Webinar Series

February 5, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Spring is around the corner and now is a great time to learn how to use MyFishCount, an app that allows anglers to create a personal fishing log of their offshore catch. The MyFishCount team will be continuing to host a series of webinar training sessions this winter to prepare anglers for spring fishing. The app is being developed as part of a pilot project to allow anglers to electronically share information about their fishing trips, including catches (and those fish released). The information collected will be reviewed by managers and scientist to help improve information on offshore fisheries.

We welcome recreational anglers to register for a webinar by clicking the link below.

Click Here to Register for a Webinar

The webinar series will feature information on:

How to use the MyFishCount App and web-portal
How MyFishCount can benefit you as an angler
How information from MyFishCount can be used in management and science

Registrants are welcome to ask questions about the project and app.

WEBINAR DATES:

February 6
February 21
February 26
March 6

To Learn More Visit

www.myfishcount.com

SAFMC Private Recreational Electronic Reporting

Reminder: Application Deadline for Advisory Panels and System Management Plan Workgroup

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

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats as well as fishing representatives to serve on the System Management Plan Workgroup. The Workgroup will address future needs of managed areas in federal waters in the South Atlantic. The Council’s advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. Additional details are included in an earlier news release.

Applications are now being solicited for the following advisory panel positions:

Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel (1) GA Open Seat
Habitat Advisory Panel (1) NC Commercial and (1) NC Conservation; (1) FL Commercial; and (1) At-Large Research/Geologist Seat
Law Enforcement Advisory Panel (1) Open Seat
Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel (2) Open Seats
Shrimp Advisory Panel (1) Open NGO Seat and (1) Open Seat
Deepwater Shrimp Advisory Panel (3) Open Seats
Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (1) SC Open Seat and (2) GA Open Seats
Spiny Lobster Advisory Panel (1) Open Seat

System Management Plan Workgroup Positions

The Council is also soliciting applicants to represent commercial and recreational interests on its System Management Plan (SMP) Workgroup. The workgroup will provide recommendations on managed areas in federal waters under the Council’s jurisdiction.

Open positions on the System Management Plan Workgroup:

Recreational Representatives (1) SC and (1) GA
Commercial Representatives (1) GA

How to Apply

Application forms for individual advisory panels and the SMP Workgroup are available online from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions about the advisory panel seats contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/571-4366. Questions regarding the SMP Workgroup should be directed to Dr. Chip Collier at chip.collier@safmc.net or by calling the Council office.

Advisory panel and Workgroup members will be selected during the Council’s March 4-8, 2019 meeting in Jekyll Island, GA. Applications must be received by February 8, 2019 for consideration by the Council during the March meeting.

SAFMC: Commercial Closure in Federal Waters for Atlantic Migratory Group Spanish Mackerel Southern Zone on February 5, 2019

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

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone will close at 6:00 a.m., local time, on February 5, 2019, and will open on March 1, 2019, for the March 2019 through February 2020 fishing season. The Atlantic southern zone includes federal waters off the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida.
During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in or from the Atlantic southern zone is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The March 2018 through February 2019 commercial catch limit for the Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel southern zone is 2,667,330 pounds. Commercial landings are projected to have met the commercial catch limit. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 6:00 a.m., local time, February 5, 2019, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
During the closure, a person on board a vessel that has been issued a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain, but not sell or purchase, Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone under the recreational bag and possession limits, as long as the recreational sector is open.

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.

NOAA Fisheries – FB19-003: Extended Validity of Vessel and Dealer Permits

February 1, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

Due to the government shutdown, the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region Permits Office is notifying permit holders of the continued validity of some permits, beyond the expiration date stated on the permits.

Consistent with 5 U.S.C. § 558, those permits, for which complete renewal applications were submitted to the Southeast Region Permits Office prior to the expiration date on the permit, will be considered valid until NOAA Fisheries makes a final determination on the renewal application.

NOAA Fisheries anticipates making final determinations on all delayed permit renewal applications by March 31, 2019.

BACKGROUND:

Due to the government shutdown, the permit system at the Southeast Regional Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, is experiencing unusual delays in permit renewals. The permits office was unable to process permit renewals from December 21, 2018 through January 25, 2019.
Some individuals applied to renew their permits in a timely manner, but have not received new permits due to the shutdown.
For permits that are expired but have timely and complete renewal applications pending at the Southeast Regional Office, the permit expiration will not occur until NOAA Fisheries makes a final decision on the application.
This notification applies to all Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Highly Migratory Species vessel permits and dealer permits.
Permit transfers will be processed as quickly as possible.

Atlantic Spanish Mackerel Southern Zone Commercial Trip Limit Reduction to 500 pounds on January 27, 2019

January 24, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The daily trip limit for the commercial harvest of Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the southern zone is reduced from 1,500 to 500 pounds effective 6:00 a.m., local time, on January 27, 2019.
The southern zone includes federal waters off the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida. The boundary for the southern zone is the North Carolina/South Carolina border and the Monroe/Miami-Dade Counties, Florida, border.

WHY THIS TRIP LIMIT REDUCTION IS HAPPENING:

The March 2018 through February 2019 commercial catch limit for the Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel southern zone is 2,667,330 pounds, and the adjusted commercial catch limit is 2,417,330 pounds.
When commercial landings of Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the southern zone reach or are projected to reach 100 percent of the adjusted commercial catch limit, the daily trip limit is reduced to 500 pounds. The trip limit reduction is necessary to slow the rate of commercial harvest to avoid exceeding the commercial catch limit.

AFTER THE TRIP LIMIT REDUCTION:

The 500 pound commercial trip limit will remain in effect until the end of the current fishing season on February 28, 2019, or when 100 percent of the commercial catch limit is reached or projected to be reached, whichever occurs first.

If 100 percent of the commercial catch limit is reached or projected to be reached, NMFS will close the commercial sector in the southern zone for the remainder of the fishing year.

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.