Saving Seafood

SAFMC Fishery Social Scientist Position Open

July 26, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting applicants for a Fishery Social Scientist to join its staff at the Council’s headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. The Fishery Social Scientist is responsible for all aspects of social analysis for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council as it relates to managing fisheries stocks through fishery management plans.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Social Scientist conducts social impact assessments, fishery impact statements, and assists with analyses of socio-economic data related to fishery management actions and development of appropriate documents, including fishery management plans/amendments and environmental impact statements. The Social Scientist is expected to present analyses to various groups (e.g., fishermen, scientists, advisory panels, and Council members) and also compile and analyze social, anthropological, socio-economic, and other data.

Additional Information:

For the complete position description and information on how to apply, visit the Council’s website: http://safmc.net/other-fishery-news/position-available-with-the-safmc/. 

Reminder: SAFMC Executive/Finance Committee Meeting July 26, 2017

July 25, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Executive Finance Committee are scheduled to meet via webinar from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.  The meeting is open to the public. Registration for the webinar is required. Public comment on agenda items is currently being accepted via the Council’s website (see link below). Public comment will also be accepted at the beginning of the meeting following approval of the minutes.  Agenda items include:

  • Council Coordinating Committee Working Paper – with key issues being considered as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) reauthorization process
  • Current Proposed Legislation – relative to MSA reauthorization
  • Fisheries Leadership and Sustainability Forum
  • Participation of external organizations at Council meetings

Additional information about the meeting, including webinar registration, public comment form, meeting agenda, and briefing book materials is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Mark Your Calendar: Red Snapper Public Hearings and Cobia Scoping via Webinar Scheduled

July 20, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Please mark your calendar now to take advantage of a series of webinars scheduled by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council in August. The  Council will solicit public input on management measures affecting red snapper and Atlantic cobia in federal waters.

Red Snapper – Q&A and Public Hearings via Webinar 

Amendment 43 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan

This amendment would modify the current annual catch limit for red snapper in the South Atlantic.  The Council proposes the modification in order to allow options for a limited harvest of red snapper in federal waters in 2018.  

Webinar Schedule: 

  • August 3rd – Informal Question & Answer Session at 6:00 PM
  • August 8th – Public Hearing at 6:00 PM
  • August 10th – Public Hearings at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM

Atlantic Cobia – Public Scoping via Webinar 

Amendment 31 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan 

  • August 15th – Public Scoping via Webinar at 6:00 PM*
    • *A second presentation and comment opportunity will be repeated at 7:00 PM or later, depending on the end time of the first comment session.

The Council is soliciting public input on options for the management of Atlantic cobia (GA to NY).  The recreational fishery for Atlantic cobia was closed in federal waters earlier this year after NOAA Fisheries determined the annual catch limit would be met.  Options currently in the amendment include continuing efforts to develop a complementary plan with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) or the complete transfer of Atlantic cobia management to the ASMFC. The Council is considering options to allow additional flexibility for managing the fishery. 

Note that webinar registration is required. Written comments will also be accepted. Additional information, including webinar registration, online public comment forms, comment deadlines, and public hearing and scoping documents are being posted on the Council’s website at:  http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearing-and-scoping-meeting-schedule/ as they become available.

Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants

July 18, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats. Working at the grassroots level, advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. The Council has eleven advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of managed species, or are knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or managed species. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, formal representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scientists, and concerned citizens.

Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based on the frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP may reapply for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. Members may serve for three consecutive terms before reaching their term limit.  AP members generally meet no more than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings. Members must have access to a working email account and the Internet in order to receive meeting materials and correspondence relative to their service on the advisory panel. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel: (1) SC Open Seat; (1) FL Open Seat

Habitat Protection & Ecosystem- Based Management Advisory Panel: (1) SC Recreational Representative

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel: (1) Open Seat; (1) Recreational Fishing Representative; and (1) Commercial Fishing Representative 

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel: (1) Open Seat; (1) NGO Representative; and (1) At-Large Cobia Subpanel Seat

 Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel: (1) NC Open Seat; (3) SC Open Seats; and (2) FL Open Seats

Advisory Panel Applicants    

Additional information, including new online application forms are now available from the Advisory Panel page of the Council’s website at http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/.  Please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/571-4366 with any questions.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving.  Contact information for all Council members is available from the About Us section of the Council’s website at http://safmc.net/council-members/ or through the Council office.  Advisory panel members will be selected during the Council’s September 11-15, 2017 meeting in Charleston, SC. Advisory panel applications must be received by August 16, 2017 for consideration by the Council during the September meeting.             

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 18, 2017

July 12, 2017 — 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. on July 18, 2017. 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 fishery is open.

WHY IS THIS CLOSURE HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by July 18, 2017. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded. This closure date will provide sufficient notice to fishermen to make preparations for the closure, while minimizing the chance that harvest will exceed the commercial catch limit.

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 2018 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, 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 by clicking here.

Meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Executive Finance Committee Scheduled via Webinar July 26, 2017

July 11, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Executive Finance Committee are scheduled to meet via webinar from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2017.  The meeting is open to the public. Registration for the webinar is required. Public comment on agenda items is currently being accepted via the Council’s website (see link below). Public comment will also be accepted at the beginning of the meeting following approval of the minutes.  Agenda items include:

    • Council Coordinating Committee Working Paper – with key issues being considered as part of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) reauthorization process
    • Current Proposed Legislation – relative to MSA reauthorization
    • Fisheries Leadership and Sustainability Forum
    • Participation of external organizations at Council meetings

Additional information about the meeting, including webinar registration, public comment form, meeting agenda, and briefing book materials is available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/.

Commercial Closure for Snowy Grouper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on June 22, 2017

June 16, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

WHAT/WHEN:The commercial harvest of snowy grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on June 22, 2017. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of snowy grouper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of snowy grouper in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational fishery is open.

 WHY IS THIS CLOSURE HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 135,380 pounds gutted weight, or 159,749 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit. 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 prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for snowy grouper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. on June 22, 2017,and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The 2018 commercial fishing season for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, with a catch limit of 144,315 pounds gutted weight, or 170,291 pounds whole weight.
  • This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or by clicking here.

Federal Managers Continue to Address Red Snapper and Cobia Management

June 16, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council gathered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida this week, where red snapper and cobia fisheries continued to dominate discussions. The harvest of red snapper is currently prohibited in federal waters ranging from three to 200 miles off the South Atlantic coast as the stock continues to rebuild. The recreational fishery for Atlantic cobia (Georgia to New York) closed in federal waters earlier this year as a result of harvest estimates from NOAA Fisheries showing the annual catch limit was exceeded in 2016.     

The Council received a presentation by NOAA Fisheries during this week’s meeting showing that the estimated number of red snapper removed (landings plus dead discards) exceeded the acceptable biological catch in 2016, a situation that has kept the fishery closed for the past two years under the current management plan. The removals are primarily associated with the recreational fishery where red snapper are captured and released while fishermen target other co-occurring species. Approximately 28% of the fish released by recreational anglers are estimated to die primarily due to barotrauma, the physical damage to body tissues caused by differences in pressure as the fish is being retrieved.     

Meanwhile, Council members, with representatives from both commercial and recreational fisheries, focused on how to allow limited harvest of red snapper beginning in 2018. “Council members and members of the public have repeatedly expressed their frustration at the increasing numbers of red snapper that are being released as this stock recovers,” said Council Chair Dr. Michelle Duval. “While we explore measures to allow limited harvest we must also be cautionary in our approach to not allow overfishing to occur should the fishery reopen next year.”     

After lengthy discussion, the Council approved modifying draft Amendment 43 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan to include a single action to revise annual catch limits for red snapper. The draft amendment would remove the current process and equation used to specify the annual catch limit and includes alternatives for establishing an annual catch limit for 2018 ranging from approximately 23,600 to 76,000 fish. The intent is to expedite the amendment by holding public hearings via webinar in August, in-person hearings at the Council’s September meeting, and approving the amendment for Secretarial review at that time. The new measures could be in place in time to allow limited harvest beginning in July of 2018.     

Earlier in the week, the Council hosted a workshop on “Improving the Survival of Released Fish”. Eight speakers presented on best practices for reducing discard mortality, including the use of various descending devices, minimizing handling, and other practices. “These best fishing practices show the cumulative positive affects recreational anglers can have in reducing mortality of fish that are released,” stated Council member Chester Brewer, a recreational representative from West Palm Beach, Florida. “It is imperative that anglers learn about these tools and put them to good use.” Workshop information and the presentations are available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/briefing-books/2017-june-council-meeting-briefing-book/.  

Cobia      

Council members continued to address management of Atlantic cobia including a request from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that the Council consider transferring management authority to the Commission. The move would allow additional flexibility between the states for management of the fishery, which primarily occurs in state waters off the northeastern coast of North Carolina and Virginia. The Council decided to move forward to develop an amendment with options for transferring management authority as well as complementary management with the ASMFC.

The Council decided not to pursue taking emergency action to change the management boundary and annual catch limits for Atlantic cobia but did request that NOAA Fisheries recalculate the recreational harvest estimates for 2015 and 2016 as reported through the Marine Recreational Information Program. Fishermen and others have expressed considerable doubt in the estimates, especially for landings off the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia. The Council plans to hold a workshop in collaboration with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in November of this year to address recreational data collection and estimates. A stock assessment for cobia is scheduled to begin in 2018.

Other Business     

The Council approved measures that will allow increases in the harvest of spiny lobster in both the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico following a recent stock assessment. Spiny Lobster Regulatory Amendment 4 would increase the acceptable biological catch from 7.32 million pounds to 9.6 million pounds. The amendment would also prohibit the use of traps for recreational harvest of spiny lobster.  The amendment will be submitted to the Secretary of Commerce for formal review and approval.        

After reviewing a white paper, recommendations from its advisory panel, and public comment, the Council voted to move forward with development of an amendment to consider a moratorium on the issuance of federal for-hire snapper grouper permits, using the established control date of June 15, 2016.     

The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be held September 11-15, 2017 in Charleston, SC. Additional information about this week’s meeting, including an interactive story map, meeting report and summary reports from each committee are available from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/2017-june-council-meeting/. 

Reminder! SAFMC Meeting Starts Next Week in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

June 5, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Workshop:

Improving Survival of Released Fish

Monday, June 12th from 3:30 – 5:30 PM

  • Join members as they receive presentations on best fishing practices being used to reduce discard mortality.
  • Presenters:

    • Dr. Chuck Adams and Dr. Kai Lorenzen – Florida Sea Grant/University of Florida
    • Brian Husky – KeepEmWet Fishing
    • Andy Loftus – Fish Smart/ASA
    • Cameron Rhodes – SAFMC Outreach Staff
    • Stephen Theberge, Jr. – Rising Leaders Academy
    • Tom Twyford – West Palm Beach Fishing Club

Snapper Grouper Committee

Work continues on development of adaptive management measures for the red snapper fishery (Amendment 43). The committee will also review measures proposed for both recreational (Regulatory Amendment 26) and commercial (Regulatory Amendment 27) sectors as identified through the Council’s 2016-2020 Vision Blueprint. Measures include reducing the recreational size limit for black sea bass, commercial split seasons and more. In addition, the Committee will continue to review a white paper outlining approaches for developing a limited entry program for federal for-hire (charter) permits in the snapper grouper fishery.

Read the full release here

Read the Latest South Atlantic Update Newsletter; June Council Meeting Reminder

June 1, 2017 —  The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The fishermen and other experienced members of the Council’s 11 advisory panels have historically provided grass root recommendations for management measures considered by the Council. Advisory panel members can now also share their experience and observations to complement scientific and landings data through new Fishery Performance Reports.

The species-specific reports, modeled after those used by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, are designed to provide an annual description of factors that influence fishing effort and catch, market trends, environmental changes, and other factors that may not be fully accounted for in the stock assessment process. According to the Mid-Atlantic Council, the information provided in the reports can become particularly important during the process of setting quotas for data-poor stocks.

Advisory panel members represent a diversity of fishing interests, knowledge and regional experience – recreational, commercial and for-hire/charter captains, seafood dealers, bait & tackle manufacturers, chefs, and others provide input about fisheries in their area. The diversity of the advisory panels provides a unique opportunity to gather information from across the region.

During a series of advisory panel meetings held in April, members were asked to provide answers to specific questions about a fishery in their area. Questions included: “How would you rate the quality of the fishery? What factors have influenced recent landings (market or otherwise)? Are there recent changes you have observed in the fishery? Are current regulations appropriate? If not, how can they be improved?” Background information on the fishery is included in the initial report for discussion purposes.

Read the full newsletter here