Saving Seafood

EFP Application for Snapper-Grouper Catch Share Pilot Program Pulled After Widespread Opposition

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) – March 10, 2017 – The South Atlantic Commercial Fishing Collaborative pulled its application for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery on Wednesday after a letter of opposition from Rep. Walter Jones (NC-3) and widespread opposition from fishermen. The EFP would have allowed the Collaborative access to numerous species in the snapper-grouper fishery as part of a pilot catch share program.

Rep. Jones wrote to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council on Wednesday urging opposition to the EFP application. In his letter, Rep. Jones cited widespread opposition among commenters on the Council’s draft vision blueprint to including a voluntary catch share program as a part of South Atlantic snapper-grouper management. He also cited a similar EFP proposal that was put forward and rejected in 2013.

“Clearly, the overwhelming sentiment of permit holders, and the precedent of prior council actions, argue for opposition to this application,” Rep. Jones wrote. “The snapper-grouper permit holders of the South Atlantic have not only not given their consent to this proposal, they appear to be nearly unanimous in their opposition.”

The North Carolina Fisheries Association, a commercial fishing trade group, also opposed the application on the basis of their longtime opposition to catch shares.

Read the full letter from Rep. Jones here

GEORGIA: Progress on red snapper, ‘catch share’ request withdrawn

March 9, 2017 — In Weird Al Yankovic’s cult ’80s film “UHF,” contestants play for their weight in fish on a game show called, “Wheel of Fish.” A woman, the returning champion, gets the first spin at the wheel that, yes, sports a number of fish tied to it at regular intervals. Then the wheel stops.

“Ah, a red snapper,” says the show’s host, a character played by Gedde Watanabe. “Mmm — very tasty.”

They are tasty, which created a problem the closed red snapper season off the Southeast United States was supposed to solve — rebuilding the fish’s population so as to allow both commercial and recreational fishing for red snapper once again.

At the Tuesday morning meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Snapper Grouper Committee meeting, there appeared to be some progress in moving toward reopening red snapper fishing in federal waters off Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas.

Zack Bowen, a charter fisherman from Savannah, pushed the need for movement, saying, “The recreational anglers are mad as hell,” charter operations are starving for business and there needed to be something done soon to address opening red snapper fishing.

Read the full story at The News 

Request for Comments: Modifications to Commercial Permit Restrictions for King and Spanish Mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Federal Waters

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

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule to remove the restriction on fishing for and retaining the recreational bag limit of king and Spanish mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic on a vessel with a federal commercial permit for king or Spanish mackerel when the vessel is on a recreational trip and commercial harvest of king or Spanish mackerel in that zone or region is closed.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:

  • Current regulations state that a person aboard a vessel with a federal commercial permit for king or Spanish mackerel may not fish for or retain king or Spanish mackerel in or from federal waters under the bag limit if commercial harvest for the species is closed (i.e., the species, migratory group, zone, subzone, or gear is closed).
  • This regulation prevents commercial fishermen with a federal commercial permit for king or Spanish mackerel from recreationally fishing on their commercial vessel outside of the commercial season for those species. Such a restriction does not exist under any other vessel or permit condition for other species in the Gulf or South Atlantic.
  • The proposed rule would remove the restriction on fishing for and retaining the recreational bag limit of king and Spanish mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic on a vessel with a federal commercial permit for king or Spanish mackerel when the vessel is on a recreational trip and commercial harvest of king or Spanish mackerel in that zone or region is closed.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE FRAMEWORK AMENDMENT AND PROPOSED RULE:

The comment period is open now through March 31, 2017.  You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail.  Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.  Relevant comments on both the framework amendment and proposed rule will be addressed in the final rule.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 82 FR 12187, published March 1, 2017.

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

  1. Go to: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=NOAA_FRDOC_0001-4232
  2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
  3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Rich Malinowski, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Why was the prohibition to restrict commercial vessels from retaining recreational bag limits originally implemented?

  • The regulations were originally considered necessary when the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel (Gulf king mackerel) was thought to be overfished (the population is too low) in the early 1990s, as a means of controlling fishing effort.

Why is the prohibition changing?

  • The current restriction prevents fishermen from recreationally targeting king or Spanish mackerel on their commercially permitted vessels when the commercial season is closed.
  • The restriction does not exist under any other vessel permit for other species in the Gulf or South Atlantic.
  • The most recent population assessment of king mackerel indicated that both Gulf and Atlantic migratory groups of king mackerel are not overfished or experiencing overfishing (too many are being caught each year).

Where can I find more information on Framework Amendment 5?

  • Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Rich Malinowski

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

  • Framework Action 5 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site by clicking here.
  • Additional information on management of king and Spanish Mackerel can be found on the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site by clicking here.

 

Reminder: SAFMC Meeting Next Week – March 6-10, 2017 in Jekyll Island, GA

March 1, 2017 — The following has been released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Meeting Location:

  • Westin Jekyll Island
  • 110 Ocean Way
  • Jekyll Island, GA 31527
  • Phone: Reservations: 888/627-8316 or 912/635-4545

Mackerel Cobia Committee:

The committee will receive an update on the development of an interstate fishery management plan for Atlantic cobia by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and discuss the 2017 recreational fishing season and closure.

NOTE: The Council approved measures during its September 2016 meeting through Framework Amendment 4 to help reduce the likelihood of a closure due to reaching the annual catch limit, including reducing the recreational bag limit to 1 per person/day with a vessel limit of 6 fish/day, whichever is more restrictive.  The measures are currently under Secretarial review. NOAA Fisheries is soliciting public comment on Framework Amendment 4 through March 23, 2017.  Read the Fishery Bulletin for details and to submit comments.

Snapper Grouper Committee:

The committee will review public input from hearing/scoping meetings held in January and February will be reviewed for: 1) options for red snapper and recreational reporting in Snapper Grouper Amendment 43; 2) the Council’s Visioning Amendments with management options for both recreational and commercial fisheries; and 3) public hearing comments on proposed allocations of yellowtail snapper. The Committee will also review approaches for a limited entry system affecting federal for-hire permits in the snapper grouper fishery.

 

King Mackerel Trip Limit to Remain at 50 Fish per Day for Commercial Hook-And-Line Vessels Fishing in the Florida East Coast Subzone

February 24, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • The daily vessel trip limit will remain at 50 fish per day for commercial hook-and-line vessels fishing for Gulf group king mackerel in federal waters of the Florida east coast subzone.
  • The 50-fish daily trip limit will remain in effect until March 31, 2017, unless the subzone’s quota is reached.
  • If the 1,102,896-pound quota is harvested during February or March 2017, the subzone will be closed and the daily trip limit will be reduced to zero king mackerel until the 2016/2017 season ends on March 31, 2017.
  • From November 1 through March 31, the Florida east coast subzone for Gulf group king mackerel is the area north of a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida, boundary (25° 20.4′ N. lat. ), and south of a line directly east from the Volusia/Flagler County, Florida, boundary (29° 25′ N. lat. ). See map below.

WHY THIS TRIP LIMIT IS REMAINING THE SAME:

By regulations, if 70 percent of the quota for this subzone has not been harvested by March 1, the trip limit increases to 75 fish.  However, NOAA Fisheries determined that more than 70 percent (or 772,027 pounds) of the 1,102,896-pound quota has been harvested for this fishery segment as of February 21, 2017.  Therefore, the trip limit will not increase.

**PLEASE NOTE:  Under the Florida regulations, the daily trip limit for king mackerel harvested in state waters off the east coast of Florida will also remain at 50 fish per day.

 

Read the Latest SAFMC Update Newsletter; Reminder: March Council Meeting

February 24, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Council members and staff traveled from Hatteras, NC to Key West, FL in January and February to solicit public input on management issues affecting some of the 55 species within the snapper grouper management unit that includes snappers, grouper, porgies, jacks, tilefish, and grunts. A total of 241 people attended the public hearing/scoping meetings with additional input solicited through webinars and via the Council’s online comment forms.

Public scoping comments were solicited on options for red snapper and recreational reporting through Snapper Grouper Amendment 43 and two Vision Blueprint Regulatory Amendments with options for recreational and commercial sectors as outlined through the Council’s 2016-2020 Vision Blueprint. Scoping is the first stage of the process to amend a fishery management plan after an issue has been identified and allows the public to comment before the Council decides whether or not to move forward with an amendment. During the scoping process, the Council asked for input on a number of questions.

Read the full newsletter here

Reminder – Public Hearing/Scoping Meetings Continue Next Week in NC; Deadline for Advisory Panel Applications Approaching

February 3, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Join local representatives from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Council staff as public hearing and scoping meetings continue next week in North Carolina. 

The Council is holding a series of public hearing/scoping meetings to collect public input on management options for red snapper and the Vision Blueprint for the snapper grouper fishery and proposed measures affecting allocations for yellowtail snapper.  Documents and online presentations are available by clicking the link below.

Note: Meetings begin at 6:00 PM

 

Monday, February 6

Hilton Wilmington Riverside

301 North Water Street

 Wilmington, NC

 

Tuesday, February 7

Hatteras Community Center

 57689 NC Highway 12

Hatteras, NC

 

Wednesday, February 8

Doubletree by Hilton

 2717 W. Fort Macon Road

Atlantic Beach, NC

 

Can’t Attend a Meeting in Person? Each of the meetings is available via webinar. Registration is required.

Visit the Council’s website: Public Hearing & Scoping Meetings

Atlantic Cobia (Georgia to New York) Recreational Fishing Season is Closed in Federal Waters

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

WHAT/WHEN:

Recreational harvest of Atlantic migratory group cobia (from Georgia to New York) closed at 12:01 a.m. on January 24, 2017. Recreational harvest of cobia will remain closed until January 1, 2018.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • In 2016, the recreational and total annual catch limits of Atlantic migratory group cobia were exceeded. Therefore, the 2017 recreational season must account for this overage.
  • When landings of Atlantic migratory group cobia exceed annual catch limits, accountability measures are in place to ensure overfishing (rate of removal is too high) does not occur. If total landings (commercial and recreational) for the Atlantic migratory group cobia exceed the total annual catch, NOAA Fisheries is required to reduce the length of the recreational fishing season in the following fishing year.
  • With the understanding that recreational harvest of cobia will remain open in some state waters during the federal closure, NOAA Fisheries has determined that the annual catch limit in 2017 will likely be exceeded as the majority of cobia landings come from state waters.
  • NOAA Fisheries will reevaluate the federal closure if state regulations change in 2017.

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • During the closure, recreational harvest of cobia is prohibited in federal waters from Georgia through New York. Cobia off the east coast of Florida are part of the Gulf of Mexico migratory group.
  • This closure only applies to the recreational sector. The possession limit of two cobia per day remains in effect for Atlantic cobia that are sold in state or federal waters.

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

Read the complete Fishery Bulletin, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions available from the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website.

SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL: Reminder – Public Hearing/Scoping Meetings Begin This Week in Florida

January 23, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Join local representatives from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Council staff as public hearing and scoping meetings continue this week along Florida’s east coast.

The Council is holding a series of public hearing/scoping meetings to collect public input on proposed management measures for yellowtail snapper, red snapper options and the Vision Blueprint for the snapper grouper fishery.

Monday, January 23 

Lexington Hotel & Conference Center

1515 Prudential Drive

Jacksonville, FL

Tuesday, January 24

Hilton Cocoa Beach

1550 N. Atlantic Ave.

Cocoa Beach, FL

Wednesday, January 25

Flagler Place

201 S.W. Flagler Ave.

Stuart, FL

Thursday, January 26

Hilton Key Largo

97000 Overseas Hwy.

Key Largo, FL

Read the full release at the SAFMC

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisors

January 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 grass roots level, advisory panel members provide information and guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. The Council has twelve 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, 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. Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

Habitat Advisory Panel

  • (1) North Carolina Recreational Seat
  • (1) At-Large Research Seat

Information & Education Advisory Panel

  • (3) Open Seats

Law Enforcement Advisory Panel

  • (1) Open Commercial Seat

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel

  • (2) Open Seats; (1) NGO Seat; and (1) Florida Seat for the Cobia Sub-panel

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel

  • (2) North Carolina Open Seats; (4) Florida Open Seats; and (1) Consumer Representative

SEDAR Pool Advisory Panel (Pool)*

  • Open Seats

*Applicants appointed to the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Pool are eligible to serve on species-specific panels for future stock assessments.

Advisory Panel Applicants

If you are interested in serving as a member on the Council’s advisory panels, please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at kim.iverson@safmc.net or call the Council office at 843/571-4366 (Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10). Application forms are available from the Council office and may also be downloaded from the “Advisory Panel” page of the Council’s website at www.safmc.net

Applications should be mailed to Kim Iverson, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405 or submitted via email to the above address.

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  www.safmc.net or through the Council office.

Advisory panel members will be selected during the Council’s March 6 -10, 2017 meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Advisory panel applications must be received by February 10, 2017 for consideration by the Council during the March meeting.

See the full release at the SAFMC