Saving Seafood

Reminder: SAFMC Meeting September 14-17, 2020

September 9, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s quarterly September meeting will be held next week via webinar. The meeting is available to the public via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance by visiting the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/september-2020-council-meeting-details/.

Meeting materials, including committee agendas and overviews, decision documents, and presentations are also posted on the website.

Note! A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, September 16th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form is also now available.

Additional Information:

Information for the September 2020 meeting and other meetings of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. For questions, please contact: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at kim.iverson@safmc.net or by phone at 843/302-8440.

SAFMC Meeting September 14-17, 2020 via webinar

August 31, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Meeting materials, including committee agendas and overviews, decision documents, and presentations are now available for the the September 14-17, 2020 meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Charleston, South Carolina. Due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and public safety, the Council meeting will be held via webinar.

The Council meeting will be available via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance by visiting the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/september-2020-council-meeting-details/.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, September 16th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form is also now available.

SA Update Newsletter – Summer 2020

August 24, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.- Seminar on recent research into dolphin movements, migration patterns, and population dynamics in the North Atlantic, by Dr. Wessley Merten, Director of the Dolphinfish Research Program. The seminar is intended to inform interested Council members, Scientific and Statistical Committee members, and Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel members ahead of a summary presentation on the research topic that will take place at the September Council meeting. While the target audience is the Council, SSC and AP, the seminar is open to anyone interested in attending. Webinar registration link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/270467074706478349

NOAA Fisheries released two updates on U.S fisheries and the fishing industry – the 2019 Status of U.S. Fisheries Report and the 2017 Fisheries Economics of the U.S. Report. Read the agency’s web story and access both reports here. Information about stock status, management, assessment, and resource trends can be searched in the new Stock SMART web tool. NOAA also unveiled its 10-year roadmap for tackling ocean and Great Lakes acidification.

Kitty Hawk Offshore Project Update – A new meteorological buoy was deployed just above the Triple Zeros (~41033) in 16 fathoms east of Kitty Hawk on June 7, 2020 to collect wind and environmental data. Real-time sea state and wind data are now available to the fishing fleet. All of the fisheries information for the Kitty Hawk Offshore wind project, including the latest fisheries notices, notices to mariners, Fisheries FAQs, and the buoy data dashboard are available online at kittyhawkoffshore.com/fishing

NOAA Fisheries: Looking Back On 30 Years of Teachers at Sea – Since 1990, more than 850 teachers have sailed aboard NOAA research ships. They serve as valued crew members, conducting hands-on research and learning more about the science that informs conservation and management efforts. Teachers from around the country embark on a two to three-week expedition at sea. They gain invaluable on-the-job experience and communicate their journey through a series of blogs and lesson plans. Learn more

Mark Your Calendar – SAFMC Meeting September 14-17, 2020

August 18, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for September 14-17, 2020. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Charleston, South Carolina. Due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and public safety, the Council meeting will be held via webinar.

The meeting will be available via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance by visiting the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/september-2020-council-meeting-details/.

A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, September 16th beginning at 4:00 PM. Meeting materials and an online comment form will be available beginning August 28, 2020 through the website.

Agenda Highlights:

  • Dolphin Wahoo – The Council will consider approving Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 12 for Secretarial review. The amendment would add Bullet Mackerel and Frigate Mackerel to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.
  • Work continues on draft Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan to address revisions to recreational data and catch level recommendations, redefine Optimum Yield for the dolphin fishery, modify accountability measures, modify recreational bag limits for Dolphin, and consider other revisions to the Dolphin and Wahoo fisheries. The Dolphin Wahoo Committee will receive a presentation on recent Dolphin research.
  • Emergency Actions – The Council will receive an update from NOAA Fisheries on earlier requests for emergency action to increase the recreational bag limit for Atlantic King Mackerel and increase commercial trip limits for Vermilion Snapper. The Council will consider any additional actions relative to COVID-19 impacts.
  • Snapper Grouper – The Snapper Grouper Committee will begin considering management options to end overfishing of Red Porgy and revise the rebuilding plan based on the latest stock assessment. The Committee will also review the 2020 Red Snapper season and address modernization of the Wreckfish ITQ (Individual Transferable Quota) program.

Additional Information:

Information on the September 2020 meeting and other meetings of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. For questions, please contact: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at kim.iverson@safmc.net or by phone at 843/302-8440.

Reminder – Advisory Panel Seats Open

August 3, 2020 — 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. The Council’s advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing and implementing federal fishery management plans. Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as environmental groups and fishing organizations, and concerned citizens.

Most of the seats on advisory panels are allotted by state and fishery sector, with others considered “at large” and open to any interested person. Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council to three-year terms and may be reappointed for two additional terms. The Council’s advisory panels generally meet once or twice each year and members are compensated for travel and per diem expenses.

Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:

  • Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
    (1) NC Recreational Seat, (1) SC Recreational Seat, and
    (1) At-Large Research Scientist Seat
  • Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
    (1) Commercial Seat and (1) Recreational Seat
  • Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
    (1) NGO Seat and (2) Open Seats
  • Outreach and Communication Advisory Panel
    (1) Open Seat, (1) Recreational Seat, and (1) Media Seat
  • Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
    (3) NC Seats, (3) SC Seats, (1) GA Seat, and (6) FL Seats

How to Apply
Detailed instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels are available online from the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For questions please contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843/571-4366.

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 Council’s website at safmc.net/council-members/ or through the Council office.

Applications must be received by August 10, 2020 for consideration by the Council during its September 14-18, 2020 meeting scheduled via webinar.

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 11, 2020

August 3, 2020 — 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 11, 2020. 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 current commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. The catch limit will increase to 117,148 pounds whole weight on August 17. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the new 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 2021 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 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.

The United States International Trade Commission Holds a Virtual Public Hearing on Seafood Obtained via Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing: U.S. Imports and Economic Impact on U.S. Commercial Fisheries

July 23, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The U.S. International Trade Commission is investigating the extent to which imports of seafood products obtained via illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing impact the U.S. commercial fishing industry. Information about the ongoing investigation can be found here.

A virtual public hearing is being held in connection with this investigation. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on September 3, 2020. Requests to appear at the hearing are due by 5:15 p.m., August 12, 2020. Instructions for participating in this hearing can be found here.

In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, interested parties may file written comments. All written submissions should be received no later than 5:15 p.m., October 9, 2020. Written comments must be made through the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, https://edis.usitc.gov).

Final Rule Increases Annual Catch Limits for South Atlantic Blueline Tilefish

July 16, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for Abbreviated Framework Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which increases the annual catch limits for South Atlantic blueline tilefish in response to the results of the latest population assessment.
  • The annual catch limits are based on acceptable biological catch recommendations from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

The Rule will be effective on August 17, 2020 .

SUMMARY OF CHANGES:

  • The final rule will increase the total and sector annual catch limits for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic, as follows (in pounds whole weight).

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 43145, published July 16, 2020.

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

Where can I find more information on Abbreviated Framework Amendment 3?

  • Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail:

Mary Vara
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

SAFMC seeks applicants for advisory panels

July 14, 2020 — Local fishermen, commercial and recreational, as well as those with other connections to fishing and the marine environment have an opportunity to offer advice to interstate fishery managers.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting applicants for open advisory panel seats. The council is an interstate fishery management agency with jurisdiction in the federal waters off the Atlantic coast from the southeastern U.S., including North Carolina. The council’s advisory panels inform and guide the council in developing and implementing federal fishery management plans.

Applications must be received by Monday, Aug. 10 for consideration by the council during its Sept. 14-18 meeting currently scheduled for Charleston, S.C.

Instructions on how to apply and application forms for individual advisory panels are available online from the council’s website at safmc.net/about-safmc/advisory-panels/. For more information, contact SAFMC public information officer Kim Iverson by email at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or call 843-571-4366.

Read the full story at the Carteret County News-Times

Reminder – New Regulations for Descending Devices and Hook Modifications Begin Tomorrow

July 14, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Fishermen heading offshore this Friday to take advantage of the last day of the recreational Red Snapper opening in the South Atlantic are reminded that new regulations requiring descending devices be on board and changes to hook requirements become effectiveJuly 15, 2020 in federal waters.

Descending Device Requirements

The new requirements are designed to help improve the chances that released fish survive by encouraging the use of descending devices when needed and modifying current hook requirements. Beginning July 15th, a descending device must be on board and readily available for use (attached to a minimum of 60-feet of line with at least 16 ounces of weight) when targeting snapper grouper species. The descending device can help reduce the effects of barotrauma, a condition that occurs when a fish is rapidly reeled up from depth. Signs include protrusion of the stomach from the fish’s mouth, bulging eyes, prolapse, and bubbling scales. A descending device can quickly be used to send the fish back to depth, improving its chances of survival.

Hook Modifications

Changes to hook requirements are also being implemented. Fishermen targeting snapper grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural baits north of 28 degrees N. latitude (approximately 25 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Florida) must use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks. The new regulations also require that all hooks must be non-stainless steel when targeting snapper grouper species in federal waters in the South Atlantic.

Recreational, Commercial and For-Hire Fishermen

Note that the new requirements apply to recreational fishermen as well as federally-permitted for-hire (charter) and commercial snapper grouper vessels fishing in federal waters (greater than 3 nautical miles) off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida.

Learn More

Additional details on the new requirements as well as information on proper handling techniques, how to identify barotrauma, and how-to videos demonstrating the effectiveness of descending devices are available from the Council’s new Best Fishing Practices webpage at: https://safmc.net/best-fishing-practices/.

Questions? Contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at Kim.Iverson@safmc.net or Cameron Rhodes, Outreach Program Coordinator at Cameron.Rhodes@safmc.net or contact the Council Office at 843/571-4366.