Public Hearings Scheduled in August for Proposed Federal Fisheries Management Measures

Written comments accepted until August 18, 2013 

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is requesting public input on proposed management measures affecting the fishery management plans for snapper grouper, dolphin and wahoo, coral, and coastal migratory pelagics (includes king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia).  

 Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 14 includes:

• Changes to the fishing years for greater amberjack and black sea bass 
• Changes to the commercial trip limit for gag grouper
• Modifications to the commercial fishing seasons for vermilion snapper
• Modifications to recreational accountability measures for vermilion snapper and black sea bass 

  Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 5 includes:

• Modifications to the acceptable biological catches (ABCs), annual catch limits (ACLs), and annual catch targets (ACTs) for dolphin and wahoo to incorporate changes in the Marine Recreational Information Program
• Proposed trip limits for the commercial dolphin fishery
• Revised accountability measures for dolphin and wahoo
• Changes to framework procedures   

 Coastal Migratory Pelagics Amendments 19, 20 and Framework includes:

• Alternatives affecting the sale of bag limit king mackerel and Spanish mackerel (including tournament sale of king mackerel)
• Elimination of inactive king mackerel permits

Modifications to income requirements for federal permits

• Transit provisions
• ACLs and targets for cobia
• Commercial trip limits for king mackerel
• Transfer at sea and gill net allowances for Spanish mackerel
• Consideration of regional ACLs for king mackerel and Spanish mackerel
• Changes to Framework procedures     

Coral Amendment 8 includes:

• Alternatives for expanding existing Deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs)
• Transit provisions for the Oculina Bank HAPC located off the central east coast of Florida

Public Hearings

 The Council will hold a series of public hearings from Key Largo, Florida to New Bern, North Carolina (see schedule below).  Council staff will be on hand to provide an overview of the proposed measures and available for informal discussions and to answer questions.  Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record to provide comments for consideration by the Council.  Local Council representatives will attend the hearings and listen to public comment.  The Council will also have a summary available of its preliminary work towards developing a shared vision for the future of the snapper grouper fishery and staff will be on hand to answer questions. 

SAFMC Public Hearing Schedule  

4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

 2013 Public Hearings

http://www.safmc.net/Meetings/PublicHearingsandScopingMeetings/tabid/737/Default.aspx