9/27/16 – NOAA Fisheries – FB16-065: Control Date for the Federal For-Hire Recreational Sector of Fisheries for the Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo, Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics, and South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper

SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN  

(South Atlantic) 

FB16-065

Mary Vara  

727-824-5305   

September 27, 2016    

Control Date for the Federal For-Hire Recreational Sector of Fisheries for the Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo, Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics, and South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper

On September 27, 2016, NOAA Fisheries published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to set a control date of June 15, 2016, for the federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component of the recreational sectors of the coastal migratory pelagics fishery in the Atlantic, dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic, and snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic. This notice informs current and potential future fishermen that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is considering restrictions limiting participation in these fisheries. Fishermen who enter the federal for-hire recreational sector for these fisheries after June 15, 2016, will not be assured of future access should a management regime that limits participation in the sector be prepared and implemented.

The establishment of a control date does not commit the Council or NOAA Fisheries to any particular management regime. The Council may or may not make use of this control date as part of the requirements for participation in these fisheries. Fishermen are not guaranteed future participation in the sector, regardless of their entry date.  The Council may take action that would affect participants who were in these fisheries prior to the control date, or the Council may choose to take no further action to control entry or access.

Request for Comments:

Comments on this control date must be received no later than October 27, 2016, to be considered by NOAA Fisheries.You may submit comments by the following methods:  

• Electronic Submission:
  Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at: www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0121. Click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.

• Mail:

Mary Vara
NOAA Fisheries

Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13^th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on the www.regulations.gov Website without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NOAA Fisheries will accept anonymous comments (enter "N/A" in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

NOAA Fisheries Southeast is pleased to announce the introduction of our Text Message Alert Program.  The program will allow you to sign up to receive important fishery related alerts via text message. Text alerts you may receive include immediate fishery openings and closures, and any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.

How to opt-in

Sign up for related alerts for one or more of the following groups. Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.

• Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries: Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries: Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries: Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries: Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries: Text CARIBFISH to 888777

Read NOAA FB16-065

For a complete list of NOAA Fishery Bulletins, click HERE

SummaryJune 15, 2016 control date set for federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component of the recreational sector