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  The fishery management plan (FMP) for the snapper grouper resource was first implemented in 1983.  Because of its mixed species nature, this fishery offers the greatest challenge for the Council to manage successfully.  Initially, FMP regulations consisted of minimum sizes, gear restrictions and a provision for the designation of special management zones (SMZs).  Early attempts to develop more effective management measures were thwarted by lack of data on both the resource and the fishery.  The condition of many of the species within the snapper grouper complex was, and still is, unknown.  Improved data collection (in terms of quantity and quality) during the 1980’s and 90’s has provided more management information on some of the more commercially and recreationally valuable species, but lack of basic management data on many of the species still remains the major obstacle to successful management. See list of species in Snapper Grouper Management Complex.

 Snapper grouper management is also difficult because many of these species are slow growing, late maturing and long lived, so rebuilding efforts for some species will take years to produce full recovery.  Strict management measures, including prohibition of harvest in some cases, have been implemented to rebuild overfished species in the snapper grouper complex.  For example, both Goliath grouper (since 1990) and Nassau grouper (since 1992) are protected from any harvest and strict limits have been implemented for speckled hind and Warsaw grouper.  In addition, the Council has used traditional management tools such as bag limits, size limits, trip limits, commercial quotas, and spawning season closures to help rebuild stocks.  The Council also approved Amendment 14 to create a system of 8 deepwater marine protected areas to help further protect deepwater snapper grouper species and their associated habitat.

To address overcapitalization in the fishery, the Council established a program to limit effort.  Beginning in 1998, anyone wishing to enter the commercial fishery must buy two transferable vessel permits in order to qualify for a newly issued permit, thus eliminating one permit each time a new person enters the fishery. Known as the “2 for 1” program, this management measure has been effective in reducing participation in the fishery and pressure on the resource.  This program will continue until the number of permits has been reduced to an optimum level to be determined based on the long-term yield of the fishery.  More recently, the Council has explored the use of Limited Access Privilege (LAP) Programs for the snapper grouper fishery, including a program specific for the golden tilefish commercial fishery.

 

The 2006 Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act includes mandates to end overfishing by providing authority to the Scientific and Statisical Committee to set Overfishing Levels (OFLs) and an Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) that can not be exceeded by managers.  The Council is required to establish Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), Annual Catch Targets (ACTs), and Accountability Measures (AMs)  for the 10 species currently designated as undergoing overfishing by 2010 and for all species managed by the Council by 2011.  The Council is developing Amendment 17 to address the overfishing requirements by 2010, and is also working on a Comprehensive ACL Amendment for all other species to meet the 2011 deadline.

 

Note:  In March 2009 the Council voted to request an interim rule to close the red snapper fishery for both commercial and recreational fisheries in order to address overfisihing of red snapper.  The Council is currently developing Amendment 17 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan to establish long-term management measures to overfishing of red snapper and the other 9 species in the snapper grouper management complex currently undergoing overfishing.  To learn more, download FAQs for Red Snapper and Amendment 17 (PDF)

 
  
 FMP/Amendments Minimize

Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (1983)
Included provisions to prevent growth overfishing in thirteen species in the snapper grouper complex and established a procedure for preventing overfishing in other species; Established minimum size limits for red snapper, yellowtail snapper, red and Nassau groupers, and black sea bass, and a 4" trawl mesh size to achieve a 12" minimum size for vermilion snapper; Also included additional harvest and gear limitations.Regulatory Amendment 1 (1987)
Implemented Special Management Zones (SMZ) off SC and GA.
 
Regulatory Amendment 2 (1988)
Implemented SMZs off Ft. Pierce, FL.

Amendment 1 (1988)
Prohibited use of trawl gear to harvest fish in the snapper grouper fishery south of Cape Hatteras, NC and north of Cape Canaveral, FL; and defined directed snapper grouper fishery.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Regulatory Amendment 3 (1989)
Established an SMZ off Dade County, FL.

Amendment 2 (1990)
Prohibited harvest or possession of jewfish (goliath grouper) in or from the EEZ in the South Atlantic; and Defined overfishing for snapper grouper species according to NMFS 602 guidelines.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 3 (1990)
Established a management program for the wreckfish fishery which: added wreckfish to the snapper grouper management unit; Required an annual permit to fish for, land or sell wreckfish; Established a control date of March 28, 1990 for the area bounded by 33° and 30° N. latitude; Established a fishing year beginning 4/16; Established a process whereby annual quotas would be specified; Implemented a 10,000 pound trip limit and a 1/15-4/15 season closure.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 4 (1991)
Prohibited the use of various gear, including fish traps, the use of bottom longlines for wreckfish, and powerheads in Special Management Zones off SC; Established bag limits and minimum size limits for several species; Established income requirements to qualify for permits; and Required that all snapper grouper species possessed in South Atlantic federal waters must have heads and fins intact through landing.
Notice of Availability   Final Rule

Regulatory Amendment 4 (August 1992)
Implemented additional Special Management Zones off South Carolina

Amendment 5 (1991)
Established ITQ management program for the wreckfish fishery.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Regulatory Amendment 5 (December 1992)
Modified definition of black seabass pots and allowed multi-gear trips; and Allowed retention of incidentally caught fish.Amendment 6 (1993)
Implemented commercial trip limits, recreational bag limits, and an experimental closed area to manage and rebuild snowy, warsaw, misty, and yellowedge groupers, golden tilefish and speckled hind; and implemented phase-in quotas for snowy grouper and golden tilefish over a three-year period.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 6 (1993)
Established commercial quotas for snowy grouper, golden tilefish; established commercial trip limits for snowy grouper, golden tilefish, speckled hind, and warsaw grouper; included golden tilefish in grouper recreational aggregate bag limits; prohibited sale of warsaw grouper and speckled hind; established 100% logbook coverage upon renewal of permit; created the Oculina Experimental Closed Area; specified data collection needs for evaluation of possible future IFQ system.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Regulatory Amendment 6 (October 1994)
Includes provisions to rebuild and protect hogfish by implementing a recreational bag limit of 5 per person off Florida; cubera snapper by implementing a recreational bag limit of 2 per person for fish 30” total length or larger off Florida; and gray triggerfish by implementing a minimum size limit of 12 inches off Florida.

Amendment 7 (1994)
Established size limits and bag limits for hogfish and mutton snapper; Specified allowable gear; Prohibited the use of explosive charges, including powerheads, off SC; and Required dealer, charter and headboat federal permits.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 8 (June 1996)
Established a limited entry system for the snapper grouper fishery.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 9 (1997)
Increased the red porgy minimum size limit from 12" TL to 14" TL for both recreational and commercial fishermen, established a recreational bag limit of 5 red porgy per person per day, prohibit harvest and possession in excess of the bag limit during March and April, and prohibited purchase and sale during March and April. Increased the black sea bass minimum size limit from 8" TL to 10" TL for both recreational and commercial fishermen, and established a recreational bag limit of 20 black sea bass per person per day. Required escape vents and escape panels with degradable fasteners in black sea bass pots. Established measures for greater amberjack that: reduced the recreational bag limit from 3 to 1 greater amberjack per person per day, maintained the prohibition on harvest and possession in excess of the bag limit during April, established a quota at 63% of 1995 landings (quota=1,169,931 pounds), began the fishing year on May 1, prohibited sale of fish harvested under the bag limit when the season is closed, and prohibited coring. Increased the recreational vermilion snapper minimum size limit from 10" to 11" TL and retained the current 10-fish bag limit. Increased the gag grouper minimum size limit from 20" TL to 24" TL for both recreational and commercial fishermen, prohibited harvest and possession in excess of the bag limit during March and April, and prohibited purchase and sale during March and April. Increased the black grouper minimum size limit from 20" to 24" TL for both recreational and commercial fishermen, prohibited harvest and possession in excess of the bag limit during March and April, and prohibited purchase and sale during March and April.  Specified that within the 5-fish aggregate grouper bag limit (which currently includes tilefish and excludes jewfish and Nassau grouper), no more than 2 may be gag grouper or black grouper (individually or in combination). Established an aggregate recreational bag limit of 20 fish per person per day inclusive of all snapper grouper species currently not under a bag limit, excluding tomtate and blue runners (there would be no bag limit on tomtate and blue runners). Specified that vessels with bottom longline gear aboard may only possess snowy grouper, warsaw grouper, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, golden tilefish, blueline tilefish, and sand tilefish.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 10 (1998)
Identified Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and EFH - Habitat Areas of Particular Concern for species in the snapper grouper management unit.

Amendment 11 (1998)
Amended the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) as required to make definitions of MSY, OY, overfishing and overfished consistent with "National Standard Guidelines"; identified and defined fishing communities and addressed bycatch management measures.

Amendment 12 (2000)
Set regulatory limits for red porgy implementing a recreational bag limit of 1 red porgy per person per day, a commercial incidental catch limit of 50 pounds per trip, established a recreational and commercial size limit of 14 inches TL and permitted the transfer of the 225-pound trip limited commercial permit to another vessel (not another person) regardless of vessel size.
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 13A (2005)
Extended regulations within the Oculina Experimental Closed Area off the east coast of Florida that prohibit fishing for and retention of snapper grouper species for an indefinite period with a 10 year re-evaluation by the Council.  The Council will review the configuration and size of the area within 3 years of publication of the Final Rule (March 26, 2004).
Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule  

Amendment 13C (2006)
Amendment 13C to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan became effective October 23, 2006. The amendment addresses overfishing for snowy grouper, golden tilefish, black sea bass and vermilion snapper.  The amendment also allows for a moderate increase in the harvest of red porgy as stocks continue to rebuild. 
Notice of Availablity   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 14
Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan establishes a series of deepwater marine protected areas in the South Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone. The amendment was approved by the Council during its June 2007 meeting and submitted to NOAA Fisheries for approval by the Secretary of Commerce on July 18, 2007.  The Amendment was approved on January 13, 2009 and became effective February 12, 2009.
Notice of Availablity   Proposed Rule   Final Rule

Amendment 15A (2008)
Amendment 15A to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan was approved by the Council during its December 2007 meeting submitted to NOAA Fisheries for approval by the Secretary of Commerce.  The amendment was developed by the Council to: 1) update management reference points for snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy; 2) modify rebuilding schedules for snowy grouper and black sea bass; 3) define rebuilding strategies for snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy; and 4) redefine the minimum stock size threshold for the snowy grouper stock.  The amendment was approved March 14, 2008.
Notice of Availability  Notice of Agency Action  (Fishery Bulletin stating final action)

Amendment 15B (Under Review)
Amendment 15B was approved by the Council for review and submission to the Secretary of Commerce during the Council's June 2008 meeting.  Public hearings were held in November/December 2007 and the public comment period was open until January 11, 2008.  A Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for Amendment 15B was developed in April 2008 to address the availability of additional economic information.  The comment period for the SDEIS ended June 9, 2008.   The Amendment includes actions to: 1) prohibit sale the sale of bag-limit caught snapper grouper species, 2) reduce the effects of incidental hooking on sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish, 3) change the commercial permit renewal period and transferability requirements, 4) implement a plan to monitor and address bycatch, and 5) establish management reference points, such as MSY and OY for golden tilefish. Amendment 15B will also establish allocations between recreational and commercial fishermen for snowy grouper and red porgy.  Final Amendment 15B/FEIS  (Appendices available upon request)

Notice of Availability  Proposed Rule  Final Rule

Amendment 16 (*Approved)
Amendment 16 was approved by the Council for submission to the Secretary of Commerce in September 2008. The amendment includes measures to end overfishing for gag grouper and vermilion snapper.  These include: For gag grouper - 1) define interim allocations based on landings at 51% commercial and 49% recreational; 2) establish a January through April spawning season closure for gag grouper for both commercial and recreational sectors where no fishing for and/or possession of gag would be allowed.  In addition, during the closure no fishing for and/or possession of the following species would be allowed - black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, rock hind, yellowmouth grouper, tiger grouper, yellowfin grouper, graysby, and coney; 3) establish a directed commercial quota of 352,940 pounds (gutted weight); 3) reduce the current 5-grouper aggregate recreational bag limit to a 3-grouper aggregate bag limit and reduce the existing bag limit from 2 gag or black grouper to 1 gag or black grouper combined; and 4) exclude the captain and crew on for-hire vessels from possessing a bag limit for groupers.  For vermilion snapper - 1) define interim allocations based on landings of 68% commercial and 32% recreational; 2) establish a directed commercial quota of 1,100,000 pounds gutted weight; 3) reduce the recreational bag limit from 10 fish to 5 fish, 4) establish a recreational closed season November through March.  Amendment 16 also requires the use of venting/dehooking tools to reduce bycatch mortality.

NOTE:  The amendment includes provisions to modifiy managment measures for vermilion snapper as necessary by the Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries Service based on a SEDAR stock assessment for vermilion snapper that was completed in late 2008. Those modifications are reflected above in italics. 

* The Council received a letter from NOAA Fisheries Service on March 25, 2009 stating Amendment 16 has been partially approved.  See letter. 

Notice of Availability   Proposed Rule   Final Rule
  
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