South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Snapper Grouper Amendment 50

Amendment Summary

Purpose of Amendment: Respond to the latest stock assessment (SEDAR 60). Red porgy are overfished and overfishing is occurring. The Council is required to establish a rebuilding plan by June 2022 and adjust catch levels and management measures to end overfishing.

Action Summary: Establish a rebuilding plan, revise annual catch limits (ACL), sector allocations, management measures for the commercial and recreational sectors, and accountability measures (AM) for the recreational sector.

Key Events: 

  • June 2020: Amendment development initiated. 
  • February 2021: Scoping hearings 3 & 4 via webinar. 
  • September 2021: Public hearing held on September 15. 
  • March 2022: amendment approved for formal review. 
  • May 3, 2022: amendment submitted. 
  • September 9, 2022: proposed rule published. 
  • December 7, 2022: NMFS approval letter received. 
  • December 20: 2022: Final Rule published. 
  • January 19, 2023: regulations effective. 

Most recent amendment documents

  • Final approval
  • Implementation
  • Pre-scoping
  • Public hearing
  • Rule making
  • Scoping
  • Secretarial review

Public comments

Staff Contact