South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Snapper Grouper Amendment 55

Amendment Summary

Purpose of Amendment: Respond to the latest stock assessment (SEDAR 68) for scamp and yellowmouth grouper.

Action Summary: Establish a scamp/yellowmouth grouper complex, remove yellowmouth grouper from the shallow water grouper (SWG) complex, establish catch levels and sector allocations for the new complex, and adjust catch levels and sector allocations for the SWG complex.

Key Events

  • March 2023: an overview of the assessment and direction to staff to begin work on a plan amendment.
  • June 2023: Council reviewed an initial decision document and gave direction to staff. Additional guidance was needed for the parameters of the rebuilding plan and OFL levels, which is anticipated to be provided at the September 2023 meeting.
  • July-August 2023: scoping webinars held July 31- Aug 2, 2023.
  • September 2023: Council modified the suite of alternatives for some actions and provided direction to modify the Other South Atlantic Shallow Water Grouper ACL.
  • December 2023: The Council reviewed SG AP feedback, selected preferred alternatives for select actions, and added management actions to the amendment.
  • March 2024: The Council reviewed an updated decision document including management actions and an updated analysis and selected several preferred alternatives.
  • June 2024: Reviewed an updated decision document and decision tool for recreational management measure actions, selected the remaining preferreds and approved for public hearings. 
  • August 2024: hearings held on the 13th and 14th via webinar. 
  • September 2024: Approved for submission. 

Most recent amendment document

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

Staff Contact