South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Snapper Grouper Amendment 55

Amendment Summary

Purpose of Amendment: Respond to the latest stock assessment (SEDAR 68).

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.

Most recent amendment document

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

Staff Contact