South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

The South Atlantic Bite

With the approval of two amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, a public hearing on measures proposed for the Wreckfish fishery, and discussion of topics ranging from beach renourishment policies to mackerel port meetings, last week’s Council meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia was a busy one!

Reminder – SAFMC Meeting March 6-10 in Jekyll Island, GA

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet next week in Jekyll Island, Georgia to discuss federal fishery management issues. The meeting begins on Monday, March 6th and continues through Friday, March 10th at the Westin Jekyll Island.

The South Atlantic Bite

The Council’s Seminar Series continues next Tuesday, February 14th with a presentation from The Nature Conservancy on anglers’ release practices and attitudes towards the use of descending devices.

The South Atlantic Bite

The Council held a series of in-person public hearings from Morehead City, NC to Key Largo, FL in the past two weeks to gather public input and help answer concerns and questions as the Council continues to solicit public comment for two actions proposed in Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 35.

The South Atlantic Bite

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in North Carolina covered a broad range of topics as the Council addressed federal fishery management issues. The Council held meetings of its Snapper Grouper Committee, Mackerel Cobia Committee, Outreach and Communications Committee, and meetings of the Full Council throughout the week. A public comment session was also held on Wednesday.

Request for Proposals: Citizen Science Program Evaluation and Stakeholder Assessment

The Council is seeking a contractor to study and document interests, motivations, and concerns of fishermen who might participate in the SAFMC’s growing Citizen Science Program. The Council’s Citizen Science Program involves fishermen, scientists, and managers in the design and support of projects that address research needs identified by the Council. For many fisheries in the South Atlantic, there are long-standing data needs and limited resources for data collection.

The South Atlantic Bite

These are all topics that will be addressed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council when it convenes its December meeting next week at the Blockade Runner Resort Hotel in Wrightsville Beach, NC to address federal fishery management issues. In addition, the Council has scheduled a Climate Change Scenario Planning Workshop on Monday, December 5th as part of the week-long meeting.

Reminder- SAFMC December Meeting Begins Next Week in North Carolina

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its December 2022 meeting at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina beginning next Monday, December 5th, and continuing through Friday, December 9th at noon. The meeting will be held at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, 275 Waynick Boulevard, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480.