South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

SAFMC Award of Excellence Presented to Mel Bell for Dedication to Managing Marine Resources

Mel Bell has been acknowledged by members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council with the SAFMC 2024 Award of Excellence. The award, presented during a social held at the SC Department of Natural Resources as part of the Council’s September meeting, came as a surprise to Mel as he was surrounded by his colleagues representing over 40 years of career service to the SCDNR’s Division of Marine Fisheries and his work at the federal fisheries management level.

The South Atlantic Bite

Newsworthy Notes – October 24th, 2024 Advisory Panel Seats Open Applications due November 8, 2024 Become more involved in the federal fishery management process! The Council is currently soliciting applicants for various seats on its advisory panels. Advisory panels inform and advise the Council in developing federal fishery management plans and amendments. Open seats include […]

Council Approves Proposed Changes to Snapper Grouper Fishery; Receives Red Snapper Notification

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved two amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan that, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, would modify current federal regulations for species in the snapper grouper management complex. The Council considered input received during public comment and recommendations from its Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel […]

Taking a More Adaptable Approach to Dolphin Management

Dolphin, Dolphinfish, Mahi Mahi or Dorado – regardless of the name, Dolphin are one of the most popular fish targeted by both recreational and commercial fishermen. Dolphin are managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council in federal waters along the U.S. Atlantic coast. The high demand for Dolphin and recent concerns over user conflicts, highly variable availability, and international harvest, has sparked the need to consider a more flexible and adaptive management approach. Learn more about Dolphin management and how fishery managers are collaborating to address these challenges.

Council Approves Measures Affecting Federal Fisheries During December Meeting

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council concluded their week-long meeting in Beaufort, North Carolina after addressing a broad range of federal fisheries management issues. Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries attended a portion of the meeting and addressed the Council. She recognized the Council’s and NOAA Fisheries’ regional efforts in supporting management and science, including the Council’s Citizen Science Program, and highlighted national fisheries issues.

The South Atlantic Bite

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold their next meeting on December 4-8, 2023 at the Beaufort Hotel in Beaufort, NC. During the week-long meeting, the Council will convene meetings of the following committees: Mackerel Cobia, Dolphin Wahoo, Snapper Grouper, Citizen Science, Habitat and Ecosystem, and SEDAR (Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review). There will also be meetings of the Full Council.