South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

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South Atlantic Bite

The South Atlantic Bite

Posted

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently soliciting public comment for two actions proposed in Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 35. The amendment’s first action would modify the annual catch limit for Red Snapper to address overfishing, primarily driven by high numbers of fish in the recreational fishery released throughout the year that don’t survive. These dead fish comprise approximately 85% of the allowable removals for the fishery. Due to the high proportion of removals being dead discards, reductions in landings alone, even no allowable landings, will not end the overfishing of Red Snapper. Therefore, in order to end overfishing, the Council must also reduce dead discards.

The South Atlantic Bite

Posted

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.

The South Atlantic Bite

Posted

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.

The South Atlantic Bite

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It’s a problem all too common to many offshore fishermen – a shark partially or completely consumes a fish before you have the chance to get it near the boat. Although sharks are managed by NOAA Fisheries through their Highly Migratory Species Division, Council members continue to hear from frustrated fishermen about shark depredation and the biological and economic costs.

The South Atlantic Bite

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Fishery biologists, stock assessment scientists, and other natural resource specialists from state and federal agencies will meet in Charleston, SC next week to address a broad range of federal fisheries topics and provide recommendations to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

The South Atlantic Bite

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The Council’s seminar series continues next Tuesday, October 11, 2022, via webinar with a presentation by Dr. Nate Bacheler with NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center on how underwater video cameras are being used on traps as part of the Southeast Reef Fish Survey.

The South Atlantic Bite

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The Council’s September meeting in Charleston last week was a busy one, with lots of public input, intense discussions, and progress made on multiple fishery management plan amendments.

The South Atlantic Bite

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Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet September 12-16, 2022 in Charleston, SC. The meeting will be held at the Town and Country Inn and is open to the public.

The South Atlantic Bite

Posted

Snowy Grouper, Golden Tilefish, and Blueline Tilefish are popular targets when fishing deepwater reefs and sand bottoms along the South Atlantic coast. New measures are being proposed for these species and public hearings are scheduled to provide an overview and to get your input.

The South Atlantic Bite

Posted

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will convene their 5-day September meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2022. The in-person meeting will be held at the Town and Country Inn in Charleston, South Carolina and is open to the public. The Council meets quarterly each year, with the March meeting held in Georgia, the June meeting in Florida, the September meeting in South Carolina and the December meeting in North Carolina.