South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

News & Updates

Sign up for E-News and receive SAFMC news releases, announcements, and bi-monthly issues of the South Atlantic Bite newsletter. Relevant Fishery Bulletins from NOAA Fisheries are also forwarded from the Council office as a courtesy.

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 Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisory Panels

Applications due November 8, 2024 Become more involved in federal fisheries management by applying now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels. Advisory panels inform and advise the Council in developing federal fishery management plans and amendments. Upcoming issues to be addressed by advisory panels include: information gathered during King […]

Request for Proposals: Evaluating Climate-Driven Distribution and Habitat Changes in South Atlantic Fisheries

Evaluating Climate-Driven Distribution and Habitat Changes in South Atlantic Fisheries The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC or Council) seeks proposals to updatespecies distributions, fishery distributions, and Essential Fish Habitat designations for speciesmanaged under the Snapper Grouper, Coastal Migratory Pelagics, and Dolphin Wahoo FisheryManagement Plans. Proposal Submission Deadline: November 15, 2024 Background Climate change presents […]

The South Atlantic Bite

Newsworthy Notes – September 26th, 2024 Reminder! King and Spanish Mackerel Port Meetings Continue in Florida and South Carolina Fishermen and others interested in the King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel fisheries will have a unique opportunity to share their perspectives and vision for the future of these fisheries as a series of port meetings continues next week along Florida’s east coast […]

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 […]

Game Warden Lucas Barnard and Staff Sergeant William Ladue Receive SAFMC Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award

September 20th, 2024 Two nominees were selected to receive the 2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during the Council’s quarterly meeting this week in Charleston, South Carolina. The annual award was presented to Game Warden Lucas Barnard with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Staff […]

King and Spanish Mackerel Port Meetings Continue in Florida and South Carolina

A series of port meetings continues in late September and October, providing a unique opportunity for fishermen and others interested in the King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel fisheries to share their perspectives and vision for the future. The port meetings are being hosted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries […]

SAFMC Meeting September 16-20, 2024 in Charleston, SC

Meeting materials and online public comment form now available Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet September 16-20, 2024 in Charleston, SC to address federal fishery management issues. The meeting begins on Monday, September 16th at 1:30 p.m. and continues through noon on Friday at the Town and Country Inn and Suites, 2008 Savannah […]