News & Updates
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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.
The South Atlantic Bite
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
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.
Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open for South Atlantic Region
Persons interested in federal fisheries management have an opportunity to become more involved by applying now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels. The advisory panels inform and guide the Council in developing and implementing federal fishery management plans and amendments. Issues currently being addressed by the Council include options […]
The South Atlantic Bite
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
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.
Federal Fishery Managers Consider Options for Red Snapper Management
There were many agenda items affecting federal fisheries management for the September meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, but a single issue dominated interest from the public – the potential use of time/area closures for the snapper grouper fishery. The Council received a total of 1,047 online written comments, with the majority opposing time and area closures to address release mortality in the Red Snapper fishery. The opposition continued as the Council received comments during the meeting in Charleston, SC from charter captains, recreational fishermen, regional business leaders, boat and fishing gear manufacturers, and Florida Congressman John Rutherford.
Offshore Patrol Vessel Osprey Officers McDonough and Demeter Receive SAFMC Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award
The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award is presented to individuals or teams that have exceeded, above and beyond, the duty requirements expected, exemplify the virtues of professionalism and dedication, and demonstrated a distinct pattern of service to enforcing fisheries regulations in the South Atlantic region. Officer McDonough was the first recipient of the award in 2010 when he was acknowledged for his work with the FWC coastal squad in Volusia County and participation in the Federal Joint Enforcement Agreement.
Council Recognizes Dr. Marcel Reichert with Award of Excellence
Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council recognized Dr. Marcel Reichert with the first annual Award of Excellence for his life-time contributions to science, management, and sustainability of marine resources under the Council’s jurisdiction. The award was presented this week in Charleston, SC in conjunction with the Council’s quarterly meeting.
