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.
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Council Seeks Applicants for Federal Fishery Advisory Panels and Workgroup
Interested in federal fisheries management and want to become more involved? Apply now for open seats on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s advisory panels or to serve as a fishing representative on the System Management Plan (SMP) Workgroup.
Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming Meetings for Federal Fisheries Issues
Fishermen and others interested in following and participating in the federal fishery management process mark your calendars now! During April and May, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold meetings of its advisory panels, Scientific and Statistical Committee, Socio-Economic Panel, and a webinar focusing on scientific studies.
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!
Council Approves Management Measures for Red Snapper, Gag, and Black Grouper During March Meeting
Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved measures to reduce the annual catch limit for Red Snapper and help address release mortality for Red Snapper and other species managed as part of the snapper grouper complex. Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 35 would reduce the total Annual Catch Limit from 42,510 fish to 28,000 fish once implemented.
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 will hold its first quarterly meeting of 2023 in Jekyll Island, Georgia beginning on Monday, March 6th and ending at noon on Friday, March 10th. The meeting will be held at the Westin Jekyll Island and is open to the public. The meeting is also available via webinar each day as it occurs. Register now for the webinar or review the week-long meeting agenda and plan to attend in person.
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.
Volunteer Divers Use Latest Camera Technology to Provide Fisheries Data in New Collaborative Citizen Science Project
Size matters – especially when it comes to fisheries management. A new collaborative project SMILE (Size Matters: Innovative Length Estimate) is now underway in the Florida Keys to help collect information about fish lengths.
The South Atlantic Bite
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.
