Reminder! Council Seeks Public Comment on Federal Fisheries Issues
Comments currently being accepted on a proposed Rock Shrimp Fishery Access Area; options for the commercial snapper grouper fishery; and Executive Order 14276 Restoring Seafood Competitiveness
There are multiple opportunities for members of the public to provide input on a broad range of federal fisheries issues. Public hearings will be held this week on a proposed Shrimp Fishery Access Area. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is also soliciting input on management options being considered for the commercial snapper grouper fishery and Executive Order 14276 addressing seafood competitiveness.
Mark your calendar to participate in one of two public hearings this week, or provide written comments on management options currently being considered. Details, along with public comment forms, are available from the Council’s website as noted below.
Rock Shrimp Fishery Access Area – Public Hearings
The Council will hold two public hearings this week, one virtually and the other in person, to gather public input on measures proposed to allow the rock shrimp industry access to historic fishing grounds along the eastern edge of the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC). The Oculina Bank HAPC is located off the east coast of Florida and encompasses areas where deepwater coral, Oculina varicosa and associated habitats are found. Within the Coral HAPCs, the use of fishing gear (bottom longline, bottom and mid-water trawl, dredge, pot, and trap), anchoring by fishing vessels, and possession of deepwater coral is prohibited.
Tuesday, August 5 | 6:00 p.m. | Via Webinar
Thursday, August 7 | 6:00 p.m. | Willie Galimore Community Center 399 Riberia Street St. Augustine, FL 32084
Additional information, including webinar registration, an online public comment form, a public hearing document with maps of the preferred alternative, and a video presentation are available from the Council’s website: https://safmc.net/events/august-2025-public-hearings-comprehensive-amendment-coral-11-shrimp-12/.
Written comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025. The Council will consider public comment on the joint amendment during its September 15-19, 2025, meeting in Charleston, SC.
Snapper Grouper Amendment 60 – Public Scoping
Comments due by Friday, August 8th
In June 2024, the Council established the Snapper Grouper Commercial Sub-Committee to focus on revising policies to improve the commercial snapper grouper fishery. Based on recommendations from the Sub-Committee, the Council is currently hosting an online scoping of Snapper Grouper Amendment 60 for the South Atlantic Region.
Amendment 60 aims to revise policies and requirements for the federal Snapper Grouper Commercial Unlimited (SG1) permit and increase trip efficiency. A Public Scoping document outlining additional details, along with the public comment form is now available from the Council’s website. Comments are being accepted until Friday, August 8, 2025.
Executive Order 14276 – Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness
The Council is currently seeking public input on Executive Order 14276 Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. Among other things, the Executive Order requires the eight U.S. regional fishery management councils to identify actions that would stabilize markets, improve access, enhance economic profitability, and prevent closures.
As part of this process, the Council will gather input from their advisory panels via a webinar meeting scheduled on Monday, August 11, 2025 beginning at 6 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, with details available from the Council’s website.
The Council is also soliciting public input through August 15, 2025. An online comment form and background information is available from the Council’s Executive Order 14276 webpage.
