South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

The South Atlantic Bite

Newsworthy Notes – October 20th, 2022


SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting Next Week

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. Members of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will meet for three days and cover agenda items that include an introduction to Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) as an approach for the snapper grouper fishery, updates to the most recent stock assessment for Spanish Mackerel, and Snapper Grouper Framework Amendment 35 addressing Red Snapper and methods of reducing release mortality in the snapper grouper fishery.

The SSC meeting agenda also includes presentations from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center on Red Snapper recruitment patterns, minimizing discards in the snapper grouper fishery, and an interim analysis strategy for managing stocks in between assessments. The SSC will also receive a presentation on the Greater Amberjack Project, currently underway in both the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.

Meeting materials, including the agenda and presentations, are available from the Council’s website. The meeting is open to the public and available via webinar as it occurs. An online public comment form is available from the website and public comments will also be accepted during the meeting.

October 25-27, 2022

Town and Country Inn

Charleston, SC

MSE Strategic Plan power point slide with a dolphin, turtle, and shrimp.

Get Involved! Advisory Panel Seats Open

Applications are due by November 10th for consideration by the Council in December

Persons interested in federal fisheries management have an opportunity to become more involved by applying now for open seats on the Council’s advisory panels. Seats are open on the following: Coral, Mackerel Cobia, Deepwater Shrimp, Shrimp, and Spiny Lobster Advisory Panels. Details are available from the Council’s website.

The Council’s advisory panels play a key role in the federal fishery management process, providing information and recommendations at the grassroots level. Members advise the Council about trends in fisheries, environmental concerns relating to ecosystems, enforcement issues, and management impacts on fishermen and fishing communities.

The Council will consider open seats on the advisory panels during its December 5-9, 2022 meeting. Learn more about serving on an advisory panel and complete your application today!

Snapper Grouper advisory panel members sit around a table in Charleston, SC.

Celebrate National Seafood Month

Join NOAA Fisheries for National Seafood Month 2022 and savor delicious seafood along the way

The United States is recognized as a global leader in sustainable seafood for both wild-caught and farmed species. U.S. fishermen and fish farmers operate under some of the most robust and transparent environmental standards in the world. NOAA Fisheries works to advance and export sustainable management practices internationally, maintain a level playing field for fishermen and fish farmers domestically, and maintain confidence in U.S. seafood products.

During October, NOAA Fisheries is celebrating National Seafood Month and sustainable seafood with new features, videos, and more. Check out these feature articles, including the 2-part series “Ensuring a Future for Seafood in a Changing Ocean”. There are also delicious recipes for your next tailgate party!

National Seafood Month banner with a red crab.

Additional Snippets:

FWC Waives Commercial Spiny Lobster Trap Tag Requirements for 2022-2023

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has filed an Executive Order to waive the commercial spiny lobster trap tag requirements for the 2022-2023 license year. The waiver is in response to the significant losses suffered by Florida commercial spiny lobster fishermen as a direct result of Hurricane Ian. Additional details are available from the FWC website.

Sargassum Watch from Space

Fishermen often look for “weed lines” of Sargassum when fishing offshore for pelagic species such as Dolphin, Wahoo, and tuna. However, since 2011, a continuous Sargassum belt extending from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico has caused many environmental, ecological, and economical problems for nations and coastal states. Join Dr. Chuanmin Hu from the University of South Florida and SECOORA for a webinar on Tuesday, October 25th to learn more about the Sargassum Watch System that generates satellite imagery to monitor and track large Sargassum mats.

Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Ocean Lovers

Temperatures are dropping and maybe you already have a pumpkin or two on the porch. Get ahead of the carve this fall and wow your neighbors with custom jack-o’-lantern stencils inspired by the oceanNOAA Fisheries is offering free stencils for carvers, ranging from beginner to advanced, so there’s something for everyone. Download your ocean stencils and start carving this weekend!

Mark Your Calendar

Keep track of meetings scheduled by the Council from the Meetings page of the website and register for meeting webinars as information becomes available. Register early and receive email reminders as the meeting date(s) approach!

October 18-20, 2022

Council Coordination Committee Meeting

Washington, DC

October 25-27, 2022

Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Meeting

Town & Country Inn

Charleston, SC 29407

Webinar Registration

November 1-3, 2022

Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel Meeting

Town & Country Inn

Charleston, SC 29407

Webinar Registration

November 8, 2022

SAFMC Seminar Series – A Citizen-Science Approach to Characterize Shark Predation in Recreational Fisheries

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Webinar only

Webinar Registration

November 21, 2022

Snapper Grouper Recreational Permitting and Reporting Technical AP Meeting

1 p.m. – 4 p.m. webinar only

Webinar Registration

November 21, 2022

SAFMC Executive Committee Meeting

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. webinar only

Webinar Registration

December 5-9, 2022

December Council Meeting

Blockade Runner Beach Resort

Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480