The South Atlantic Bite

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet September 14th–18th at the Drury Plaza Hotel in North Charleston, South Carolina. The week will cover a wide range of topics, namely in the Snapper Grouper and SECAD Committees.

Among the items on the agenda are: Commercial Management Measures, Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Unit Revision, Yellowtail Snapper & Mutton Snapper, and the Sunsetting of Spawning Special Management Zones. The Council will also discuss stock assessment schedules, bycatch reduction methods, the Southeast Reef Fish Survey and SEAMAP, ecosystem information, and sea turtle release gear modifications.

The meeting will also include the presentation of the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. A public comment session will be held on Wednesday, September 16th at 4 p.m., which will double as a hearing for the amendment addressing commercial management measures. Meeting materials, the full agenda, and webinar registration are available on the Council website.

Applications are now open for the 2026 South Atlantic Sea Grant Marine Fisheries Extension Fellowship, a 12-month opportunity for an early-career professional interested in marine fisheries extension and communication. The fellow will work with Southeast Sea Grant programs and SAFMC staff, with a focus on engaging fishermen, supporting outreach and seminars, and developing educational resources. The position will also support the Council’s Citizen Science Program and Best Fishing Practices efforts. The fellowship provides a $52,000 stipend, work-related travel support, and is based at SAFMC headquarters in North Charleston, South Carolina. Applications are due September 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET: https://ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/south-atlantic-sea-grant-marine-fisheries-extension-fellowship/

NOAA Fisheries has published updated historical recreational fishing effort and catch estimates dating back to 1981, reflecting improvements to the Fishing Effort Survey (FES). The updated estimates generally show lower total catch estimates with smaller margins of error, largely because the improved survey design addresses overreporting of private boat and shore fishing trips.

The revised data will begin being incorporated into prioritized stock assessments later this year, including the red snapper stock assessment scheduled for late 2026. NOAA emphasizes that the updated estimates do not result in immediate management changes or adjustments to catch limits; any future management advice will follow the standard stock assessment and public process. More information here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNOAAFISHERIES/bulletins/427b258