The South Atlantic Bite

Newsworthy Notes – September 8th, 2022

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Reminder! SAFMC September Meeting Begins Next Week

Register now to attend via webinar and to make public comment

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet September 12-16, 2022 in Charleston, SC. The meeting will be held at the Town and Country Inn and is open to the public.

Meeting materials, including an agenda for the week-long meeting as well as committee agendas and overviews are available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/events/september-2022-council-meeting/. Materials include presentations, documents, and other items to be discussed during the meeting. The meeting will be available to the public via webinar as it occurs.

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NOAA Fisheries Solicits Input on Recreational Fisheries Policy

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September Council Meeting to Include Newly Appointed Council Members

Gary Borland to represent SC and Tim Griner reappointed as the NC representative

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will welcome a new member and a familiar face to the table during its September meeting in Charleston. Gary Borland (left) was appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to the obligatory seat for South Carolina and Tim Griner was reappointed to serve in the obligatory seat for North Carolina.

Each year the U.S. Department of Commerce announces the appointment of new and returning members to the regional fishery management councils. The Secretary of Commerce selects members from nominations submitted by the governors of coastal states, territories, and tribal governments. Council members are appointed to both state-specific and regional seats – also known as obligatory and at-large seats. Council members serve a three-year term and may be reappointed to serve three consecutive terms.

Learn more about the members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the regional fishery management council nomination and appointment process.

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Interested in Learning More About Fisheries Science and Management?

The Marine Resource Education Program is now accepting applications for Southeast Workshops

MREP is intended for commercial fishermen, seafood processors, charter captains, and private recreational fishermen who are involved in federal fisheries. The program involves two 3-day workshops and includes participants from both the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Travel expenses are covered but space is limited.

Learn more at https://mrep.gmri.org/ and apply now! Application form Applications are rolling but preference will be given to those who apply by September 20, 2022.

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Additional Snippets:

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments for an Application for Exempted Fishing Permit to Collect Speckled Hind in SA Federal Waters

NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on an application for an exempted fishing permit. The applicant proposes to collect a maximum of 80 speckled hind during the 2-year project from select commercial fishermen who occasionally encounter speckled hind in the South Atlantic during routine fishing operations. The project would assess the population structure, connectivity, and life history of the species. Comments are due by September 21, 2022. See the Fishery Bulletin for details.

Proposed Rule to List Queen Conch as “Threatened” Under the Endangered Species Act

Despite a multitude of fisheries management measures across their range, queen conch populations are depleted, with reduced densities that limit mate finding, reproduction, and recruitment. NOAA Fisheries is announcing a proposed rule to list queen conch as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing doesn’t automatically result in take prohibitions or new restrictions, but protective measures may be considered in separate rule making. Public comment is open until November 7, 2022. Read the Proposed Rule for details.

Are Fish Noiser Today Thank they Were 70 Years Ago?

Using a new acoustic recording device, a research team captured the underwater soundscape and compared it to recordings that the U.S. Navy made decades ago. Read this recent blog post from Hook, Line & Science, (courtesy of Scott Baker and Sara Mirabilio, NC Sea Grant) to see how scientists at East Carolina University are using a wave glider to map variation in sounds and species to see if sounds have indeed changed.

Coastal Job: Marine Forensic Scientist

Charleston, South Carolina is known for its historic scenic streets, culinary offerings and many other attributes, but few know that it is also home to NOAA Fisheries Northwest Science Center’s Marine Forensic Laboratory. This recent article from Hakai Magazine highlights the work of forensic scientist Kathy Moore and how genetic evidence from marine species assists in civil and criminal cases involving suspected fisheries law violations, illegal wildlife trade, and seafood fraud. Can you tell Vietnamese catfish from grouper? These guys can! Read about a recent case of illegal seafood smuggling and learn more about the NOAA Marine Forensics Lab.

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!