Public Hearings and Scoping Meetings Scheduled in August for Proposed Federal Fisheries Management MeasuresWritten comments accepted until August 18, 2014
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is requesting public input on proposed management measures affecting the fishery management plans for snapper grouper, dolphin and wahoo, coastal migratory pelagics (includes king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia) and golden crab. The public is encouraged to provide written comment and participate in upcoming public hearings scheduled fromAugust 6-14, 2014 throughout the region on the proposed changes to management measures. The following measures are being considered:
For Public Hearing
Generic Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment includes:
- Modifications to accountability measures for some species in the snapper grouper management complex
- Modifications to accountability measures for the commercial golden crab fishery
- Modifications to the allocation between commercial and recreational sectors for dolphin (mahi-mahi)
Snapper Grouper Amendment 32 proposes measures to end overfishing and rebuild the blueline tilefish stock, including:
- Removing blueline tilefish from the Deepwater-Complex for management
- Establishing an Acceptable Biological Catch, Optimum Yield, and other management parameters
- Reducing the current Annual Catch Limit
- Establishing commercial trip limits and modifying recreational bag limits
Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 20 addresses measures for snowy grouper, including:
- Modifications to the rebuilding strategy
- Proposed split seasons for the commercial fishery
- Modifications to trip limits and changes to recreational bag limits
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 2 includes:
- Modifications to Atlantic group Spanish mackerel trip limits for the “Southern Zone”
- Note: an amendment previously approved by the Council would establish a Northern Zone and a Southern Zone at the NC/SC boundary, with separate comme