SAFMC Public Hearings

Saltwater Offshore Discussion
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http://www.safmc.net/News/NewsReleases/NROctober182011/tabid/700/Default.aspx

Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass, Red Grouper and Wreckfish Fisheries

 Members of the South AtlanticThe South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a series of seven public hearings beginning November 14, 2011 to solicit public input on management measures impacting federal fisheries for black sea bass, red grouper, and wreckfish.  Amendments are being developed to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan in order to: address overcapacity in the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce the rate of harvest for both commercial and recreational sectors; end overfishing and rebuild the red grouper stock; and address the current Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program for wreckfish.

Black Sea Bass Restrictions: Amendment 18A
Annual Catch Limits (in numbers of pounds) have been established by the Council for black sea bass as mandated in the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act to end overfishing and help rebuild the stock. Increased restrictions on the harvest of other species in the snapper grouper complex have led to an increase in fishing effort for black sea bass. As a result, the catch limits have been reached earlier by both commercial and recreational fishermen, resulting in closures. The fishing year for black sea bass begins June 1st. For the 2011/2012 fishing season, the commercial fishery met its ACL in just 45 days and the fishery was closed. After NOAA Fisheries Service accounted for overages in landings by the recreational sector for the 2010/2011 season, it was announced the recreational fishery had met its adjusted ACL of 341,747 pounds for this fishing year. The recreational black sea bass fishery will close on October 17, 2011 and reopen June 1, 2012. Amendment 18A is being developed to limit the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce harvest rates for both commercial and recreational sectors. A new stock assessment for black sea bass is c

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We should all go up there dirty and smelly like those hippy idiots down on Wall street. Common sense and reasoning hasn’t worked with these azz clowns.

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Be careful or you will be on a youtube video called “Angry redneck fishermen who want to kill every last fish”…

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I attended the last SAFMC meeting and since we all went and told them how well the fisheries were doing - more limits got cut , BSB went from 15 to 5 to CLOSED!!
I think I need to go shopping with my wife that day!! :roll_eyes:

See You Boys in the Mall! [:I]

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At least they are talking about increasing the ACL as the stock rebuilds. That would be huge. And I’m not necessarily against increasing the minimum size, as long as it doesn’t just lead to more discard mortality.