October 28, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently seeking public comment proposed changes affecting federal fisheries management, including designating specified artificial reefs off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina as Special Management Zones to restrict the types of gear that can be used to harvest snapper grouper species. The designations are being considered at the request of each state’s marine resources agencies. Public comment is also being solicited on proposed changes to the trip limit for the commercial king mackerel fishery in the Southern Zone and measures to modify transit provisions for shrimp vessels.
Learn more about the proposed measures with summary documents and video presentations, provide written comment online, and participate in the webinars!
Public Scoping – Designation of Special Management Zones in NC and SC
Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34
October 28-30, 2019 6:00 PM
Webinars with Listening Stations in NC
The draft regulatory amendment contains actions to:
- Establish 30 Special Management Zones (SMZs) at permitted artificial reef sites in federal waters off the coast of North Carolina. Within the SMZs, harvest of snapper grouper species by spear would be limited to the recreational bag limit.
- Establish four additional SMZs at permitted artificial reef sites in federal waters off the coast of South Carolina. Harvest of snapper grouper species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear (without powerheads) and harvest would be limited to the recreational bag limits.
Webinars with Listening Stations for Proposed SMZ Designations
Monday, October 28
Register for Webinar
Listening Station:
Dare County Administration Bld., Manteo, NC
Tuesday, October 29
Register for Webinar
Listening Station:
NC Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, Morehead City, NC
Wednesday, October 30
Register for Webinar
Listening Station:
NC Division of Marine Fisheries Southern District Office, Wilmington, NC
Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34 Summary Document, video presentation, and the Online Comment Form are available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.
Register now to participate in the public scoping meetings via webinar or participate in-person at designated listening stations in North Carolina. Details are available from the Council’s website.
Public Hearings via Webinar – Modifications to Commercial Southern Zone King Mackerel Season 2 Trip Limits
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 8
October 29-30, 2019 5:00 PM
Rhe draft amendment would modify the trip limit for the commercial king mackerel fishery in the Southern Zone (NC/SC line to Miami-Dade/Monroe Co. boundary) during Season 2 (October 1st to the end of February). Access the Public Hearing Summary, view the video, submit comments online and register now to participate in the scheduled webinars. https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.
Tuesday, October 29
Webinar Registration
Wednesday, October 30
Webinar Registration
Public Scoping via Webinar – Shrimp Vessel Transit Provisions
Amendment 11 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan
November 5 & 7, 2019 7:00 PM
Webinars
The draft amendment proposes modifications to current transit provisions during cold-weather closures of the fishery. Additional information is available at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.
Tuesday, November 5
Webinar Registration
Thursday, November 7
Webinar Registration