February 24, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
Council members and staff traveled from Hatteras, NC to Key West, FL in January and February to solicit public input on management issues affecting some of the 55 species within the snapper grouper management unit that includes snappers, grouper, porgies, jacks, tilefish, and grunts. A total of 241 people attended the public hearing/scoping meetings with additional input solicited through webinars and via the Council’s online comment forms.
Public scoping comments were solicited on options for red snapper and recreational reporting through Snapper Grouper Amendment 43 and two Vision Blueprint Regulatory Amendments with options for recreational and commercial sectors as outlined through the Council’s 2016-2020 Vision Blueprint. Scoping is the first stage of the process to amend a fishery management plan after an issue has been identified and allows the public to comment before the Council decides whether or not to move forward with an amendment. During the scoping process, the Council asked for input on a number of questions.