September 28, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The September meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council was postponed earlier as Hurricane Florence threatened the Carolina coastline. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the hurricane and subsequent flooding. The rescheduled Council meeting will begin this Sunday with a Recreational Workshop and continue throughout the week here in Charleston. During the meeting the Council will address federal fishery management measures affecting offshore fisheries including snapper grouper, king and Spanish mackerel, spiny lobster, and habitat protection and ecosystem-based management. The meeting is open to the public unless otherwise specified, and public comment is now being accepted on agenda items.
Agendas, Overviews, and Briefing Materials:
The agenda for the week long meeting as well as individual committee agendas and helpful overviews are available from the Council meeting website. Documents, summaries, presentations, and other briefing materials for the meeting are also available.
Attend the Meeting via Webinar:
The meeting may be accessed via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration for each day is required. Register now and receive email reminders for the upcoming sessions.
– Monday, October 1 2:30 pm – 5 pm
– Tuesday, October 2 8:30 am – 5 pm
– Wednesday, October 3 8:30 am – 6 pm
– Thursday, October 4 8:30 am – 5 pm
– Friday, October 5 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Public Comment:
Comments on agenda items may be submitted using the online comment form. The form allows Council members immediate access to all comments and gives others the opportunity to read comments as they are posted. The Council will also solicit public comment during the meeting beginning at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.
Agenda Highlights:
Final Approval: The Council is scheduled to approve four amendments for review by the Secretary of Commerce during the meeting. The amendments address vermilion snapper and black sea bass fishing levels, commercial king mackerel trip limits, use of bully nets in the spiny lobster fishery, and commercial measures as outlined in the Council’s Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery.
Additional information is available online. Access all of the meeting information, submit comments, and listen live as the meeting occurs.