January 26, 2021 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold public hearings this week to solicit public input on management measures proposed for Dolphin and Wahoo in federal waters along the Atlantic coast. The actions are included in Amendment 10 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan and include changes for both recreational and commercial sectors. A public hearing via webinar will be held today with additional hearings scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of this week. The webinars begin at 6 PM each day and registration is required (see below).
Amendment 10 includes proposed changes to annual catch limits and recreational accountability measures for both Dolphin and Wahoo, reductions in recreational vessel limits for Dolphin, and reductions in bag limits and implementation of vessel limits for Wahoo. The amendment also includes actions to remove the current Operator Card requirement for for-hire and commercial Dolphin Wahoo federal permit holders, address retention of Dolphin and Wahoo on commercial vessels with certain gear onboard, and allow filleting of Dolphin at sea north of the NC/VA line by for-hire vessels.
Learn More and Submit Comments
Council staff will provide an overview of measures proposed in Amendment 10 during the webinars and answer any questions. Public comment will then be accepted. A video presentation is also available along with a Story Map highlighting proposed changes. Additional materials and information is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.
An online public comment form is also available from the website. Written comments will be accepted until 5 PM, February 5, 2021.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will review public comments as it continues to develop Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 10 during its March 1-5, 2021.