April 28, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The spiny lobster fishery managed in federal waters from North Carolina to Texas by both the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. The South Atlantic Council will hold a public hearing via webinar on management measures proposed in Regulatory Amendment 4 to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan. Proposed actions would:
- Modify the Maximum Sustainable Yield, Acceptable Biological Catch, Annual Catch Limit and other parameters for spiny lobster.
- Extend the prohibition on use of recreational spiny lobster traps in federal waters off the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina (they are currently prohibited in both state and federal waters off the coast of Florida).
Council staff will provide an overveiw of the regulatory amendment beginning at 6:00 PM, answer questions, and then take formal public comment. Written comments are also being solicited and must be received by May 19, 2017.
Presentations, public hearing documents, and information on how to register for the webinar and submit public comments are now available from the Council’s website.