The red snapper fishery remains closed to both commercial and recreational fishermen throughout federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore) in the South Atlantic region. Measures taken by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during its meeting in Orlando, Florida this past week may determine how long the closure stays in place as well as other regulations impacting fishermen who target the 73 species that make up the snapper grouper management complex. The additional regulations could be implemented by December of this year.
Members of the Council, in a 9-4 vote, approved Amendment 17A to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan to end overfishing of red snapper and rebuild the South Atlantic stock during its meeting in Orlando. The amendment is designed to meet the Congressional mandates of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act and must be approved by the Secretary of Commerce before regulations become effective.
Management Measures in Amendment 17A
Management measures that may be implemented later this year through Amendment 17A include 1) a continuation of the closure of the red snapper fishery; 2) a new area closure off of northeastern Florida and southern Georgia, where fishing for all snapper grouper species in water depths of 98 – 240 feet would be prohibited (with the exception of spearfishing and use of black sea bass pots); 3) a requirement for the use non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for snapper grouper species north of 28 degrees N. latitude; and 4) the development of a fishery-independent monitoring program to help track the rebuilding and recovery of red snapper.
Read the complete story at Ahab's Journal.