Saving Seafood

Reminder of Seasonal Fishing Restrictions in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters

November 25, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

1)  Seasonal Red Hind Closure

NOAA Fisheries reminds fishers and the public of the annual seasonal closure on fishing for, or possession of, red hind grouper in Puerto Rico federal waters west of 67° 10’ W longitude (see map).

  • The closure begins at 12:01 a.m., local time, on December 1, 2020, and extends through 11:59 p.m., local time, February 28, 2021.

2)  Seasonal Fishing Prohibitions in Red Hind Spawning Areas

From December 1 through February 28 each year, fishing for any species is prohibited in federal waters of the following red hind spawning aggregation areas:

  • The Tourmaline Bank area closure off western Puerto Rico (see map, inset A), bounded by the following coordinates (regulations only apply to the portion of Tourmaline Bank in federal waters):
    • A      18°11.2’ N      67°22.4’ W
    • B      18°11.2’ N      67°19.2’ W
    • C      18°08.2’ N      67°19.2’ W
    • D      18°08.2’ N      67°22.4’ W
  • The Abrir La Sierra Bank area closure off western Puerto Rico, which lies completely within federal waters (see map, inset A), and is bounded by the following coordinates:
    • A      18°06.5’ N      67°26.9’ W
    • B      18°06.5’ N      67°23.9’ W
    • C      18°03.5’ N      67°23.9’ W
    • D      18°03.5’ N      67°26.9’ W
  • The Lang Bank red hind spawning aggregation area, east of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (see map, inset B), bounded by the following coordinates:
    • A      17°50.2’ N      64°27.9’ W
    • B      17°50.1’ N      64°26.1’ W
    • C      17°49.2’ N      64°25.8’ W
    • D      17°48.6’ N      64°25.8’ W
    • E      17°48.1’ N      64°26.1’ W
    • F      17°47.5’ N      64°26.9’ W

3)  Annual Fishing and Anchoring Prohibitions within Hind Bank

NOAA Fisheries also reminds that fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels within the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District, south of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is prohibited year round (see map, inset C).  The Hind Bank Marine Conservation District is bounded by the following coordinates:

  • A      18°13.2’ N      65°06.0’ W
  • B      18°13.2’ N      64°59.0’ W
  • C      18°11.8’ N      64°59.0’ W
  • D      18°10.7’ N      65°06.0’ W

4)  Seasonal Bajo de Sico Area Closure

The seasonal closure in Federal waters of the Bajo de Sico area off western Puerto Rico, which began October 1, 2020, continues until March 31, 2021.  During the closure, fishing for and possession of reef fish managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council is prohibited.  Anchoring by fishing vessels is prohibited year-round.  See Fishery Bulletin FB20-060 for more information.

WHY THESE CLOSURES ARE HAPPENING:

These restrictions were developed to provide further protection for red hind spawning aggregations and large snappers and groupers, and to better protect the essential fish habitat where these species reside.

Read the full release here

FB20:068: Request for Comments: Proposed Gear and Harvest Limits at Artificial Reef Sites in the South Atlantic Region

November 16, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on the proposed rule for Regulatory Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.  Comments on the proposed rule are due by December 16, 2020.

The proposed rule would create 34 special management zones around artificial reefs off North Carolina and South Carolina as requested by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.  There would be additional gear and harvest restrictions within the proposed special management zones.

The purpose of the framework amendment is to restrict use of fishing gear that could result in high exploitation rates to reduce adverse effects to federally managed snapper-grouper species at these sites.

Maps and coordinates of the proposed special management zones found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/regulatory-amendment-34-special-management-zones-smz.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:

  • The proposed rule would create special management zones around select artificial reef sites off North Carolina (30) and off South Carolina (4).
  • The proposed SMZs range in size from 0.041 to 1.01 square miles.
  • Harvest of snapper-grouper species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear in the SMZs. Therefore, this action would prohibit the use of bandit reel, powerhead, pot, and longline gear at these sites.
  • In the proposed SMZs off North Carolina, harvest of snapper-grouper species by spear would be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit.

In the proposed SMZs off South Carolina, harvest of snapper-grouper species with all gear types would be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED RULE:

You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail.  Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.  Comments on the proposed rule are due by December 16, 2020. 

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NUMBER:  85 FR 73013, November 16, 2020

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

  1. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0123.
  2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
  3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Rick DeVictor, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Where can I find more information on Regulatory Amendment 34?

Federal fishery managers to allow red snapper harvest

October 20, 2020 — Commercial and recreational fishermen will be able to harvest red snapper this season, even if the season lasts less than four days.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service announced Oct. 13 that Regulatory Amendment 33 for the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan will go into effect Friday, Nov. 13. The final rule allows the red-snapper fishing season to be less than four days in the federal south Atlantic region, which includes the waters between 3-200 miles offshore of North Carolina.

It removes the minimum season length requirement. Red snapper harvest, recreational and commercial, could be open for either commercial or recreational harvest for three days or less. The intent of the final rule is to improve access to the red snapper resource.

Read the full story at the Carteret County News-Times

NOAA Fisheries Announces Modifications to South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishing Seasons

October 13, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Regulatory Amendment 33).  This final rule allows the South Atlantic red snapper fishing season to be less than four days.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

Regulations will be effective November 13, 2020.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES FOR RED SNAPPER:

The final rule removes the minimum season length requirement, and red snapper harvest could be open for either commercial or recreational harvest for three days or less.  The removal of this requirement improves access to the red snapper resource.

Read the full release here

SAFMC: Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming Meetings of Interest

October 6, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Offshore fishermen and others interested in federal fisheries management for such species as Dolphin, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, snappers and grouper may want to mark your calendar for upcoming meetings. Join meetings via webinar as fishery managers, scientists, advisory panel members and others discuss fisheries issues.

Meeting materials, including agendas, overviews and briefing book materials for the meetings will be posted on the Council’s website as they become available. Links to webinar registration for each meeting will be available and an online public comment form provided as appropriate. Register early for a meeting and receive an email reminder as the meeting date approaches.

Upcoming Meetings via Webinar:

Outreach and Communications Advisory Panel
October 8
1 PM – 5 PM

SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee
October 13-15
9 AM – 5 PM daily

Habitat Protection and Ecosystem-Based Management Advisory Panel
October 21-22
9 AM – 4 PM and 9 AM – 12 PM

Wreckfish ITQ Shareholders and Wholesale Dealers Meeting
October 26
1:30 PM – 4 PM

Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel
October 28
8:30 AM – 5 PM

Joint South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Scientific and Statistical Committees
October 30
9 AM – 1 PM

Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel
November 2
1 PM – 5 PM

Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel
November 4-6
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM; 9 AM – 4 PM; and 9 AM-12 PM

SAFMC Meeting – Recreational Fisheries Issues
November 9
10 AM – 4 PM

Coral Advisory Panel and Deep Water Shrimp Advisory Panel
November 10
1 PM – 3 PM

SAFMC Executive Committee Meeting
November 12
10 AM – 12 PM

SAFMC December Meeting
December 7-10

Reminder: SAFMC Meeting September 14-17, 2020

September 9, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s quarterly September meeting will be held next week via webinar. The meeting is available to the public via webinar each day as it occurs. Registration is required and can be completed in advance by visiting the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/september-2020-council-meeting-details/.

Meeting materials, including committee agendas and overviews, decision documents, and presentations are also posted on the website.

Note! A formal public comment session will be held on Wednesday, September 16th beginning at 4:00 PM. An online comment form is also now available.

Additional Information:

Information for the September 2020 meeting and other meetings of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. For questions, please contact: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at kim.iverson@safmc.net or by phone at 843/302-8440.

NOAA Fisheries Announces a Delay in Effective Date for New For-Hire Electronic Reporting Requirements in the Atlantic

August 7, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries is delaying the effective date of the final rule to implement the South Atlantic For-Hire Reporting Amendment. The final rule establishes electronic reporting requirements for vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, or Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper and modifies the reporting deadline for headboats.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

The rule will be effective on January 4, 2021.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

  • No action is required by federally permitted charter fishermen at this time. NOAA Fisheries will send more information in the fall of 2020. If you have questions, please call 833-707-1632
  • The final rule requires weekly electronic reporting for federally permitted charter fishermen and modifies the reporting deadline for headboats starting January 4, 2021.
  • The requirements for weekly electronic reporting apply to charter vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, or Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper.
    Charter fishermen must report information such as trip start and end dates and times, species kept and discarded, fishing location, depth fished, hours fished, and charter fee.
  • Electronic reports from charter fishermen are due by Tuesday following the end of each reporting week, which runs from Monday through Sunday.
  • Charter fishermen can report using their computer, smartphone, or tablet with access to the internet. Reporting must be through software approved by NOAA Fisheries for this program.  NOAA Fisheries will send information on approved software and how to use it through a toolkit mailed to each permit holder in fall of 2020.  This information will also be posted to our website.
  • Headboat vessels with a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, or Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or South Atlantic snapper-grouper will continue to submit reports to the Southeast Headboat Survey but will be required to submit electronic fishing reports by Tuesday following a reporting week, rather than by Sunday.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 47917, published August 7, 2020

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 11, 2020

August 3, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 11, 2020. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The current commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. The catch limit will increase to 117,148 pounds whole weight on August 17. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the new catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.

The 2021 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

FB20-051: Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 11, 2020

August 3, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 11, 2020. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The current commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. The catch limit will increase to 117,148 pounds whole weight on August 17. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the new catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.

The 2021 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

Commercial Closure of the Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 23, 2020

July 17, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:
The commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 23, 2020.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:
The 2020 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish hook-and-line component is 82,935 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit and harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

DURING AND AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure prohibitions for the commercial hook-and-line component apply in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
  • The South Atlantic golden tilefish commercial longline component already closed on March 23, 2020, for the remainder of the fishing year. Therefore, all commercial harvest and sale of South Atlantic golden tilefish will be prohibited effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, July 23, 2020.  Harvest or possession is limited to the golden tilefish recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open, without regard to where the golden tilefish was harvested (i.e. in state or federal waters).
  • Golden tilefish bag and possession limits and the prohibition on sale/purchase apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or federal waters.
  • The prohibitions on harvest or possession and sale or purchase during the closure do not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 23, 2020, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
  • The 2020 fishing season for golden tilefish commercial hook-and-line component in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a commercial catch limit of 82,935 pounds gutted weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations.  The complete list of regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6.