November 6, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
- On Point – The Council Chair’s Perspective
- Council Chair Jessica McCawley gives a shout out to those encouraging best fishing practices and notes the value of public input and guidance from the Council’s advisory panels in the fishery management process. Read More.
- Council Approves Management Measures to Help Improve Survival of Released Fish
- Requirements for descending devices and other best practices have received support from the fishing community. Approved by the Council in September, the new regulations are designed to improve survival of released fish. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, it would be the first time such measures have been required in federal waters in the U.S. Read More.
- Changes Proposed for Red Snapper Seasons in the South Atlantic Region
- In December, Council members are scheduled to approve measures to remove the current three-day minimum number of fishing days required for opening both commercial and recreational red snapper seasons, and change the start date of the commercial fishery to May 1st. Learn More.
- Council Selects John Carmichael as New Executive Director
- John Carmichael, the Council’s Deputy Director for Science and Statistics has been selected to serve as the Council’s new Executive Director following Gregg Waugh’s retirement in mid-December. Learn More.
- From the Executive Director’s Desk
- Executive Director Gregg Waugh bids farewell and acknowledges the fishermen, Council members, state partners, staff, and others that have been such an important part of his nearly 40-year career with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Read more.
- December 2-6, 2019 Council Meeting Highlights
- The Council’s next meeting will take place December 2-6, 2019 in the port city of Wilmington, NC. Agenda items include proposed changes to the red snapper fishing season, management options for dolphin and wahoo, Atlantic king mackerel and Spanish mackerel, Citizen Science Program, and other topics. Meeting Information.
- FISHstory Citizen Science Project to Launch in Early 2020
- If a picture is worth a thousand words, what stories can a black and white photograph tell? Step back in time to the docks of Daytona Beach, Florida from the 1940s-70s as a participant in the Council’s latest citizen science project, FISHstory (pronounced like history). Learn More – and see how you can get involved!