Saving Seafood

Seasonal Closure of Mutton Snapper Spawning Aggregation Area in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters off St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

February 22, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN:

Annual Seasonal Area Closure

NOAA Fisheries reminds fishermen and the public of the upcoming seasonal closure on fishing for any species in federal waters of the mutton snapper spawning aggregation area in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (Figure 1).

  • This closure begins at 12:01 a.m., local time, on March 1, 2021, and extends through 11:59 p.m., local time, June 30, 2021.

Year-Round Fishing Prohibitions

Fishing with pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets, or trammel nets is prohibited within federal waters of the mutton snapper spawning aggregation area year-round.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

This seasonal area closure protects mutton snapper when they are spawning (reproducing) and more vulnerable to fishing pressure.  The closure also protects the habitat that supports those aggregations.

The Mutton Snapper Spawning Aggregation Area is located off southwest St. Croix and is bounded by lines connecting the following coordinates:

A   17°37.8′ N         64°53.0′ W

B   17°39.0′ N         64°53.0′ W

C   17°39.0′ N         64°50.5′ W

D   17°38.1′ N         64°50.5′ W

E   17°37.8′ N         64°52.5′ W

A   17°37.8′ N         64°53.0′ W

Read the full release here

SAFMC Update: Winter 2018 Newsletter

February 7, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council: 

Inside this issue:

Management of Atlantic Cobia (GA to NY) May Change Hands 

The Council will consider public input as it reviews management alternatives for the stock during its March 5-9, 2018 meeting in Jekyll Island, GA…     

Cold Weather Impacts Shrimp Fishery 

We’ve all felt the frigid temps this winter. See how overwintering shrimp are being protected and if the cold weather will impact your shrimp dinner this summer… 

New Regulations for Mutton Snapper 

New regulations go into place effective February 10, 2018 to help protect spawning aggregations and reduce harvest of mutton snapper…   

MyFishCount.com

See results from the 2017 recreational reporting pilot project and learn about future efforts to collect recreational data via mobile application….

Click here to view the complete update from the SAFMC

 

NOAA: Final Rule to Implement Mutton Snapper Regulations in Federal Waters of the South Atlantic Region

January 12, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for Amendment 41 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan in the South Atlantic. This rule updates mutton snapper catch limits and fishing regulations based on the most recent population assessment.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

  • Regulations will be effective on February 10, 2018.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

For commercial fishermen, the final rule:

  • Revises the commercial catch limit.
  • Increases the commercial minimum size limit from 16 to 18 inches total length.
  • Establishes a commercial trip limit of 500 pounds whole weight during January through April and July through December.
  • Establishes a commercial trip limit, during the April through June spawning season, of five mutton snapper per person per day, or five mutton snapper per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive. The purpose of the trip limit is to protect fish that are aggregating to reproduce.

For recreational fishermen, the final rule:

  • Revises the recreational catch limit.
  • Increases the recreational minimum size limit from 16 to 18 inches total length.
  • Decreases the recreational bag limit within the ten-snapper aggregate bag limit to five mutton snapper per person per day.
  • Revises the recreational catch target.

For both sectors, Amendment 41:

  • Specifies the maximum sustainable yield (long-term average catch that can be taken from a population under prevailing ecological and environmental conditions).
  • Specifies the minimum stock size threshold (level below which a species is overfished [population abundance is too low]).

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on these actions.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 83 FR 1305, published January 11, 2018

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Why are the actions necessary? 

  • A population assessment for mutton snapper conducted in 2015 indicated that the population is not undergoing overfishing (rate of removal is too high) and is not overfished (population abundance is too low). However, the assessment update concluded that the mutton snapper population is smaller than estimated in the original mutton snapper stock assessment, completed in 2008. As a result, the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils’ Scientific and Statistical Committees recommended a lower acceptable biological catch (ABC).
  • This final rule modifies management measures and catch levels in the South Atlantic consistent with the lower ABC recommendation.
  • Furthermore, stakeholders and law enforcement personnel have stated their concerns to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council about overexploitation of mutton snapper when the species is aggregated to spawn. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has received similar comments. Therefore, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council coordinated with FWC to develop compatible regulations for mutton snapper on the Atlantic coast in Florida state waters and Federal waters that address stakeholder concerns and benefit the mutton snapper resource.

What are the proposed commercial and recreational catch limits?

Table 1.Commercial and recreational catch limits for 2018-2020 through Amendment 41.

 

 Year  Commercial Catch Limit

(pounds)

 Recreational Catch Limit

(numbers of fish)
 2018  104,231  121,318
 2019  107,981  124,766
 2020  111,354  127,115

Why is the catch limit for the recreational sector specified in numbers of fish instead of pounds? 

The recreational catch limit is specified in numbers of fish because recreational fishermen report landings in numbers, not by weight. In addition, the average weight per fish is expected to increase due to the minimum size limit increase to 18 inches total length. Therefore, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has concluded that the combination of increasing the minimum size limit and converting the catch limit from numbers to pounds for the recreational sector could increase the risk of exceeding the ABC.

Learn more about NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Region here.

 

Request for Comments: Proposed Changes to Mutton Snapper Regulations in Federal Waters of the South Atlantic Region

October 24, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries: 

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on Amendment 41 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 41) and proposed rule. The proposed actions would update mutton snapper catch limits and fishing regulations based on the most recent population assessment.

Comments are due by November 27, 2017

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES FOR MUTTON SNAPPER:

For commercial fishermen:

  • Revise the commercial catch limit;
  • Increase the commercial minimum size limit from 16 to 18 inches total length;
  • Establish a commercial trip limit during January through April, and July through December, to 500 pounds whole weight;
  • In order to protect fish that are aggregating to reproduce, establish a commercial trip limit during May and June of five mutton snapper per person per day, or five mutton snapper per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive.

For recreational fishermen:

  • Revise the recreational catch limits;
  • Increase the recreational minimum size limit from 16 to 18 inches total length;
  • Decrease the recreational bag limit within the ten-fish aggregate snapper bag limit to five mutton snapper per person per day;
  • Revise the recreational annual catch target.

For both sectors:  

  • Specify the maximum sustainable yield (long-term average catch that can be taken from a population under prevailing ecological and environmental conditions);
  • Specify the minimum population size threshold (level below which a fishery is overfished (population abundance is too low)).

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on these actions.

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS:

The comment period is open now through November 27, 2017. 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.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 82 FR 49167, published October 24, 2017

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0103.
2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Why are the proposed actions necessary?

A population assessment for mutton snapper conducted in 2015 indicated that the population is not undergoing overfishing (rate of removal is not too high), and is not overfished (population abundance is too low). However, the assessment resulted in lower biological reference point values and fishing level projections than those from the original assessment in 2008.

What are the proposed commercial and recreational catch limits?

Table 1. Proposed commercial and recreational catch limits for 2017-2020 through Amendment 41.

 

Year

 Commercial 

Catch Limit

(pounds)

 Recreational 

Catch Limit

(numbers of fish)
2017 100,015 116,127
2018 104,231 121,318
2019 107,981 124,766
2020 111,354 127,115

Why is the catch limit for the recreational fishery specified in numbers of fish instead of pounds?

The recreational catch limit is specified in numbers of fish because recreational fishermen report landings in numbers, not by weight. In addition, since fishery managers are proposing a minimum size limit increase to 18 inches total length through Amendment 41, the average weight per fish is expected to increase. Therefore, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has concluded that the combination of increasing the minimum size limit and converting the catch limit from numbers to pounds could increase the risk of exceeding the acceptable biological catch.

Where can I find more information on Amendment 41?

  • Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Mary Vara

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

Access this and other Fishery Bulletins from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office by clicking here.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting December 5-9, 2016 in Atlantic Beach, NC

November 22, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Agenda Highlights

Mackerel Cobia Committee 

Review public comment and take final action for changing the fishing year for Atlantic cobia (GA to NY); and take final action on Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment 29 addressing king mackerel allocations in the Gulf of Mexico.

Snapper Grouper Committee 

Take final action for measures to reduce the harvest of mutton snapper; continue discussion on options for red snapper and recreational reporting; receive the annual review of the Vision Blueprint and consider options to include in the Vision Blueprint amendments for commercial and recreational snapper grouper fisheries; and consider measures to reduce harvest of golden tilefish based on the most recent stock assessment

Data Collection Committee  Take final action on the For-Hire Electronic Reporting Amendment that would require electronic reporting for federally permitted charter vessels and modify current reporting requirements for headboats.

Joint Dolphin Wahoo/Snapper Grouper/Mackerel Cobia Committees  Continue work on alternatives to modify allocations for dolphin (mahi mahi) and yellowtail snapper and approve for public hearings to be held in Jan/Feb 2017; and continue discussion on options for limited entry for federally permitted for-hire (charter) vessels.

See more information at the SAFMC

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Update Newsletter; New Regulations for Atlantic Cobia, Mutton Snapper, Hogfish and MoreSA Update Newsletter; New Regulations for Atlantic Cobia, Mutton Snapper, Hogfish and More

November 21, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Managment Council:

Fall 2016 Issue Now Available

Inside this issue:

Atlantic Cobia – New measures designed to help extend 2017 season from GA to NY

Mutton Snapper and Hogfish – Measures to reduce harvest; rebuild hogfish in FL Keys/East FL approved by Council

Public Hearings and Scoping Meetings in Jan/Feb – Allocations for dolphin and yellowtail snapper; management options for red snapper; and options for Visioning amendments.

Limited Entry for Charter Vessels – Discussions continue in December

New Public Comment Process – Details for submitting comments defined as Council encourages using online comment form

December Council Meeting Agenda and more.

Read the full update at the South Atlantic Fishery Managment Council

SAFMC Reminder: Public Hearing/Scoping Meeting Series Begins this Week

August 1, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Tonight (August 1)

  • Atlantic Cobia (GA to NY)
  • 6:00 PM
  • Public Hearing and Q&A
  • via Webinar

Tuesday, August 2  

  • Mutton Snapper
  • 6:00 PM
  • Public Hearing and Q&A
  • via Webinar

Wednesday, August 3

  • Atlantic Cobia
  • 6:00 PM
  • In-Person Public Hearing
  • Crowne Plaza Hotel
  • North Charleston, SC

Thursday, August 4

  • Public Scoping
  • Allocations for Dolphin and Yellowtail Snapper
  • 6:00 PM
  • via Webinar

Registration required for webinars – it’s easy! Click here and scroll down the page for registration links.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Public Hearing and Scoping Meetings 

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of public hearing/scoping meetings and webinars between August 1 and August 17 to collect public input on proposed management measures for several species managed by the Council. See below for an overview.

For details on meeting locations, webinar registration, amendment documents/presentations, new interactive story maps, and instructions on how to submit written comments, visit the Council’s website –

Public Hearing & Scoping Meetings

Written comments are due by 5:00 PM on August 19, 2016.

Latest Issue of the SAFMC South Atlantic Update Newsletter Now Available

June 2, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Latest Issue of the South Atlantic Update Newsletter Now Available:

Inside this issue:

  • Council Approves Five Spawning Special Management Zones
  • Red Snapper Management Options
  • Mutton Mania – New regulations being considered for mutton snapper
  • Regulations Snapshot and more…

Read the full newsletter at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

SAFMC to Meet in Cocoa Beach, FL on June 13-17, 2016

May 27, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Meeting Location:

Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

1550 N. Atlantic Avenue

Cocoa Beach FL 32931

Phone: 800-445-8667 or 321-799-0003

Agenda Highlights

  • Mackerel Committee – Discussion on Atlantic cobia management.
  • Snapper Grouper Committee – Discussions on management of mutton snapper, red snapper, and hogfish.
  • Data Collection Committee – Discussion on electronic reporting for charter vessels.
  • Joint Dolphin Wahoo/Snapper Grouper Committees – Discussion on allocations for dolphinfish and yellowtail snapper.

Read more about the meeting at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

South Atlantic Council to Convene Scientific & Statistical Committee and Socio-Economic Panel on May 3-5, 2016 in Charleston, SC

April 22, 2016 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

SAFMC Scientific & Statistical Committee and Socio-Economic Panel Scheduled to Meet May 3-5,2016 in Charleston, SC.

Socio-Economic Panel Meeting (May 3, 2016, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM)

Agenda items include a discussion of Optimum Yield, review of an economic decision tool for Snapper Grouper Amendment 37 dealing with hogfish, provide input on red snapper management, and discuss recent and upcoming council actions in the South Atlantic region.

Scientific & Statistical Committee Meeting (May 3-5, 2016)

The SSC will review and provide input on proposed management measures for hogfish, mutton snapper, and electronic reporting in the for-hire sector; review the stock assessments and provide fishing level recommendations for red snapper; and more.

Read more about the upcoming meetings at the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council