The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will conduct a series of four public hearings from North Carolina to Florida regarding management measures proposed for red grouper. Amendment 24 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic would implement a rebuilding plan for red grouper in the South Atlantic as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for species determined to be overfished and undergoing overfishing. The intent of the rebuilding plan is to end overfishing immediately and increase biomass of the overfished stock to a sustainable level within a specified period of time. The amendment would also specify management parameters such as Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and Optimum Yield (OY) for the red grouper fishery. In addition, Annual Catch Limits (in pounds or numbers of fish) and Accountability Measures (should the catch limits be exceeded) would be established for both recreational and commercial sectors of the red grouper fishery.
The public hearings will be held August 22-25, 2011 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Council staff will present an overview of the amendment and will be available for informal discussions and to answer questions. Local Council representatives will attend the meetings and take public comment regarding the amendment. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record at any time during the meeting hours to record their comments regarding Snapper Grouper Amendment 24 for consideration by the Council.
A copy of the Public Hearing document for Amendment 24 will be available from the Council’s website at www.safmc.net beginning August 12, 2011 or by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or toll free 866/SAFMC-10. Written comments should be sent to Bob Mahood, Executive Director, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405, or via email to: SGAmend24PHcomment@safmc.net for Amendment 24 to the Snapper Grouper FMP. Written comments will be accepted from August 12, 2011 until 5:00 PM on September 1, 2011.
Snapper Grouper Amendment 24 Public Hearing Schedule
(Hearings will take place from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Monday, August 22
Hilton Wilmington Riverside
301 North Water Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: 910/763-5900
Tuesday, August 23
Hilton Garden Inn
5265 International Blvd.
N. Charleston, SC 29418
Phone: 843/308-9330
Wednesday, August 24
Jacksonville Marriott
4670 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone: 904/296-2222
Thursday, August 25
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Blvd.
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321/784-0000
