SAFMC Approves Changes to Black Sea Bass Management

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) approved management measures for black sea bass, red grouper and wreckfish during their December meeting in Raleigh, NC. The proposed changes in Amendment 18A to the black sea bass fishery are meant to reduce the rate of harvest of black sea bass in order to extend the current fishing year for both the commercial and recreational fisheries as well as including increases in the minimum size limit. There are also changes to a commercial trip limit and implementing an endorsement program for the commercial black sea bass pot fishery, which is mainly done in the Carolinas. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the recreational size limit will increase from 12" to 13" total length and the commercial size limit will increase from 10" to 11" total length. For the commercial fishery, a commercial trip limit of 1,000 pounds (for all gear types) would be implemented, there would be a limit of 35 commercial pots that can be fished on a single trip, and a requirement that all pots be retrieved at the end of each fishing trip.

The SAFMC did receive results of a new benchmark stock assessment for black sea bass which showed that the stock is no longer considered overfished but overfishing does appear to be continuing at a low level. The stock is currently in Year 6 of a 10-Year rebuilding plan. Fishermen have reported increases in the numbers and sizes of black sea bass.

The SAFMC also approved Amendment 24 for red grouper and Amendment 20A for wreckfish fishery.

For more information visit the SAFMC website. You can also read the press release on the approved changes at http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102862873579-16/SAFMC_DecMeetingNR121311final.pdf.

Art on a Rain Barrel Contest Now Open

The Brevard County Fair is being held from March 22nd to April 1st, 2012 and this year the first annual Art on the Rain Barrel Contest is being held. All entries will be judged and your barrel will be displayed at the Brevard County Fair. You can keep you rain barrel after the fair is over. First place wins a $500 cash prize! Visit http://www.brevardcountyfair.com/ for more information and for the registration form.

November is Manatee Awareness Month

The article below from FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) discusses how manatees are now starting to migrate to warmer waters. Winter (manatee-related) boat speed zone changes start in Brevard County on November 15th.


News Release
Monday, November 14, 2011
Media contact: Diane Hirth, 850-410-5291
As winter's chill arrives, cold-sensitive manatees begin migrating to warmer waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters and personal watercraft operators to slow down and watch out for Florida's official marine mammal.
The lumbering, slow-moving manatees generally start traveling to warm waters when the air drops below 50 degrees or water temperatures dip to 68 degrees. November is also Manatee Awareness Month, and the FWC wants to alert boaters to the slow speed zones now going into effect on the rivers, canals and waterways where manatees travel.
"If you think you see a manatee, please slow down and give the animal plenty of room because it may not be alone. It may have a calf or be traveling with other manatees," said Kipp Frohlich, who leads the FWC's imperiled species management section.
How to spot this aquatic giant? Boaters and personal watercraft operators should scan the water near or in front of their vessels and look for the signs that manatees are close by, including swirls resembling a large footprint, a repetitive line of half-moon swirls, a mud trail, or a snout or fluke (tail) breaking the water's surface.
Other steps that boaters and personal watercraft operators can take to help manatees migrate safely:

• Keep vessels in marked channels;
• Wear polarized sunglasses to improve your vision;
• Obey posted boat speed zones;
• Use poles, paddles or trolling motors when close to manatees;
• Have someone help scan the water when under way.

Besides following manatee-safety recommendations, people can help manatees survive by reporting sick, distressed, injured, orphaned or entangled manatees to the FWC's Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text message Tip@MyFWC.com (standard usage fees may apply). Florida residents also can call #FWC and *FWC via cell phone.
Manatee conservation is supported by Floridians who purchase the state's manatee license plate. Funds from this specialty tag go directly to manatee research and conservation.
Visit MyFWC.com/Manatee or call the FWC at 850-922-4330 for more information.

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Winter (manatee-related) boat speed zone changes by county:

Brevard County:

Nov. 15 - March 31

• No-entry and motorboats-prohibited zones - North Indian River area around discharge canals of the Reliant Corp. Power Plant and Florida Power & Light's Frontenac Power Plant.
• Idle-speed zone - West of Intracoastal Waterway in general vicinity of power plants.

Broward County:

Nov. 15 - March 31

• Idle speed - Port Everglades Power Plant area, including part of the discharge canal. Portions of the South New River Canal and Dania Cut-off Canal near the Lauderdale Power Plant.
• Slow speed - Intracoastal Waterway from the Palm Beach County line through Hillsboro Inlet south to Burnham Point. (Note: some portions are weekend-only slow speed.)

Citrus County:

• Lower (western) portions of the Withlacoochee River and Bennetts Creek: Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 - 25 mph.
• Lower (western) portions of the Chassahowitzka River: Sept. 1 - March 31 - 25 mph.
• Portions of Kings Bay: Sept. 1 - April 30 - Idle speed or slow speed.
• Portions of the Homosassa River between the Salt River and Trade Winds Marina and southern portion of Halls River: Oct. 1 - April 30 - Slow speed.
• All waters in the vicinity of the Florida Power Corp.'s effluent canal: Nov. 15 - April 30 - Slow speed.
• Within the Blue Waters area of the upper Homosassa River near Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: Nov. 15 - March 31 - No entry.

Dade County:

Nov. 15 - April 30

• No entry - Portions of the Biscayne Canal, Little River and Coral Gables Canal.
• Slow speed - Within portions of Meloy (or East) Channel and portions of the Intracoastal Waterway in Dumfoundling Bay and Biscayne Bay between Broad Causeway and Venetian Causeway.

Hillsborough County:

Nov. 15 - March 31

• No entry - Portions of the discharge canal of the TECO Power Plant in Apollo Beach.
• Idle speed - General vicinity of the TECO Power Plant in Apollo Beach.

Indian River County:

• Within Sand and Shell islands area, Channel Marker 66 south to Channel Marker 75; Indian River area from Hobert Lodge Marina to North Canal; and from Channel Marker 156 south to St. Lucie County line west of the Intracoastal Waterway: Nov. 1 - April 30 - Slow speed.
• Portion of canal system adjacent to Vero Beach Power Plant: Nov. 15 - March 31 - No entry.

Lee County:

Nov. 15 - March 31

• No entry - Discharge and intake canals of the Florida Power & Light Tice Power Plant.
• Idle speed and slow speed - Portions of the Intracoastal Waterway channel on the Caloosahatchee River in the vicinity of the Tice Power Plant.
• 25 mph - Portions of Estero Bay, Hurricane Bay, Hell Peckney Bay and Hendry Creek.
• Seasonally unregulated - Cayo Costa, North Captiva, Captiva and St. James City areas.

Levy County:

• Year-round no-entry zone - Manatee Springs State Park (manatee protection).

Palm Beach County:

Nov. 15 - March 31

• Motorboats prohibited - Within general vicinity of Florida Power & Light Riviera Beach Power Plant discharge canals.
• Slow speed - Outside the main channel in the Loxahatchee River, and in the north and southwest forks of the Loxahatchee River.
• Idle-speed and slow-speed zones - Look for shore-to-shore speed zone changes north and south of Peanut Island near the Florida Power & Light Riviera Beach Power Plant.
• 25 mph - Portions of the Intracoastal Waterway channel between State Road 706 and Lake Worth, and south of Lake Worth to Broward County.

Oct. 1 - May 31

• 25 mph - Portions of the Intracoastal Waterway channel between State Road 706 and Lake Worth, and south of Lake Worth to Broward County.

Sarasota County:

Nov. 15 - March 15

• No entry - Portion of Salt Creek and Warm Mineral Springs north of U.S. 41. 

St. Lucie County:

• Within Moore's Creek: Nov. 15 - March 31 - Motorboats prohibited.
• Within Garfield Cut/Fish House Cove area: Nov. 15 - April 15 - Slow speed.
• Within Intracoastal Waterway channel between North Beach Causeway south to Channel Marker 189 and within the Shark Cut Channel in the Fort Pierce Inlet area: Nov. 15 - April 30 - Slow speed.

Volusia County:

Sept. 1 - March 31

• 25 mph - Portions of the Tomoka River and Spruce Creek.

Oct. 15 - April 15:

• Blue Spring Run - Motorboats prohibited.
• St. Johns River, south of Lake Beresford to Channel Marker 67 - Slow speed.

A Holiday Season Made Easy

Sign up now for an exciting class we have coming up called A Holiday Season Made Easy. The class in being held at our Cocoa Extension Office, 3695 Lake Drive on November 21st at 6pm. During this class you'll be able to sample fresh recipes made from the Simply Florida cookbook, learn how to make simple decorating and gift items for the holidays, and hear about ways to reduce spending during the holidays. There will be a buffet provided with items to sample that include:

• delectable oyster stew
• veggie christmas tree
• hot crab, pepper, and onion dip
• herbed roast pork
• tuscan vegetable lasagna
• make ahead mashed potatoes
• herbed green beans
• citrus cookies

You'll be able to make and take home 5 gift ideas for the holidays and receive the Simply Florida cookbook that includes the recipes from the buffet selection. We'll also show you several centerpiece decoration and table setting ideas for holiday get togethers.

To sign up for the program please visit http://holidayseasonmadeeasy.eventbrite.com/. The class is limited to 50 participants and needs a minimum of 10 participants in order to be held. Sign up today!

Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass, Red Grouper and Wreckfish Fisheries

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council just released information on Public Hearings coming up on black sea bass, red grouper and wreckfish fisheries. The closest hearing will be on November 16th in Cape Canaveral at the Radisson Resort at the Port. Please see the press release below for more information.

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a series of seven public hearings beginning November 14, 2011 to solicit public input on management measures impacting federal fisheries for black sea bass, red grouper, and wreckfish.  Amendments are being developed to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan in order to: address overcapacity in the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce the rate of harvest for both commercial and recreational sectors; end overfishing and rebuild the red grouper stock; and address the current Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program for wreckfish.
Black Sea Bass Restrictions: Amendment 18A
     Annual Catch Limits (in numbers of pounds) have been established by the Council for black sea bass as mandated in the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act to end overfishing and help rebuild the stock.  Increased restrictions on the harvest of other species in the snapper grouper complex have led to an increase in fishing effort for black sea bass.  As a result, the catch limits have been reached earlier by both commercial and recreational fishermen, resulting in closures. The fishing year for black sea bass begins June 1st.  For the 2011/2012 fishing season, the commercial fishery met its ACL in just 45 days and the fishery was closed.  After NOAA Fisheries Service accounted for overages in landings by the recreational sector for the 2010/2011 season, it was announced the recreational fishery had met its adjusted ACL of 341,747 pounds for this fishing year.  The recreational black sea bass fishery will close on October 17, 2011 and reopen June 1, 2012. Amendment 18A is being developed to limit the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce harvest rates for both commercial and recreational sectors.  A new stock assessment for black sea bass is currently underway.  The Council will receive the results of the assessment during its December 5-9, 2011 meeting in Raleigh, NC.
      Measures Included in Amendment 18A:
• For the commercial black sea bass pot fishery: limit participation through an endorsement program, limit the number of pots used during a permit year, and other measures to limit harvest and reduce bycatch
• Establish commercial trip limits (all gear types)
• Increase size limits (commercial and recreational)
• Establish a spawning season closure (for both commercial and recreational sectors)
• Modify the current rebuilding strategy to allow for an increase in the Annual Catch Limit as the stock continues to rebuild, based on the results of the most recent stock assessment.
• Improve commercial and for-hire data reporting requirements
   
Ending Overfishing and Rebuilding Red Grouper: Amendment 24
    A stock assessment conducted in 2010 identified the red grouper stock in the South Atlantic region as overfished and undergoing overfishing.  Amendment 24 will set Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures, establish a rebuilding plan, and revise certain population parameters for red grouper to end overfishing and rebuild the stock.  The amendment also establishes allocations between recreational and commercial sectors.
Wreckfish ITQs: Amendment 20A
    Wreckfish, a deepwater species in the snapper grouper management complex, is currently harvested through an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program.  With an anticipated reduction in the Annual Catch Limit for wreckfish, the Council is considering measures to adjust the distribution of wreckfish shares in order to remove inactive effort and allow the commercial sector’s ACL to be harvested effectively.
Public hearings for the amendments will take place from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted.  Note: some hearings will be held on concurrent dates.  Council staff will provide an overview of each amendment and be on hand to answer questions.  Local Council representatives will take formal comments on the public hearing documents any time between those hours.  The Council is accepting written and email comments from October 21, 2011 until 5:00 p.m. on November 21, 2011.  Copies of the public hearing documents with details on how to submit written comments will be posted on the Council’s web site at www.safmc.net and available by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.
           
 Public Hearing Schedule

Monday, November 14
Avista Resort
300 N. Ocean Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Phone: 843/249-2521
Monday, November 14
Hampton Inn Savannah/Midtown
20 Johnston Street
Savannah, GA 31405
Phone: 912/721-3700
Tuesday, November 15 (5:30 – 7:30 PM)
Charleston Marriott Hotel
170 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843/723-3000
Tuesday, November 15
Jacksonville Marriott
4670 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone: 904/296-2222
Wednesday, November 16 
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Blvd.   meeting
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321/784-0000
Thursday, November 17
Key Largo Bay Marriott
103800 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone: 305/453-0000
*Tuesday, December 6
Holiday Inn Brownstone
1707 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
Phone: 919/828-0811
*Hearing in conjunction with the December 5-9, 2011 Council meeting. Begins at 5:30 PM

Florida Sea Grant Job Opportunity

Florida Sea Grant is searching for a full-time Sea Level Rise Outreach and Training Coordinator. They are looking for a highly motivated person to lead a program focused on effects of sea level rise on coastal natural resources.

If a prospective applicant goes here: https://jobs.ufl.edu/

Use Requisition No. 0809463.

Or, then can click on ‘staff positions’ in the blue box to the lower right.

Then scroll down the list of open jobs to ‘sea level rise coordinator’ and click on it.

                                                                      

This position is funded by a grant from the State of Florida for two years, however, we anticipate that it may be renewed on a biennial basis if the person is successful in developing and implementing a highly relevant program. The position location is at the FWC headquarters in Tallahassee, FL.

Karl

Karl E. Havens, Director and Professor

Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida

803 McCarty Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611

Office Phone: (352) 392-5870

Cell Phone: (352) 284-8558

E-mail: khavens@ufl.edu

Website: www.flseagrant.org

SAFMC Releases New Fishery Bulletins

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) just released several new Fishery Bulletins. The Bulletins include an adjustment to the Annual Catch Limit for the recreational sea bass fishery and the anticipated closure of the fishery for the remaining fishing year. The Bulletins also include a temporary rule that closes the recreational sector of golden tilefish and several public comment notices. Please visit http://www.safmc.net/ to see updated fishery bulletins or view the list below.

Adjustments to 2011-2012 Recreational Annual Catch Limit for Black Sea Bass in the South Atlantic

NOAA Fisheries Service Announces a Temporary Rule that Closes the Recreational Sector of Golden Tilefish in the South Atlantic

NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Amendment 18 for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Species in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic to Establish Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures Comment Period Ends November 28th

NOAA Seeks Public Comment on the Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2 Comment Period Ends November 25th

NOAA Fisheries Service Seeks Public Comment on a Proposed Rule for Spiny Lobster in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Comment Period Ends October 24th

Please come to our Edible Garden Festival being held at on October 15th from 9am to 1pm at the Brevard Botanical Garden greenhouse located just west of our Cocoa Extension Office, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, FL. If you're interested in getting some edible vegetables and herbs for your garden this winter this is the place to get them!

SAFMC Approves Amendments for Public Hearings

Press release from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

September 19, 2011

CONTACT: Kim Iverson Public Information Officer (843) 571-4366

Council Approves Amendments for Public Hearings
     Black sea bass fishery, wreckfish measures, and red grouper rebuilding will be addressed in November

     During its meeting this past week in Charleston, South Carolina, members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council moved forward with development of management measures impacting federal fisheries for black sea bass, red grouper, and wreckfish and approved two draft amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for public hearings this November.  Amendment 18A is being developed to reduce overcapacity in the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce the rate of harvest for both the commercial and recreational sectors.  The draft amendment currently includes alternatives to establish a commercial trip limit (for all gear types), spawning season closures, and increasing existing size limits for black sea bass.

     The black sea bass stock is currently listed as overfished and undergoing overfishing.   The Council implemented regulations to end overfishing in 2010 as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, including establishment of an Annual Catch Limit of 409,000 pounds (whole weight) for the recreational sector and 309,000 pounds (whole weight) for the commercial sector.  The fishing year for black sea bass begins June 1st and both the commercial and recreational catch limits were met before the end of the 2010/2011 fishing year.  The fishery reopened on June 1, 2011 and the commercial fishery closed after meeting its catch limit in less than 45 days.  The recreational fishery remains open with a 5-fish bag limit.  NOAA Fisheries Service monitors recreational landings, which will likely meet the Annual Catch Limit before the end of the current fishing year. 
     As regulations have become more restrictive for other fisheries, effort has shifted and an increasing number of fishermen have begun targeting black sea bass.  One of the objectives of Amendment 18A is to limit participation in the commercial pot fishery, which accounts on average for 89% of the total commercial landings.  The amendment would establish an endorsement program to limit the number of participants in the pot fishery based on landings (historic and recent), limit the number of pots used during a permit year, and other measures to limit harvest and reduce bycatch.  In addition, the amendment contains alternatives for commercial trip limits, increasing size limits, and a spawning season closure for both commercial and recreational sectors to help extend the fishing season.  A new stock assessment for black sea bass is currently underway, and the Council will receive the results of the assessment in December. The stock is in Year 5 of a 10-Year rebuilding plan and fishermen have reported increases in the numbers and sizes of black sea bass encountered in recent years.  Amendment 18A also includes options to modify the current rebuilding strategy to allow for an increase in the Annual Catch Limit as the stock continues to rebuild, based on the results of the most recent stock assessment.
     Fishermen who target red grouper will also have an opportunity to provide public comment in November on Amendment 24 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, which includes measures to end overfishing and rebuild the stock.  The amendment establishes a rebuilding plan, Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures and revises certain population parameters for red grouper.    Hearings were held in NC and SC in August but additional hearings were postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Irene.  At their September meeting, the Council reviewed the public comment received thus far.  The amendment will be included in the upcoming round of public hearings. 
   
     The Council also approved Amendment 20A to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for public hearings.  The amendment addresses the current Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program in place for the commercial wreckfish fishery; specific to the distribution of shares, including inactive shares, redistribution, and caps.  The Comprehensive ACL Amendment, which has been approved for submission to the Secretary of Commerce for formal review and implementation (see below), includes a reduction in the current wreckfish Annual Catch Limit from 2 million pounds to 250,000 pounds, based on recent landings.  Measures in Amendment 20A aim to make the necessary changes to the existing ITQ program so the fishery can continue to operate within the new ACL.

     Public hearings are tentatively scheduled as follows: November 14, Savannah, GA and N. Myrtle Beach, SC; November 15, Jacksonville, FL and Charleston, SC; November 16, Cape Canaveral, FL; November 17, Key Largo, FL and a final hearing will be held as part of the Council’s December meeting in Raleigh, NC on December 6, 2011.  Details regarding the public hearings will be publicized as they become available.

Other Measures
     The Council reviewed updated information regarding allocations between commercial and recreational sectors for species in the snapper grouper management complex as included in the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment.  Values for the allocations were corrected from the previously approved version of the amendment, and the Council approved the updated amendment in a split vote of 7 to 4 for submission to the Secretary of Commerce.   The amendment meets the statutory deadline to establish ACLs and AMs for all species managed by the Council by the end of 2011.   
   
     Council members elected David Cupka for a second term as Council chairman and Ben Hartig of Hobe Sound, FL as the new Council vice-chair.  Chairman Cupka, an at-large member from Charleston, SC also served as the representative for the SC Department of Natural Resource’s Marine Resources Division before his retirement.  Ben Hartig, a commercial fisherman with a marine science background, previously served on the Council from 1993-1999 and was appointed chairman during that time.
   
     The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for December 5-9, 2011 in Raleigh, NC.  Details for the meeting and meeting materials will be posted on the Council’s website as they become available.

National Fisheries Institute releases Top 10 list of America's favorite seafood products

On Monday, September 12th, the National Fisheries Institute released its Top 10 list of America's favorite seafood products for 2010. Following is the press release about the findings:


By Steven Hedlund, SeafoodSource editor
12 September, 2011 - The National Fisheries Institute on Monday released its Top 10 list of America’s favorite seafood products in 2010.
Eight of the top 10 spots on the list remained unchanged from 2009. But two farmed finfish species — tilapia and pangasius — continue to climb the list.
For the first time, tilapia overtook Alaska pollock to become America’s fourth most popular seafood item, at 1.45 pounds per capita in 2010, up from 1.208 pounds in 2009.
And pangasius, the catfish-like species raised primarily in Vietnam, which made its debut on the top 10 list at 0.356 pounds per capita in 2009, surpassed clams to become America’s ninth most popular seafood item, at 0.405 pounds.
The rest of the list remained unchanged, with shrimp again leading the way at 4 pounds per capita in 2010, more than one-quarter of the 15.8 pounds of seafood that the average American consumer enjoyed. That’s down slightly from 4.1 pounds in 2009.
Canned tuna held on to the No. 2 position at 2.7 pounds per capita, up from 2.5 pounds in 2009. Consumption of salmon, the No. 3-ranked species, dropped from 2.04 pounds per capita in 2009 to 1.999 pounds in 2010.
Alaska pollock came in at No. 5 at 1.192 pounds, down from 1.208 pounds in 2009, as the 2010 Bering Sea pollock quota had been cut significantly from 2009.
The next three spots belonged to catfish (0.8 pounds), crab (0.573 pounds) and cod (0.463 pounds). Rounding out the Top 10 list was clams at 0.341 pounds.
NFI’s Top 10 list came three days after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Service released its annual Fisheries of the United States report. Americans ate 15.8 pounds per capita in 2010, down from 16 pounds in 2008 and 2009 and the lowest amount since 2002’s 15.6 pounds. The agency adjusted the 2009 total, which originally came to 15.8 pounds, recalculating it to 16 pounds.
“If you look at the numbers from 2008, 2009 and now 2010, keeping in mind population growth, we’re hopeful that we’re beginning to see seafood consumption steadying, a trend that makes it poised for gains,” said NFI President John Connelly.


Here is the list compared to 2009:

2009 2010 Shrimp 4.1 Shrimp 4 Canned Tuna 2.5 Canned Tuna 2.7 Salmon 2.04 Salmon 1.999 Alaska Pollock 1.454 Tilapia 1.45 Tilapia 1.208 Alaska Pollock 1.192 Catfish 0.849 Catfish 0.8 Crab 0.594 Crab 0.573 Cod 0.419 Cod 0.463 Clams 0.35 Pangasius 0.405 Pangasius 0.356 Clams 0.341 *Data in pounds per capita