Public Hearings Scheduled for Federal Mackerel, Cobia and Spiny Lobster Fisheries

News Release from SAFMC. Note the Monday April 18th council meeting in Cape Canaveral:

Federal fishery managers are soliciting public input on measures proposed for species managed jointly by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Councils, including king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia.  Measures are also being proposed for the lobster fishery, also managed jointly.  Annual Catch Limits (in pounds or numbers of fish) and accountability measures (AMs) must be set for these species by the end of 2011, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act to prevent overfishing.  The measures will impact both commercial and recreational fishermen who fish in federal waters along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico.  A series of 7 public hearings are scheduled regarding the following:

·         Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan

Because of their migratory nature, king mackerel and Spanish mackerel are currently managed between the two councils using separate migratory groups.  Amendment 18 includes alternatives for setting ACLs for both Gulf and South Atlantic migratory group king mackerel and Spanish mackerel, as well as options for establishing a similar approach to management for cobia.  The hearings will only address Atlantic Migratory Groups of king and Spanish mackerel and cobia; the Gulf Council will conduct hearings prior to June on Gulf Migratory Groups.

Under the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s preferred management alternatives for king mackerel, the ACL for the Atlantic Migratory Group would be set at 10.46 million pounds, and no additional restrictions would be necessary.  The stock is not overfished nor undergoing overfishing.  The current commercial ACL (quota) for Atlantic Migratory Group king mackerel is 3.71 million pounds.  The allocation for king mackerel would stay the same, with 62.9% of the ACL allocated to recreational anglers and 37.1% to commercial fishermen.  The current bag limit for king mackerel is 3 per person/day from Georgia through New York and 2 per person/day off the east coast of Florida.  The minimum size limit for both commercial and recreational fishermen is 24 inches (fork-length).

Fishermen targeting Spanish mackerel in the South Atlantic could see a reduction in harvest with an ACL of 5.29 million pounds as proposed in Amendment 18.  The current allocation of 45% recreational and 55% commercial would remain the same, but in order to avoid exceeding the ACL, the amendment contains a proposal to reduce the recreational bag limit from 15 to 10 fish per person/day.  The annual commercial quota would be reduced from 3.87 million pounds to 2.91 million pounds. The stock is not undergoing overfishing, but a 2008 stock assessment could not determine if the stock was overfished.  For cobia, the Council’s preferred ACL alternative would keep current management measures in place with a 2 per person/day bag limit and a 33 inch fork-length minimum size limit. The commercial fishery operates under the same restrictions.  The amendment contains alternatives to establish new sector allocations for cobia and possible spawning season closures. 

·         Spiny Lobster Amendment 10

Amendment 10 to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan will meet the requirements to set ACLs and AMs to prevent overfishing of Caribbean spiny lobster in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The amendment also considers possible sector allocations for spiny lobster in state and federal waters from North Carolina through Texas.  The amendment contains management alternatives for several other issues regarding the lobster fishery, including: removal of some species of lobster from the Fishery Management Unit; limiting fishing areas to protect threatened staghorn and elkhorn corals; updating framework procedures and protocol for enhanced cooperative management; modifying regulations regarding the use of “shorts” or undersized lobster as attractants; modifying tailing requirements for vessels that obtain a tailing permit; requirements for gear markings on trap lines to help identify any entanglements with endangered species; and provisions to allow public removal of derelict traps.

***

Public hearings for the amendments will take place from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.  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 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is also accepting written and email comments from March 25, 2011 until 5:00 p.m. on April 29, 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/Scoping Meeting Schedule

Monday, April 11

Hilton New Bern Riverfront

100 Middle Street

New Bern, NC 28562

Phone: 252/638-3585

Tuesday, April 12

Hilton Garden Inn

5265 International Blvd.

N. Charleston, SC 29418

Phone: 843/308-9330

Wednesday, April 13

Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum

175 Bourne Avenue

Pooler, GA 31322

Phone: 912/748-8888

Thursday, April 14                  

Crowne Plaza Riverfront           

1201 Riverplace Blvd.              

Jacksonville, FL 32207

Phone: 904/398-8800               

Monday, April 18                                

Radisson Resort at the Port     

8701 Astronaut Blvd.                

Cape Canaveral, FL 32920       

Phone: 321/784-0000

*Tuesday, April 19

Hawks Cay Resort

61 Hawks Cay Blvd.

Duck Key, FL 33050

Phone: 305/743-7000

*Wednesday, April 20

Doubletree Grand Key

3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.

Key West, FL 33040

Phone: 305/293-1818

*Denotes joint hearing with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

SAFMC News Release: Council Proposes Reduction in Black Sea Bass Limits

March 14th News Release from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Council Proposes Reduction in Black Sea Bass Limits

Bag limit reductions aimed at expanding recreational fishing year season

     In an effort to keep recreational fishermen from exceeding annual catch limits (ACLs) set for black sea bass in the coming fishing year, members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved an amendment that, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, will reduce the recreational bag limit for black sea bass from 15 per person/day to 5 per person/day beginning June 1, 2011.  The recreational fishery for black sea bass closed on February 12^th of this year after NOAA Fisheries Service projected the recreational allocation of 409,000 pounds had been met.  The fishing year for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region is from June 1^st through May 31^st.  The recreational allocation includes both private anglers and for-hire (charter and headboat) landings and represents 57% of the total ACL. 

     The Council approved Regulatory Amendment 9 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan during its meeting last week in St. Simons Island, GA.  In addition to decreasing the bag limit for black sea bass, the amendment also allows that in the future, any unused portion of the ACL may be carried over from one fishing year to the next.  However, under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, for stocks listed as overfished, any overages of the current ACL must be deducted from the next fishing year’s ACL.  The black sea bass stock is currently listed as overfished and recreational anglers may have exceeded the ACL this past season.  NOAA Fisheries Service is responsible for providing the final catch numbers and will do so prior to June 1^st.

     A new benchmark stock assessment for black sea bass will be completed later this year and the results presented to the Council during its December 5-9, 2011 meeting in Raleigh, NC.  The stock is currently in year 5 of a 10 year rebuilding program, and the Council may develop additional management measures based on the updated stock assessment.  Fishermen have repeatedly provided comments to the Council regarding the negative economic impacts of the recreational closure that began in February.  Charter and headboat operators rely on black sea bass for their fishing trips during the shallow-water grouper spawning season closure from January through April, an annual recreational vermilion snapper closed season November through March, and the current year-round prohibition on the harvest of red snapper for both commercial and recreational fishermen.  Approximately 65 fishermen attended the public comment period held during last week’s meeting.

     In addition to measures affecting black sea bass, Regulatory Amendment 9 would also create commercial trip limits of 1500 pounds gutted weight (gw) for vermilion snapper and 1000 pounds (gw) for gag, both measures designed to help extend the fishing season.  The proposed trip limit for greater amberjack would increase slightly from 1,000 to 1,200 pounds (gw).

     The Council’s intent is to have the amendment approved by the Secretary of Commerce in time to implement the management measures, including the bag limit reductions for black sea bass, by June 1, 2011.

Other Actions:

     The Council reviewed public comments received regarding development of the Comprehensive ACL Amendment and continued to choose preferred management measures.  The amendment sets ACLs and accountability measures for snapper grouper species not listed as overfished and undergoing overfishing, as well as dolphin (fish) and wahoo.  Preferred measures for wahoo would keep the current management measures in place.  Measures for dolphin would keep current recreational bag limits, prohibit bag limit sales by the for-hire sector (bag limit sale is currently prohibited by private anglers), and establish a 20” size limit off the coast of SC.  The Council is scheduled to approve the amendment during its June 2011 meeting for review by the Secretary of Commerce.

     The Council also reviewed public comments relative to the use of catch shares in commercial fisheries and approved a motion to terminate all work relative to catch share development as currently outlined in draft Amendment 21 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (excluding catch share development for the golden crab and wreckfish fisheries). 

     Work continues on the development of an amendment to consider options for addressing overfishing of speckled hind and warsaw grouper.  Recent regulations restrict fishing for or retention of deepwater species (snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, and silk snapper) in waters greater than 240 feet deep.  The intent is to eliminate bycatch mortality when speckled hind and warsaw grouper are caught while fishermen are targeting other deepwater species.  The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will review the draft amendment when it meets April 5-7, 2010 and the Council will review the SSC recommendations during its June meeting in Key West, FL.

     The Council approved Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan for public hearings.  The amendment establishes ACLs and accountability measures for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and cobia.  Public hearings are scheduled for April 2011.  Details regarding the hearings, including the Amendment 18 Public Hearing Document, will be posted on the Council’s website at www.safmc.net  as they become available.

     The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for June 12-17, 2011 in Key West, FL.  Details, including the meeting agenda and briefing book materials will be posted as they become available at www.safmc.net.

Senate Bill 744: Recreational Fishing Licenses

Earlier this month, there was a Florida Senate Bill filed by State Senator Joe Negron stating "Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a recreational freshwater fishing or recreational saltwater fishing license or permit is not required of any resident or nonresident to fish in this state" and "shall take effect July 1, 2011". Is this a good bill?

State figures show that there are over 1 million saltwater fishing licenses sold annually producing $29 million in revenue. Freshwater fishing licenses generate nearly $10 million in revenue with over 525,000 licenses sold annually. A state law guarantees that all the money from the sale of fishing licenses goes to the FWC to help fulfill its mission of "Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of the people". Additionally, in 1950, congressmen Dingell and Johnshon, at the request of anglers and the industry, created the original Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) program where fishing tackle was assessed an excise fee and the monies returned to the states for fish restoration projects. The "Wallop-Breaux" amendment in 1984 expanded the act by adding import duties on sport fishing equipment, pleasure boats and yachts as well as tax revenue from motorboat fuel sales. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reimburses states using these funds at the rate of $3 for every $4 spent on qualifying projects. The result is one of the most successful "user-pays, user-benefits" programs in the world, with taxes from sale of outdoor recreation supplies directly enhancing and promoting the resource.

The amount of money Florida receives from SFR is based on the size of the state and the number of paid licensed anglers; not license and permits, but the people who hold them. Since FL does not charge license fees for youths under 16, adults over 65, and others, FL recovers a somewhat smaller proportion of these funds than other states do. This is becoming an increasing problem as other states adjust their license structures to maximize the number of paid license holders they certify for federal aid and thus recover a greater proportion of the excise taxes on tackle and motor boat fuel taxes paid by anglers. Each certified holder generates approximately $7 more for sport fish restoration providing $13 million for Florida in 2008. Of those monies 15% went to boating access; building and repairing ramps and courtesy docks. The remainder went to fresh and saltwater fisheries conservation projects such as habitat restoration, fish stocking, conservation law enforcement, artificial reefs construction, and youth fishing clinics.

Consequently, FWC encourages all anglers to buy a license even if you are legally exempt because it contributes to the future of FL's fishieries resources and the health of the habitat by helping them obtain the matching $7 contribution from the federal SFR program. So what will happen to these funds from the SFR program if there is no longer a state fishing license for anyone? Obviously FL will no longer qualify for this funding and will need to look for other sources of money for boating access and fisheries conservation projects. This could potentially mean less money overall for these projects.

Another consequence of this bill potentially passing is that Florida's anglers will probably pay more to fish and the money will no longer go to Florida but to the federal government. The 2010 reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires all anglers fishing in saltwater or for anadromous species (fish that live mainly in the ocean but breed in freshwater) to obtain a federal registration that costs about $20 per person. These funds are deposited into the National Treasury, not into Florida's Marine Fisheries Conservation Trust Fund. But a provision in the act exempts states that have an adequate saltwater fishing license, which Florida currently does. Without our Florida fishing licenses, anglers in Florida will need to pay the federal license fee instead.

So what can you do? You can call Senator Joe Negron's office and tell him how you feel about the bill. His email is negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov or call 1-888-759-0791 (district office) or 850-487-5088 (Tallahassee office). Of you could call your local senator to see how they plan on voting on this bill and explain to them your thoughts. You can find your local legislator at http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find.

King Mackerel Trip Limit to Remain at 50 Fish per Day

Information from Southeast Fishery Bulletin FB11-008:
The daily vessel trip limit will remain at 50 fish for commercial hook-and-line vessels fishing for Gulf group king mackerel in federal waters of the Florida east coast subzone: area north of a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL boundary to a line directly east from the Volusia/Flagler County, FL, boundary. Based on landings data, NOAA Fisheries Service determined that more than 75% (or 780,469 pounds) of the 1,040,625-pound quota has been harvested for this fishery segment before February 1, 2011. If 75% of the quota had not been harvested, the trip limit would have increased to 75 fish. The 50-fish daily trip limit will remain in effect until March 31, 2011, unless the subzone's quota is reached. If the 1,040,625-pound quota is harvested during February or March 2011, the subzone will be closed and the daily trip limit will be reduced to zero kind mackerel until the 2010/2011 season ends on March 31, 2011. Under the Florida Administrative Code established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the daily trip limit for kind mackerel harvested in state waters off the east coast of Florida also will remain at 50 fish.

NOAA Fisheries Service Announces Closure Date for the South Atlantic Recreational Black Sea Bass Fishery

Information from Southeast Fishery Bulletin FB11-005:
NOAA Fisheries has determined that the 2010-2011 recreational annual catch limit (ACL) of 409,000 pounds for black sea bass has been reached. As a result, the recreational sector for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic from Cape Hatteras Light, NC to Key West, FL will be closed effective 12:01 am February 12, 2011 through 12:01am June 1, 2011. For vessels which have a valid federal charter vessel/heaboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-grouper, the closure applies to state and federal waters.
Black sea bass are overfished (population is too low) and undergoing overfishing (rate of removals is too high). Harvest levels must be kept below the 309,000 pounds gutted weight commercial quota and 409,000 pounds gutted weight recreational allocation to prevent fish from being removed too quickly, and to rebuild the black sea bass population.
Amendment 17B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which became in effect on January 31, 2011, retains these values as the respective commercial and recreational ACLs. Amendment 17B also includes black sea bass accountability measures (AMs), which are actions intended to prevent the ACL from being exceeded. If the ACL is projected to be met, the recreational fishery would be closed (which is what is occurring now). If the ACL is exceeded, the ACL for the following fishing year will be reduced by the amount of the overage. That determination will be made before the next fishing year begins.
Commercial harvest of black sea bass closed on October 7, 2010, because NOAA Fisheries Service projected landings would reach the quota by that time. However, an updated report indicated that less fish were landed than expected so the commercial sector was reopened from 12:01am December 1, 2010 until 12:01am December 15, 2010. Currently, it remains closed until June 1, 2011.
For more information visit the South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils website at www.safmc.net or the NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast Region website at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/SASnapperGrouperHomepage.htm.

SAFMC Public Hearings/ Scoping Meetings Tonight in Cocoa Beach

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) will be holding public hearing/scoping meeting tonight at the International Palms Resort in Cocoa Beach from 3-7pm. Council staff will provide informal presentations and answer questions regarding proposed management measures. Local representatives of the SAFMC will be available to take formal comment from the public. Copies of public hearing and scoping documents are available at http://www.safmc.net.

The public hearing items include:

1. Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment - Establishes Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for species not currently listed as undergoing overfishing as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Includes species in the snapper grouper management complex plus dolphin, wahoo, and golden crab.
2. Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 9 - Commercial trip limit options for greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and gag grouper.
3. Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2 - Octocoral management actions, issues addressing Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and EFH/Habitat Areas of Particular Concern, Special Management Zones in South Carolina, and requirements for sea turtle release gear in the commercial snapper grouper fishery.

The public scoping issues include:

1. Comprehensive Catch Shares Amendment - Options for catch share programs for species currently managed through quotas (except snowy grouper), effort and participation reduction, and endorsement actions.
2. Snapper Grouper Amendment 22 - Explores options for the long-term management of red snapper as the stock begins to rebuild.
3. Snapper Grouper Amendment 23 - Management measures to end overfishing and rebuild the red grouper stock as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
4. Golden Crab Amendment 5 - Implementation of a catch share program for the commercial golden crab fishery.

New Report on Coastal Conservation for Florida

The National Wildlife Federation, Florida Wildlife Federation, and Sea Turtle Conservancy recently released a report titled Sea Turtle Homecoming, Class of 2010: A Proactive Coastal Conservation Agenda for Florida. It lays out a 4-part agenda to: (1) Uphold adequate funding and support, (2) Eliminate costly subsidies, (3) Enhance protection of less-developed coastal lands, and (4) Commit to meaningful strategies to combat climate change. The report describes the sea turtle species that are found around Florida and the current threats they face. The report goes into detail the 4-part agenda and describes how each can be accomplished.
At the same time this report was released, there was an announcement of a settlement in a federal lawsuit between the groups that released this report and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The settlement asks FEMA, which oversees the flood insurance program, to ask two other agencies, the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, that share responsibility for protecting sea turtles to scrutinize the flood insurance program. These two agencies will then have 11 months to issue a detailed "biological assessment" of any impacts. This will potentially impact Florida the most since it has the largest number of flood insurance policies compared to other states. The groups from this report state they want FEMA to stop issuing new policies, particularly those in flood-prone areas, but not eliminate flood insurance from areas heavily developed such as Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale. They also want to end policy renewals for coastal structures heavily damaged by storms or erosion. They say the settlement is one step in protecting sea turtle species that face growing threats from development, pollution, fish gear, and others. To read the full press release from the Miami Herald visit http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/27/2036374/deal-may-help-turtles-hinder-insurance.html.

SAFMC Public Hearings/Scoping Meetings Set to Address Federal Fisheries Issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  

January 5, 2011   

CONTACT:  Kim Iverson  

Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10 

kim.iverson@safmc.net                                                                                                                                                                                   

Public Hearings/Scoping Meetings Set to Address Federal Fisheries Issues

Council seeks input on Annual Catch Limits, trip limits, catch shares, and other management measures

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of public hearings and scoping meetings regarding fisheries management measures proposed for several federally managed species, including those within the snapper grouper management complex, dolphin (fish), wahoo, golden crab, and octocorals within the South Atlantic region.  The measures will impact both commercial and recreational fishermen who fish in federal waters between 3 and 200 miles offshore ranging from the North Carolina/Virginia state line southward to the east coast of Florida and the Florida Keys. 

Public Hearings will be held on three separate amendments:

Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment to establish Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for species not currently listed as undergoing overfishing as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.  Annual Catch Limits (pounds or number of fish) will be set for species in the snapper grouper management complex as well as dolphin, wahoo, and golden crab.

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 9 includes commercial trip limit options for greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and gag grouper.

Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2 includes actions relative to the management of octocorals and non-regulatory actions that update existing Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) information.  Also, modifications to the management of Special Management Zones in South Carolina, sea turtle release gear requirements for the commercial snapper grouper fishery, designation of new EFH areas and EFH-Habitat Areas of Particular Concern are being considered.

Informal Public Scoping comments will be taken on four amendments currently being considered by the Council:

A Comprehensive Catch Shares Amendment (Amendment 21) is being considered to look at options for catch share programs for species currently under management through quotas (except snowy grouper), effort and participation reduction, and endorsement actions.  Snapper Grouper Amendment 22 explores options for long-term management of red snapper as the stock begins to rebuild, while Amendment 24 addresses the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to end overfishing and rebuild the red grouper stock.  Scoping comments will also be taken on Golden Crab Amendment 5 to implement a catch share program for the commercial golden crab fishery.

The hearings/meetings will be open from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.  Council staff will provide periodic presentations and be on hand to answer questions.  Local Council representatives will take formal comments on the public hearing documents any time between those hours.  Public testimony will be video-streamed live via a link from the Council’s website at  www.safmc.net as they occur.  

The Council is also accepting written and email comments from January 12, 2011 until 5:00 p.m. on February 14, 2011.  Copies of the public hearing and scoping documents with details on how to submit written comments will be posted on the Council’s web site and available by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.

SAFMC Public Hearing/Scoping Meeting Schedule

Monday, January 24

Hilton New Bern Riverfront

100 Middle Street

New Bern, North Carolina 28562

Phone: 252/638-3585

Wednesday, January 26

Crown Plaza Charleston Airport

4831 Tanger Outlet Boulevard

N. Charleston, SC 29418

Phone: 843/744-4422

Thursday, January 27

Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum

175 Bourne Avenue

Pooler, Georgia 31322

Phone: 912/748-8888

Monday, January 31

Jacksonville Marriott Hotel

4670 Salisbury Road

Jacksonville, FL 32256

Phone: 904/296-2222

Tuesday, February 1

International Palms Resort

1300 North Atlantic Avenue

Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931

Phone: 321/783-2271

Thursday, February 3

Key Largo Grande

97000 S. Overseas Highway

Key Largo, Florida 33037

Phone: 305/852-5553

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.