August 5, 2013
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a public hearing at the Mid-Atlantic Council's upcoming meeting in Wilmington, DE for the public to provide input on three proposed amendments affecting the fishery management plans for dolphin and wahoo, coral, and coastal migratory pelagics (includes king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia). The hearing will take place on August 14 from 4-5 pm. Click here for additional details about the hearing.
Background Information
Summaries of the proposed regulation changes, along with video presentations and other background documents to help you better understand and comment on management alternatives, are available here.
Below are brief summaries of the amendments to be discussed during the August 14 public hearing:
Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 5 includes:
Modifications to the acceptable biological catches (ABCs), annual catch limits (ACLs), and annual catch targets (ACTs) for dolphin and wahoo to incorporate changes in the Marine Recreational Information Program
- Proposed trip limits for the commercial dolphin fishery
- Revised accountability measures for dolphin and wahoo
- Changes to framework procedures
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Amendments 19, 20 and Framework includes:
- Alternatives affecting the sale of bag limit king mackerel and Spanish mackerel (including tournament sale of king mackerel)
- Elimination of inactive king mackerel permits
- Modifications to income requirements for federal permits
- Transit provisions
- ACLs and targets for cobia
- Commercial trip limits for king mackerel
- Transfer at sea and gill net allowances for Spanish mackerel
- Consideration of regional ACLs for king mackerel and Spanish mackerel
- Changes to Framework procedures
Coral Amendment 8 includes:
- Alternatives for expanding existing Deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs)
- Transit provisions for the Oculina Bank HAPC located off the central east coast of Florida
Written Comments
Can't attend a hearing in your area? Send your comments to the Council in writing. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM on August 18, 2013. Instructions for submitting comments, including email comments, are available on the South Atlantic Council's web site. Copies of the public hearing documents are also available by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.