The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled scoping webinars and is soliciting public comments on potential designation of special management zones (SMZs) in federal waters off North Carolina and South Carolina (Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 34). The draft regulatory amendment contains actions to:
Designate 30 artificial reefs in federal waters off North Carolina as SMZs
Prohibit use of efficient gear (e.g., bandit, pots, sink nets, buoy gear) on those reefs
Restrict harvest of snapper grouper species with spear on those reefs to the recreational bag limit
Designate 4 artificial reefs in federal waters off South Carolina as SMZs
Prohibit use of efficient gear (e.g., bandit, pots, sink nets, buoy gear) on those reefs
All harvest of snapper grouper species on those reefs would be limited to the recreational bag limit
Three scoping webinars will be held on October 28, 29, and 30 at 6:00 p.m. Registration is required:
Individuals can also participate in the webinars in-person at designated listening stations in North Carolina. Details are available here.
The Scoping Summary Document, video presentation, and the Online Comment Form are now available from the Council's website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/.