Request for Proposals For a Study to Document the Distribution of Surfclams in the US Northwest Atlantic

The Council is seeking a highly-qualified contractor to document the distributions of Spisula solidissima similis and Spisula solidissima solidissima in the nearshore waters of the US Northwest Atlantic.

South Atlantic Council to Hold Public Scoping Webinars

The following information is being posted on behalf of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council as it may be of interest to some Mid-Atlantic stakeholders.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled a series of public scoping webinars from August 6 through August 16 to provide an opportunity for public comment on the following issues: (1) Snapper Grouper Charter/Headboat (For-Hire) Federal Permit Modifications under Snapper Grouper Amendment 47; (2) Best Fishing Practices under Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 29; and (3) Yellowtail Snapper Accountability Measures under Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 32.  Copies of scoping documents, video presentations, links for webinar registration, public comment forms, and other information will be posted to the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/ as it becomes available. Written comments will be accepted until August 17, 2018.

Questions? Contact Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer at kim.iverson@safmc.net or Cameron Rhodes, Outreach Specialist at cameron.rhodes@safmc.net

South Atlantic Council Seeks Input on Proposed Changes to Atlantic Cobia Management

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input on proposed management changes for Atlantic cobia as they consider revising the current management system. Public hearings will be held via webinar with public listening stations beginning January 22, 2018.

Request for Proposals: Evaluation of F-Based Management for the Recreational Summer Flounder Fishery

The Council is seeking a contractor to evaluate the feasibility of developing a fishing mortality (F) based management approach for the recreational summer flounder fishery. Proposals are due by June 19, 2017.

Request for Proposals: Atlantic Chub Mackerel Stock Assessment

The Council is seeking a highly-qualified contractor to facilitate development of a quantitative stock assessment for Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) to support development of management measures for chub mackerel fisheries. Proposals are due by April 30, 2017.

Request for Proposals: Catch Share Program Review for Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries

The Council is seeking a contractor to conduct a Catch Share Program Review of the present and past social and economic conditions in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries which are managed using individual transferrable quotas (ITQs). Proposal Submission Deadline: March 31, 2017.

SAFMC August 2016 Public Hearing/Scoping Meetings of Interest

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled a Q&A and public hearings for Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 4 addressing cobia management from GA through NY. The Council will also hold a Q&A and scoping meeting (via webinar) on management measures proposed for dolphin fish in federal water along the entire Atlantic coast.  

NOAA Fisheries: $2.5 Million Available for Innovative Bycatch Solutions

NOAA Fisheries is accepting applications for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP).  Pre-proposals are due by March 1 with full applications due by April 15, 2016.

Request for Proposals: Mid-Atlantic Collaborative Fisheries Research

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is requesting proposals for collaborative research projects to receive funding under the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (MAFMC) 2016-2017 Collaborative Fisheries Research Program. Proposals are due by February 12, 2016.

Request for Proposals: Black Sea Bass Habitat Research Needs in the Mid-Atlantic (Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership)

The Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership is seeking research and/or restoration proposals to address black sea bass habitat issues in the Mid-Atlantic region, with an emphasis on the use of natural and/or artificial reefs and their ability to maintain and enhance fishery productivity. Proposal are due by February 1, 2016.