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Capt_Keith
Captain
238 Posts |
 Posted - 11/10/2011 : 8:38:32 PM
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Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass November 14th 2011 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
News Release
October 18, 2011
CONTACT: Kim Iverson
Public Information Officer
(843) 571-4366
Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass, Red Grouper and Wreckfish Fisheries
Members of the South AtlanticThe 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 sectors 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 Councils 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
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.
Captain Keith
Longs SC
Feedin Frenzy Charters
http://www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
http://www.feedinfrenzycharters.com/index.htm
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Capt_Keith
Captain
238 Posts |
Posted - 11/10/2011 : 8:39:02 PM
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Note: Written Public Comment will be accepted from October 21 until 5:00 pm on November 21, 2011. Written comments should be sent to Bob Mahood, Executive Director, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405. (See below for email comment submission.)
Amendment 18A: Black Sea Bass
The Amendment is being developed to: address overcapacity in the commercial black sea bass pot fishery; reduce both commercial and recreational harvest levels to help extend the fishing season; and improve data collection. Proposed measures include limits for the black sea bass pot fishery, commercial trip limits and a spawning season closure.
Email comments for Amendment 18A should be submitted to: SGAmend18APHcomment@safmc.net
Amendment 18A Public Hearing Documents: http://www.safmc.net/Meetings/PublicHearingsandScoping/Amend18ABSBPH/tabid/704/Default.aspx
Amendment 20A: Wreckfish
Proposed measures would adjust wreckfish shares to allow the commercial sector to more effectively harvest their ACL. Wreckfish are currently harvested through an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program.
Email comments for Amendment 20A should be submitted to: SGAmend20APHcomment@safmc.net
Amendment 20A Public Hearing Documents: http://www.safmc.net/Meetings/PublicHearingsandScoping/SGAmendment24PHdocs/SGAmend20APHdocs/tabid/705/Default.aspx
Amendment 24: Red Grouper
The amendment proposes measures to end overfishing and establish a rebuilding plan for red grouper. Actions include: establishing Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures, sector allocations, and revisions to population parameters in order to rebuild the stock.
Email comments for Amendment 24 should be submitted to: SGAmend24PHcomment@safmc.net
Amendment 24 Public Hearing Documents: http://www.safmc.net/Meetings/PublicHearingsandScoping/SGAmendment24PHdocs/tabid/703/Default.aspx
Captain Keith
Longs SC
Feedin Frenzy Charters
http://www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
http://www.feedinfrenzycharters.com/index.htm
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Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass Novem
