https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/ SaltwaterCentral.Com Discussion Board en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:55:06 +0000 wpForo 60 https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/request-for-comments-on-an-amendment-to-set-gulf-of-mexico-gray-snapper-status-determination-criteria-and-annual-catch-l/ Sat, 29 Feb 2020 21:52:51 +0000
KEY MESSAGE:

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) developed Amendment 51 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources in the Gulf of Mexico (Reef Fish FMP) to set or revise criteria for determining the status of the gray snapper stock.
Amendment 51 would also reduce the annual catch limit for Gulf of Mexico gray snapper.
The Council has transmitted this amendment to NOAA Fisheries for approval.
NOAA Fisheries requests your comments regarding the changes this amendment would make to Gulf of Mexico gray snapper management in federal waters. Comments are due by April 28, 2020.
NOAA Fisheries will also publish a proposed rule to implement the annual catch limit and will send another Fishery Bulletin to request comments at that time. Comments on both the amendment and proposed rule will be considered in the final rule.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:

Establish a maximum sustainable yield and optimum yield.
Revise the overfishing threshold and establish an overfished threshold.
Reduce the annual catch limit from 2.42 million pounds whole weight (mp ww) to 2.24 mp ww for the 2020 fishing year and 2.23 mp ww in 2021 and subsequent fishing years.

REQUEST FOR COMMENT:

NOAA Fisheries must receive comments on the amendments no later than April 28, 2020. You may obtain electronic copies of the draft amendments and environmental assessment from the NOAA Fisheries Web site at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-51-establish-gray-snapper-status-determination-criteria-and-modify-annual-catch.

HOW TO COMMENT:

The comment period for the notice of availability of the amendments is open now through April 28, 2020. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 11937, published February 28, 2020.

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

Go to: www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= NOAA-NMFS-2019-0116.
Click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields.
Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the annual catch limit being reduced?

The current gray snapper annual catch limit of 2.42 mp ww was initially set in 2012 using landings data from 1999-2008.
In 2018, a gray snapper stock assessment was completed that showed that although the stock was not overfished, the stock had been undergoing overfishing.
After accounting for scientific and management uncertainty, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council recommended the annual catch limit be set at 2.24 mp ww for 2020 and 2.23 mp ww for 2021 and subsequent years to end overfishing.

What are status determination criteria?

National standard guidelines for the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require that each fishery management plan specify a maximum sustainable yield and optimum yield for each fish stock.
The maximum sustainable yield is the maximum level at which a natural resource can be routinely exploited without long-term depletion.
Optimum yield is the amount of fish that will provide the greatest overall benefit to the Nation, particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities and taking into account the protection of marine ecosystems.
National standard guidelines require an overfishing threshold. If the rate of harvest exceeds this level (too many fish are being caught), the stock is considered undergoing overfishing and action needs to be taken to reduce the number of fish being caught per year.
National standard guidelines require an overfished threshold. If the population size falls below this level, then a rebuilding plan is needed to let the population recover to a level that allows the optimum number of fish being caught.

Where can I find more information on Amendment 51?

Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Peter Hood

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

Amendment 51 and the Notice of Availability may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-51-establish-gray-snapper-status-determination-criteria-and-modify-annual-catch.]]> Gulf Coast - News Capt_Dave https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/request-for-comments-on-an-amendment-to-set-gulf-of-mexico-gray-snapper-status-determination-criteria-and-annual-catch-l/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/recreational-closure-of-gray-triggerfish-in-federal-waters-of-the-gulf-of-mexico/ Sat, 22 Feb 2020 09:19:23 +0000
WHAT/WHEN/WHERE:

Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) will close at 12:01 am, local time, on May 2, 2020.
The 2021 recreational fishing year begins January 1, 2021. Recreational harvest will reopen March 1, 2021, following the January and February annual closure.

WHY THE GRAY TRIGGERFISH CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The 2020 recreational annual catch target is 217,100 pounds whole weight. Projections indicate that recreational landings of gray triggerfish will be met as of May 2, 2020.
In accordance with the regulations, NOAA Fisheries must close harvest when the annual catch target has been or is projected to be met. These closures are needed to prevent overfishing of gray triggerfish (annual catch rate is too high).

DURING THE CLOSURE:

During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limit are zero for gray triggerfish in or from federal waters of the Gulf.
The prohibition on possession of Gulf gray triggerfish also applies in Gulf state waters for a vessel issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish.]]> Gulf Coast - News Capt_Dave https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/recreational-closure-of-gray-triggerfish-in-federal-waters-of-the-gulf-of-mexico/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/final-rule-to-increase-the-annual-catch-target-for-the-red-snapper-for-hire-component/ Thu, 20 Feb 2020 22:04:02 +0000
KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule to maintain a reduced buffer between the recreational for hire component annual catch limit (ACL) and recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) red snapper. The reduced buffer would result in an increased ACT, which determines the length of the federal for-hire fishing season.
WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

The rule will be effective March 23, 2020.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

The current ACL for the federal for-hire component is 3.130 million pounds.
For 2019, the buffer between the ACL and the ACT was temporarily set at 9%.
If this final rule were not implemented, the buffer between the federal for-hire ACL and ACT would be 20%, resulting in an ACT of 2.504 million pounds for 2020.
The final rule continues the 9% buffer, resulting in an ACT of 2.848 million pounds.
The ACT is used to estimate the federal for-hire component season length.
These 344,000 extra pounds will likely add 7-8 days to the 2020 season.
NOAA Fisheries will be announcing the 2020 federal for-hire component season soon.



FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 9684, published February 20, 2020



This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this change occurring?

For the recreational sector, ACTs were developed to reduce the likelihood that the recreational sector as a whole or either component (federal for-hire or private) exceed their ACLs. The red snapper recreational federal for-hire fishing season is projected from the ACT.
Because the federal for-hire component has never exceeded its ACT, with the exception of 2018, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) determined that the buffer between the ACL and ACT could be reduced from 20% to 9% in 2019.
The rule continues the 9% buffer for the federal for-hire component.



What is a federal for-hire component and how does it differ from private angling component?

The federal for-hire component is comprised of all for-hire operators with a valid or renewable federal reef fish charter vessel/headboat permit.
The private angling component is comprised of private recreational anglers and other for-hire operators who do not have a federal reef fish charter vessel/headboat permit.



What is the difference between an annual catch limit and annual catch target?

The annual catch limit (quota) is the amount of fish that can be harvested from the population each year.
The annual catch target is a level of catch reduced from the annual catch limit to account for management uncertainty.



Why were the changes for the federal for-hire ACT originally proposed only for 2019?

In 2018, all five Gulf states were issued exempted fishing permits (EFP) for a pilot study that allowed those states some management authority of the private angling component in state and federal waters through 2019.
In 2018, the states were successful in keeping private angling component landings less than the private angling component ACL.
The Council determined the federal for-hire component ACT could be increased as discussed above while the states managed the private angling component.
Because the change in how the private angling component is being managed was to end after the 2019 fishing year, the federal for-hire component buffer between the ACL and ACT would return to 20% after 2019 to account for increased management uncertainty associated with recreational red snapper harvest projections.



Why did the Council decide the 9% ACL buffer for the federal for-hire ACT could continue after 2019?

The Council recently submitted to NOAA Fisheries six amendments (Amendments 50A-50F) that would establish management of the private angling component by the Gulf states similar to the state management programs that were tested under the EFPs.
Under the amendments, the private angling component ACL is apportioned between the states, the states would be required to establish a fishing season, and states would have to establish post-season accountability measures.
Because state management of the private angling component is expected to continue after 2019, the Council determined the reduced buffer between the federal for-hire component ACL and ACT could continue.



Where can I find more information on the modifications to the red snapper federal for-hire component ACL and ACT?



Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office.

By Mail: Peter Hood

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

The framework action to modification to the federal for-hire red snapper ACT buffer may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/framework-action-fishery-management-plan-reef-fish-resources-gulf-mexico-modification.
Information on the initial action setting the 9% buffer may be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/framework-action-modification-gulf-mexico-red-snapper-and-west-florida-hogfish-annual-catch.
Information on Reef Fish Amendments 50A-F may be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-50a-f-state-management-program-recreational-red-snapper.
Additional information on management of red snapper in the Gulf may be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/management-plan/gulf-mexico-reef-fish-fishery-management-plan.]]> Gulf Coast - News Capt_Dave https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/final-rule-to-increase-the-annual-catch-target-for-the-red-snapper-for-hire-component/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/two-headed-snapping-turtle-video/ Tue, 15 Oct 2019 12:34:59 +0000 https://glitchmind.com/freaky-two-headed-snapping-turtle-video/]]> Gulf Coast - News John Smith https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/two-headed-snapping-turtle-video/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/giant-squid-filmed-off-new-orleans-coast/ Fri, 20 Sep 2019 12:10:01 +0000 https://glitchmind.com/giant-squid-filmed-in-u-s-waters/]]> Gulf Coast - News John Smith https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/giant-squid-filmed-off-new-orleans-coast/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/saltwater-catfish-catch-n-cook/ Tue, 16 Apr 2019 20:09:49 +0000
https://youtu.be/PmbjBXJRXYU]]> Gulf Coast - News Stanley Orchard https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/saltwater-catfish-catch-n-cook/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/coast-guard-search-and-rescue-assets-return-to-florida-keys-rescue-21-towers-operational-52111/ Sat, 16 Sep 2017 16:52:10 +0000
Coast Guard assets and personnel were moved away from the Keys for safety purposes during Hurricane Irma. All four 45-foot Response Boat-Mediums and five 33-foot Special Purpose Craft – Law Enforcement, and necessary crewmembers have returned to Stations Islamorada, Marathon and Key West.

Crewmembers from Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters Charles Sexton, Isaac Mayo and Raymond Evans and the National Security Cutter Hamilton have been running search and rescue, and law enforcement operations in the Keys while the station crews were displaced.

Rescue 21 towers at all Keys locations have also become operational via generator power and are functioning as communications towers for Sector Key West operations specialist working out of Martinsburg, West Virginia. Operations specialists are working out of West Virginia until it is safe to return to the sector’s base in Key West.

Mariners in need of assistance are encouraged to call for help on VHF marine radio channel 16. All other VHF channels are also being monitored at all times by watchstanders at the Sector Key West Command Center in West Virginia.

Watchstanders may also be reached at 304-433-3352 until 9 a.m., Saturday. The number will then change to 304-262-6802 for the remainder of the command center personnel displacement.

“Search and rescue efforts in the Keys have been ongoing with limited capabilities despite local crews and assets being displaced from the area with coverage coming from fellow Coast Guard 7th District and Atlantic Area units,” said Lt. Quentin Long, small-boat manager, Coast Guard Sector Key West. “I know our crews are excited to be back operating in their area of responsibility despite the continuing efforts to rebuild and reconstitute the port in the months to come.”

Search and rescue efforts have also been supplemented by personnel and assets from Coast Guard Air Stations Miami and Clearwater, U.S. Navy, Florida National Guard and various other federal, state and local agencies.]]> Gulf Coast - News David Paff https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/coast-guard-search-and-rescue-assets-return-to-florida-keys-rescue-21-towers-operational-52111/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/the-gulf-of-mexico-fishery-management-council-will-hold-its-ad-hoc-red-snapper-charter-for-hire-and-ad-hoc-52103/ Fri, 15 Sep 2017 20:33:06 +0000
The meetings will be held at the Council offices located at 2203 N.Lois Ave, Suite 1100, Tampa, Florida 33607.

The Ad Hoc Red Snapper Charter For-Hire Advisory Panel will discuss Reef Fish Amendment 41 - Red Snapper Management for Federally Permitted Charter Vessels and the referendum eligibility requirements process.

The Ad Hoc Reef Fish Headboat Advisory Panel will discuss Reef Fish Amendment 42 - Reef Fish Recreational Management for Headboat Vessels and the referendum eligibility requirements process.

For a complete agenda and meeting materials click here.
To register for the Ad Hoc Red Snapper Charter For-Hire webinar click here.
To register for the Ad Hoc Reef Fish Headboat webinar click here.
The above links are also available on the Gulf Council website: www.GulfCouncil.org

About the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.

Submit comments and stay updated on fishery issues:
Check it out! Go to www.gulfcouncil.org and click on the thermometer in the middle of the page. From there you can read up on all the pending actions, watch the video presentations, read comments, and submit comments. All comments submitted through the online form are automatically posted on our web site for Council review. Other comments are manually posted every couple of days. ]]> Gulf Coast - News David Paff https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/the-gulf-of-mexico-fishery-management-council-will-hold-its-ad-hoc-red-snapper-charter-for-hire-and-ad-hoc-52103/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/gulf-council-to-meet-in-biloxi-mississippi/ Fri, 15 Sep 2017 19:46:28 +0000 Council Committees meet 8:30 - 4:00 on Monday
Council Closed Session to meet 4:15 - 5:15 on Monday
Council Committees meet 8:30 - 5:30 on Tuesday
Full Council meets 8:30 - 5:00 on Wednesday
Full Council meets 8:30 - 5:00 on Thursday
The full Committee and Council Agendas are posted on the Council website and meeting materials will be posted as they become available.

Public testimony is scheduled on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition to taking general comments, testimony will be taken on the following issues:
Final Action on Greater Amberjack Fishing Year and Recreational Closed Season
Final Action on Referendum Eligibility Requirements for Reef Fish Amendment 41
Final Action on Referendum Eligibility Requirements for Reef Fish Amendment 42
Written comments submitted on these issues by September 26, 2017 will be summarized and presented to Full Council before final action is taken. Visit the amendment under development page of our website to submit your comments, or email your comments to gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org

Council meetings are open to the public and are broadcast live. Register for the webinar.

About the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.

Submit comments and stay updated on fishery issues:
Check it out! Go to www.gulfcouncil.org and click on the thermometer in the middle of the page. From there you can read up on all the pending actions, watch the video presentations, read comments, and submit your own. All comments submitted through the online form are automatically posted on our web site for Council review. Other comments are manually posted every couple of days.


There is also a thermometer for each issue that lets you know where the Council is in the process for that particular amendment, whether it's the scoping phase, final action, or implementation.]]> Gulf Coast - News David Paff https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/gulf-council-to-meet-in-biloxi-mississippi/ https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/coast-guard-reopens-port-canaveral-with-restrictions-52101/ Fri, 15 Sep 2017 19:43:58 +0000
Hurricane Irma’s severe weather is no longer a threat to the ports of Northeast Florida. However, the conditions of the waterways and port infrastructure are still unknown, and full assessments of the affected areas are still being conducted. The Coast Guard will enforce a temporary safety zone for these post-storm recovery operations.

This regulated area includes all waters within the Port of Canaveral encompassed within the following locations: starting at the demarcation line drawn across the seaward extremity of the Port Canaveral Entrance Channel Jetties, therefore following the northern shoreline west to the SR401 Bridge, therefore following the southern shoreline back to origin.

Unless authorized by the COTP, all vessels, regardless of size or service, are prohibited from transiting in a regulated area until a full assessment of the waterway and port infrastructure along the regulated area is conducted. As the assessments are being completed, the COTP may open specific portions of a regulated area and/or allow certain vessels to transit these areas.

Vessels desiring to transit through a regulated area may contact the COTP via telephone at (904) 714-7557 to request authorization. If authorization to transit through a regulated area is granted, all vessels receiving such authorization must comply with instructions.

Due to potential effects from Hurricane Irma throughout Port Canaveral, mariners are urged to transit with caution considering the possibility of aids to navigation discrepancies or other hazards to navigation. If discovered, please report any of these issues to Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville.]]> Gulf Coast - News David Paff https://saltwatercentral.com/community/ulf-oast-ews187/coast-guard-reopens-port-canaveral-with-restrictions-52101/