October Meeting Followup: Additional Shrimp Public Hearings Scheduled, Council Elects New Chair and Vice-Chair
Shrimp Public Hearings
Shrimp management measures affecting commercial fishermen fishing in South Atlantic federal waters were reviewed during the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s meeting in Pawleys Island, South Carolina this past week. As a result, two additional public hearings are scheduled regarding options for the establishment of a commercial federal permit for the penaeid (white, pink, and brown) shrimp fishery in federal waters in the South Atlantic. The hearings are scheduled for November, 22, 2004 at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 678 Citadel Haven Drive, Charleston, S.C. and on December 6, 2004 at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Hotel, 2717 W. Ft. Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, N.C. Both hearings will begin at 6:00 p.m.
The Council reviewed all public comments received during earlier public hearings and completed its selection of preferred management alternatives for Amendment 6 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. One of the more controversial actions in the amendment is the proposal for a commercial vessel permit for the penaeid shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Council is proposing the permit in order to enable managers to develop a comprehensive data collection program for the South Atlantic that would identify the number and types of vessels in the fishery, obtain accurate information on shrimping effort, and provide other data. This information would be used in biological, economic, and social assessments of the resource and the fishery necessary for sound management. Comments received from the public included concerns about the cost of the permits as well as questions regarding the need to implement a federal permit program for the shrimp fishery. Members of the Council’s Shrimp Advisory Panel met during the week and expressed similar concerns. “We are certainly aware of the economic concerns of the shrimp fishermen,” stated Shrimp Committee Chairman, David Cupka. “Data received through the federal shrimp permit will allow managers to document changes in the fishery, including economic hardships currently faced by the fishermen.”
In reviewing the management alternatives for the shrimp permit requirement, the Council heard concerns addressed by members of its law enforcement advisory panel regarding a preferred alternative chosen earlier by the Council. The alternative would allow an exemption to the permit requirement for shrimp trawlers that transit the EEZ without actually fishing in federal waters. After reviewing the enforcement concerns, the Council chose a new preferred alternative for the issuance of permits that removed the exemption. Because the new preferred management alternative is more restrictive than one taken to the initial public hearings, the Council will hold the two additional public hearings regarding Action 5 to the amendment requiring federal permits.
New Chair and Vice-Chair Elected
During the meeting, the Council elected Dr. Louis Daniel from Morehead City, N.C. to serve as Council Chairman and George J. Geiger of Sebastian, FL to serve as Vice-Chair. Dr. Daniel serves on the Council as a representative for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. He has served as Chairman of the Council’s Snapper Grouper Committee for the past two years, following the passing of N.C. Council member Wayne Lee in March of 2003. “It is an incredible honor to be elected to this chairmanship,” stated Dr. Daniel, acknowledging the positive influence of Mr. Lee during his service on the Council. George Geiger currently serves on the Council as an At-Large representative for the State of Florida. An operator of an inshore guide service and an environmental advocate, Mr. Geiger also serves as Chairman of the Council’s King and Spanish Mackerel Committee. Former Council Chairman, David Cupka with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division, received a standing ovation from the Council during the meeting upon retiring his seat as Council Chair.
Other Issues
During the meeting week, the Council also held meetings of its Scientific and Statistical Committee to review management alternatives and develop recommendations regarding its role in the management process. The Snapper Grouper Committee also met to continue to review management measures for Amendment 13B to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The Committee will continue to develop options to be included in the public hearing draft for the amendment. Public hearings are expected in 2005.
The next Council meeting will take place December 6-10, 2004 at the Atlantic Beach Sheraton, Atlantic Beach, N.C. SAFMC December 2004 Meeting Agenda (PDF)
SAFMC October 2004 Meeting Motions (PDF)
October Meeting Followup: Additional Shrimp Public Hearings Scheduled, Council Elects New Chair and Vice-Chair
Shrimp Public Hearings
Shrimp management measures affecting commercial fishermen fishing in South Atlantic federal waters were reviewed during the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s meeting in Pawleys Island, South Carolina this past week. As a result, two additional public hearings are scheduled regarding options for the establishment of a commercial federal permit for the penaeid (white, pink, and brown) shrimp fishery in federal waters in the South Atlantic. The hearings are scheduled for November, 22, 2004 at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 678 Citadel Haven Drive, Charleston, S.C. and on December 6, 2004 at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Hotel, 2717 W. Ft. Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, N.C. Both hearings will begin at 6:00 p.m.
The Council reviewed all public comments received during earlier public hearings and completed its selection of preferred management alternatives for Amendment 6 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. One of the more controversial actions in the amendment is the proposal for a commercial vessel permit for the penaeid shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Council is proposing the permit in order to enable managers to develop a comprehensive data collection program for the South Atlantic that would identify the number and types of vessels in the fishery, obtain accurate information on shrimping effort, and provide other data. This information would be used in biological, economic, and social assessments of the resource and the fishery necessary for sound management. Comments received from the public included concerns about the cost of the permits as well as questions regarding the need to implement a federal permit program for the shrimp fishery. Members of the Council’s Shrimp Advisory Panel met during the week and expressed similar concerns. “We are certainly aware of the economic concerns of the shrimp fishermen,” stated Shrimp Committee Chairman, David Cupka. “Data received through the federal shrimp permit will allow managers to document changes in the fishery, including economic hardships currently faced by the fishermen.”
In reviewing the management alternatives for the shrimp permit requirement, the Council heard concerns addressed by members of its law enforcement advisory panel regarding a preferred alternative chosen earlier by the Council. The alternative would allow an exemption to the permit requirement for shrimp trawlers that transit the EEZ without actually fishing in federal waters. After reviewing the enforcement concerns, the Council chose a new preferred alternative for the issuance of permits that removed the exemption. Because the new preferred management alternative is more restrictive than one taken to the initial public hearings, the Council will hold the two additional public hearings regarding Action 5 to the amendment requiring federal permits.
New Chair and Vice-Chair Elected
During the meeting, the Council elected Dr. Louis Daniel from Morehead City, N.C. to serve as Council Chairman and George J. Geiger of Sebastian, FL to serve as Vice-Chair. Dr. Daniel serves on the Council as a representative for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. He has served as Chairman of the Council’s Snapper Grouper Committee for the past two years, following the passing of N.C. Council member Wayne Lee in March of 2003. “It is an incredible honor to be elected to this chairmanship,” stated Dr. Daniel, acknowledging the positive influence of Mr. Lee during his service on the Council. George Geiger currently serves on the Council as an At-Large representative for the State of Florida. An operator of an inshore guide service and an environmental advocate, Mr. Geiger also serves as Chairman of the Council’s King and Spanish Mackerel Committee. Former Council Chairman, David Cupka with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division, received a standing ovation from the Council during the meeting upon retiring his seat as Council Chair.
Other Issues
During the meeting week, the Council also held meetings of its Scientific and Statistical Committee to review management alternatives and develop recommendations regarding its role in the management process. The Snapper Grouper Committee also met to continue to review management measures for Amendment 13B to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The Committee will continue to develop options to be included in the public hearing draft for the amendment. Public hearings are expected in 2005.
The next Council meeting will take place December 6-10, 2004 at the Atlantic Beach Sheraton, Atlantic Beach, N.C. SAFMC December 2004 Meeting Agenda (PDF)
SAFMC October 2004 Meeting Motions (PDF)