Public Hearings Scheduled for Shrimp Fishery Bycatch Reduction and Other Measures The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of public hearings to collect input from area fishermen and others regarding proposed measures in Amendment 6 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. The Amendment includes options addressing: Testing protocol and certification criteria for Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs); Methods to monitor and assess bycatch in the fishery; Possible federal permit requirement for the penaeid (white, pink and brown) shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); and Stock status determination criteria for both the penaeid and rock shrimp fishery. “Changes in testing and certification of bycatch reduction devices would help expedite the process for approving new and improved gear designs,” stated Council Copies of the public hearing document can be obtained from the Council office at 843/571-4366 or toll free, 1-866/SAFMC-10. Written comments regarding Amendment 6 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan will be accepted until August 13, 2004. Comments should be mailed to Robert Mahood, Executive Director, SAFMC, One Southpark Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, SC 29407-4699, FAX 843/469-4520 or sent via email to:
Chairman David Cupka. The Council is also considering additional measures to monitor and assess bycatch in the shrimp fishery, including onboard observer coverage, logbooks and the use of federal permits for the penaeid fishery to identify and quantify vessels in the fishery.
Public Hearings Scheduled for Shrimp Fishery Bycatch Reduction and Other Measures
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of public hearings to collect input from area fishermen and others regarding proposed measures in Amendment 6 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. The Amendment includes options addressing:
Testing protocol and certification criteria for Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs);
Methods to monitor and assess bycatch in the fishery;
Possible federal permit requirement for the penaeid (white, pink and brown) shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); and
Stock status determination criteria for both the penaeid and rock shrimp fishery.
“Changes in testing and certification of bycatch reduction devices would help expedite the process for approving new and improved gear designs,” stated Council
Chairman David Cupka. The Council is also considering additional measures to monitor and assess bycatch in the shrimp fishery, including onboard observer coverage, logbooks and the use of federal permits for the penaeid fishery to identify and quantify vessels in the fishery.
Copies of the public hearing document can be obtained from the Council office at 843/571-4366 or toll free, 1-866/SAFMC-10. Written comments regarding Amendment 6 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan will be accepted until August 13, 2004. Comments should be mailed to Robert Mahood, Executive Director, SAFMC, One Southpark Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, SC 29407-4699, FAX 843/469-4520 or sent via email to:
sh************@sa***.net. For a listing of hearing dates and locations go to: www.safmc.net.