Public Hearings Scheduled for Shrimp Fishery Measures in Federal Waters

Public Hearings Scheduled for Shrimp Fishery Measures in Federal Waters

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:

    * the testing protocol and certification criteria for Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs);
    * methods to monitor and assess bycatch in the fishery;
    * a 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.  “In addition, the Council is considering additional measures to monitor and assess bycatch in the shrimp fishery.”  Options being considered in Shrimp Amendment 6 include onboard observer coverage, logbooks, and the use of federal permits for the penaeid fishery.  “Implementing a federal permit program for the shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic would provide an accurate and efficient way to identify and quantify vessels in the fishery,” said Chairman Cupka.  “We are aware of the problems being faced by the industry.  Having a system in place to identify these vessels would allow for the collection of detailed information on shrimp catches in federal waters, including bycatch, economic, and social data needed for management that is currently not collected by the state trip ticket system.”

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.
Public Hearings Scheduled for Shrimp Fishery Measures in Federal Waters

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:

    * the testing protocol and certification criteria for Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs);
    * methods to monitor and assess bycatch in the fishery;
    * a 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.  “In addition, the Council is considering additional measures to monitor and assess bycatch in the shrimp fishery.”  Options being considered in Shrimp Amendment 6 include onboard observer coverage, logbooks, and the use of federal permits for the penaeid fishery.  “Implementing a federal permit program for the shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic would provide an accurate and efficient way to identify and quantify vessels in the fishery,” said Chairman Cupka.  “We are aware of the problems being faced by the industry.  Having a system in place to identify these vessels would allow for the collection of detailed information on shrimp catches in federal waters, including bycatch, economic, and social data needed for management that is currently not collected by the state trip ticket system.”

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.