Public Hearings Scheduled for Snapper Grouper Management
Amendments address rebuilding for three snapper grouper species,
recreational sale, allocations, bycatch, and other issues
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a series of public hearings beginning in November to solicit public comment on two amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the
Stocks of snowy grouper, black sea bass and red porgy have been identified as overfished by the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment process. In response, the Council is developing Amendment 15A to establish rebuilding plans for these three economically important species in the snapper grouper management complex. Over the years 2001 – 2005, snowy grouper, red porgy, and black sea bass represented an average of 21% of the total annual commercial landings of snapper grouper in the
Through Amendment 15B, the Council is considering options to prohibit the sale of recreationally caught snapper and grouper. Recent restrictions on commercial quotas have raised concerns that these recreationally harvested fish are being included in the commercial landings, and fish may be double counted with current recreational reporting methods. Allocations for snowy grouper and red porgy are also being addressed in Amendment 15B in order to establish commercial quotas and recreational allocations. A complete listing of all actions is contained in each amendment.
Written comments for Amendments15A are being accepted by the Council until 5:00 pm, December 3, 2007. Written comments for 15B are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 11, 2008. Copies of the Public Hearing Documents will be posted on the Council’s web site at www.safmc.net, and may also be obtained from the Council office. Comments should be addressed to: Bob Mahood, Executive Director, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council,
SNAPPER GROUPER AMENDMENTS 15A/15B PUBLIC
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE
Hearings Begin at 6:00 p.m. except for 12/3/07*
November 13, 2007
Phone: 305-743-2250
November 14, 2007
Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel
Phone: 954-524-5551
November 15, 2007
Radisson Resort at the Port
Phone: 321-784-0000
November 16, 2007
Comfort Inn Oceanfront
Phone: 904-241-2311
November 27, 2007
Mighty
Pooler, GA 31322
Phone: 912-748-8888
November 28, 2007
Phone: 843-308-9330
November 28, 2007
Avista Resort
Phone: 843-249-2521
November 29, 2007
Phone: 910-256-0418
November 30, 2007
NC Aquarium on
Phone: 252-473-3494
December 3, 2007 (*Begins at 7:00 p.m.)
2717
Phone: 252-240-1155
Public Hearings Scheduled for Snapper Grouper Management
Amendments address rebuilding for three snapper grouper species,
recreational sale, allocations, bycatch, and other issues
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a series of public hearings beginning in November to solicit public comment on two amendments to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the
Stocks of snowy grouper, black sea bass and red porgy have been identified as overfished by the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment process. In response, the Council is developing Amendment 15A to establish rebuilding plans for these three economically important species in the snapper grouper management complex. Over the years 2001 – 2005, snowy grouper, red porgy, and black sea bass represented an average of 21% of the total annual commercial landings of snapper grouper in the
Through Amendment 15B, the Council is considering options to prohibit the sale of recreationally caught snapper and grouper. Recent restrictions on commercial quotas have raised concerns that these recreationally harvested fish are being included in the commercial landings, and fish may be double counted with current recreational reporting methods. Allocations for snowy grouper and red porgy are also being addressed in Amendment 15B in order to establish commercial quotas and recreational allocations. A complete listing of all actions is contained in each amendment.
Written comments for Amendments15A are being accepted by the Council until 5:00 pm, December 3, 2007. Written comments for 15B are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 11, 2008. Copies of the Public Hearing Documents will be posted on the Council’s web site at www.safmc.net, and may also be obtained from the Council office. Comments should be addressed to: Bob Mahood, Executive Director, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council,
SNAPPER GROUPER AMENDMENTS 15A/15B PUBLIC
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE
Hearings Begin at 6:00 p.m. except for 12/3/07*
November 13, 2007
Phone: 305-743-2250
November 14, 2007
Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel
Phone: 954-524-5551
November 15, 2007
Radisson Resort at the Port
Phone: 321-784-0000
November 16, 2007
Comfort Inn Oceanfront
Phone: 904-241-2311
November 27, 2007
Mighty
Pooler, GA 31322
Phone: 912-748-8888
November 28, 2007
Phone: 843-308-9330
November 28, 2007
Avista Resort
Phone: 843-249-2521
November 29, 2007
Phone: 910-256-0418
November 30, 2007
NC Aquarium on
Phone: 252-473-3494
December 3, 2007 (*Begins at 7:00 p.m.)
2717
Phone: 252-240-1155