South Atlantic Council Moves Closer to Creating New Marine Protected Areas |
Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan was approved by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during its March meeting. This Amendment would create a series of 8 marine protected areas in the South Atlantic to protect deep water snapper grouper species and their associated habitat and spawning. The Council approved Amendment 14 after considering public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, comments from its Scientific and Statistical Committee, and recommendations from the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel. At the request of the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, the Council stipulated that a transit provision be included to allow commercial fishermen to cross the areas with fish onboard but with all gear stowed. A similar provision is used in the Gulf of Mexico for marine protected areas. Additional language in the Amendment regarding the prohibition of shark bottom longlines will also be included. The Council is expected to give final approval to Amendment 14 for submission to the Secretary of Commerce during its June meeting. For more information, read the Council’s news release. |
South Atlantic Council Moves Closer to Creating New Marine Protected Areas |
Amendment 14 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan was approved by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during its March meeting. This Amendment would create a series of 8 marine protected areas in the South Atlantic to protect deep water snapper grouper species and their associated habitat and spawning. The Council approved Amendment 14 after considering public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, comments from its Scientific and Statistical Committee, and recommendations from the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel. At the request of the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, the Council stipulated that a transit provision be included to allow commercial fishermen to cross the areas with fish onboard but with all gear stowed. A similar provision is used in the Gulf of Mexico for marine protected areas. Additional language in the Amendment regarding the prohibition of shark bottom longlines will also be included. The Council is expected to give final approval to Amendment 14 for submission to the Secretary of Commerce during its June meeting. For more information, read the Council’s news release. |