News Release Archives - July 2014

Release: Immediate
Date: July 31, 2014
Contact: Karla Gore
Phone: 727-824-5305

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposed rule to implement Framework Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Region. The proposed rule for Framework Amendment 1 published in the Federal Register (79 FR 44369) on July 31, 2014, and the comment period ends on September 2, 2014.

Recent stock assessments for Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel indicate the stocks are healthy, and catch levels can be increased.

If implemented, the proposed rule would increase the combined commercial and recreational catch limit for Spanish mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico from 5.15 million pounds to 12.7 million pounds in 2014-2015, and then decrease to 11.8 million pounds in 2015-2016, and 11.3 million pounds in 2016-2017.

In the South Atlantic, the proposed rule would increase the catch limit for Spanish mackerel from 5.69 million pounds to 6.063 million pounds; with 3.330 million pounds (55%) allocated to the commercial sector and 2.727 million pounds (45%) allocated to the recreational sector.

Addresses
Framework Amendment 1 may be obtained from:

• The NOAA Fisheries Web site http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/2014/framework_am1/index.html
• The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Web site at http://www.safmc.net.

You may submit comments by the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0075 click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
• Mail: NOAA Fisheries
  Southeast Regional Office
  Sustainable Fisheries Division
  c/o Karla Gore
  263 13th Avenue South
  St. Petersburg, FL 3370-5505

NOAA Fisheries will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Comments received through means not specified in this bulletin may not be considered.

More Information
For more information on Mackerel Framework Amendment 1, please click on this link to the Frequently Asked Questions found at:
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/2014/framework_am1/index.html.

FB14-056

Release: Immediate
Date: July 31, 2014
Contact: Kim Iverson
Email: kim.iverson@safmc.net

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is requesting public input on proposed management measures affecting the fishery management plans for snapper grouper, dolphin and wahoo, coastal migratory pelagics (includes king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia) and golden crab. The public is encouraged to provide written comment and participate in upcoming public hearings scheduled from August 6-14, 2014 throughout the region on the proposed changes to management measures. The following measures are being considered:

For Public Hearing
Generic Accountability Measures and Dolphin Allocation Amendment includes:

• Modifications to accountability measures for some species in the snapper grouper management complex
• Modifications to accountability measures for the commercial golden crab fishery
• Modifications to the allocation between commercial and recreational sectors for dolphin (mahi-mahi)

Snapper Grouper Amendment 32 proposes measures to end overfishing and rebuild the blueline tilefish stock, including:

• Removing blueline tilefish from the Deepwater-Complex for management
• Establishing an Acceptable Biological Catch, Optimum Yield, and other management parameters
• Reducing the current Annual Catch Limit
• Establishing commercial trip limits and modifying recreational bag limits
•  

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 20 addresses measures for snowy grouper, including:

• Modifications to the rebuilding strategy
• Proposed split seasons for the commercial fishery
• Modifications to trip limits and changes to recreational bag limits

Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 2 includes:

• Modifications to Atlantic group Spanish mackerel trip limits for the "Southern Zone"
• Note: an amendment previously approved by the Council would establish a Northern Zone and a Southern Zone at the NC/SC boundary, with separate commercial quotas for Atlantic group Spanish mackerel

Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 7 and Snapper Grouper Amendment 33 includes:

• Proposed measures to allow recreational fishermen to bring fillets of dolphin and wahoo into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from The Bahamas
• Updates to current regulations that allow recreational fishermen to bring fillets of species in the snapper grouper management unit from The Bahamas into the U.S. EEZ

For Public Scoping
Snapper Grouper Amendment 35 - Removal of four species from the snapper grouper management unit
Snapper Grouper Amendment 36 - Process to consider protection of spawning areas for snapper grouper species

Public Hearing and Scoping
Public scoping occurs at the beginning of the management process, providing the public an opportunity to comment on issues before the Council has decided to take any specific action. Using input received during the initial scoping process, the Council may then develop a Fishery Management Plan (FMP) or amendment to address these issues. Amendments considered for public hearings are further along in the management process and the Council is seeking public comment on specific management measures prior to the Council taking final action.

Learn More
Summary documents, video presentations, and other materials for the amendments are posted on the Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting page of the Council's website (www.safmc.net). Complete copies of the public hearing versions of the draft amendments are also available.

Submit Written Comment
Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on August 18, 2014. Instructions for submitting comments, including email comments, are available from the website.

Public Hearing and Scoping Meetings
The Council will hold a series of public hearing/scoping meetings from Key West, Florida to Morehead City, North Carolina (see schedule below). Council staff will be on hand to provide an overview of the proposed measures and available for informal discussions and to answer questions. Members of the public will have an opportunity to go on record to provide comments for consideration by the Council. Local Council representatives will attend the meetings and listen to public comment.

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