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South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council

January/February 2011 Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting Series
The Council will hold a series of public hearings and scoping meetings regarding fisheries management measure proposed for several federally managed species, including those within the snapper grouper management complex, dolphin (fish), wahoo, golden crab and octocorals within the South Atlantic region. These measures will impact both commercial and recreational fishermen.
Members of the public are invited to attend the meetings at any time between the hours of 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM to learn more about the proposed actions and provide formal comments to Council members in attendance (See schedule below). Written public comments will be accepted until February 14, 2011. Email addresses for individual amendments are included below. Hard copies may be mailed to the Council office using the address at the bottom of this page.
Download news release (PDF) Post card reminder (PDF) Note: Some documents are large files and take several minutes to download.

New! Winter 2011 Update Newsletter Contains overview of public hearing/scoping meeting topics.

Note! Listen to the public comment live! Live audio from the meetings will be available as they are being conducted. To listen to the meetings as they occur you will need a Windows Media Player. Click here to listen to public comment from each of the meetings as they occur. See the schedule below for a listing of dates and locations.

Public Hearings will be held on 3 separate amendments:

Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment to establish Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for species not currently listed as undergoing overfishing as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Annual Catch Limits (pounds or numbers of fish) will be set for species in the snapper grouper management complex as well as dolphin, wahoo, and golden crab. Comprehensive ACL Amendment Summary (PDF updated 11/18/11); Comprehensive ACL Public Hearing Document (PDF) Appendices (PDF). Email comments to: CompACLAmendPH@safmc.net

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 9 includes commercial trip limit options for greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and gag grouper. Regulatory Amendment 9 Summary (PDF updated 1/18/11); Regulatory Amendment 9 Public Hearing Document (PDF – updated 1/14/11). Email comments to: SGRegAmend9PH@safmc.net

Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2 includes actions relative to the management of octocorals and non-regulatory actions that update existing Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) information. Also, modifications to the management of Special Management Zones in South Carolina, sea turtle release gear requirements for the commercial snapper grouper fishery, and designation of new EFH areas. CE-BA 2 Public Hearing Summary (PDF); CE-BA 2 Public Hearing Document (PDF – 7.2 MB) (PDF – updated 1/18/11). Email comments to: CEBA2PH@safmc.net

Informal Public Scoping comments will be taken on the following amendments currently being considered by the Council:

Comprehensive Catch Shares Amendment (Amendment 21) is being considered to look at options for catch share programs for species currently under management through quotas (except snowy grouper), effort and participation reduction, and endorsement actions. Amendment 21 Scoping Document (PDF) Email comments to: SGAmend21Scoping@safmc.net

Snapper Grouper Amendment 22 explores options for long-term management of red snapper as the stock rebuilds. Amendment 22 Scoping Document (PDF) Email comments to: SGAmend22Scoping@safmc.net

Snapper Grouper Amendment 24 addresses the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to end overfishing and rebuild the red grouper stock. Amendment 24 Scoping Document (PDF) Email comments to: SGAmend24Scoping@safmc.net

Golden Crab Amendment 5 develops a catch share program for the commercial golden crab fishery. Golden Crab Amendment 5 Scoping Document (PDF) Email comments to: GCAmend5Scoping@safmc.net

Schedule: Informal presenations will be given and public comment will be accepted any time between the hours of 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at each meeting location.

• Monday, January 24 – New Bern, NC
Hilton New Bern, 100 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560

• Wednesday, January 26 – North Charleston, SC
Crown Plaza Charleston Airport, 4831 Tanger Outlet Boulevard, N. Charleston, SC 29418

• Thursday, January 27 – Pooler, GA
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA 31322

• Monday, January 31 – Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville Marriott Hotel, 4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256

• Tuesday, February 1 – Cocoa Beach, FL
International Palms Resort, 1300 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

• Thursday, February 3 – Key Largo, FL
MKey Largo Grande, 97000 S. Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

Written comments will be accepted until
5:00 PM on February 14, 2011. Email addresses for sumitting comments will be posted with the documents. Hard copies should be sent to:
Robert K. Mahood, Executive Director
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201
N. Charleston, SC 29405

Submit comments electronically regarding actions and proposed actions by the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council.

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Founder and Master Moderator of Divetalking.

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