January\/February 2011 Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting Series
\nThe 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.
\nMembers 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.
\nDownload news release (PDF) Post card reminder (PDF) Note: Some documents are large files and take several minutes to download.<\/p>\n
New! Winter 2011 Update Newsletter Contains overview of public hearing\/scoping meeting topics.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Public Hearings will be held on 3 separate amendments:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Informal Public Scoping comments will be taken on the following amendments currently being considered by the Council:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Monday, January 24 – New Bern, NC
\nHilton New Bern, 100 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560<\/p>\n
\u2022 Wednesday, January 26 – North Charleston, SC
\nCrown Plaza Charleston Airport, 4831 Tanger Outlet Boulevard, N. Charleston, SC 29418<\/p>\n
\u2022 Thursday, January 27 – Pooler, GA
\nMighty Eighth Air Force Museum, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA 31322<\/p>\n
\u2022 Monday, January 31 – Jacksonville, FL
\nJacksonville Marriott Hotel, 4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256<\/p>\n
\u2022 Tuesday, February 1 – Cocoa Beach, FL
\nInternational Palms Resort, 1300 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931<\/p>\n
\u2022 Thursday, February 3 – Key Largo, FL
\nMKey Largo Grande, 97000 S. Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037<\/p>\n
Written comments will be accepted until
\n5:00 PM on February 14, 2011. Email addresses for sumitting comments will be posted with the documents. Hard copies should be sent to:
\nRobert K. Mahood, Executive Director
\nSouth Atlantic Fishery Management Council
\n4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201
\nN. Charleston, SC 29405<\/p>\n