SAFMC Mackerel and Snapper Grouper AP Meetings This Week
Mackerel Cobia AP
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (SAFMC) Mackerel Cobia Advisory Panel (AP) is meeting this week in Charleston, SC. During the meeting, the AP will review the Mackerel Port Meetings, including the sessions held in Hatteras, Morehead, Wilmington, and Manteo. For-hire reporting will also be discussed at this meeting. Detailed information can be found at the Meeting Webpage.
Although not on the agenda, Spanish mackerel management changes are likely to be coming in the near future. One of the reasons Framework Amendment 13, which looked at changing catch limits for Spanish mackerel, was put on hold in December 2023 was because of the new overall catch limit that was set after the updated stock assessment.
Even though the new catch limit is “higher” than the previous catch limit; using the updated recreational effort survey method, it has been projected that the recreational sector will meet their quota mid-season. This has raised concerns and created multiple issues that will need to be addressed. Stay tuned for more on this issue.
Online and in-person public comment is scheduled for both the beginning and end of the meeting.
Date/Time:
Monday, March 31st 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Tuesday, April 1st 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Charleston
4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
Snapper Grouper AP
The SAFMC’s Snapper Grouper AP also meets this week in Charleston. During the meeting, the AP will discuss a wide range of topics including but not limited to: red snapper, black sea bass, golden tilefish, private recreational permit and commercial management.
More detailed information can be found at the Meeting Webpage.
Online and in-person public comment is scheduled for both the beginning and end of the meeting.
Date/Time:
Wednesday, April 2nd 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday, April 3rd 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Charleston
4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd.
North Charleston, SC 29418
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please reach out.
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison
Reminder for Pelagic Longline Permit Holders
Vessels operating in the U.S. Atlantic EEZ:
- Regulations implementing terminal gear requirements in the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan (PLTRP) contained in 50 CFR 36(d), became effective January 1, 2025.
● Please ensure that all terminal gear on your vessel has been transitioned to hooks and gangions that meet the above specifications.
- Additional information on the terminal gear requirements can be found in the Final Rule 88 FR 36965.
Vessels operating in the EEZ portion of the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB):
- The mainline length restriction has been in effect since July 6, 2023. Details of this modification are contained in 50 CFR 229.36(e).
- Vessels may set no more than one mainline in the water at any one time. The mainline length can not exceed 32 nm in length, and are subject to the following specifications:
- There can be no more than 30 nm of active gear (gear with gangions or hooks attached) deployed along the mainline;
- A single section of active gear cannot exceed 20 nm;
- If vessel owners deploy more than one section of active gear along the mainline, each section of active gear must be separated by a gap of at least 1 nm, with no active gear (no gangions or hooks) attached.
Example configurations of compliant mainline sets
More Information
- For additional information on the regulatory or non-regulatory measures of the PLTRP, please visit the NOAA Fisheries website.
- If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about the PLTRP, please contact: David Hilton, NMFS SERO Fishery Liaison (252-921-0142).
