Science and Statistical Committee Meeting This Week
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) meets this week in Charleston, SC to provide technical and scientific advice to the Council on a variety of topics. During the meeting, two opportunities for general public comment will be held at the beginning and near the end of the three day webinar. Public comment for specific agenda items will also be allowed during appropriate times.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, October 21st 8:30-5:00pm, Wednesday, October 22nd 8:30am-5:00pm and Thursday, October 23rd 8:30-12:00pm.
Written public comment will also be accepted online until 10:00am October 23rd at the link provided below.
This meeting has a busy agenda, ranging from fundamental changes to the assessment process to setting the Terms of References (TORs) for upcoming 2026-2027 stock assessments for several important North Carolina fish stocks.
The SAFMC is looking at multiple changes to streamline the stock assessment process at SEDAR (Southeast Data, Assessment & Review). Part of the changes include increased SSC involvement during the assessment process to help identify issues early on instead of having to address them after the assessment is completed.
The SSC will also be presented with Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) updates. They will look at the Fishing Effort Survey (FES) 2024 study report which was prompted by a 2023 pilot survey which showed the current FES questionnaire was likely overestimating the number of recreational angler trips. Final implementation of the new revised FES design is scheduled to begin in January 2026 with calibrated time series to be ready for use in assessments and management estimated to be ready in Spring of 2026.
Upcoming stock assessments will look at several species of great importance to North Carolina. King mackerel, spanish mackerel, snowy grouper, dolphinfish, black sea bass, and the snapper/grouper complex will all be discussed at this meeting. If any of these species is important to you please look at the corresponding links below and listen in or reach out if you have any questions or concerns with the information.
King Mackerel Terms of Reference
Spanish Mackerel Terms of Reference
Statement of Work for Spanish Mackerel
Snowy Grouper Terms of Reference
Snowy Grouper Research and Monitoring Plan 2025-2029
Dolphinfish MSE Update (Document not yet available)
Black Sea Bass Genetic Summary Report
Black Sea Bass Genetics Presentation
Like I said above, if you have any questions or concerns with any of this information please let me know. Now is the time to get anything added or changed as we begin this next series of stock assessments.
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison