Spanish Mackerel Framework Amendment 13 Scoping
The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) staff will be holding two online only webinars for scoping of Framework Amendment 13 to the Spanish mackerel fisheries management plan (FMP). This Amendment will set new catch levels for the Spanish mackerel fisheries with approximately a 33% increase in the allowable biological catch (ABC) that we have right now.
Under our current FMP, the annual catch limit (ACL) for Spanish mackerel equals the ABC. The current ACL for the commercial Northern Zone (NC through NY) is 662,670 pounds, while the new recommended ACL from the latest stock assessment could increase the Northern commercial ACL to 882,640 pounds in the 2025/2026 fishing season.
The reason I highlighted could is because the SAFMC is looking at the possibility of setting no buffer, a 5%, or a 10% buffer from the ABC which would lower the new Northern commercial ACL to 838,508 and 794,376 pounds respectively if a buffer is chosen. The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommended no buffer.
During these scoping meetings is the time to let the council know which option you prefer!
Webinars are Monday, October 30th at 6:00pm and Wednesday, November 1st at 6:00pm.
Register and attend webinar:
Additional documents:
CMP Framework Amendment 13 Scoping Summary
Comments are due Friday, November 10th at 5:00pm
Submit comments online at:
Or mail comments to:
John Carmichael, Executive Director, SAFMC
4055 Saber Place Drive, Suite 201
- Charleston, SC 29405
Or fax comments to:
843-769-4520
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Thomas Newman
Fisheries Liaison