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Release: Immediate Federal Fisheries Managers Hold Meetings of Public Interest If you fish in federal waters more than three miles off the South Atlantic coast, chances are there is a meeting scheduled in the coming weeks regarding federal fisheries that is of interest to you. Please see the list below and mark your calendars. All meetings are open to the public and public comment is being solicited as noted below. Additional information, including meeting agendas and briefing book materials are posted on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Web site at www.safmc.net as they become available. April 5-7 – SAFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Meeting April 6-7 – SAFMC Mackerel Advisory Panel Meeting April 7-8 – SAFMC Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel Meeting April 11 – 20 – SAFMC Public Hearings: Mackerel and Spiny Lobster April 13-14 – SAFMC Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel Meeting April 20 – SAFMC Spiny Lobster Advisory Panel Meeting April 26-28 - SEDAR 25: Stock Assessment for Black Sea Bass and Golden Tilefish – Data Workshop May 3-5 – Council Coordination Committee Meeting The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida. Release: Immediate Contact: Patricia Smith Phone: (252) 726-7021 Date: March 31, 2011 Newsletter Identifies Things Every Coastal Recreational Fisherman Should Know MOREHEAD CITY – Every coastal recreational fisherman should understand how to fish in an ethical manner. Every coastal recreational fisherman should know the latest size and bag limits and fishing seasons. The Spring 2011 edition of Fish Eye News focuses on these matters with articles that show the most responsible way to catch-and-release a spotted seatrout and practice other ethical angling techniques. Other articles identify coastal recreational fishing regulations that have changed since last year and describe the various fisheries agencies and commissions that enact these regulations. Also featured is an article on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Aging Lab and how the technicians there can tell the age of a fish. Fish Eye News is a web-based newsletter issued by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Public Affairs Section. It is posted on the agency’s website at http://www.ncfisheries.net/fisheye/2011FishEyeNews/Q1_2011_FishEyeNews.htm. The intent of Fish Eye News is to draw attention to issues affecting marine fisheries in North Carolina and promote a better understanding of agency functions. Publications may reprint all or part of the articles. For more information, contact Patricia Smith, the division’s public information officer, at (252) 808-8025 or Tricia.Smith@ncdenr.gov. nr-14-2011 Release: Immediate DMF License Offices to Close for Training MOREHEAD CITY – N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries license sales offices will close April 5 so that staff can attend mandatory training. All license offices will close for the entire day. Recreational fishing licenses still may be purchased online at http://www.ncwildlife.org/, or through many bait and tackle shops and other N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission agents. Regular business hours will resume April 6. For more information, contact DMF License Coordinator Janice Fulcher at (252) 808-8030 or Janice.Fulcher@ncdenr.gov. nr-13-2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Public Hearings Scheduled for Federal Mackerel, Cobia and Spiny Lobster Fisheries Federal fishery managers are soliciting public input on measures proposed for species managed jointly by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Councils, including king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. Measures are also being proposed for the lobster fishery, also managed jointly. Annual Catch Limits (in pounds or numbers of fish) and accountability measures (AMs) must be set for these species by the end of 2011, as required by the Magnuson- Stevens Act to prevent overfishing. The measures will impact both commercial and recreational fishermen who fish in federal waters along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. A series of 7 public hearings are scheduled regarding the following: Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan Fishermen targeting Spanish mackerel in the South Atlantic could see a reduction in harvest with an ACL of 5.29 million pounds as proposed in Amendment 18. The current allocation of 45% recreational and 55% commercial would remain the same, but in order to avoid exceeding the ACL, the amendment contains a proposal to reduce the recreational bag limit from 15 to 10 fish per person/day. The annual commercial quota would be reduced from 3.87 million pounds to 2.91 million pounds. The stock is not undergoing overfishing, but a 2008 stock assessment could not determine if the stock was overfished. For cobia, the Council’s preferred ACL alternative would keep current management measures in place with a 2 per person/day bag limit and a 33 inch fork-length minimum size limit. The commercial fishery operates under the same restrictions. The amendment contains alternatives to establish new sector allocations for cobia and possible spawning season closures. Spiny Lobster Amendment 10 Public hearings for the amendments will take place from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Council staff will provide an overview of each amendment and be on hand to answer questions. Local Council representatives will take formal comments on the public hearing documents any time between those hours. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is also accepting written and email comments from March 25, 2011 Public Hearing/Scoping Meeting Schedule
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish Release: Immediate New Coastal Fishing Rules Reorganize and Clarify Existing Regulations MOREHEAD CITY – A slate of new coastal fishing rules will go into effect April 1. The rules mostly reorganize and clarify existing regulations. The rules were adopted by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission at its Nov. 3-5 meeting. The new rules:
Full texts of the new rules were published March 1 in the N.C. Register and can be found online at http://www.oah.state.nc.us/rules/register/ in Volume 25, Issue 17 beginning on page 2022. For more information, contact division Rules Coordinator Catherine Blum at (252) 808-8013 or Catherine.Blum@ncdenr.gov. nr-12-11
Release: Immediate Federal Waters off South Carolina Closed to All Fishing for Effective March 22, 2011, NOAA Fisheries Service has closed federal waters within 25 nautical miles of the state waters off South Carolina to the harvest of brown, pink, and white shrimp through June 6, 2011. South Carolina has closed its territorial waters to all shrimping as well. This action comes at the request of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the state of South Carolina. The state made this request after determining there has been greater than an 80 percent mortality of overwintering white shrimp due to severe cold weather in the region. During the closure, no person may trawl for brown, pink, or white shrimp in the closed area. Any vessel trawling in a part of a closed area that is within 25 nautical miles of the territorial sea must use trawl nets with a minimum mesh size of four inches or greater. Possession of brown, pink, or white shrimp is prohibited on board a vessel in the closed area unless the vessel is in transit through the area and all nets with a mesh size of lessthan four inches are stowed below deck. The closure will be effective until the ending date of the closure in state waters, and may end earlier based on a request by the state. In accordance with the Council request, in no case will the closure remain effective after June 6, 2011. NOAA Fisheries Service will issue a new Fishery Bulletin announcing the re-opening. This bulletin provides only a summary of the information regarding the closure. Any discrepancies between this bulletin and the notice published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register. FB11-028 Release: Immediate Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee to Meet MOREHEAD CITY – The Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet at 1 p.m., March 28 at the N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Regional Field Office, 943 Washington Square Mall, Washington. A meeting agenda follows. For more information, contact Anne Deaton, Habitat Protection Section chief with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, at 1-800-248-4536 or Anne.Deaton@ncdenr.gov or the division’s Marine Fisheries Commission office at (252) 808-8022 or 1-800-682-2632. MFC Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee Meeting AGENDA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Council Proposes Reduction in Black Sea Bass Limits Bag limit reductions aimed at maintaining year-long recreational fishing season In an effort to keep recreational fishermen from exceeding annual catch limits (ACLs) set for black sea bass in the coming fishing year, members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved an amendment that, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, will reduce the recreational bag limit for black sea bass from 15 per person/day to 5 per person/day beginning June 1, 2011. The recreational fishery for black sea bass closed on February 12th of this year after NOAA Fisheries Service projected the recreational allocation of 409,000 pounds had been met. The fishing year for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region is from June 1st through May 31st. The recreational allocation includes both private anglers and for-hire (charter and headboat) landings and represents 57% of the total ACL. The Council approved Regulatory Amendment 9 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan during its meeting last week in St. Simons Island, GA. In addition to decreasing the bag limit for black sea bass, the amendment also allows that in the future, any unused portion of the commercial ACL may be carried over from one half of the fishing season to the next (the commercial quota is divided into two seasons). However, under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, for stocks listed as overfished, any overages of the current ACL, both commercial and recreational, must be deducted from the next fishing year’s ACL. The black sea bass stock is currently listed as overfished and recreational anglers may have exceeded the ACL this past season. NOAA Fisheries Service is responsible for providing the final catch numbers and will do so prior to June 1st. A new benchmark stock assessment for black sea bass will be completed later this year and the results presented to the Council during its December 5-9, 2011 meeting in Raleigh, NC. The stock is currently in year 5 of a 10 year rebuilding program, and the Council may develop additional management measures based on the updated stock assessment. Fishermen have repeatedly provided comments to the Council regarding the negative economic impacts of the recreational closure that began in February. Charter and headboat operators rely on black sea bass for their fishing trips during the shallow-water grouper spawning season closure from January through April, an annual recreational vermilion snapper closed season November through March, and the current year-round prohibition on the harvest of red snapper for both commercial and recreational fishermen. Approximately 65 fishermen attended the public comment period held during last week’s meeting. In addition to measures affecting black sea bass, Regulatory Amendment 9 would also create commercial trip limits of 1500 pounds gutted weight (gw) for vermilion snapper and 1000 pounds (gw) for gag, both measures designed to help extend the fishing season. The proposed trip limit for greater amberjack would increase slightly from 1,000 to 1,200 pounds (gw). The Council’s intent is to have the amendment approved by the Secretary of Commerce in time to implement the management measures, including the bag limit reductions for black sea bass, by June 1, Other Actions: The Council reviewed public comments received regarding development of the Comprehensive ACL Amendment and continued to choose preferred management measures. The amendment sets ACLs and accountability measures for snapper grouper species not listed as overfished and undergoing overfishing, as well as dolphin (fish) and wahoo. Preferred measures for wahoo would keep the current management measures in place. Measures for dolphin would keep current recreational bag limits, prohibit bag limit sales by the for-hire sector (bag limit sale is currently prohibited by private anglers), and establish a 20” size limit off the coast of SC. The Council is scheduled to approve the amendment during its June 2011 meeting for review by the Secretary of Commerce. The Council also reviewed public comments relative to the use of catch shares in commercial fisheries and approved a motion to terminate all work relative to catch share development as currently outlined in draft Amendment 21 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (excluding catch share development for the golden crab and wreckfish fisheries). Work continues on the development of an amendment to consider options for addressing overfishing of speckled hind and warsaw grouper. Recent regulations restrict fishing for or retention of deepwater species (snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, and silk snapper) in waters greater than 240 feet deep. The intent is to eliminate bycatch mortality when speckled hind and warsaw grouper are caught while fishermen are targeting other deepwater species. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will review the draft amendment when it meets April 5-7, 2010 and the Council will review the SSC recommendations during its June meeting in Key West, Fla. The Council approved Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan for public hearings. The amendment establishes ACLs and accountability measures for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and cobia. Public hearings are scheduled for April 2011. Details regarding the hearings, including the Amendment 18 Public Hearing Document, will be posted on the Council’s website at www.safmc.net as they become available. The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for June 12-17, 2011 in Key West, Fla.. Details, including the meeting agenda and briefing book materials will be posted as they become available at www.safmc.net. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, one of eight regional councils, conserves and manages fish stocks from three to 200 miles offshore of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida Release: Immediate Virginia Man Breaks North Carolina Bluefin Tuna Record MOREHEAD CITY – A Virginia man set a new North Carolina state record for bluefin when he reeled in an 805-pound, 8-ounce fish off Oregon Inlet last weekend. Corey Schultz, of Waverly, Va., caught the fish Saturday aboard the Sea Breeze out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. The fish measured 112 inches curved fork length with a 76-inch girth. Schultz caught the fish on a Shimano 80 rod and reel using 130 line test with ballyhoo for bait. “It was all that rod and reel wanted, I can tell you that,” Schultz said. Schultz had caught a 350-pound tuna with the same captain – Ned Ashby – last year and released the catch. Then, Schultz used a 50-wide reel. This year, he used an 80-wide reel. “I knew within the first few minutes it was not the same caliber fish,” Schultz said. Schultz said he fought the fish for about 2½ hours and had close to 1,000 yards of line out. Everyone in the boat’s party of six, in addition to the captain and mate, helped to get the fish on board. “It was an unforgettable experience, that’s for sure,” Schultz said. The former North Carolina state record bluefin tuna weighed 744 pounds and was caught off Oregon Inlet in 1995. The International Game Fish Association record bluefin tuna weighed 1,496 pounds and was caught off Nova Scotia in 1979. For more information, contact Carole Willis, sportfishing specialist and N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament Coordinator with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries at (252) 808-8081 or Carole.Y.Willis@ncdenr.gov. For a photo of Shultz and his catch go to http://www.ncfisheries.net/news/images2011/bigbluefin.html nr-11-2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Council Proposes Reduction in Black Sea Bass Limits In an effort to keep recreational fishermen from exceeding annual catch limits (ACLs) set for black sea bass in the coming fishing year, members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved an amendment that, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, will reduce the recreational bag limit for black sea bass from 15 per person/day to 5 per person/day beginning June 1, 2011. The recreational fishery for black sea bass closed on February 12th of this year after NOAA Fisheries Service projected the recreational allocation of 409,000 pounds had been met. The fishing year for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region is from June 1st through May 31st. The recreational allocation includes both private anglers and for-hire (charter and headboat) landings and represents 57% of the total ACL. The Council approved Regulatory Amendment 9 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan during its meeting last week in St. Simons Island, GA. In addition to decreasing the bag limit for black sea bass, the amendment also allows that in the future, any unused portion of the ACL may be carried over from one fishing year to the next. However, under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, for stocks listed as overfished, any overages of the current ACL must be deducted from the next fishing year’s ACL. The black sea bass stock is currently listed as overfished and recreational anglers may have exceeded the ACL this past season. NOAA Fisheries Service is responsible for providing the final catch numbers and will do so prior to June 1st. A new benchmark stock assessment for black sea bass will be completed later this year and the results presented to the Council during its December 5-9, 2011 meeting in Raleigh, NC. The stock is currently in year 5 of a 10 year rebuilding program, and the Council may develop additional management measures based on the updated stock assessment. Fishermen have repeatedly provided comments to the Council regarding the negative economic impacts of the recreational closure that began in February. Charter and headboat operators rely on black sea bass for their fishing trips during the shallow-water grouper spawning season closure from January through April, an annual recreational vermilion snapper closed season November through March, and the current year-round prohibition on the harvest of red snapper for both commercial and recreational fishermen. Approximately 65 fishermen attended the public comment period held during last week’s meeting. In addition to measures affecting black sea bass, Regulatory Amendment 9 would also create commercial trip limits of 1500 pounds gutted weight (gw) for vermilion snapper and 1000 pounds (gw) for gag, both measures designed to help extend the fishing season. The proposed trip limit for greater amberjack would increase slightly from 1,000 to 1,200 pounds (gw). The Council’s intent is to have the amendment approved by the Secretary of Commerce in time to implement the management measures, including the bag limit reductions for black sea bass, by June 1, 2011. Other Actions: The Council reviewed public comments received regarding development of the Comprehensive ACL Amendment and continued to choose preferred management measures. The amendment sets ACLs and accountability measures for snapper grouper species not listed as overfished and undergoing overfishing, as well as dolphin (fish) and wahoo. Preferred measures for wahoo would keep the current management measures in place. Measures for dolphin would keep current recreational bag limits, prohibit bag limit sales by the for-hire sector (bag limit sale is currently prohibited by private anglers), and establish a 20” size limit off the coast of SC. The Council is scheduled to approve the amendment during its June 2011 meeting for review by the Secretary of Commerce. The Council also reviewed public comments relative to the use of catch shares in commercial fisheries and approved a motion to terminate all work relative to catch share development as currently outlined in draft Amendment 21 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (excluding catch share development for the golden crab and wreckfish fisheries). Work continues on the development of an amendment to consider options for addressing overfishing of speckled hind and warsaw grouper. Recent regulations restrict fishing for or retention of deepwater species (snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, and silk snapper) in waters greater than 240 feet deep. The intent is to eliminate bycatch mortality when speckled hind and warsaw grouper are caught while fishermen are targeting other deepwater species. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will review the draft amendment when it meets April 5-7, 2010 and the Council will review the SSC recommendations during its June meeting in Key West, Fla. The Council approved Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan for public hearings. The amendment establishes ACLs and accountability measures for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and cobia. Public hearings are scheduled for April 2011. Details regarding the hearings, including the Amendment 18 Public Hearing Document, will be posted on the Council’s website at www.safmc.net as they become available. The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for June 12-17, 2011 in Key West, FL. Details, including the meeting agenda and briefing book materials will be posted as they become available at www.safmc.net. PR11-11
Release: Immediate Marine Fisheries Washington License Office to Close MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will close its Washington license sales office for an indefinite period beginning April 4. The license clerk position in the office is vacant due to a recent retirement. Recreational fishermen may purchase licenses online at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission website at http://www.ncwildlife.org/License/ or from a N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission service agent. A list of agents can be found on the Wildlife Commission website at https://www.ncwildlife.org/Apps/WildlifeServiceAgent/Search.asp. For more information, contact division License and Statistics Section Chief Don Hesselman at (252) 808-8099 or Don.Hesselman@ncdenr.gov. nr-10-2011 Contact: Catherine Bruger Commercial Harvest of Vermilion Snapper Closing to Vessels Fishing
in the The commercial harvest of vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic federal waters is closed, effective 12:01 a.m. (local time) March 10, 2011, until 12:01 a.m. (local time) July 1, 2011. NOAA Fisheries Service has determined the 2011 January through June commercial quota of 315,523 pounds of vermilion snapper will have been reached by this date. Contact: Catherine Bruger Commercial Harvest of Golden Tilefish Closed to Vessels Fishing
in the The commercial harvest of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic federal waters is closed, effective 12:01 a.m. (local time) March 9, 2011, until 12:01 a.m. (local time) January 1, 2012. NOAA Fisheries Service has determined the 2011 commercial quota of 282,819 pounds of golden tilefish will have been reached by this date. During the closure, all harvest or possession of golden tilefish in or from South Atlantic federal waters is restricted to the bag and possession limits and the sale or purchase of such fish is prohibited. In addition, a person on board a vessel for which a federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery has been issued, is restricted to the bag and possession limits and sale or purchase of such fish is prohibited during the closure for golden tilefish and would apply regardless of whether the fish are harvested in state or federal waters. The operator of a vessel with golden tilefish in excess of the bag or possession limit aboard must have landed such golden tilefish prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, March 9, 2011, and all sale or purchase of golden tilefish must occur prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, March 9, 2011. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to sale or purchase of golden tilefish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, March 9, 2011, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. This bulletin provides only a summary of the information regarding the existing regulations. Any discrepancies between this bulletin and the regulations as published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register. Southeast Fishery Bulletin, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 FB11-020 Release: Immediate Fisheries Division Seeks Input from Fishing For-Hire Industry MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is seeking input from the for-hire fishing industry about whether to restructure the current permit and license requirements, and if so, how to do so. The division will hold three meetings to accept public comment on this issue at the following times and locations:
The state currently requires charter boat, head boat and guide boat operators to either hold a blanket Coastal Recreational Fishing License or a for-hire vessel permit to charge to take people fishing. The blanket Coastal Recreational Fishing License is an optional license that for-hire vessels can purchase to cover the fishing license requirement for all those fishing on the boat. The for-hire vessel permit is free, but does not cover the fishing license requirement for all those on the boat. To obtain either the license or permit, a for-hire boat operator must hold a U.S. Coast Guard license, show proof of vessel registration, and show photo identification. License or permit holders are required to participate in statistical surveys, if asked. The fees and qualifications are the same for both residents and non-residents. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has asked the division to establish whether there is public support for changing the requirements and if so, to write a proposal. Any major changes would require approval from the N.C. General Assembly. Issues that have been discussed at past commission meetings include:
Written comments may be sent to Don Hesselman, License and Statistics Section chief, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 796, Morehead City, N.C. 28557 or to Don.Hesselman@ncdenr.gov. For more information, contact Hesselman at (252) 808-8099. nr-9-2011
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