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 from April 11-20, 2011.
Members of the public were invited to attend the meetings at any time between the hours of 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Council staff will provide presentations on the amendments and be on hand to answer questions. Local Council representatives will be available to accept formal public comment any time between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. (See schedule below). Written public comments until 5:00 PM on April 29, 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.
Download news release (PDF) Post card reminder (PDF)
Amendment 18 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishery Management Plan for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic: establishes Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. See the news release for additional details. (Note: Public hearing documents will be posted as the become available) Email comments to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Amendment 10 to the Spiny Lobster Fishery Management Plan for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic: establishes ACLs and AMs for Caribbean Spiny Lobster for the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The amendment also considers possible sector allocations for spiny lobster in state and federal waters from North Carolina through Texas. The amendment contains management alternatives for several other management issues regarding the lobster fishery, including: removal of some species of lobster from the Fishery Management Unit; limiting fishing areas to protect threatened staghorn and elkhorn corals; updating framework procedures and protocol for enhanced cooperative management; modifying regulations regarding the use of “shorts” or undersized lobster as attractants; modifying tailing requirements for vessels that obtain a tailing permit; requirements for gear markings on trap lines to help identify any entanglements with endangered species; and provisions to allow public removal of derelict traps. (Note: public hearing documents will be posted as they become available.) Email comments to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Public Hearing Schedule : Meetings will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM
Monday, April 11
Hilton New Bern Riverfront
100 Middle Street
New Bern, NC 28562
Phone: 252/638-3585
Tuesday, April 12
Hilton Garden Inn
5265 International Blvd.
N. Charleston, SC 29418
Phone: 843/308-9330
Wednesday, April 13
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
175 Bourne Avenue
Pooler, GA 31322
Phone: 912/748-8888
Thursday, April 14
Crowne Plaza Riverfront
1201 Riverplace Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904/398-8800
Monday, April 18
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Blvd.
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321/784-0000
*Tuesday, April 19
Hawks Cay Resort
61 Hawks Cay Blvd.
Duck Key, FL 33050
Phone: 305/743-7000
*Wednesday, April 20
Doubletree Grand Key
3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305/293-1818
*Denotes joint hearing with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM on April 29, 2011. Email addresses for sumitting comments will be posted with the documents. Hard copies should be sent to:
Robert K. Mahood Executive Director
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201
N. Charleston, SC 29405
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