Public Hearings Scheduled for Snapper Grouper Amendment 13C

[NCangler]

Fishermen face reductions in harvest to end overfishing status for four species

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of 11 public hearings to solicit public comment on Amendment 13C to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. The amendment contains a range of management alternatives to address overfishing for snowy grouper, golden tilefish, vermilion snapper, and black sea bass. Proposed management measures include establishing quotas for all four species, reductions in commercial trip limits and recreational bag limits, seasonal closures, and increases in size limits for some species. Alternatives are also included for moderate increases in the harvest of red porgy as the stock continues to rebuild. During its September 2005 meeting, the Council completed its list of preferred alternatives for the public hearing document.

Public hearings will be held in coastal areas in the southeast, beginning on November 7, 2005 and concluding with a final hearing during the Council's December 5-9, 2005 meeting in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Members of the Council's Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel will provide additional recommendations at the December meeting. The Council is expected to take final action to approve Amendment 13C during the December meeting. Recommended regulations included in the document are anticipated to be in place by summer of 2006.

Written comments for Amendment 13C are being accepted by the Council until November 28, 2005. Copies of the public hearing document, a document summary, and public hearing information can be found on the Council’s web site at www.safmc.net or obtained from the Council office. Comments should be addressed to:

Bob Mahood, Executive Director
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
One Southpark Circle, Suite 306
Charleston, SC 29407-4699

Email comments to: snappergroupercomments@safmc.net

SOUTH ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

SNAPPER GROUPER AMENDMENT 13C

PUBLIC HEARINGS
All hearings are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.

GEORGIA
Monday, November 7, 2005
Holton’s Seafood Restaurant
13711 East Oglethorpe Highway
Midway, GA 31320
Phone: 912/884-9151

NORTH CAROLINA
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Ramada Plaza Resort
1701 S. Virginia Dare Trail
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Phone: 252/441-2151

Thursday, November 10, 2005
Leon Mann, Jr. Enrichment Center
3820 Galantis Drive
Morehead City, NC 28557
Phone: 252/247-2626

Monday, December 5, 2005
Courtyard Marriott
100 Charlotte Avenue
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Phone: 910/458-2030

FLORIDA
Monday, November 7, 2005
Sombrero Resort & Lighthouse Marina
19 Sombrero Boulevard
Marathon, FL 33050
Phone: 305/743-2250

Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Ireland’s Inn Beach Resort
2220 N. Atlantic Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33305
Phone: 954/565-6661

Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Boulevard
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321/784-0000

Thursday, November 10, 2005
Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort
1617 N. 1st Street
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Phone: 904/249-9071

Monday, November 28, 2005
Key West Hilton Resort and Marina
243 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305/294-4000

SOUTH CAROLINA
Monday, November 14, 2005
Holiday Inn West
101 Outlet Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
Phone: 843/236-1000

Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Town and Country Inn
2008 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: 843/571-1000

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.

Kim Iverson
Public Information Officer
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
One Southpark Circle, Suite 306
Charleston, SC 29407-4699
843/571-4366 or toll free 866/SAFMC-10
Fax 843/769-4520
www.safmc.net