News - SouthCarolina-Offshore.Com http://southcarolina-offshore.com/ Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:27:00 -0500 FeedCreator 1.8.0-nukeFEED (http://nukeSEO.com) Finally! The IG steps in. http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article231.html Commerce Inspector General to Investigate Fisheries Rulemaking

The following was released by Congressmen Barney Frank and John Tierney:


WASHINGTON - October 28, 2011- Congressman Barney Frank and Congressman John Tierney today announced that they have received the attached letter from Todd Zinser, Commerce Department Inspector General, which states that his office will review NOAA's rulemaking process concerning the fishing industry.



In a letter addressed to Frank and Tierney, Zinser writes that "based on your request, the results of NOAA's outside review, and concerns expressed to us, we will be undertaking an evaluation to address several key areas concerning fisheries rulemaking." Zinser's letter was a response to an August letter (attached) from Tierney and Frank in which they called for an investigation of the rulemaking process.



In his response, Zinser stated that one of the primary goals of the re-evaluation process would be to take into account "the socioeconomic impact of regulations on fishermen and fishing communities" as stipulated in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Frank and Tierney have long argued that this provision of the law has been all but ignored in the rulemaking process.



This most recent sign of progress follows years of effort on both the federal and local levels. Mayor Scott Lang of New Bedford has worked closely with Massachusetts lawmakers in both the House and Senate to change punitive rules over the fishing industry.



"While we have had frustrations in our dealings with the federal government on behalf of the fishing industry," said Congressman Frank, "the Inspector General of the Commerce Department has been a consistent bright spot. His office did excellent work in backing up our claims regarding law enforcement and I am hoping that the investigation process will provide similarly positive results leading to improvements in rulemaking regarding fisheries management."



"For too long, concerns have been raised about the fairness and transparency of the rules and regulations impacting our fishermen. The Inspector General's decision to investigate NOAA fisheries rulemaking is a positive development, and I appreciate Mr. Zinser's willingness to conduct this important work. Congressman Frank and I will closely follow the results of the IG's review," Congressman John Tierney said.

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article231.html Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass November 14th http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article230.html Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass November 14th 2011 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
News Release
October 18, 2011
CONTACT: Kim Iverson
Public Information Officer
(843) 571-4366

Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass, Red Grouper and Wreckfish Fisheries



Members of the South AtlanticThe South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a series of seven public hearings beginning November 14, 2011 to solicit public input on management measures impacting federal fisheries for black sea bass, red grouper, and wreckfish. Amendments are being developed to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan in order to: address overcapacity in the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce the rate of harvest for both commercial and recreational sectors; end overfishing and rebuild the red grouper stock; and address the current Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program for wreckfish.

Black Sea Bass Restrictions: Amendment 18A
Annual Catch Limits (in numbers of pounds) have been established by the Council for black sea bass as mandated in the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act to end overfishing and help rebuild the stock. Increased restrictions on the harvest of other species in the snapper grouper complex have led to an increase in fishing effort for black sea bass. As a result, the catch limits have been reached earlier by both commercial and recreational fishermen, resulting in closures. The fishing year for black sea bass begins June 1st. For the 2011/2012 fishing season, the commercial fishery met its ACL in just 45 days and the fishery was closed. After NOAA Fisheries Service accounted for overages in landings by the recreational sector for the 2010/2011 season, it was announced the recreational fishery had met its adjusted ACL of 341,747 pounds for this fishing year. The recreational black sea bass fishery will close on October 17, 2011 and reopen June 1, 2012. Amendment 18A is being developed to limit the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce harvest rates for both commercial and recreational sectors. A new stock assessment for black sea bass is currently underway. The Council will receive the results of the assessment during its December 5-9, 2011 meeting in Raleigh, NC.
Measures Included in Amendment 18A:
• For the commercial black sea bass pot fishery: limit participation through an endorsement program, limit the number of pots used during a permit year, and other measures to limit harvest and reduce bycatch
• Establish commercial trip limits (all gear types)
• Increase size limits (commercial and recreational)
• Establish a spawning season closure (for both commercial and recreational sectors)
• Modify the current rebuilding strategy to allow for an increase in the Annual Catch Limit as the stock continues to rebuild, based on the results of the most recent stock assessment.
• Improve commercial and for-hire data reporting requirements

Ending Overfishing and Rebuilding Red Grouper: Amendment 24
A stock assessment conducted in 2010 identified the red grouper stock in the South Atlantic region as overfished and undergoing overfishing. Amendment 24 will set Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures, establish a rebuilding plan, and revise certain population parameters for red grouper to end overfishing and rebuild the stock. The amendment also establishes allocations between recreational and commercial sectors.

Wreckfish ITQs: Amendment 20A
Wreckfish, a deepwater species in the snapper grouper management complex, is currently harvested through an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program. With an anticipated reduction in the Annual Catch Limit for wreckfish, the Council is considering measures to adjust the distribution of wreckfish shares in order to remove inactive effort and allow the commercial sector’s ACL to be harvested effectively.

Public hearings for the amendments will take place from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted. Note: some hearings will be held on concurrent dates. 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 Council is accepting written and email comments from October 21, 2011 until 5:00 p.m. on November 21, 2011. Copies of the public hearing documents with details on how to submit written comments will be posted on the Council’s web site at www.safmc.net and available by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.

Public Hearing Schedule


Monday, November 14
Avista Resort
300 N. Ocean Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Phone: 843/249-2521

Monday, November 14
Hampton Inn Savannah/Midtown
20 Johnston Street
Savannah, GA 31405
Phone: 912/721-3700

Tuesday, November 15 (5:30 – 7:30 PM)
Charleston Marriott Hotel
170 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843/723-3000

Tuesday, November 15
Jacksonville Marriott
4670 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone: 904/296-2222

Wednesday, November 16
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Blvd. meeting
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321/784-0000

Thursday, November 17
Key Largo Bay Marriott
103800 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone: 305/453-0000

*Tuesday, December 6
Holiday Inn Brownstone
1707 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
Phone: 919/828-0811
*Hearing in conjunction with the December 5-9, 2011 Council meeting. Begins at 5:30 PM



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.

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article230.html 4th Annual Fish Fry Benefit for Horry County Abused & Neglected Children http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article229.html 4th Annual Fish Fry Benefit for Horry County Abused & Neglected Children

Babb Construction will be Hosting their 4th Annual Fish Fry Benefit for Horry County Abused and Neglected Children on Wednesday November 9th, 2011. The Benefit will be held in the Old Hooters Parking Lot (13th Ave. N) just off of Hwy. 17 in NMB, SC from 11 AM - 3 PM. Events such as these rely solely on the Support of Local Businesses and Community Members to make sure it is a Success...please pass this Information along to any of your Friends, Family Members, or Business Owners that you think would want to support this Great Cause. Tickets are $5.00 Per Plate (Fried Fish, French Fries, Coleslaw, and Bread). If you would be interested in Purchasing Tickets for yourself or Employees, making a Donation (Cash or Supplies), or would like further information please contact Heather Babb at 843-280-6964 or

Heather.Babb@babbcustomhomes.com! Looking forward to seeing each of you there!

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article229.html Congressman’s Tim Scott Regulations Tour Nov 8th http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article228.html

Hello all –

 

Thank you all for participating in the Congressman’s Regulations Tour.  While it is unfortunate that there are regulations negatively impacting your businesses and industry, we are looking forward to bringing light to it.

 

Please excuse the repeat of information for some of you, but I’d like to send one last email finalizing the details.

 

The event will take place on November 8th at Geechie Seafood on Shem Creek (258 Magwood Lane, Mount Pleasant).  The fishing stop will be last on the Congressman’s tour.  This stop will begin at noon, but we are asking that you are there no later than 11:45.

 

The order of the speakers will be:

 

Congressman Scott – he will introduce the and will speak about their impacts broadly, from a national point of view.

 

Capt. Mark Brown, Charleston Fishing charterboats– he will speak about the catch limit regulations more specifically and the negative impacts on South Carolina. 

 

Capt. Keith Logan, recreational fisherman – he will provide the impact of the regulation on his business, and locally on the Grand Strand.

 

Jeremy Burnham, owner, Atlantic Game and Tackle – he will provide the impact of the fishing regulations on his business

 

Chef, Fig - he will give the impact on his business and the other local restaurants

 

 As to the dress code – please wear what you would wear every day to work. 

 

The Congressman will then bring the tour to a close.

 

Again, thank you all for participating and the information you have provided! 

 

Best,

 

Tara O'Neill

Legislative Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

To All,

 

On Tuesday November 8th at 12 noon, Congressman Tim Scott will have a scheduled public meeting at the “Geechie Seafood Dock” located on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC. The format of the meeting will not be a Q&A but rather a 3-5 mins of multiple people speaking starting with Congressman Scott who will open with an overview of the regulations and negative impact it has had nation-wide and how the fishing industry is so integral to our state and more importantly our district.

 

Topics;

 

Concerns with Magnuson-Stevens

 

· the Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) are too strict and ignore the provisions of Sec. 101 that require consideration of the economic and social impacts that such standards will have on the fishing communities.

o Strengthen language of Sec 101(b): “shall”- will require the economic study be done

o We need to address how these ACLs will be derived; they are currently set at the lowest level allowedà maybe increase to the middle of the range that will allow for continued rebuilding of the stock?

· Definition for “overfished”- needs to be redefined; currently too broad, needs to be more direct

· Must use the “sound science” approach with current data

o Require data that has a reliability of 90% or greater that it is accurate

o Currently using the “best available” data that is sometimes years old; this is not good enough

 

 

A light lunch will be made available and provided by “Abundant Seafood” and “Boat House Restaurant”. Please try to make this meeting, we need as many people that are directly impacted by this and have concerns over the way the federal government is managing our fisheries. If you want to show our first district Congressman Tim Scott your support and that you care, BE THERE!

 

The address for the “Geechie Seafood Dock” is: 248 Magwood Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC. 29466 Phone: (843) 478-5078

 

Article with map and directions  http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/geechie-seafood/Location?oid=3628994

 

 

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article228.html NOAA REQUESTS $54 MILLION TO REDUCE FISHING EFFORT http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article227.html NOAA REQUESTS $54 MILLION TO REDUCE FISHING EFFORT

RFA Says Agency Seeking Congressional Aid to Destroy Fishing Communities


In a bold attempt to take control of our nation's coastal resources, NOAA Fisheries has asked Congress for an additional $54 million in funding for catch shares, while simultaneously turning their back on the agency's scientific deficiencies in managing marine fisheries.


While Atlantic and Gulf Coast fishermen and legislators have openly rallied in opposition to this particular takeover scheme, NOAA Fisheries, led by an agenda-driven ideology to reduce fishing participation, continues to run roughshod over coastal constituents in clear violation of legislative order.



Appearing before a House Resource Committee hearing on October 26th in Washington, Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) executive director Jim Donofrio blasted the NOAA administration for failing to adequately fund scientific efforts in coastal fisheries management. "NOAA claims they don't have enough money to do the stock assessments on the species they manage," Donofrio said in his official testimony, explaining how there are boats tied to the dock in coastal communities throughout the United States right now, unable to access healthy, rebuilt fisheries due to lack of science.



When the Magnuson Stevens Act was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate in 2006 and signed by President Bush in 2007, it required NOAA fisheries to overhaul their Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS) by a time-specific deadline of January 1, 2009. Donofrio said NOAA officials have publicly stated on several occasions that a new Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) has not yet been implemented, despite the requirements set forth by Congress.



"Right now we don't have a data collection program that Congress mandated in the 2007 reauthorization for marine recreational statistics, the new MRIP program," Donofrio told Congress in October, adding "they're still using the MRFSS data and they're shutting down fisheries based on the MRFSS data."



Despite the woeful lack of science and analytical data needed to properly manage fisheries, NOAA has apparently gone to key members of the House and Senate in asking for additional funds for catch share programs which by design cap fishing participation by trading away ownership of fish stocks to select groups and individuals. Earlier this year, NOAA's administration under the leadership of Dr. Jane Lubchenco had attempted to misappropriate several million dollars away from NOAA's scientific budget to allocate towards catch shares, a move which was stymied by an act of Congress.



In February, the House voted 259-159 to cut off funding for future catch share programs which would've opened the door to commodities trading of fishermen's catch allocations - or worse, a complete buy-out of angler access by preservationist groups. The bipartisan budget amendment tied to NOAA's proposed catch share funding was sponsored by Republican Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina, as well as a pair of coastal Democrats in Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey.



"We've heard from Congressman Jones this week who says that NOAA is courting legislators, asking for more money for catch share programs," Donofrio said. "These are the same programs that have driven Massachusetts legislators to seek $21 million in directed economic relief from Washington to give to displaced fishermen, specifically because of these failed catch share policies enacted under the present NOAA administration."



A letter co-signed on October 31 by 19 bipartisan coastal members of the House of Representatives calls on ranking members of the House to ensure that language is included in the 2012 appropriations bill which would restrict the use of funds for development or approval of new catch share programs for any fishery under the jurisdiction of the New England, Mid Atlantic or South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils.



"The last thing the American government should be doing in these economic times is spending millions of taxpayer dollars to expand programs that will be put even more Americans out of work," the letter says, explaining that that is exactly what NOAA is attempting to do by requesting $54 million it its 2012 budget, "to accelerate implementation of new fisheries catch share programs across the U.S."



Donofrio said the RFA has already spoken to ranking members of the Senate who will be cosigning their support of the letter, and added that he and fellow fishermen will be reaching out to legislators in the Gulf of Mexico to rally support in opposition to catch share programs which take monies away from scientific efforts in that region.



"By commoditizing a public resource and placing share distinctions on individual fishes, what the catch share policy would do is give big corporations and wealthy non-profit groups the ability to buy up all the harvest for themselves, leaving individual anglers and coastal communities standing at the dock with nothing," Donofrio said. "This whole orchestrated effort by Dr. Lubchenco and her friends at Environmental Defense Fund is nothing more than a resource grab which will destroy our marine industry and take away access for millions of Americans."



"I can't fathom how Dr. Lubchenco can claim to support best available science when her Administration is asking Congress for money, not to improve stock assessments and data collection, but for coastal sharecropping schemes which will destroy our mom and pop businesses along the coast," Donofrio said.



(To see if your representative has signed visit www.joinrfa.org/press/CongressCatchShareLetter.pdf)



Find your Representative at www.house.gov/representatives and tell them, "fishermen need money for better science, NOT programs that will put captains, tackle shops and marinas out of business while forcing anglers off the water." Catch shares will only protect the fish by destroying fishermen...it will hand ownership of the resource over to the few, the privileged, the elite, the preservationists and the corporations!!!



JOIN RFA TODAY & HELP US SAY NO TO NOAA!
_________________

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article227.html RFA CALLS ON FISHERMEN TO UNITE http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article226.html RFA CALLS ON FISHERMEN TO UNITE

Fluke & Snapper Closures Fan Flames Of Angler Discontent



Because of obsolete NOAA harvest statistics and questionable assessment data, summer flounder (fluke) fishermen will take another hit in 2012 - in turn, coastal fishermen are planning to hit back at Washington DC sometime later this winter!


A Northeast Fisheries Science Center report indicates that while the summer flounder stock was successfully rebuilt in 2010, angler harvest data compiled through the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistical Survey (MRFSS) and applied to NOAA assessment models predicts fishing mortality rate will be exceeded in 2011, once again causing statutory overfishing to occur. In addition to known flaws with the MRFSS data, independent scientists have also been critical of the assessment models used by the federal fisheries service.



Citing new findings, the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) warns that harvest limits originally recommended by council members for 2012 are actually too high and may need to be reduced. On top of recent reports from the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regional fishery management councils that sea bass and red snapper fisheries have also been closed to anglers due to flawed data, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) said they are moving forward with another rally in Washington DC later this winter like the one held during the winter of 2010.



"In conducting stock assessments, NOAA Fisheries is using recreational harvest data deemed fatally flawed and woefully inaccurate by the National Academy of Sciences, which is exactly why Congress told them to stop using MRFSS as of 2009," said Jim Donofrio, RFA's executive director. "Whether it's sea bass, red snapper or fluke, annual or semi-annual stock assessments don't mean squat when you're using illicit data and questionable models."



"Five years is long enough to wait for Congress to react, so if they're not coming to us then it looks like we'll be heading back to see them this winter," he added.



Reauthorized in 2006 by unanimous consent with support from 'green' groups like Pew Charitable Trusts and their Pew-funded affiliates including Marine Fish Conservation Network and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Magnuson Stevens Act calls for rigid rebuilding deadlines while incorporating annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures like catch shares to help ratchet down regulatory controls on fishermen.



"RFA has taken our lumps by some in the industry because we've been so openly vocal about the issues with Magnuson while also rallying for more accountability from our federal government, but who can sit back quietly while this injustice continues," Donofrio asked, adding "this is a jobs issue."



Last week, Donofrio appeared before a House Resource Committee hearing on behalf of America's coastal anglers, and specifically brought up the issue of NOAA's inattention to meeting requirements set forth by Congress. "We don't have a data collection program that Congress mandated in the 2007 reauthorization for marine recreational statistics, the new MRIP program, they're still using the MRFSS data and they're shutting down fisheries," Donofrio told committee members," adding "they told the judge we're not using MRFSS data anymore."



Two years ago, RFA brought a federal lawsuit against NOAA for closing the black sea bass fishery using data compiled through MRFSS. Based on the NOAA testimony, a federal judge determined that there would no future fishing closures based on MRFSS data given the fact that NOAA was no longer using MRFSS, rendering RFA's lawsuit moot. That's a concern which Donofrio and the RFA have specifically brought to the attention of Congress.



"NOAA's legal team essentially showed a copy of the Magnuson reauthorization of 2007 showing where Congress mandated that MRFSS be replaced as of January 1, 2009," Donofrio said. "While NOAA has yet to meet their congressional obligation three full seasons later, our recreational fishing community is being forced to adhere to a broken law enforced by an overzealous and contentious enforcement office."



Donofrio told House Resource Committee members that coastal businesses are having a bad enough time staying open in a down economy, but when combined with burdensome regulations based on hopelessly flawed harvest data, many recreational fishing professionals have been getting out of the business entirely. "They're disgusted with federal regulations that are not allowing them to fish on rebuilt stocks and NOAA's not doing a thing about it, what they want to do is add more layers of bureaucracy that costs more money when they're not spending the money to keep us fishing," Donofrio said.



In response to a question from Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ) Donofrio said issues experienced within the New Jersey congressman's home district were the same as those down in the southeastern United States and throughout the Gulf, "all the way down to Mr. Southerland's district," he added, referencing committee member Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) who also took NOAA to task at the recent hearing. "We have people sitting at the dock can't catch red snapper because the stock assessments and the data that NOAA's been using is flawed, we're literally tripping over red snapper, tripping over them" Donofrio said.



Since 2007, RFA and their coastal allies have vocally pressed forth with support for legislation to reform the Magnuson Stevens Act to rewrite the fouled language which has allowed NOAA to shirk its responsibilities while punishing coastal fishing communities. Donofrio said it's been an uphill battle because of congressional gridlock and an industry divided. "A handful of legislators were led to believe that Magnuson was just fine back in 2006, but that's obviously not the case," Donofrio said.



According to MAFMC chairman Rick Robins, part of the problem with summer flounder is the fact that NOAA Fisheries is taking important scientific funding away from his council and shifting the spending up north. "The current situation is an unfortunate consequence resulting from the redirection of Science Center resources to New England groundfish," Robins said. While the MAFMC is in the process of scheduling meetings with the science and statistical committees to review the information before their December meetings, independent scientists including Brian Rothschild and Mark Maunder have openly challenged the data used by NOAA scientists in their assessments models.



"There are scientists in the field who have critical data with regard to summer flounder to challenge the government's unreasonable findings, but the only way to shake some sense into this government bureaucracy is through an act of Congress," Donofrio said. "Without a new benchmark assessment or peer review of the government data, there's no way for individual anglers and independent scientists to challenge the data," he said.



Donofrio said the best option for protecting the future of saltwater angling opportunities is to fix a broken law while securing legislative commitments to overhauling a big government bureaucracy which he says "has gone rogue" in the past 3-1/2 years. "Comprehensive reform of the law is the only choice right now, and the quicker the industry realizes that they've been hoodwinked by anti-fishing interests the quicker we can address our coastal access issues in front of Congress," he added.



"There are several different Magnuson reform bills in Congress right now, including the more comprehensive version in HR3061," Donofrio said, adding "what we need is get the whole suite of legislation into committee for review and debate so that we can get the law fixed now to protect jobs."





About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article226.html Scientist says red snapper models WRONG http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article225.html Key Alabama scientist says the Gulf red snapper models are wrong..... (and theirs are much closer to reality than the models for our South Atlantic stocks.





http://blog.al.com/live/2011/10/feds_underestimate_snapper_rec.html


Research by Alabama scientists suggests that federal regulators may have underestimated the size of the red snapper population due to a longstanding reliance on flawed data collected from commercial fishermen.

For the last several years, federal snapper population estimates have meant tighter and tighter regulation of the Gulfs most important commercial and recreational fishery, with the 2011 season being the shortest on record.

An estimate of how many fish in the Gulf population are more than 10 years old is critical to the calculations that determine how many pounds of snapper commercial and recreational fishermen are allowed to catch each year. More older fish means a healthier population. Too few older fish means a population is being fished too heavily.

The National Marine Fisheries Service data on the age and size of the snapper population known as a stock assessment come from commercial fishing records. The information is fed into a computer model created by the fisheries service. Catch limits are set based on the models results.

All of the NMFS model is driven by the age composition of the population. What the NMFS model wants to see is a lot of fish that are 10 years old, and some that are 15 years old, said Sean Powers, a Dauphin Island Sea Lab scientist studying the snapper population.

Powers is also the chair of the Scientific and Statistical Committee that reviews the fisheries service model and the data that goes into it, putting him in a unique position to review the federal stock assessment.

Bottom line, what his studies show and what the model predicts dont agree.

We are seeing a lot more older fish in the population, he said. We are collecting those fish with greater frequency than the model predicts. We see the population recovering and building up those age classes more quickly.

Powers and a group of Sea Lab researchers are in the third year of a study that compares the effectiveness of different types of fishing gear used by commercial fishermen and researchers in the Gulf. The research has involved catching thousands of snapper on both artificial and natural reefs between Apalachicola, Fla., and the Alabama/Mississippi line.

Powers said the fisheries service model has long relied on catch data from commercial fishermen who typically use bandit gear short stubby rods equipped with electric reels designed to winch snapper up from the depths as quickly as possible.

If you only sample the commercial catch, then you are seeing only the fish the commercial fishermen want to catch, Powers said.

Those fishermen use small hooks and small baits in order to catch 14- to 16-inch red snapper, which bring the highest price at market, he said.

If we were only using bandit gear, wed see what NMFS sees, Powers said. But his group is using different methods, including deploying a mile of fishing line along the seafloor with hundreds of baited hooks.

Were catching these older fish, Powers said. The commercial guys are using smaller hook sizes and small baits. If we use smaller hooks and use squid instead of mackerel, we catch smaller red snapper. If we up the hook size and use larger bait, we catch larger fish.

Claudia Friess, a fisheries analyst with the Ocean Conservancy, said the commercial fishing gear does appear to target smaller fish. Other new data sets seem to reflect the same trend toward larger fish seen in the Sea Lab data, Friess said, meaning the snapper population recovery may be ahead of where federal officials believe it is.

Friess also said that, due to the governments review process, the data used to set catch limits is usually three years old.

Roy Crabtree, in charge of snapper regulations for the fisheries service, said the agency was trying to close the gap between when data is collected and when it is used.

He said population data collected by researchers like Powers described as fishery independent data are probably more accurate than catch reports from fishermen.

Crabtree said the fisheries service received funding related to the Gulf oil spill that has been used to conduct longline surveys similar to the Sea Lab work.

The biggest thing weve needed to improve the stock assessments is this fishery independent data. Weve got these now, Crabtree said. I hope Sean is right, that the stock is further along than we thought.

The next step, Crabtree said, is to use the new fishery independent data for a new stock assessment. Officials plan to conduct one in the coming year with a quicker turnaround than in the past. The results would primarily affect the 2013 season, though it is possible some of the preliminary data may be used to justify an increase in the quota for 2012.

Powers said snapper live to be 40 years old. A healthy population will have fish at every age group, all the way up to 40.

Were seeing a lot of 10-year-old fish, some 15s and even 19s, but not a lot older. I dont think it is fully recovered, but I think we are a lot further along that recovery path than the current stock assessment says we are, Powers said.

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article225.html Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass, Red Grouper and Wreckfish Fisherie http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article224.html http://www.safmc.net/News/NewsReleases/NROctober182011/tabid/700/Default.aspx

Public Hearings Scheduled for Black Sea Bass, Red Grouper and Wreckfish Fisheries

Members of the South AtlanticThe South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a series of seven public hearings beginning November 14, 2011 to solicit public input on management measures impacting federal fisheries for black sea bass, red grouper, and wreckfish. Amendments are being developed to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan in order to: address overcapacity in the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce the rate of harvest for both commercial and recreational sectors; end overfishing and rebuild the red grouper stock; and address the current Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program for wreckfish.

Black Sea Bass Restrictions: Amendment 18A
Annual Catch Limits (in numbers of pounds) have been established by the Council for black sea bass as mandated in the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act to end overfishing and help rebuild the stock. Increased restrictions on the harvest of other species in the snapper grouper complex have led to an increase in fishing effort for black sea bass. As a result, the catch limits have been reached earlier by both commercial and recreational fishermen, resulting in closures. The fishing year for black sea bass begins June 1st. For the 2011/2012 fishing season, the commercial fishery met its ACL in just 45 days and the fishery was closed. After NOAA Fisheries Service accounted for overages in landings by the recreational sector for the 2010/2011 season, it was announced the recreational fishery had met its adjusted ACL of 341,747 pounds for this fishing year. The recreational black sea bass fishery will close on October 17, 2011 and reopen June 1, 2012. Amendment 18A is being developed to limit the commercial black sea bass pot fishery and reduce harvest rates for both commercial and recreational sectors. A new stock assessment for black sea bass is currently underway. The Council will receive the results of the assessment during its December 5-9, 2011 meeting in Raleigh, NC.

Measures Included in Amendment 18A:
For the commercial black sea bass pot fishery: limit participation through an endorsement program, limit the number of pots used during a permit year, and other measures to limit harvest and reduce bycatch
Establish commercial trip limits (all gear types)
Increase size limits (commercial and recreational)
Establish a spawning season closure (for both commercial and recreational sectors)
Modify the current rebuilding strategy to allow for an increase in the Annual Catch Limit as the stock continues to rebuild, based on the results of the most recent stock assessment.
Improve commercial and for-hire data reporting requirements

Ending Overfishing and Rebuilding Red Grouper: Amendment 24
A stock assessment conducted in 2010 identified the red grouper stock in the South Atlantic region as overfished and undergoing overfishing. Amendment 24 will set Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures, establish a rebuilding plan, and revise certain population parameters for red grouper to end overfishing and rebuild the stock. The amendment also establishes allocations between recreational and commercial sectors.

Wreckfish ITQs: Amendment 20A
Wreckfish, a deepwater species in the snapper grouper management complex, is currently harvested through an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) program. With an anticipated reduction in the Annual Catch Limit for wreckfish, the Council is considering measures to adjust the distribution of wreckfish shares in order to remove inactive effort and allow the commercial sectors ACL to be harvested effectively.

Public hearings for the amendments will take place from 4:00 PM 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted. Note: some hearings will be held on concurrent dates. 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 Council is accepting written and email comments from October 21, 2011 until 5:00 p.m. on November 21, 2011. Copies of the public hearing documents with details on how to submit written comments will be posted on the Councils web site at www.safmc.net and available by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.

Public Hearing Schedule


Monday, November 14
Avista Resort
300 N. Ocean Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Phone: 843/249-2521

Monday, November 14
Hampton Inn Savannah/Midtown
20 Johnston Street
Savannah, GA 31405
Phone: 912/721-3700

Tuesday, November 15 (5:30 7:30 PM)
Charleston Marriott Hotel
170 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843/723-3000

Tuesday, November 15
Jacksonville Marriott
4670 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone: 904/296-2222

Wednesday, November 16
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Blvd. meeting
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321/784-0000

Thursday, November 17
Key Largo Bay Marriott
103800 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone: 305/453-0000

*Tuesday, December 6
Holiday Inn Brownstone
1707 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
Phone: 919/828-0811
*Hearing in conjunction with the December 5-9, 2011 Council meeting. Begins at 5:30 PM



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.

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article224.html SAFMC Open Seats http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article223.html FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kim Iverson
October 18, 2011 Public Information Officer
Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10 or 843/571-4366
kim.iverson@safmc.net
Federal Fishery Advisory Panel Seats Open to Applicants
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting applications for seats currently available on
its advisory panels. Working at the grass roots level, advisory panel members provide information and
guidance in the development and implementation of federal fishery management plans. The Council has
11 separate advisory panels composed of individuals who are engaged in the harvest of, or are
knowledgeable and interested in the conservation and management of the fishery or managed species.
Members include recreational and commercial fishermen, seafood dealers and processors,
conservationists, scientists, and concerned citizens.
Advisory panel members are appointed by the Council and serve for a three-year period, based 2on the
frequency of meetings. As those appointments expire, members currently serving on the AP may reapply
for their positions. These seats also become open to new applicants. AP members generally meet no more
than once or twice each year and are compensated for travel and per diem expenses for all meetings.
Applications are now being solicited for the following positions:
Coral Advisory Panel (1) Deepwater Coral Scientist Seat
Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel (Cool Recreational Seats; (6) Charter Seats;
(2) Commercial Seats; and (1) NGO Seat
Habitat Advisory Panel (1) SC Recreational, (1) SC Commercial, and
(1) SC Conservation; (1) GA Recreational, and
(1) GA Commercial; (1) FL Recreational,
(1) FL Commercial, and (1) FL Conservation; and
(1) At-Large Research Seat
King & Spanish Mackerel Advisory Panel (1) Recreational Seat; (6) Commercial Seats; and
(1) NGO Seat
Deepwater Shrimp Advisory Panel (1) Open Seat
Shrimp Advisory Panel (2) Open Seats and (1) NGO Seat
Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (1) NGO Seat
SEDAR Stock Assessment Pool Open Seats
Applicants appointed to the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Pool are eligible to serve
on species-specific panels for future stock assessments.
(Continued)
Advisory Panel Openings (continued)
If you are interested in serving as a member on the Council's advisory panels, please submit an
application to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North
Charleston, SC 29405. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or
toll free 866/SAFMC-10. Application forms are also available online at www.safmc.net. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to contact area Council representatives to discuss their interest in serving.
Contact information for all Council members is available at www.safmc.net or through the Council office.
Advisory panel members will be selected during the next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, scheduled for December 5-9, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Applications must
be received by November 18, 2011.
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.

http://www.safmc.net/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=zhnIJfl9hMo%3d&tabid=139

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article223.html Save our Fisheries Meeting in Littler River 10/20/2011 http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article222.html

Carolina Saltwater Anglers Alliance and the Grand Strand Fishing Alliance Meeting in Little River 10/20/2011

We will Tara from Congressman Tim Scott office here to talk about what he has going on for us.

Save our Fisheries Meeting

We are having our 6th meeting with recreational fishermen, charter/
head boat captains, and commercial fishermen on Thursday October 20, 2011 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be at Billy the Kid's on Sea Mountain
Hwy in Little River. The reason for this meeting is to bring everyone
up to speed on what is going in our fisheries and what we are doing
to try to get the MSA fixed. We also will go over things that
need to be done to make this happen.

There will be a groups of us meeting at 6:00pm for dinner at Billy the
Kid's.

Look forward to see you on Thursday October 20, 2011 at 7:00pm.

Thanks,
Keith Logan.

Billy the Kid's
3456 Sea Mountain Hwy
Little River, SC 29566 .
Just right there off Hwy 9 south on Sea Mountain Hwy.

]]> no_email@example.com (Capt_Keith) http://southcarolina-offshore.com/article222.html