Effective May 10, 2012

     NOAA Fisheries Service is eliminating the 240-foot (40-fathom) snapper grouper prohibition in South Atlantic federal waters. The 240-foot prohibition, implemented on January 31, 2011, prohibited the possession of six deepwater snapper grouper species (snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, and silk snapper). 

Note: Other regulations for these species remain in effect, e.g., the snowy grouper recreational bag limit remains at 1 per vessel/day.

     To view a complete list of Fishery Bulletins, visit the NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Regional Office website at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. 

With just 20 days until the second historic fishermen's rally in Washington DC, transportation efforts along are shaping up as two more buses have been added to ferry coastal anglers to and from the March 21 Keep Fishermen Fishing rally at our nation's capital, with fishermen in coastal South Carolina and Northern New Jersey upping the ante in the attendance race to bring the current total number of buses to 13.

3-21-12 Rally Closes In

According to the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), by the day of the first United We Fish rally in 2010, there were approximately 40 buses packed with protesters bound for Washington DC. "We didn't start really filling up those seats and ordering new buses until just a couple of weeks before the 2010 rally, so we're entering the homestretch right now," said RFA's Jim Hutchinson, Jr.

The March 21, 2012 rally is being held at Upper Senate Park in Washington DC beginning at noon. Similar to the 2010 event at the same location, the Keep Fishermen Fishing rally is historic in that it unites two sectors of fishermen which have traditionally been at odds. According to RFA executive director Jim Donofrio, disagreements between the recreational and commercial fishing sectors will always exist.

"I don't expect that our groups will ever fully resolve our conflicts regarding gear type or stock allocation, but the political reality is that coastal fishermen are stronger whenever we can work together under a common goal, which in this case is in support of responsible Magnuson reform," Donofrio said, adding that more than 30 different organizations from both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors have come together to organize the rally.

"Regardless of whether one fishes for sport, for money or simply to put food on the table, all coastal fishermen share a common danger in the form of those who would prefer to see us both off the water indefinitely," Donofrio said. "We're essentially crossing party lines on March 21 for the sake of open access, under the law, for all Americans, to healthy and sustainable coastal fisheries, which is exactly what we hope to see from Congress in the next few months in terms of this important coastal jobs issue," he added.

FLORIDA
Evidence of the united call for fisheries reform is very apparent along Florida's Gulf Coast, where Raffield Fisheries is sponsoring two buses set to depart Panama City, FL on March 20, returning early morning on March 22. The bus ride is offered free to any fishermen - recreational or commercial - able to make the long trip north to Washington DC for the event. A host of Panama City area fishermen are expected to make the trip, as Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) is expected to give a rousing speech at Upper Senate Park on March 21 to those constituents taking the time to attend the event. "As an avid angler myself, I look forward to joining thousands of recreational and commercial fishermen from across America on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol for this year's 'Keep Fishermen Fishing' rally," said Rep. Southerland who encouraged fishermen to "remain united in our fight to secure fair and open access to our seas."

Those interested in hopping aboard one of the Florida buses are encouraged to call RFA board member and chairman of the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO), Capt. Bob Zales, II at 850-814-8001 or RFA-FL's 'Forgotten Coast Chapter' Chair Tom Adams at 850-381-1313. Organizers there are asking attendees to respond before March 7.

SOUTH CAROLINA
This week, the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce announced that they will be sponsoring a bus to leave Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. 1200 N. Oak Street .. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, SC at 1:30 a.m. on March 21. According to Capt. Keith Logan with the RFA-SC chapter, the bus is free but will be limited to the first 56 people who call to sign up for this historic road trip. "We have a great relationship with the folks at the Little River, North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach chambers of commerce, and they've been very active in fighting to protect the rights of our fishermen," Logan said. "The Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this particular bus on March 21, which means it's a free ride for those fishermen who want to climb onboard for the trip to the rally in Washington." South Carolina coastal are encouraged to call Capt. Keith Logan as soon as possible at 843-907-0064 to reserve a spot (get more at www.southcarolina-offshore.com).

Several weeks ago, Tailwalker Marine of Georgetown, SC announced that they were sponsoring half the $3,600 cost for the round-trip price of getting fishermen to and from Washington DC on March 21. Anglers in the Georgetown, SC area who are looking to spend the day rallying at Upper Senate Park on behalf of improved recreational fishing access on South Atlantic fisheries can hop aboard the Tailwalker Marine bus for just $35 per person. For details call 843-527-2495 or 800-768-2495.

NORTH CAROLINA
Capt. Brant McMullan of Ocean Isle Fishing Center out of Ocean Isle Beach, NC is sponsoring a bus to transport area fishermen to the 2012 rally, same as they had done in 2010. "Everyone met at the OIFC the morning of the rally at 4:30 a.m. and by noon we were all marching on Washington," said McMullan, adding that now the rally is on again "it is time to band together to show our continued resolve to correct fishery mismanagement." The bus will leave OIFC at 4:30 a.m. on March 21 with a cost of just $35 per person which will help cover bus rental. It is expected to return that same day around 11 p.m., leaving Washington DC not long after the rally finishes up around 3 p.m. "It is a long day, but every voice is needed to make a difference and it is one heck of an experience," McMullan said. Email captbrant@oifc.com or call Ocean Isle Fishing Center at 910-575-FISH.

NEW JERSEY
Organizers from the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund (SSFFF) now have five buses set to leave New Jersey on the morning of the March 21 rally, with two leaving from Bogan's Boat Basin in Brielle, two in South Jersey set to depart from the Wildwood Fishing Center, and one additional bus added this week for departure from and return to Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina. SSFFF which was instrumental in helping correct the fatal errors contained in recent NOAA Fisheries' summer flounder assessment models is also supportive of responsible reform of the Magnuson Stevens Act to keep fishermen fishing. The coalition partners at SSFFF are sponsoring the full cost of each of the five New Jersey buses, with a small fee of $10 per person is being collected for a beverage, snack and the bus driver's gratuity. New Jersey anglers looking to hop on a bus can purchase tickets at www.ssfff.net.

NEW YORK
Buses are now filling up with support from the party boat fleet from Point Lookout and Sheepshead Bay. The captains and crew of the Marilyn Jean, Brooklyn VI and Ocean Eagle, with support from FishingUnited.com, have one bus set to leave Pier Number 6 along Emmons Avenue in Brooklyn at 6 a.m. sharp on March 21. Those fishermen in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island interested in hopping aboard one of the New York City area buses should contact Capt. Tony Santella at 917-560-8224. The Point Lookout bus has been donated by Capt. Tony Joseph of the FV Stirs, and also includes bagels and other breakfast goodies for the trip down including bottle water. All that is being asked is a donation being given for the seat, but again, the seats have been donated.

"All the seats have mostly been furnished, now it's up to the fishing community to fill those seats so that we can get Congress to move on important amendments to our federal fisheries law designed to keep us fishing in the years ahead," said RFA's Jim Hutchinson who added that the national rally in DC also boasts the organizational support of the New York Sportfishing Federation, New York Fishing Tackle Trades Association and United Boatmen. "We have several New York legislators who have expressed interest in addressing the fleet when they arrive in Washington on March 21, what we need now are the rally supporters to show them that we fish and we vote."

Link to more info as we get it for the Rally: http://southcarolina-offshore.com/ftopict-3118-.html