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Articles:    Conservation Zones Spared (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Conservation Zones Spared
by: Dawg
2007-09-06 07:25:36 Conservation Zones Spared
National Marine Fisheries Service denies request to open key conservation areas to commercial longlines
WASHINGTON, DC - Conservationists are hailing a decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to deny a request to allow longline fishing boats into conservation zones off South Carolina, Georgia and Florida that have been closed to the destructive commercial fishing gear since 2001.
The request to open these established conservation zones, known as an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), was proposed by the Blue Water Fishermen’s Association purportedly as a way to test the efficacy of circle hooks on longlines for reducing bycatch. Coastal Conservation Association actively opposed the request, citing it as a blatant attempt to allow vessels to target swordfish in conservation zones under the guise of a bycatch study. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also opposed the EFP application, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist followed by sending a letter to Dr. Bill Hogarth, director of NMFS, requesting that the agency deny the request.
“The Atlantic Ocean is a big place, and there are lots of places to test gear other than an established conservation zone that was created to prevent billfish and other highly migratory species from being subjected to longline gear in the first place,” said Fred Miller, chairman of CCA’s National Government Relations Committee. “The acceptable level of bycatch in this instance is zero, and we commend NMFS for denying this request.”
In issuing its denial, however, NMFS left open the possibility of considering a revised request in the future to study the effectiveness of circle hooks on longlines to reduce bycatch of juvenile swordfish, billfish, turtles and species of shark.
“In general, we are supportive of any effort by the commercial longline industry to reduce the indiscriminate destruction of non-targeted and threatened species which is inherent in its operations,” said David Cummins, CCA president. “Efforts like this to reduce bycatch are a long time coming for the longline industry, but they lose all credibility when the industry uses it as a pretense to fish in a conservation zone. Circle hooks can be studied in the areas they currently fish. To say they need to try them in protected areas is laughable. We will oppose any effort to allow longliners into those conservation zones under any circumstances.” read more... |
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 | NOAA News · Total News: 8 · Total Reads: 1276 |
Articles: Bill Hogarth Departs NOAA (Dawg)
Measures for Recreational Summer Flounder Fisheries Announced (Dawg)
NOAA Fisheries Calls for Temporary Ban on Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Blu (Dawg)
Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Nominations received until December 3, 2 (Dawg)
Comment Sought on Pelagic Longline Experimental Fishing off Florida and South Ca (Dawg)
Proposed Limits for Three Fisheries to End Overfishing (Dawg)
NOAA Fisheries Names Top Research Priorities (Dawg)
NOAA, USGS, NPS Scientists Document Deep-water Coral Mortality Event (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Bill Hogarth Departs NOAA
by: Dawg
2008-01-10 07:52:05
Bill Hogarth Departs NOAA
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Monday, December 31, 2007 was Bill Hogarth’s last day as Assistant Administrator for Fisheries after 7 years as leader of NOAA Fisheries and more than 13 years of Federal service to the Nation. He will continue to serve as the U.S. Commissioner and Chair of the International Whaling Commission through the end of the next annual meeting in June 2008. On January 15, 2008, he will begin his new job as the Interim Dean at the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, in St. Pete FL. A reception to honor Bill will be held in Silver Spring, MD on January 9, 2008.
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Articles: ...There aren't any news yet for this topic... | |
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Articles: Southeast Regional Diamondback Terrapin Workshop (Dawg)
Fish Advisories (Casey)
Saltwater Fishing Trends: (Dawg)
RECYCLING OYSTER SHELLS HELPS REFURBISH SHELLFISH GROUNDS (Dawg)
Saltwater Fishing Trends: (Dawg)
2008 S.C. CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE SET IN MYRTLE BEACH (Dawg)
Saltwater Fishing Trends: (Dawg)
DNR LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET NOVEMBER 14 IN WEST COLUMBIA (Dawg)
Saltwater Fishing Trends: (Dawg)
WATER CUSTOMERS ENCOURAGED TO CONSERVE (Dawg)
· More --> | Most recent article: Southeast Regional Diamondback Terrapin Workshop
by: Dawg
2007-12-21 08:33:22 Southeast Regional Diamondback Terrapin Workshop
February 27, 2008, 8:30am – 2:30pm
Charleston, South Carolina
The ACE Basin, Sapelo Island, North Inlet/Winyah Bay and North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserves, in partnership with the SE Diamondback Terrapin Working Group, are pleased to announce a one-day workshop on February 27, 2008 highlighting the status of diamondback terrapin research, management and education in the Southeast. The meeting will serve to update attendees on the accomplishments and specific needs of the region, as well as facilitate networking within and between states in the Southeast.
Presentation topics include:
· Population research and causes for decline;
· Crab trap clean-up, by-catch reduction device (BRD) research with fishermen, BRD education programs;
· Efforts to reduce terrapin mortality; and
· Impacts of mercury on terrapin health.
The workshop will also provide time for break-out discussions by state to determine next steps for that state’s research, management and education.
The workshop will take place at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Charleston, SC, located at 181 Church Street. Rooms have been held at the government per diem rate of $137 for the night of February 26th and can be booked by calling 843-577-2644. The South Carolina Aquarium has also arranged for meeting participants to get an entrance discount and behind the scenes tour on the 26th for those interested.
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Articles: Council Approves Amendment to Rebuild Fish Stocks (Dawg)
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Public Meetings (Dawg)
Public Hearings Scheduled for Snapper Grouper Management (Dawg)
Council Seeks Input on Measures Needed for Gag and Vermilion Snapper (Dawg)
| Most recent article: Council Approves Amendment to Rebuild Fish Stocks
by: Dawg
2007-12-14 05:58:25 Council Approves Amendment to Rebuild Fish Stocks
Rebuilding plans outlined for snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved stock rebuilding plans for three economically important species found in the snapper grouper management complex during its recent meeting in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. Amendment 15A to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) will determine long-term rebuilding plans for overfished stocks of snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy. The Council is required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to develop the rebuilding plans.
The rebuilding plans specify the schedule or timeframe in which the stocks will be rebuilt as well as the management strategies used to recover the stocks. A rebuilding strategy gives managers the ability to establish an annual total allowable catch (TAC) based on the long-term plan for stock recovery. For example, the amendment outlines a rebuilding schedule for black sea bass of 10 years, beginning in 2006. The rebuilding strategy maintains a constant catch throughout the rebuilding timeframe, with a TAC for 2009 set at 847,000 pounds whole weight. The TAC would remain in effect beyond 2009 until modified through the stock assessment process. For snowy grouper, a much longer-lived species found in deeper waters, the Council has designated a rebuilding schedule of 34 years with a strategy to continue a 2009 TAC of 102,960 pounds whole weight. A red porgy TAC of 395,281 pounds whole weight has been set for 2009 and 2010. The TAC can be adjusted as stock assessment data become available and the stock continues to rebuild. Amendment 15A will be submitted later this month to the Secretary of Commerce for final review and approval.
The Council held a series of 10 public hearings from Marathon, Florida to Manteo, North Carolina in November and early December to solicit input on Amendments 15A and 15B to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. While rebuilding plans were approved through Amendment 15A at the December meeting, the Council will continue to receive comments on Amendment 15B until January 11, 2008. The majority of comments received during public hearings involved actions in Amendment 15B, including those to address the sale of recreationally-caught snapper grouper species and allocations of snowy grouper and red porgy between recreational and commercial fishermen.
Opinions were divided regarding the issue of recreational sale, with some supporting the Council’s preferred management alternative to eliminate the sale of recreational bag limits for snapper grouper species harvested from federal waters in the South Atlantic. However, comments were received from fishermen, primarily in North Carolina, that supported the ability to sell recreational bag limits without possession of a federal snapper grouper commercial permit in order to allow continued flexibility for area fishermen with a state commercial permit. Amendment 15B also includes alternatives for the implementation of a plan to monitor and assess bycatch, measures to reduce the impacts of incidental take on sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish, permit renewal and transferability, and management reference points for golden tilefish. Copies of the Amendment 15B Public Hearing Document and details on how to comment can be found on the Council’s web site at www.safmc.net.
Other Actions
Work continued on a list of management alternatives required to reduce harvest and end overfishing for vermilion snapper and gag grouper. Alternatives in Amendment 16 to the Snapper Grouper FMP include a gag spawning closure January – April that applies to both recreational and commercial sectors and to all shallow water groupers, a gag quota where harvest and possession of shallow water groupers is prohibited once the quota is met, two separate quotas for gag (one for the Carolinas and another for Georgia and Florida), and modifications to the gag and black grouper aggregate bag limit. Management measures for vermilion snapper include seasonal closures, two commercial quotas occurring at two different times of the year, and adjustments to the size and bag limits. Additional alternatives include exclusion of the captain and crew on for-hire vessels from possession of the bag limit for shallow water groupers and vermilion snapper, and a requirement of dehooking tools, venting tools, and the use of circle hooks for both commercial and recreational sectors. Allocation alternatives between commercial and recreational sectors are also included in the document. The Council is scheduled to approve Amendment 16 for public hearings during its March 2008 meeting.
The Council also approved a new approach to public scoping in 2008 that will involve a series of meetings offering the public an opportunity for informal discussion with Council staff and area Council members. Public scoping comments will be taken on the following issues: a Comprehensive Allocation Amendment, Snapper Grouper Amendment 17, Limited Access Privilege Programs, and allocation of the Atlantic commercial king mackerel quota. The 2008 meetings will be held February 4th in Homestead, FL; February 5th in Port Canaveral, FL; February 6th in Brunswick, GA; February 7th in New Bern, NC; and February 20 in Charleston, SC. Additional information regarding the meetings will be publicized as they become available.
The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for March 3-7, 2008 in Jekyll Island, GA. For additional information regarding Council meetings, including briefing book materials and a summary of the motions from the December meeting, visit www.safmc.net or contact the Council office.
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
4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201
North Charleston, SC 29405
843/571-4366 or toll free 866/SAFMC-10
Fax 843/769-4520
kim.iverson@safmc.net
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Articles: fishing permits (Casey)
Federal Agencies Announce Availability of Sea Turtle Five-year Status Reviews (Dawg)
| Most recent article: fishing permits
by: Casey
2007-12-06 23:04:14 Atlantic Tunas Permit (Commercial) Description
All owners/operators of vessels (except charter/headboats and recreational vessels) fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic tunas (Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, and bigeye tunas) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic tunas permit. Atlantic tunas permits cost $28.00. In the regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, NMFS changed the fishing year for Atlantic tunas to January through December of the same year in order to facilitate timely implementation of international fishery recommendations. Therefore, 2007 Atlantic tunas permits will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2008.
Atlantic HMS Angling Permit (Recreational) Description
All owners/operators of vessels fishing recreationally for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. Similar to Atlantic tunas permits, 2007 Atlantic HMS permits cost $28.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2008.
Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit Description
All owners/operators of charter/headboat vessels fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. Similar to Atlantic tunas permits, 2007 Atlantic HMS permits cost $28.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2008. read more... |
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Articles: boating safety (Casey)
CRUISE SHIP SPIRIT OF NANTUCKET RE-FLOATED (Dawg)
CRUISE SHIP SPIRIT OF NANTUCKET INVESTIGATION CONTINUES (Dawg)
| Most recent article: boating safety
by: Casey
2007-12-05 12:17:40 U.S Coast Guard Boating Laws
The South Carolina boating safety education certificate (commonly known as a South Carolina boating license) is proof that a boater has successfully completed a boating safety course.
 South Carolina law requires that a person under 16 years of age have passed a boating safety course approved by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources or be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in order to operate a vessel powered by 15 horsepower or more. The Boat South Carolina course meets these requirements and is the same course taught in South Carolina classrooms.
Even if not required by law to get the South Carolina boating license, many boaters take the boat safety course in order to save on their PWC or boat insurance.
Do your part to make boating in South Carolina a safe, enjoyable pastime! Become an educated, responsible boater by completing the Boat South Carolina course and practice what you learn.
How do I learn about the legal requirements of boating in South Carolina?
Laws and regulations concerning operating a personal watercraft or vessel, required equipment, vessel registration and much more can be found in Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating.
How do I take a safe boating exam and get my boater education card?
- Internet: You can study over the Internet then take the South Carolina online boating exam. Once you pass, the official boating safety education certificate issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is mailed to your home.
- Video at Home: Study at home with the South Carolina video home-study course. Then take the Certification Exam at home and mail it in for grading and certification.
Where can I get the boater safety education course material?
You're at the right place, because the Boat South Carolina online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. All the required safe boating course material to get your boating safety education certificate is available for free online. Please visit our South Carolina safe boating course introductory page to find out about the boater exam process.
Where can I get more information about the South Carolina boating safety education certificate?
Who needs a South Carolina boat license, and what can they operate once they get their boating safety education certificate?
South Carolina's boating safety education requirements and laws about operating a boat or PWC are explained in detail on the Who May Operate a Vessel page.
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