The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of six public scoping meetings on an amendment to reduce the commercial and recreational harvest of gag grouper and vermilion snapper. Recent stock assessments show that overfishing is occurring for these economically important species. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee has determined that a reduction of 61% is needed for vermilion snapper. Substantial reductions in harvest are also anticipated for gag in order to end overfishing. The Council has begun development of Amendment 16 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic to address this situation.
The scoping meetings and a public comment period are being held to receive input regarding possible measures to end overfishing, including modifications to current regulations and potential new measures (closed seasons, recreational boat limits, commercial trip limits, etc.) Written comments may be sent to SGAm16Scoping@safmc.net until 5pm on September 17, 2007.
You can read the Amendment 16 fact sheet here.
