Skip to main content
Home Conservation Front

Atlantic Red Snapper Days This Year Possible

FS DavidFS David Posts: 297 Deckhand
Red Snapper Days Possible in Atlantic this Year
Red Snapper Emergency Measure Could Open Season

There is a chance—a chance—that there could be fishing for red snapper in Atlantic waters this year. The South Atlantic Council will discuss an emergency measure at its meeting starting Sept. 11 in Charleston, South Carolina.

A few developments created this possibility. Florida Senators Rubio and Nelson sent a letter to the Sect. of Commerce Wilbur Ross discussing the recent extension of federal red snapper days in the Gulf and requesting an opening in Atlantic waters. Also, in its work in developing Amendment 43 to address the Annual Catch Limit concerns for the red snapper fishery, creating the possibility to allow for a season in 2018, the Council is reviewing those ACLs. At the same time, in Amendment 43 workshops and webinars, they have heard comments and requests from the public to have a season this year.

At its September meeting, the Council will devote the full day on Monday to discuss red snapper management and the options to request an emergency opening through NOAA. There will be an emergency action paper soon posted on the Council’s website, which will be the basis for discussion. If the council decided to request an emergency opening, the number of days of any season would be determined by ACL alternatives in the emergency action document and a decision would be determined by NOAA. They are also scheduled to take action to approve Amendment 43, with the intent to have a limited season beginning in July 2018. NOTE: The Council is accepting written public comment on these agenda items beginning August 25, 2017 (see below). A public comment session for red snapper will also be held on Monday, September 11th.


“In our meetings, we’ve heard from anglers who are concerned about opening the fishing too soon before the stocks are rebuilt,” said Kim Iverson of the South Atlantic Council. “Those concerns will be addressed at the meeting in determining whether or not to open any fishing days.”

The emergency action paper will be posted to the Council’s meeting website for everyone to read, and the Council requests that you make your comments on the emergency action there at the website. You can read the materials and comment via this link from Aug. 25 through Sept. 11:

http://safmc.net/2017-september-council-meeting/

Chris Oliver, the new Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries is scheduled to attend the September Council meeting.

Please note that the meeting materials, online form for public comment, and additional information will be available at the September Council meeting website, above, beginning August 25, 2017.
--David Conway

Replies

Sign In or Register to comment.
Magazine Cover

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Florida Sportsman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Advertisement

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now