The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a series of public hearings and a workshop to solicit public input on areas that could be considered for designation as Spawning Special Management Zones in federal waters (ranging from 3 to 200 miles offshore) off the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida. The Spawning Special Management Zones (SMZs) are being considered in Amendment 36 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. This will be the first round in a series of public hearings on measures in the amendment. A second round in the series will be scheduled for August 2015. The amendment includes alternatives to identify and protect important spawning habitat for snapper grouper species through the designation of Spawning SMZs. The amendment would specify a process for identifying spawning sites/aggregations of snapper grouper species, including speckled hind and warsaw grouper, based on the characteristics of sites important for spawning such as bottom topography, current systems, etc. The Spawning SMZs would provide protection to designated areas by prohibiting fishing for or possession of species in the snapper grouper management unit. Trolling for pelagic species such as tuna, dolphin, and wahoo would be allowed within the Spawning SMZs.
Fishermen, divers, and other interested members of the public are encouraged to suggest sites that could be considered for Spawning SMZs. Eight sample sites are currently in the Amendment 36 Public Hearing Document, including the Malchase Wreck off of North Carolina, “Devil’s Hole” off the coast of South Carolina, “Daytona Steeples” off the central east coast of Florida and “Warsaw Hole” in the Florida Keys. The amendment also includes alternatives to reconfigure an existing Deepwater Marine Protected Area off the coast of Georgia and allows for the boundary of the Charleston Deep Artificial Reef MPA off the coast of South Carolina to be moved to accommodate recently deployed artificial reef material. The amendment includes alternatives for anchoring and transit provisions.
Spawning SMZ Workshop
Public Hearings via Webinar and Public Comment Stations
Members of the public will have two options for participating in the public hearings.
Option 1: Participate via webinar – The public can register for a live webinar and listen to Council staff present an overview of Amendment 36 and answer questions. Public comment will be accepted during the webinar. Webinar registration is required and registration links are available on the Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting page of the Council’s website at www.safmc.net.
Option 2: Participate in person at a comment station – Persons may also attend a hearing at specified public comment stations to listen to the webinar, ask questions, and provide comment. An area Council member will be present at each comment station to moderate questions and accept public comment.
mike.collins@safmc.net prior to the hearing.Written comments are also being accepted and should be addressed to: Robert Mahood, SAFMC, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405 or by FAX at 843/769-4520. Email comments may be submitted to mike.collins@safmc.net with a reference to “Snapper Grouper Amendment 36” included in the Subject line of the email. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM on May 1, 2015. Copies of the public hearing document are available on the Council’s website on the Public Hearing and Scoping Meeting page at www.safmc.net and available by contacting the Council office at 843/571-4366 or Toll Free 866/SAFMC-10.