At the annual South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) meeting going on right now on Jekyll Island (for Georgia members), the tough, yet prudent decision was made to curb the effects of overfishing red snapper – a 7-6 vote in favor of a 6-month ban on red snapper fishing off the southern Atlantic seaboard was passed.

Headquartered here in N. Charleston, the SAFMC is a federal agency, but their decision will have to meet final approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service – likely not to take effect until the red snapper’s summer spawning season.

“The sad part is these kinds of (overfishing) problems should have been addressed long ago. As with anything, the more you delay it, the more severe it is (to deal with). We’re paying the piper now. No matter what the council finally decides, ‘you’re looking at a very limited fishery even when it’s restored.’” – Dick Brame of the CCA

Many red snapper fishermen – not to mention seafood connoisseurs & sushi lovers – are upset and confused with the decision, because fishermen are seeing a glut of larger fish at or above the 20-inch limit – scientists say some unusually strong spawning seasons from several years ago are what’s causing that.

“I don’t like having to do it. The big picture is that red snapper stocks are in very bad shape.” – Duane Harris,
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Chairman

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201
North Charleston, SC 29405
phone 843.571.4366
toll free 866.SAFMC-10
fax 843.769.4520
safmc@safmc.net

NOAA has been hard at work making sure fisheries are in compliance with the Fishery Conservation and Management Act requiring we end overfishing by 2010.

As a result, 7 fish stocks were removed from the overfishing list in 2007. Approximately 40 stocks are still experiencing overfishing according to NOAA, but the NOAA Fisheries Service and the fishery management councils are in the process of ending overfishing for all of these as well.

NOAA’s action provides guidance on how to comply with new annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measure (AM) requirements for ending overfishing of those fisheries managed by Federal fishery management plans. Changes to the Act are effective February 17, 2009.

Meanwhile, here’s a one-minute video on overfishing:

“The commercial seafood industry and recreational saltwater fishing provide our nation food, jobs and other incredible benefits…” – Jim Balsiger, acting A.A. for NOAA Fisheries Service.

Finally, here are some common acronyms used in the fishery business:

btw: I couldn’t find which 7 species were removed from the overfishing list for the life of me! If you find out, please let me know. TIA!