Amendment 34 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan of the South Atlantic Region

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 34. Regulatory Amendment 34 would specify 34 special management zones (SMZ) around artificial reefs off North Carolina and South Carolina as requested by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and the South Carolina Marine Resources Division. Harvest of snapper-grouper species would only be allowed with handline, rod and reel, and spear in the SMZs. In the SMZs off North Carolina, all harvest of snapper-grouper species by spear would be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit. In the SMZs off South Carolina, all harvest by spear would be limited to the applicable recreational bag limit. The purpose of the framework amendment is to reduce adverse effects to snapper-grouper species and optimize fishing opportunities at the artificial reef sites.