Regulatory Amendment 25 to the Snapper-Grouper FMP of the South Atlantic Region/EA

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) is considering management changes to blueline tilefish, yellowtail snapper, and black sea bass in the South Atlantic Region. Blueline Tilefish: The regulatory amendment would increase the annual catch limit (ACL) and optimum yield (OY) for blueline tilefish based on a new acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendation from the South Atlantic Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. The South Atlantic Council is also considering both retaining the current buffer between ACL and the ABC (98%) and increasing the buffer (78-96%) to account for landings in the Greater Atlantic area (Maine through Virginia). Finally, the South Atlantic Council is proposing an increase to the current commercial trip limit and changing the recreational bag limit to respond to the proposed increase in ACL as they believe regulations may be relaxed as more fish are available for harvest.Yellowtail Snapper: The current fishing year for yellowtail snapper is based on the calendar year. The South Atlantic Council is proposing a summer/early fall start date of the fishing year to increase the probability that an in-season closure from the ACL being met would occur during the spawning season. In addition, changing the start date of the fishing year could provide economic benefits for commercial fishermen because yellowtail snapper obtain a higher price per pound during winter months. The South Atlantic Council is also proposing a change to the commercial accountability measure (AM) for yellowtail snapper. Currently, harvest of yellowtail snapper in the South Atlantic Region is prohibited by the commercial sector when the commercial ACL is met. Since yellowtail snapper was assessed as one stock in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions, the South Atlantic Council is proposing a change to the commercial AM so that harvest by commercial fishermen in the South Atlantic Region is prohibited when the total ACL (South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico) is met or projected to be met. Black Sea Bass: The South Atlantic Council is considering an increase to the recreational bag limit to increase the chance the recreational ACL will be landed and ensure that OY is being achieved. In 2011, the South Atlantic Council reduced the bag limit for black sea bass from 15 fish to 5 fish. Since then, the recreational ACL for black sea bass increased substantially (from 482,620 to 1,033,980 pounds whole weight) and the stock assessment indicated that black sea bass in the South Atlantic are neither overfished or undergoing overfishing.

The Council is scheduled to take final action at their December 2015 meeting.