The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) will host a Marine Protected Area Expert Workgroup meeting February 4-6 in North Charleston, SC.
During the three day event, experts from across the country will gather to address the use of MPAs to reduce bycatch mortality associated with speckled hind and Warsaw grouper.
According to SAFMC, both species are highly susceptible to overfishing, and because they are caught in deeper waters, few survive when captured and released. The Council is considering using MPAs, including modification of current deepwater MPAs, to help reduce bycatch mortality.
This is the second meeting of the MPA Expert Workgroup. An earlier meeting was held in April 2012 and recommendations provided to the Council. Meeting details and briefing book materials are available from the Council's website.
Date: February 4 - 6, 2013
Meeting location: Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel
4381 Tanger Outlet Boulevard
North Charleston, SC 29418
phone 800/503-5762 or 843/744-4422
For more information, visit www.safmc.net
source: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Showing posts with label marine reserves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marine reserves. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Marine Spatial Planning and Saltwater Fishing
One of the most controversial subjects that affects saltwater fishing is marine spatial planning, In the USA and other nations around the world, efforts are ongoing to regulate oceans, bays and other areas where saltwater fishing is practiced.
Spatial planning often results in loss of access for user groups, with recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, divers and others often the first be banned from entering regulated areas. These come in the form of limited access areas (LAA) marine sanctuaries, reserves, marine protected areas (MPA) and other closed areas.
Marine spatial planning (MSP) is defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a “public and political process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives.”
In the United States, the National Ocean Council (NOC) proposes to implement MSP through a series of regional programs. In June, 2011, the National Ocean Council will be holding a national workshop for government agencies to develop the government’s MSP Strategic Action Plan.
Spatial planning often results in loss of access for user groups, with recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, divers and others often the first be banned from entering regulated areas. These come in the form of limited access areas (LAA) marine sanctuaries, reserves, marine protected areas (MPA) and other closed areas.
Marine spatial planning (MSP) is defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a “public and political process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives.”
In the United States, the National Ocean Council (NOC) proposes to implement MSP through a series of regional programs. In June, 2011, the National Ocean Council will be holding a national workshop for government agencies to develop the government’s MSP Strategic Action Plan.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Gulf of Mexico Fishing Closures to Occur in The Edges, Madison and Swanson, Steamboat Lumps Marine Reserves
NOAA has issued a warning to fishermen concerning Gulf of Mexico area closures prohibiting fishing from January 1 through April 30.
NOAA Fisheries Service reminds fishermen that the area known as “The Edges” in the Gulf of Mexico is closed to all fishing from January 1 through April 30 each year.
All commercial and recreational fishing or possession of fish managed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is prohibited in the closed area.
Possession is allowed when transiting the area if gear is stowed in accordance with federal regulations. The intent of the closure is to protect gag and other groupers during their respective spawning seasons.
The boundaries of "The Edges" closed area are within lines drawn between the following coordinates:
Northwest corner = 28º 51’N, 85º 16’W
Northeast corner = 28º 51’N, 85º 04’W
Southwest corner = 28º 14’N, 84º 54’W
Southeast corner = 28º 14’N, 84º 42’W
NOAA Fisheries Service also reminds fishermen of other closed areas in the same region as “The Edges.” These sites, Madison and Swanson and Steamboat Lumps marine reserves were implemented in 2000 to also protect gag and other grouper species. They are closed year round to reef fish fishing, but fishing for species other than reef fish is allowed in these areas from May through October.
Possession of fish species prohibited from harvest in either area is only allowed aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed in accordance to federal regulations.
The boundaries of the marine reserves are within lines drawn between the following coordinates:
Madison and Swanson
Northwest corner = 29°17'N, 85°50'W
Northeast corner = 29°17'N, 85°38'W
Southwest corner = 29°06'N, 85°50'W
Southeast corner = 29°06'N, 85°38'W
Steamboat Lumps
Northwest corner = 28°14'N, 84°48'W
Northeast corner = 28°14'N, 84°37'W
Southwest corner = 28°03'N, 84°48'W
Southeast corner = 28°03'N, 84°37'W
Map Link:
source: GMFMC
NOAA Fisheries Service reminds fishermen that the area known as “The Edges” in the Gulf of Mexico is closed to all fishing from January 1 through April 30 each year.
All commercial and recreational fishing or possession of fish managed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is prohibited in the closed area.
Possession is allowed when transiting the area if gear is stowed in accordance with federal regulations. The intent of the closure is to protect gag and other groupers during their respective spawning seasons.
The boundaries of "The Edges" closed area are within lines drawn between the following coordinates:
Northwest corner = 28º 51’N, 85º 16’W
Northeast corner = 28º 51’N, 85º 04’W
Southwest corner = 28º 14’N, 84º 54’W
Southeast corner = 28º 14’N, 84º 42’W
NOAA Fisheries Service also reminds fishermen of other closed areas in the same region as “The Edges.” These sites, Madison and Swanson and Steamboat Lumps marine reserves were implemented in 2000 to also protect gag and other grouper species. They are closed year round to reef fish fishing, but fishing for species other than reef fish is allowed in these areas from May through October.
Possession of fish species prohibited from harvest in either area is only allowed aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed in accordance to federal regulations.
The boundaries of the marine reserves are within lines drawn between the following coordinates:
Madison and Swanson
Northwest corner = 29°17'N, 85°50'W
Northeast corner = 29°17'N, 85°38'W
Southwest corner = 29°06'N, 85°50'W
Southeast corner = 29°06'N, 85°38'W
Steamboat Lumps
Northwest corner = 28°14'N, 84°48'W
Northeast corner = 28°14'N, 84°37'W
Southwest corner = 28°03'N, 84°48'W
Southeast corner = 28°03'N, 84°37'W
Map Link:
source: GMFMC
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