Category Archives: South Atlantic
St. Helena Island, SC – Area shrimpers upset about Oceana report – No, They’re Pissed off!
ST. HELENA ISLAND, SC (WTOC) – It’s been a tough couple of weeks for shrimpers in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire. Quite a few of them are upset with a new report issued by Oceana, a nonprofit marine life advocacy group. The report claims commercial shrimpers are accidentally catching and killing tons of marine animals along with shrimp. Read more here 19:37
Ghost traps major problem in the Keys – Bill Kelly says there would be a lot of fishermen out of business
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fisheries biologist Tom Matthews and other scientists found that 85,000 spiny lobster ghost traps which have lost their buoys, and more than 1 million pieces of traps and fishing gear junk,, Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association, contends the trap loss estimates are too high. Read more here keysnews.com 06:58
The End of the U.S. Shrimping Industry – Execution by Electrocution? Public comments end 3/31/14
In 2010, WildEarth Guardians petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list the lesser electric ray (also commonly called the Caribbean electric ray) under the ESA, but that petition was denied in a 90-day finding in March 2011. If the lesser electric ray is listed under the ESA, it could mean the end of shrimp fishing as we know it throughout the ray’s range, which includes all the Gulf states, as well as states along the east coast from Florida to North Carolina. Read more here thegoodcatchblog 23:17
Sea Hawk Boats works to recover after fire
SEBRING – When fire damaged items inside the building where boats are built at Sea Hawk Boats this week, it wasn’t the first setback for the 15-year-old commercial boat manufacturer, owner Mike Wyatt said Friday. Read more here 13:06
NOAA NMFS and ASMFC Team Up to Help River Herring – and they opened with a half assed Webinar!
More than 80 experts from Canada to Florida participated in the first technical working group meeting for river herring (i.e., blueback herring and alewife) on March 27. NOAA Fisheries NMFS and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission organized this meeting to kick off a strategic effort to advance the restoration of river herring throughout its Atlantic coastal range. Read more here noaa.gov 20:34
The Webinar for todays four hour meeting required the use of a computer AND a telephone for sound! EPIC FAIL.
With Florida Keys lobster season closing Monday, fishermen say it’s been a good harvest.
One of the most successful Florida Keys lobster seasons in recent years comes to a close Monday. As the eight-month season winds down, the spring prices paid by buyers for live lobsters sold to the Asian market may hit $16 per pound or higher. “The Chinese have a live [lobster] market that can and will pay the higher price,” Cramer said. “The frozen market cannot compete with the prices for live lobster.” Read more here 19:24
“Greater Atlantic” First River Herring Technical Expert Working Group on March 27, 1-4pm.Attend via Webinar
NOAA Fisheries,NMFS in collaboration with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, has established a technical expert working group (TEWG) for river herring throughout both species’ range from Canada to Florida, and will continue to work closely with the Commission and others on this plan. Information please click here Webinar registration
REPORT: Mid-Atlantic Council Workshop on East Coast Fisheries and Climate Change
“The decision to hold this workshop was driven largely by input from our stakeholders,” said Mid-Atlantic Council Chairman Rick Robins, noting that many participants in the Council’s 2011-2012 Visioning Project had emphasized the importance of preparing for the impacts of climate change on marine fisheries. Read more here 17:21
Council For Sustainable Fishing – Help get the best qualified fisheries managers
Good news from last week: Governors Nikki Haley and Rick Scott nominated charter boat operators Mark Brown from Charleston and Robert Johnson from St. Augustine respectively for appointment to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to fill seats for recreational/for-hire representation. Read more here 17:19
We can’t win if we don’t fight! “Save the Oceans” – Not from “overfishing”, but from GREED!
This is a response (and hopefully an alternative) to the position of “Well, it’s coming anyway, it’s inevitable; so’s we might as well take whatever we can get out of it…go on home, and call it good” In fact, we probably won’t survive at all…if we don’t fight. Are we willing to give over our fisheries to the barnstorming energy industrialists looking for a new pair of financial roller skates? Are we willing to let them turn our fishing grounds into oilfields and windfarms, where for “security reasons” they’ll install multi-mile buffer zones preventing any and all craft from entering—except the “officially authorized” of course? Are we willing to let a bunch of Conservation Law Foundation lawyers take over our fisheries management and influence public opinion and cowed officials to regulate fishing into oblivion? . click here to read the story 15:49
Maine’s members of Congress lobby for wind project – West Coast Influence, Oregon and Washington delegations
Most of Maine’s representatives to Congress have been ardent supporters of both inland and offshore wind. Read more here 11:04
The Champions of Ocean Industrialization, and Ocean Zoning. Opening your East Coast for windmills, offshore drilling for oil and gas, and mineral extraction. I consider all of them hypocritical enemies of the entire East Coast fishing industry. Rethink, elected officials. You are for us, or against us with your offshore wind pandering. “looking out” for working people?
Researcher suspended for “egregious violations.”after dolphin moved to resort community’s pool
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) – Federal officials have suspended a central Florida dolphin researcher for allegedly putting a sick dolphin in a resort community’s swimming pool without permission. Read more here 07:21
Shem Creek down to eight shrimpers, almost down to seven with F/V Mrs. Judy Too taking on water – Video
Captain Tommy Edwards says if he wasn’t able to get to his boat when it began sinking and if North Charleston’s Fire Department had not arrived with a pump, his livelihood would be dead. Read more here counton2.com 12:34
2013 Annual Report to Congress: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Read the 2013 Annual Report here. 08:20
We’re working to change who manages our fisheries
The 13 voting members of the SAFMC drive federal fishery management policy off the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia and east Florida. They will decide whether fishermen have the following: Over 1,000 sq. miles of additional, scientifically unjustifiable no-fishing zones or Marine Protected Areas. Job killing “catch shares” schemes. Unnecessary, expensive and intrusive Vessel Monitoring Systems. A red snapper fishery closure that extends beyond the current four years. The two seats up for appointment in June,, Read more here 08:32
Shem Creek business closed after 65 years, others fear similar fate
The sign outside Wando Shrimp used to read, “Closed for Today.” Sunday morning, that sign was covered by one that read simply, “Closed.” The Mt. Pleasant seafood business closed for good after a 65-year run. Wando Shrimp is one of several closings on Shem Creek in recent months.”It’s very scary to see people you’ve known your whole life, now they don’t have a job,” he said. Read more here 07:15South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting March 3-7, 2014 in Savannah, GA – Listen LIVE!
Briefing book materials, including a detailed agenda, agenda highlights, committee meeting overviews, committee documents, and information on the Informal Q&A and Public Comment Session are now available here Sign up for Webinar here 20:17
Panel helping to rewrite Keys National Marine Sanctuary rules to meet to decide when to have more meetings
The Ecosystem Protection Working Group last met in September, when a number of draft alternatives for marine protected areas sparked controversy among recreational and commercial fishing interests. This week’s open meetings at the Marathon Garden Club will be more about “sharing information and discussion” than making decisions, Deputy Sanctuary Superintendent Beth Dieveney said Friday. Read more here 19:36
Obama administration takes step toward allowing Atlantic Ocean drilling
The Obama administration forbids Atlantic Ocean drilling through 2017. An earlier version of President Obama’s five-year offshore drilling plan permitted such activity, but he excluded Atlantic drilling from the plan following the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Read more here 16:50
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management : Proposed US energy rules would shield whales
The so-called mitigation measures outlined by BOEM also call for visual observers to avoid vessel strikes with whales and other marine life; testing to detect and avoid other marine life, including dolphins; and protections for nesting sea turtles, dolphins and areas where right whales congregate. Read more here 14:37
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taking a longer look at regulating sea-cucumber take
On second thought, the state’s proposed limit on taking sea cucumbers has been pushed further down the calendar. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission initially decided at its Feb. 12 meeting to follow the agency’s staff recommendation for a boat limit of 200 animals per day for sea cucumbers, to become effective April 1. Read [email protected] 17:53
Gang Green Extorting NMFS – Speed up sea turtle analysis – Or Pay Our Litigators.
The Center for Biological Diversity, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Sea Turtle Conservancy and Oceana contend that shrimp nets in the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Atlantic drown more than 53,000 threatened and endangered sea turtles a year. A letter sent Wednesday began a 60-day settlement period required before suing under the Endangered Species Act. Read [email protected] 07:13:54
Seafood operations director of Atlanta-based Halperns’ elected to Council for Sustainable Fishing board
“Having been born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, the South Atlantic fishery is of very special interest to me. Today we have to be the caretakers, watching out for the many men and women that fish there, while also protecting the environment for our future generations. Collectively we can make a difference,” Cheryl Fuller said. Read more@ Council For Sustainable Fishing 08:17
Commericial restrictions lifted to match new federal rules – Swordfish now can be caught in North Florida waters
Conforming to less-restrictive federal rules that went into effect in August, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission decided Thursday that commercial fishermen can catch and sell three swordfish per vessel, per trip, within the three-mile distance from shore that Florida governs. Read [email protected] 23:09
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission limits take of sea cucumbers to 200 a day
Operators of a Ramrod Key processing facility for sea cucumbers came up short in their appeal to Florida’s fishery managers Wednesday. Agreeing with concerns of agency staff and licensed marine-life collectors, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unanimously approved a 200-animal daily boat limit of sea cucumbers beginning April Link 1. 19:02
HEADS UP!! February 12, 2014 SAFMC Port Meeting CANCELLED Due to Winter Weather and Bridge Closures
The February 12, 2014 port meeting scheduled for 10:30 AM in Charleston, SC has been cancelled. Area bridges in Charleston County have been closed due to ice accumulation and a winter weather mix is forecast through early Wednesday afternoon. Therefore, the port meeting is cancelled and will be rescheduled for March 2014. New meeting information will be posted to the 2014 Port Meeting page on the Council’s website as soon as it becomes available. 08:18
SAFMC BULLETIN: Federal Waters Off South Carolina Closed to All Fishing for Brown, White, and Pink Shrimp Through May 31, 2014
Effective February 13, 2014, at 12:01am Federal waters off South Carolina are closed to the harvest of brown, pink, and white shrimp through May 31, 2014. South Carolina has closed its territorial waters to all shrimping as well. South Carolina fishery managers requested this closure due to a prolonged period of water temperatures at or below 9°C in the region. Read more@sefmc 20:05
Conservationists: Overturning Net Ban is Fishing for Trouble
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida commercial fishermen are working to overturn a 20-year-old amendment to the state constitution that limits the gear they can use. The Net Ban Amendment was put in place in 1994 to stop the use of entangling nets and large small-mesh nets to capture entire schools of fish. Some fishermen who count on fishing for their livelihood,,Read [email protected] 13:02
Tell the SAFMC how you want the snapper-grouper fishery managed!
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is developing a long-term “vision” for managing the snapper grouper fishery. Next week, beginning in South Carolina, the fishery council will begin a series of “port meetings” to seek input from commercial and recreational snapper-grouper fishermen, dealers, chefs and others who have a stake in the fishery as to how the fishery should be managed long-term. Read [email protected] 20:51
