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"Amendment 17B set a recreational ACL (annual catch limit) for recreational black sea bass that cannot be exceeded. This is the same amendment that requires circle hooks for snapper/grouper species (72 species of fish) fishing in Federal waters.

The rumor is that our sea bass will be shut down as early as at the end of this month, and there is nothing to do about this because the data and govt. guestimates are what they are- and the law is what it is. Without changing the law, the SAFMC and NMFS are forced to close the fishery until the new fishery year begins June 1, 2011.

Also, 17B has a payback provision in it where if an ACL for a species such as gag, vermillion and sea bass in the amendment is exceeded and the fishery closed that year then the next year's ACL must be subtracted from by the amount that the prior year's catch exceeded the prior year's ACL.

This will likely mean short sea bass seasons for the next few years because sea bass was not scheduled to come up in a new Amendment whereby the 15 per person bag limit could be lowered, which would stop the govt from thinking we are exceeding the ACL. It will probably be late 2012 before the mess is fixed.

There is a sea bass assessment scheduled this year, but it isn't a benchmark one. They will continue to rely on good commercial data and crap recreational data thanks to NOAA pushing for their catch shares rather than obeying what Congress told them to do and revamping their entire recreational data system.

All this thanks to the law being so strict and any flexibility or common sense being striped out or not considered by what was hailed some as a conservation success in 2006 when the law was last visited by Congress. What would have happened if other organizations had listed to RFA back then instead of just jumping at any chance they could at putting commercial fishermen and charter boats out of business?

When will people realize who is who?

FOLLOW THE MONEY. You give money to an org? See where it ends up. All public info if it's going to a political org and you want to see who they pay to lobby. Look and see who else pays the lobbyists. If you are paying a political org to do what you want, and you can see that the same guys you're paying also get paid more by people that you'd think have conflicting desires with yours then guess what!!!!?

Until then.... enjoy having the most abundant fish off our coast CLOSED to recreational fishing. "
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:56 pm Post subject:

What is Amendment 17B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper
Fishery of the South Atlantic Region?
 Amendment 17B establishes annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability
measures (AMs) for black grouper, black sea bass, gag, golden tilefish, red
grouper, snowy grouper, vermilion snapper, speckled hind, and warsaw grouper.
o An ACL is the level of annual catch of a stock or stock complex that if
met or exceeded triggers some corrective action, such as a seasonal
closure or a quota closure. ACLs are set at levels that prevent
overfishing from occurring.
o AMs are management controls to prevent ACLs from being exceeded,
and to correct overages of ACLs if they occur.
 The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act) requires fishery managers specify these parameters for species
undergoing overfishing by 2010. *Note: a new assessment was completed for
black grouper in 2010. The assessment indicates black grouper is not undergoing
overfishing; however, this determination was made after Amendment 17B had
been submitted for Secretarial approval by the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council (Council). Therefore, even though black grouper is no
longer considered to be undergoing overfishing, actions affecting black grouper
were retained in Amendment 17B.
 Amendment 17B also proposes new management measures for speckled hind,
warsaw grouper, and snowy grouper, which include a prohibition on harvest of six
deepwater snapper-grouper species beyond 240 feet (73 m). The table below
outlines the ACLs, AMs, and management measures for each species addressed in
Amendment 17B.
 In addition to establishing ACLs and AMs, Amendment 17B allocates the golden
tilefish total allowable catch between the commercial and recreational sectors,
based on the following formula: (50% * average of long catch range (lbs) 1986-
2008) + (50% * average of recent catch trend (lbs) 2006-2008). The allocation
would be 97% commercial and 3% recreational. This allocation is based on shortterm
and long-term landings histories.
 Amendment 17B also updates the current framework procedure for snappergrouper
to include ACLs, annual catch targets, and AMs so these parameters may
be more easily modified in the future.
Species ACL AM Management
Measures
Speckled Hind
and Warsaw
Grouper
Zero (landed catch
only)
Year-round closure no directed harvest allowed. Prohibition on harvest
of snowy grouper,
blueline tilefish,
yellowedge grouper,
misty grouper, queen
snapper, and silk
snapper beyond a depth
of 240 feet (40 fathoms;
73 m).
Golden
Tilefish
Commercial =
282,819 lbs gw
Recreational = 1,578
fish, or 8,747 lbs gw
Commercial- fishery closed when ACL is projected to be
met.
Recreational- following fishing season shortened if ACL is
exceeded based on a three year running average of landings.
No new management
measures. Current trip
and bag limits apply.
Snowy
Grouper
Commercial = 82,900
lbs gw
Recreational = 523
fish
Commercial- fishery closed when ACL is projected to be
met.
Recreational- following fishing season shortened if ACL is
exceeded based on a three year running average of landings.
Establish a recreational
daily bag limit of 1
snowy grouper per
vessel per day.
Black Sea Bass Commercial =
309,000 lbs gw
Recreational =
409,000 lbs gw
Commercial- fishery closed when ACL is projected to be
met.
Recreational- if black sea bass are overfished and the ACL
is projected to be reached, the recreational fishery would be
closed. If the ACL is exceeded based on a three year
running average of landings reduce the sector ACL in the
following year by the amount of the overage.
No new management
measures. Current bag
and limits apply.
Gag Commercial =
352,940 lbs gw
Recreational =
340,060 lbs gw
Commercial- prohibit commercial harvest of shallow water
groupers when the ACL is projected to be met.
Recreational- if gag are overfished and the ACL is
projected to be reached, the recreational fishery would be
closed. If the ACL is exceeded based on a three year
running average of landings reduce the sector ACL in the
following year by the amount of the overage.
No new management
measures. Current bag
and size limits apply.
Gag, Red
Grouper,
Black Grouper
Commercial group
ACL = 662,403 lbs
gw
Recreational group
ACL = 648,663 lbs
gw
Commercial- prohibit the commercial possession of shallow
water groupers when the gag, black grouper, and red
grouper ACL is projected to be met.
Recreational- if (gag, red grouper, or black grouper) are
overfished and the sector ACL is projected to be met, the
recreational fishery would be closed. If the ACL is
exceeded reduce the sector ACL in the following year
based on a three year running average of recreational
No new management
measures. Current bag
and size limits apply.
landings.
Vermilion
Snapper
Commercial =
315,523 lbs gw
(January – June) and
302,523 lbs gw (July
–December)
Recreational =
307,315 lbs gw
Commercial- close fishery when the ACL is projected to be
met.
Recreational- if vermilion snapper are overfished and the
ACL is projected to be reached, the recreational fishery
would be closed. If ACL is exceeded based on a three year
running average of landings reduce the sector ACL in the
following year by the amount of the overage.
No new management
measures. Current bag
and size limits apply.
Who would Amendment 17B affect?
 Regulations for Amendment 17B apply to fishermen holding a commercial South
Atlantic Limited Access Snapper-Grouper Permit, and/or a South Atlantic
Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper-Grouper regardless of whether the subject
fish are harvested in state or federal waters.
 Total harvest prohibitions, bag limits, size limits, and time/areas closures also
apply to private recreational fishermen in federal waters of the South Atlantic.
Where would Amendment 17B regulations be effective?
 Amendment 17B applies to federal waters off the coasts of North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida (ranging from 3 to 200 miles
offshore of each state), and in state waters for vessels having any type of federal
snapper-grouper permit. Each state has the option to implement compatible
regulations in state waters. The Council would request these states adopt
compatible regulations.
When is Amendment 17B going to be implemented?
 On March 30, 2010, the Council submitted Amendment 17B to the Secretary of
Commerce for review and implementation.
 Amendment 17B will become effective on January 31, 2011.
What are the details surrounding the Council’s decision to re-visit the deepwater
area closure in another amendment?
 At their December 2010 meeting, the Council was presented with new anecdotal
information that suggests blueline tilefish can be harvested north of Cape
Hatteras, North Carolina, where the a large portion of blueline tilefish are
harvested, without incidentally capturing speckled hind and warsaw grouper.
 The Council felt this new information, should be analyzed through a regulatory
amendment that would re-evaluate the deepwater snapper-grouper closure and
determine if there are more effective measures to reduce bycatch mortality of
speckled hind and warsaw grouper.
Where can I find more information on ACLs and AMs?
 To find out more about Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements for ACLs go to the
following Web page:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2007/docs/qanda_072809.pdf
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:59 pm Post subject:

Black Sea Bass

Commercial = ACL of 309,000 lbs gw
Recreational = ACL of 409,000 lbs gw

Commercial- fishery closed when ACL is projected to be met.

Recreational- if black sea bass are overfished and the ACL is projected to be reached, the recreational fishery would be closed. If the ACL is exceeded based on a three year running average of landings reduce the sector ACL in the following year by the amount of the overage.
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:10 pm Post subject:

This info is out of the Federal Register.

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/pdfs/17BFinalRuleFRnotice.pdf

82280 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 250 / Thursday, December 30, 2010 / Rules and Regulations

National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 0907271173–0629–03]
RIN 0648–AY11
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-
Grouper Fishery Off the Southern
Atlantic States; Amendment 17B

(5) Black sea bass—(i) Commercial
fishery. If commercial landings, as
estimated by the SRD, reach or are
projected to reach the quota specified in
§ 622.42(e)(5), the AA will file a
notification with the Office of the
Federal Register to close the commercial
fishery for the remainder of the fishing
year.
(ii) Recreational fishery. (A) If
recreational landings, as estimated by
the SRD, reach or are projected to reach
the recreational ACL of 409,000 lb
(185,519 kg), gutted weight, and black
sea bass are overfished, based on the
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries
Report to Congress, the AA will file a
notification with the Office of the
Federal Register to close the recreational
fishery for black sea bass for the
remainder of the fishing year. On and
after the effective date of such
notification, the bag and possession
limit of black sea bass in or from the
South Atlantic EEZ is zero. This bag and
possession limit also applies in the
South Atlantic on board a vessel for
which a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for South Atlantic
snapper-grouper has been issued,
without regard to where such species
were harvested, i.e., in State or Federal
waters.
(B) Without regard to overfished
status, if black sea bass recreational
landings exceed the ACL, the AA will
file a notification with the Office of the
Federal Register, at or near the
beginning of the following fishing year,
to reduce the ACL for that fishing year
by the amount of the overage.
(C) Recreational landings will be
evaluated relative to the ACL as follows.
For 2010, only 2010 recreational
landings will be compared to the ACL;
in 2011, the average of 2010 and 2011
recreational landings will be compared
to the ACL; and in 2012 and subsequent
fishing years, the most recent 3-year
running average recreational landings
will be compared to the ACL.
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:56 pm Post subject:

Yes this is TRUE.... I talked with SAMFC today about this. Its in the Amendment 17B. I'm waiting on a email from them and i will post more info as soon as i get it from SAMFC.
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:44 pm Post subject:

There wont be a whole lot we can actually catch here pretty soon guys. June is a long ways away
_________________
Tight Lines
---Billy---

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:30 pm Post subject:

I was pissed when I got off the phone. I was on the phone with SAMFC for 45 mins. And when I get the email and post up that info you all will be pissed too. I was so pissed I have to call a few people to vent.....
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:30 pm Post subject:

NOAA Outlines Annual Catch Limits to End Overfishing
June 5, 2008
NOAA’s Fisheries Service today outlined a plan to establish annual catch limits designed to help restore federally managed marine fish stocks.
Annual catch limits are the amount of each type of fish allowed to be caught in a year and are required by the 2007 amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Additionally, the act calls for measures to ensure these limits are followed and that the limits do not exceed the scientific recommendations made by the regional fishery management councils’ scientific committees.
“Annual catch limits for fish stocks will help the nation meet the call by the president and Congress to end overfishing,” said Jim Balsiger, NOAA acting assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “They will help sustain and recover stocks that provide the nation with valuable seafood and recreational opportunities, as well as benefits to the ocean environment.”
NOAA’s Fisheries Service, the regional fishery management councils, and fishing communities have taken significant steps toward ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks in recent years. In 2007, seven fish stocks were removed from the overfishing list. However, 41 fish stocks in U.S. ocean waters continue to be fished at unsustainable levels.
The guidelines published in the Federal Register today propose to set up a system of catch limits and targets for each stock to prevent overfishing. The system would account for scientific uncertainty in estimating catch limits for a stock, and include accountability measures to prevent annual catch limits from being exceeded, and to address such a situation quickly if it does occur.
Annual catch limits will be required for all U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries subject to overfishing by 2010, and all other stocks by 2011. NOAA hopes to issue final guidelines on annual catch limits by the end of 2008.

“Ending overfishing on these stocks and preventing overfishing from occurring on others is critical to maintaining and rebuilding our valuable fisheries resources,” said Balsiger. “The economic, recreational and ecological stakes are high.”
U.S. fisheries contribute more than $35 billion annually to the economy and an estimated $20 billion is spent on recreational fishing activities each year.
The proposed guidelines may be viewed online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/msa2007/. Public comments on the proposed revisions will be accepted through Sept. 8.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:58 pm Post subject:

The first part of last year I told everyone that recreational catch shares was coming and I was told I did not know what I was talking about.. Now guess what, its out in the public and in the works. We had time to try to put a stop to it before it started. But no one want to help...... The same goes for the amendment that SAMFC and NOAA are passing. If we do not stand up as a group "Recreational Fishermen, Charter Boat Captains, and Commercial Fishermen" it going to be to late for us all. I have been telling everyone this and posting info about what is going on.

There is a small hand full recreational fishermen out trying to help. If the rest of them do not get off there a$$ then all we will need is a cane pole and crickets. Because the only pleace we will be able to fish is in a fresh water pond!!!!!

I have been doing my part. If you don't belive me then check out www.SouthCarolina-Offshore.com under Fisheries Information.

Everyone needs to join the RFA "Recreational Fishing Alliance"

About Recreational Fishing Alliance
The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.

Capt. Keith
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:04 pm Post subject:

This come out of NOAA CATCH SHARE POLICY...

Once a Council has allocated portions of the overall ACL to the various sectors of the fishery, it can consider separately whether to manage one or more of those sectors using catch shares. By itself, the implementation of a catch share plan does not modify or alter the allocation of catch between sectors. Rather, a catch share program subdivides and distributes privileges to individuals or groups within a given sector, usually in the form of a privilege to harvest a percentage of the sector’s allocation. The approval of a new catch share plan does not impede or preclude a subsequent adjustment in the underlying allocation to the various sectors in the fishery. Thus, the underlying allocation to a sector can increase or decrease over time, while leaving the distribution of catch shares within that sector stable
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:49 am Post subject:

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:06 pm Post subject:

Here is one of the email i got back so far. Not the one I'm looking for.

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your question regarding the recreational black sea bass fishery.

The final rule for Amendment 17B (75 FR 82280) published on December 20, 2010 and will be effective January 31, 2011. For black sea bass, the final rule includes the following text that will be part of the regulations when 17B becomes effective.

(5) Black sea bass—(i) Commercial
fishery. If commercial landings, as
estimated by the SRD, reach or are
projected to reach the quota specified in
§ 622.42(e)(5), the AA will file a
notification with the Office of the
Federal Register to close the commercial
fishery for the remainder of the fishing
year.
(ii) Recreational fishery. (A) If
recreational landings, as estimated by
the SRD, reach or are projected to reach
the recreational ACL of 409,000 lb
(185,519 kg), gutted weight, and black
sea bass are overfished, based on the
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries
Report to Congress, the AA will file a
notification with the Office of the
Federal Register to close the recreational
fishery for black sea bass for the
remainder of the fishing year. On and
after the effective date of such
notification, the bag and possession
limit of black sea bass in or from the
South Atlantic EEZ is zero. This bag and
possession limit also applies in the
South Atlantic on board a vessel for
which a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for South Atlantic
snapper-grouper has been issued,
without regard to where such species
were harvested, i.e., in State or Federal
waters.

Recreational data includes those from MRFSS and headboat. MRFSS data can be found on line at http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/recreational/overview/overview.html. The fishing year for black sea bass is June to May. It is likely the recreational ACL will be met before the end of the fishing year. Data are currently being evaluated to determine when the recreational ACL might be met.

Here are some links that may be helpful:

Amendment 17B Fishery Bulletin: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/bulletins/pdfs/2010/FB10-112_Final_Rule_Establishing_ACLs_and_AMs_for_S_Atl_Snapper_Grouper2.pdf

Amendment 17B FAQs: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/pdfs/17BFAQs12_28_10.pdf

Amendment 17B Final Rule: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/pdfs/17BFinalRuleFRnotice.pdf

Southeast Regional Office website: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions.

Thanks and have a good day!

Karla Gore
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:51 am Post subject:

Here is a link to Fryingpantower.com about what is going on in NC.

http://fryingpantower.com/ftopict-21407-.html

http://fryingpantower.com/ftopict-21566-.html
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:51 pm Post subject:

Link to more info on the January 26 at the Public Hearing in N. Charleston, SC... http://www.southcarolina-offshore.com/ftopict-2220-.html
_________________
Captain Keith
Cell: 843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:17 am Post subject: Sea Bass

The up coming black sea bass closure will really impact all charter/ headboat operators. We have been able to adapt to most regulations thus far but this will put our backs against the wall. It is really time to ban together and draw attention to our cause. I will let other charter operators in our area know about the 2 pm meeting on Wed. I have verbally notified our noaa rep that comes dockside to measure fish that in peaceful protest of 17 b she will have no communication with our staff and will be prohibited from company property except to pick up fish reports from a specified location. Hopefully I can get other operators to do the same. IT IS TIME TO FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS TO FISH (peacefully of course)

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