Comprehensive ecosystem-based amendment 2 for the South Atlantic region : amendment 7 to the fishery management plan for coral, coral reefs, and live/hardbottom habitats of the South Atlantic region; amendment 23 to the fishery management plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region; amendment 21 to the fishery management plan for the coastal migratory pelagic resources in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; amendment 1 to the fishery management plan for the pelagic Sargassum habitat of the South Atlantic Region

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Amendment 7 to the fishery management plan for coral, coral reefs, and live/hardbottom habitats of the South Atlantic region ; Amendment 23 to the fishery management plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic region ; Amendment 21 to the fishery management plan for the coastal migratory pelagic resources in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico ; Amendment 1 to the fishery management plan for the pelagic Sargassum habitat of the South Atlantic Region ; Comprehensive ecosystem-based amendment 2 (CE-BA 2) RIN: 0648-BB26 ; Comprehensive ecosystem-based amendment 2 for the South Atlantic region
• Personal Author:
  Crabtree, Roy E.
• Corporate Authors:
  United States, National Marine Fisheries Service, ; Southeast Region ; United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, ; Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.) ; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (U.S.) ; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration., Office of Program Planning and Integration
• NOAA Program & Office:
  NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) ; SER (Southeast Region) ; CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System) ; NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act)
• Description:
  "This Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2 (CE-BA 2) consists of actions related to management of the octocoral fishery, modification of management of Special Management Zones (SMZs) off South Carolina, modification of sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish release gear requirements for the snapper grouper fishery and non-regulatory actions that designate new essential fish habitat (EFH) and EFH-habitat areas of particular concern (EFH-HAPCs). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) developed the actions in the amendment consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). CE-BA 2 proposes to specify the annual catch limit (ACL) for octocorals in the South Atlantic region. The South Atlantic Council is considering modifying the fishery management unit (FMU) for octocorals under the Fishery Management Plan for Coral, Coral Reefs, Live/Hardbottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region (Coral FMP) to specify that octocorals are included in the exclusive economic zone off of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. As a result of potentially reducing the management unit for octocorals, the South Atlantic Council is also considering an action to set the ACL at zero. CE-BA 2 would amend the Snapper Grouper FMP and FMP for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to require that harvest (with the use of all non-prohibited fishing gear) and possession of snapper grouper and coastal migratory pelagic managed species in the SMZs off South Carolina be limited to the recreational bag limit. This action responds to concern from fishermen about potential user conflicts in the SMZs off South Carolina. An action to modify sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish release gear requirements for the snapper grouper fishery is also included in CE-BA 2. Fishermen have expressed concern that the current sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish handling and release gear requirements are intended for "heavier duty" gear used in longline fisheries and are unwieldy and less effective when used with the lighter tackle employed in the non-longline, hook-and-line component of the fishery", page iv.
• Keywords:
  Catch Effort Conservation Coral Fisheries Environmental Impact Analysis Environmental Impact Statements Fisheries Fishery Management Government Policy Grouper Fisheries Pristis Pectinata Sargassum Sea Turtles Catch Effort Coral Fisheries Environmental Impact Analysis Environmental Impact Statements Fishery Management Government Policy Grouper Fisheries Pristis Pectinata Sea Turtles

  More +
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.25923/yfyg-p416
• Format:
  pdf
• Document Type:
  Environmental Assessment
• Place as Subject:
  United States ; Atlantic Coast (South Atlantic States)
• Rights Information:
  Public Domain
• Compliance:
  Submitted
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0488d37cc715039e35c1044e7a9f2a11afe35ddc0d9d1e6b19c8a757faf863148e1f053cb3198393a9a2d7be30c2cbdf2c1100103ca63c87a677c7d47ac0e681
• Download URL:
  https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/758/noaa_758_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 11.69 MB ]