Fishery Council Meets to Chat Dolphin Size Limits
Published Date: 3/28/2025
Notice
Summary
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a meeting on April 22-23, 2025, to talk about new rules for dolphin and wahoo fishing, including size limits and reporting improvements. This affects recreational and for-hire fishers who need to stay updated on these changes. The meeting will be in Charleston, SC, and online, giving everyone a chance to join and share their thoughts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Review of dolphin size and retention limits
On April 22-23, 2025 the Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel will review Regulatory Amendment 3, which concerns minimum size limits and recreational retention limits for dolphin (mahi-mahi). If adopted later, this amendment would change the rules about how big dolphin must be and how many recreational anglers can keep.
Consideration of for-hire limited entry
The Panel will take up the topic of for-hire limited entry at the April 22-23, 2025 meeting. Discussion of limited entry relates directly to charter and for-hire operators and could influence whether future rules limit which businesses can operate in the for-hire fishery.
For-hire electronic reporting review
The Panel will review the For-Hire Electronic Reporting Improvement Amendment during its April 22-23, 2025 meeting in Charleston, SC and via webinar. This review concerns electronic reporting for for-hire vessels (charter/for-hire operators) and may lead to changes in how those businesses must report catches and trips.
Public meeting access via webinar
The April 22-23, 2025 Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel meeting will be held in Charleston, SC and will also be available via webinar. Webinar registration is required and briefing materials and the online public comment form will be available two weeks before the meeting at the Council's advisory panel meetings page.
Accessibility and auxiliary aids for attendees
The meeting location is physically accessible to people with disabilities and requests for auxiliary aid should be directed to the Council office at least 5 days before the meeting. This makes it possible for people with disabilities to attend the April 22-23, 2025 meeting in person.
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