Fishery Council to Debate Snapper Rules: Join the Catch?
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is meeting December 8-12, 2025, to talk about fishing rules, especially for snapper and grouper. Fishermen, local communities, and anyone who loves healthy oceans will see discussions on permits, fishing limits, and habitat protection. You can join online, share your thoughts by December 12, and stay tuned for decisions that might affect fishing jobs and ocean health.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Review of Commercial Permits and Trip Efficiency
On December 8, 2025, the Snapper Grouper Commercial Sub-Committee will review management measures proposed in Amendment 60 that address commercial permits and trip efficiency in the Snapper Grouper fishery. If approved later, these changes could alter permit rules or how commercial trips are counted or limited.
Possible Changes to Catch Limits and Species Management
During December 10–11, 2025, the Snapper Grouper Committee will review and consider actions on catch levels and management measures for species including black sea bass, blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, wreckfish, and red snapper state-management items. The Committee may consider final approval for Secretarial review on some measures.
Updates to Federal Permitting and One-Stop Reporting
On December 9, 2025, the Council will receive presentations from NMFS' Southeast Regional Office about updates to the Permitting System and a one-stop reporting process for Federal permit holders. These updates concern how federal permit holders obtain permits and report their fishing activity.
Shrimp Access Area and Oculina Bank Habitat Amendment
On December 11, 2025, the Joint Habitat & Ecosystem and Shrimp Committees will receive an overview of Coral Amendment 11 and Shrimp Amendment 12, which address a shrimp access area along the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern, and will consider final approval for Secretarial review. This concerns access rules for shrimping in that habitat area.
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