Dr. Hogarth, who is newly appointed to his position at NOAA Fisheries, acknowledged the problems and agreed to work closely with the Council to bring about needed changes in the process. "The (Council) does have four plans now that seem to be caught in the middle – Calico Scallop, Rock Shrimp, Dolphin/Wahoo and Sargassum," explained Hogarth. "It is our goal to work through these as quickly as possible and move forward." Dr. Hogarth went on to explain that litigation with the NMFS has resulted in additional policy requirements for the development of FMPs including those pertaining to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act and others.

During the meeting, Dr. Hogarth committed the NMFS to working with the Council to prepare the Sargassum FMP for final review and submission to the Secretary of Commerce in early spring of 2002. He also agreed to work cooperatively to expedite the review process and implementation of the Dolphin Wahoo FMP, Calico Scallop FMP and Amendment 5 to the Shrimp FMP dealing with a limited access program for the rock shrimp industry.

At the recommendation of the Controlled Access Committee, the Council will submit Amendment 5 to the Shrimp FMP for formal review to the Secretary of Commerce by early 2002. The plan, developed with the cooperation of industry representatives, will implement a limited access program and other management measures for the rock shrimp fishery. The Council also agreed to continue to prohibit trawling by these vessels in the Oculina Bank, an area off the coast of Ft. Pierce, Florida designated as a Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) in order to protect the rare Oculina coral found there.

In other actions, the Law Enforcement Committee met to discuss the effects of the September 11 terrorist attacks on fishery law enforcement. Because of the subsequent diversion of some fisheries law enforcement
efforts towards homeland security, the Council is requesting that NOAA General Counsel assess the maximum penalty possible for violators who would take advantage of the present national crisis and also requested that the penalty schedule be increased for those who are found operating in closed areas.

A joint meeting was held with the Snapper Grouper Committee, Advisory Panel, Scientific & Statistical Committee and Stock Assessment Review Panel to address issues affecting snapper/grouper management. During the joint meeting Dr. Louis Daniel, Council member from North Carolina, expressed his concerns regarding stock assessments for red porgy. Following a stock assessment by the NMFS in 1999, the red porgy fishery was closed by emergency action. The fishery later reopened with a one-fish/person recreational bag limit and a 50-pound incidental catch and seasonal spawning closure (January through April) for the commercial fishery. Dr. Daniel questioned the methodology and data used in the red porgy stock assessment. "The key question is, does the status of the reproductive stock in the south Atlantic merit the current restrictions in place?" explained Dr. Daniel. The NMFS has agreed to a new stock assessment and the Council plans to address this issue during its June 2002 meeting. The Committees also reviewed a number of options contained in Amendment 13 to the Snapper Grouper FMP and made recommendations for areas being considered for possible designation as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Council is considering the use of MPAs to protect deepwater grouper and tilefish species as part of the Snapper Grouper FMP. Public hearings regarding this issue will be held in the fall of 2002 and again in 2003.

"We sincerely appreciate Dr. Hogarth’s attendance and input at the December meeting and look forward to working together on this cooperative initiative", stated Bob Mahood, Executive Director of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. "This was an extremely busy meeting week following the cancellation of our September meeting due to the terrorist attacks. We continue to keep the families of those victims in our thoughts and prayers through this holiday season."

For additional details, please contact the Council office at 843/571-4366, by email at safmc@noaa.gov. or visit the Council's web site at www.safmc.net.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) is responsible for the conservation and management of fish stocks from three to 200 miles off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and east Florida.