Public Hearings Scheduled for April 15-25, 2013
Amendment 30 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan:
Proposing the use of Vessel Monitoring Systems for Vessels with a Federal South Atlantic Commercial Snapper Grouper Permit.
Snapper Grouper Amendment 30
Quick Overview:
The Council is proposing changes to regulations that would require all commercial snapper grouper fishing vessels with a South Atlantic Federal Unlimited or Trip-limited (225 pound) Permit to be equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS). The SAFMC is not considering a requirement for VMS on recreational or for-hire vessels unless those vessels also have a Federal South Atlantic Commercial Snapper Grouper Permit. The purpose of this amendment is to monitor snapper grouper commercial fishing vessel activity and location in the region in order to improve the enforcement, science, and management of snapper grouper stocks.
A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is a satellite-based program installed on vessels in a fishing fleet that assists with monitoring vessel movement and fishing activity in the fleet in real-time. The system consists of mobile electronic devices (transceivers), which are installed onboard vessels. The devices automatically send data to a shore-based “satellite” monitoring system in “real time.” These data are then monitored at a secure NOAA Office of Law Enforcement facility where staff can monitor compliance. VMS is currently being used in the South Atlantic in the rock shrimp fishery and is also being used in the Gulf of Mexico in the Gulf Reef Fish fishery.
Additional information is posted below and includes the following:
How to Submit Written Comments:
Comments must be received by 5:00 P.M. on May 3, 2013 and may be submitted by letter, e-mail or fax to:
Mail: Bob Mahood, Executive Director, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N. Charleston, SC 29405
E-mail: SGAmend30Comments@safmc.net
Fax: 843.769.4520
Public Hearing Schedule - Snapper Grouper Amendment 30
All public hearings are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the exception of the hearing in Charleston on April 23, 2013. The April 23, 2013 public hearing is being held in conjunction with the SAFMC Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel Meeting and will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 15
Jacksonville Marriott
4670 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone: 904/296-2222
Tuesday, April 16
Radisson Resort at the Port
8701 Astronaut Boulevard
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Phone: 321/784-0000
Wednesday, April 17
Holiday Inn Key Largo
99701 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, Florida 33037
Phone: 305/451-2121
Tuesday, April 23 (5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
Hilton Garden Inn
5265 International Boulevard
North Charleston, SC 29418
Phone: 843/308-9330
Thursday, April 25
Doubletree by Hilton New Bern
100 Middle Street
New Bern, NC 28560
Phone: 252/638-3585
Amendment 30 Public Hearing Materials:
Amendment 30 Public Hearing Summary (posted 3/22)
Amendment 30 Full Document - Public Hearing Version (posted 3/25)
Amendment 30 presentation (Video version - 59MB file size, allow extra time for download) (posted 3/28)
Amendment 30 presentation (PDF version) (revised 4/4)
Educational Q&A Session via webinar: Amendment 30 Overview
DATE: April 4, 2013 at 6 p.m.
PURPOSE: To provide information to the public about the action proposed in Amendment 30 and to provide an informal setting for the public to ask Council staff questions about the amendment and Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A FORMAL PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION. See above information on public hearings and how to submit written comment.
WEBINAR FORMAT: Council staff will provide a powerpoint presentation providing an overview of Snapper Grouper Amendment 30. Following the presentation, participants can take turns asking questions to Council staff by using the "raise hand" feature on the webinar. The Q&A session will be moderated by Council staff to allow for an informal discussion between staff and participants. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A FORMAL PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION. See above information on public hearings and how to submit written comment.
REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE:
Registration for the webinar is required to participate. Registered participants will be sent a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how to access the webinar.
Once registered, participants have the option to log-in to the webinar and listen in via their computer mic and speakers or they can use the phone number provided in the confirmation e-mail to call in to the webinar to listen to the presentation and Q&A session.
Register by clicking the Register Now button below: 
Video Presentation on Vessel Monitoring Systems:
Presented at the March 2013 Council meeting by Pat O'Shaughnessy, NOAA SE Division VMS Program Manager
This presentation was provided to the Council at the March 2013 meeting. The presentation has been divided into sections to allow viewers to watch the entire presentation but in shorter video clips. The full length presentation is also available at the bottom of this section. Please note these are larger video files (wmv) and may need a few extra minutes to upload.
Section 1: Introduction to VMS Programs in the U.S. (video file - 5MB)
Section 2: Data Confidentiality & Safety Concerns (video file - 4MB)
Section 3: Current Approved VMS Units (video file - 4.4MB)
Section 4: Use of VMS as a Search & Rescue Tool (video file - 3.3MB)
Section 5: Examples of Potential Beneficial Uses of VMS (video file - 7.5MB)
Section 6: Reimbursement Program & Enhanced VMS Capabilities (video file - 1.77MB)
Section 7: How VMS Works in the Gulf Reef Fish Fishery (video file - 4.4MB)
Section 8: Recent VMS Cases (video file - 4.2MB)
Section 9: Contacts: SE Division VMS Team (video file - 787kb)
VMS - Full Length Presentation (29 mins, video file - 35MB)
2013 Public Hearings and Scoping Meeting Archives
2012 Public Hearings and Scoping Meeting Archives