The South Atlantic Update, the Council's quarterly newsletter, is published following each Council meeting to keep the public up to date with fishery issues. If you are interested in contributing to the South Atlantic Update or would like to receive a hard copy of the publication, please contact the Council office or email kim.iverson@safmc.net.
Newsletters are in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF).
Fall 2011
Council to take action in December on black sea bass, red grouper and wreckfish; Council chairman and vice-chair elected; Regional Social Media Workshop held in October; Council approves Annual Catch Limits; Agenda for December Council meeting, and more...
Summer 2011
Council approves amendments in June: an overview of the Comprehensive ACL Amendment, Mackerel Amendment 18 setting ACLs and AMs for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and cobia, and amendment to eliminate current deepwater closure; New Council appointments, Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2 approved, Exempted Fishery Permit for blueline tilefish in NC, Council goes to Congress, and more....
Spring 2011
New regulations for black sea bass may help extend season, SAFMC receives NAEP award, Mackerel and spiny lobster management addressed at joint council meeting in June, Additional Council meeting scheduled for August, CE-BA2 overview, Comprehensive ACL Amendment overview, Recreational regulations summary, ...and more.
Winter 2011
Large area closure for all snapper grouper species unnecessary following new red snapper stock asessment, black sea bass recreational fishery closure possible, Snapper Grouper Amendment 17B implements new measures to end overfishing, public hearing and scoping overview...and more.
Fall 2010
Secretary of Commerce approves Amendment 17A to end overfishing of red snapper, Council elects new Chair and Vice-Chair, Snapper Grouper Amendment 18A, SEDAR 24 Red Snapper Assessment, Overview of Upcoming Amendments, Agenda and Public Comment sessions for the December Council meeting...and more.
Summer 2010
Council approves Amendment 17A to end overfishing of red snapper, Applicants solicited for participation in SEDAR stock assessment process, New Council members appointed, NOAA Fisheries Service requests comments for Amendment 17A, Deepwater coral protection, Oil spill impacts and corals, New federal fishing regulations brochure now available, Agenda and Public Comment sessions for the September Council meeting...and more.
Spring 2010
Council Scheduled to vote in June on area closure and other measures in Snapper Grouper Amendment 17A to end overfishing, Letter to Secretary of Commerce regarding data concerns and regulatory impacts, Catch Shares topic of workshop held in March, Red Snapper: Fishery Management's Perfect Storm, Snapper Grouper regulations snap shot, Need for fishery independent research increases with restrictions in fishing effort, Snapper Grouper Amendment 18 summary, Law Enforcement at work, Mackerel update, Agenda and Public Comment sessions for June Council meeting...and more.
Winter 2010
Snapper Grouper Amendment 17B Approved by Council, Snapper Grouper Amendment 15B Implemented includes a prohibition on bag-limit sales, an Overview of the red snapper closure and proposed area closure, Chairman Duane Harris' Testimony to Congress, a Summary of snapper grouper regulations, an Interview with Ken Nedimyer on his coral restoration work, an Agenda overview for the March 1-5, 2010 Council meeting in Jekyll Island, GA...and more.
Fall 2009
Council approves Deepwater Coral Protection for South Atlantic, an Overview of issues for upcoming public hearings for Snapper Grouper species – including alternatives to end overfishing of red snapper, Snapper Grouper regulations update, a Tribute to Council member Susan Shipman, an Agenda overview for the December 6-11, 2009 Council meeting in Atlantic Beach, NC...and more.
Summer 2009
New regulations for Snapper Grouper species in effect, Deepwater Coral research cruises, Council member Geiger chosen for catch share task force, Ending overfishing for red snapper, Research update on Oculina Bank...and more.
Spring 2009
Red snapper closure requested by Council, 2009 Regulations Update (including MPAs), Connecting Areas of Spawning -Science Profile, Ending Overfishing - Actions under consideration in Snapper Grouper Amendment 17...and more.
Winter 2009
Interim rule for grouper closure denied, Update on Amendment 16 and NMFS open comment period, Overview of Public Hearing/Scoping Meeting Series issues, MPAs implemented, ACL Guidelines approved ... and more.
Fall 2008
Council approves Snapper Grouper Amendment 16 addressing overfishing for gag and vermilion snapper, New Chairman, Vice-Chair Elected; Council requests Interim Rule to address overfishing for gag, black grouper and red grouper beginning January 1, 2009 (includes 4 month spawning season closure for commercial and recreational fishermen), Shrimp Amendment 7 approved by Council to address rock shrimp requirements, ... and more.
Summer 2008
Approval of Snapper Grouper Amendment 15B – eliminating bag-limit sales of snapper and grouper; reappointment of Council Members; update on implementation of Marine Protected Areas; delay of Snapper Grouper Amendment 16 – addressing overfishing for gag grouper and vermilion snapper and added alternatives; Interim Rule – proposed rule to close the red snapper fishery and implement other measures to end overfishing for gag, vermilion snapper, black grouper and red grouper; part II – stock assessment Q&A…and more.
Spring 2008
Overview of recent public hearings and comments regarding Snapper Grouper Amendment 16, update on LAPPs, Q & A about stock assessments, overview of the SEDAR process, update on the Fishery Ecosystem Plan and Comprehensive Ecosystem Amendment...and more.
Winter 2008
Public Scoping Meetings Favored, 2008 Management Overview, LAP Program Exploratory Workgroup Reports in March, Snapper Grouper Amendment 15B Public Hearing Summary...and more.
Fall 2007
Public Input Solicited for Snapper Grouper Amendments 15A and 15B, Public Scoping Held for Rock Shrimp Fishery "Use it or Lose It" Provision, Input Plays Role in Alternatives for Gag Grouper and Vermilion Snapper Reductions...and more.
Summer 2007
Amendment 14 (MPAs) approved for submission to the Secretary, Reductions needed to end overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper, FEP on schedule, Mackerel fishing with Ben (Part 2)...and more.
Spring 2007
Council One Step Closer to MPAs, Rock Shrimp Fishery Faces "Use It or Lose It" Clause, Snapper Grouper Allocations, Mackerel Amendment 18 Public Hearings Update, Scoping for Mackerel Amendment 19, Fishing with Ben Hartig...and more.
Winter 2007
Limited Access Privilege Program for Snapper Grouper Fishery, Update on Marine Protected Areas, Snapper Grouper Amendment 15 Overview, Hearings for Mackerel Amendment 18
Fall 2006
New Snapper Grouper Regulations, New Council Chair/Vice-Chair, Ecosystem Roundtable, Changes for Mackerel Management, MPA Public Hearing Summary, Law Enforcement Update
Summer 2006
Public Hearings Scheduled for Marine Protected Areas, Mackerel Regulatory Amendment, Deepwater Coral Areas Proposed
Winter 2006
Measures to End Overfishing for Four Snapper Grouper Species, Amendment 13C Measures, Oculina Bank Law Enforcement, Deep Sea Corals
Fall 2005
Council Scheduled to Approve Amendment 13C, Council Elects Chair, Vice-Chair, Oculina Mission Update, Advisory Panel Openings
Summer 2005
Regulatory Amendment for Snapper Grouper Fishery, Council Member Appointments, Oculina Bank Update
Spring 2005
Fishermen Face Reductions in Snapper Grouper Fishery, Oculina Evaluation Plan Approved
Winter 2005
Council Approves Amendments for Shrimp and Mackerel Fisheries, New S.C. Council Member Appointed, Council Member Tony Iarocci Receives Awards
Archives