NOAA Proposes Snapper-Grouper MPAs in Federal Waters

Public Comments Sought

NOAA Fisheries Service has proposed eight snapper-grouper MPAs in federal south Atlantic waters between North Carolina and Florida.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) published a proposed rule to implement Amendment 14 to the South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP) in the Federal Register on July 16, 2008 (73 FR 40824).

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 14 and associated Final Environmental Impact Statement for review, approval, and implementation by NOAA Fisheries Service.  The public comment period is open through August 15, 2008.

The proposed rule would establish eight Type 2 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in federal waters ranging from North Carolina to Florida (see Figure 1). Within the MPAs fishing for or retention of snapper grouper species would be prohibited but other types of legal fishing would be allowed.  The prohibition on possession would not apply to a person aboard a vessel that is in transit with fishing gear appropriately stowed.

The use of shark bottom longline gear would also be prohibited within the MPAs. This provision however, will be implemented through Amendment 2 to the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species FMP drafted by the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Division of NOAA, who is responsible for the management of HMS fisheries.

The primary purpose of implementing these MPAs is to protect a portion of the population and habitat of long-lived, deep-water snapper grouper species (speckled hind, snowy grouper, warsaw grouper, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, golden tilefish, and blueline tilefish) from directed fishing pressure to achieve a more natural sex ratio, age, and size structure, while minimizing adverse social and economic effects. 

Request for Comments

Written comments on this proposed rule must be received no later than 5 p.m., Eastern time, on August 15, 2008 in order to be considered by NOAA Fisheries Service in its decision to approve, disapprove, or partially approve Amendment 14.  

Electronic copies of Amendment 14 can be viewed on line at http://www.regulations.gov. Copies of the amendment may also be obtained from the Council by sending a written request to: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 4055 Faber Place, Suite 201 North Charleston, South Carolina 29405
Or you may obtain copies of the amendment by  e-mailing safmc@safmc.net, or calling the Council’s toll free number: 1-866-SAFMC-10. 

You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:
* Electronic Submissions: Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. All comments received are part of the public record and will generally be posted to http://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be
publicly accessible. Do  not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NOAA Fisheries Service will accept anonymous comments.  Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

* Mail: Kate Michie, NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

* Fax: 727-824-5308