Request for Public Comment on a Control Date for Federal Charter Vessel/Headboat (For-Hire) of the Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics, Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo, and South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fisheries

Key Messages:

On February 8, 2024, NOAA Fisheries published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to set a control date of December 8, 2023, for the federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component of the recreational sectors of the Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, and South Atlantic snapper-grouper fisheries. 

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested this control date to inform the industry that it is considering future action to control the number of participants in these fisheries.

Additionally, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council also specified that federal permit holders that have not reported catch from the for-hire component of the recreational sectors of these fisheries, to the Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) program in the Atlantic on or prior to December 5, 2023, will not be assured of future access if the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council decides to limit future participation in these fisheries.

If the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council decides to restrict participation for these fisheries in relation to the dates mentioned above, amendments to the respective fishery management plans with an analysis of specific administrative, biological, economic, and social effects will be prepared. 

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will need to approve any such action taken toward the management of species within the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagics Resources.

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on this control date.

Summary:

• Federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) permits are required for recreational harvest in the exclusive economic zone by charter vessels and headboats in the Atlantic for coastal migratory pelagics and dolphin and wahoo fisheries, and in the South Atlantic for snapper-grouper fisheries.  These permits are currently open access permits, which means anyone can get one with a valid vessel registration.
• At the December 2023 meeting, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved a motion to initiate an amendment to establish limited entry for the for-hire components of the recreational sectors of Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, and South Atlantic snapper-grouper fisheries.
• The Atlantic SEFHIER program was implemented in January 2021, with reporting requirements for the federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component of the recreational sectors of the Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, and South Atlantic snapper-grouper fisheries.
  • As of October 2023, 54% of vessels in the Atlantic SEFHIER program were missing reports (https://safmc.net/documents/fc1_a2_sefhier-program-analysis_202312-revised-pdf/).
  • Tuesday, December 5, 2023, was chosen as the control date that could be used to limit future participation for non-compliant Atlantic SEFHIER participants to facilitate reporting because Atlantic SEFHIER participants are required to report their catch weekly, on Tuesdays.  The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council chose Tuesday, December 5, 2023, to avoid a possible influx of late reports prior to December 8, 2023, by permit holders in reaction to the announcement of the control date.
• Consideration of a control date does not commit the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council or NOAA Fisheries to any particular management regime.
• The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council may or may not make use of this control date as part of the requirements for participation in the for-hire component of the recreational sectors of these fisheries.
• The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council may choose a different control date or a different management program without using a control date.
• The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council also may choose to take no further action to control entry or access to the federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) component of the recreational sectors of the Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, and South Atlantic snapper-grouper fisheries.

How to comment on this notice:

The comment period for the notice is open now through March 11, 2024.  You may submit comments by electronic submission (described below) or by postal mail.  Comments received after the end of the comment period may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

Formal Federal Register Name/Number: 89 FR 8639, published February 8, 2024

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NMFS-2023-0157-0001.

2. Click the "Comment " icon, complete the required fields.

3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Nikhil Mehta, Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701.

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NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS).  Standard message & data rates may apply.  You may opt out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

• Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text CARIBFISH to 888777

Media Contact: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202