Possible Wahoo Changes ( Helpppppppp)

by **Back-Lash** Sat Jan 15, 2011 12:50 pm

What really needs to be paid attention to in this new amendment is that the wahoo creel limit is proposed to go from 2 fish per day per person, to 2 fish per day per boat! There are no hard stastics to back this wahoo reduction up at all! Absolutely none!

Please spread the word about this very important public hearing concerning changes to size and bag limits for dolphin and wahoo for the South Atlantic. The public hearing will be in New Bern January 24th from 3pm to 7pm.
The South Atlantic Council will hold a series of public hearings and scoping meetings regarding fisheries management measure proposed for several federally managed species, including those within the snapper grouper management complex, dolphin (fish), wahoo, golden crab and octocorals within the South Atlantic region. These measures will impact both commercial and recreational fishermen.
COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL CATCH LIMIT (ACL) AMENDMENT FOR THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION http://www.safmc.net/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=rw51baOHPBs%3d&tabid=663

Motions from the South Atlantic Council’s December Meeting concerning ACL’s

Action 21: Management Measures for Dolphin

MOTION #50: SET A 20” MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT FOR DOLPHIN FROM FLORIDA

THROUGH NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL’S AREA.

Action 26: Management Measures for Wahoo
MOTION #65: ESTABLISH A RECREATIONAL BOAT LIMIT OF 2 WAHOO PER

BOAT/VESSEL PER DAY.

MOTION #66: SELECT THE ABOVE NEW ALTERNATIVE AS OUR PREFERRED

Public Hearings will be held on three separate amendments:

Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment to establish Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for species not currently listed as undergoing overfishing as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Annual Catch Limits (pounds or number of fish) will be set for species in the snapper grouper management complex as well as dolphin, wahoo, and golden crab.

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 9 includes commercial trip limit options for greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and gag grouper.

Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 2 includes actions relative to the management of octocorals and non-regulatory actions that update existing Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) information. Also, modifications to the management of Special Management Zones in South Carolina, sea turtle release gear requirements for the commercial snapper grouper fishery, designation of new EFH areas and EFH-Habitat Areas of Particular Concern are being considered.

Schedule: Informal presentations will be given and public comment will be accepted any time between the hours of 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM at each meeting location.
• Monday, January 24 - New Bern, NC
Hilton New Bern, 100 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Rescheduled Bluefin Tuna ESA Listening Session in New Bern, January 19 at 6pm. Complete details pending!