Overfishing for snowy grouper, golden tilefish, vermilion snapper and black seabass was addressed in the latest meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and some offshore anglers may be dismayed.

Approvals include reductions in commercial quotas and recreational bag limits, increases in recreational size limits, even a change in fishing season for black seabass. The amendment does allow for a moderate increase in the harvest of red porgy, as stocks continue to rebuild. Public comment received via letters, e-mail, and through a series of 11 public hearings helped determine the final management measures included in the amendment.

Council members heard reports from fishermen of healthy catches of vermilion snapper and black seabass and received comments regarding the uncertainty of data being used for stock assessments, including

recommendations from its Scientific and Statistical Committee.

Substantial decreases in harvest, ranging from a 66 percent reduction for snowy grouper, to a 31 percent reduction for vermilion snapper, will affect both commercial and recreational fisheries. Collectively, snowy grouper, golden tilefish, vermilion snapper, and black seabass make up 40 percent of the commercial revenue in the snapper/grouper fishery.

While snowy grouper and golden tilefish are primarily fished commercially, vermilion snapper and black seabass are important to both recreational fishermen and perhaps crucial for the charter and headboat industry.

FS