Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina,
Virginia, Maryland, New York, Connecticut,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine,
Oregon, Washington

United in Conservation 

CCA South Atlantic Fisheries Director

Richen Brame

     Representatives from the committee attend management board meetings and technical committee meetings. Attendance in this meeting process is critical to fully understand the biology and management of each particular species. The CCA South Atlantic Fisheries Committee then formulates goals for each species and works within the Council system to implement them through state organizations and agencies.

     Chris Elkins, of North Carolina, is the CCA South Atlantic Committee Chairman. Richen Brame serves as the CCA South Atlantic Fisheries Director and staff member for the committee.

CCA News

Council appointments a step forward for anglers - June 24, 2010
The 2010 regional fishery management council appointments released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Commerce gave an indication that federal officials are paying attention to the concerns of recreational anglers. One of the key issues voiced by anglers at the Recreational Fishing Summit hosted by NOAA Fisheries in April was a need for balanced representation on the councils, and while there is still work to do on some regional management Councils, it seems NOAA Fisheries intends to pursue its stated goal of  forging a new relationship with the recreational angling community.

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council press release:
Council Approves Measures to End Overfishing of Red Snapper 
June 9, 2010

CCA position on Amendment 17A:
At this point, CCA does not support the adoption of any of the proposed regulatory changes in Amendment 17A.  CCA calls for additional review of the science before making any additional management changes. Click HERE to see CCA testimony delivered before the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council on June 8, 2010. 

CCA Letter to Dr. Roy Crabtree, NMFS Regional Administrator - 11-17-09
We believe that the 20-plus year interval between stock assessments for red snapper was an egregious failure of the management system and an extreme disservice to those who depend on the Councils and the National Marine Fisheries Service to conserve the common property resources under your jurisdiction.  We shall, however, not elaborate on this point as it is clear that the Council is keenly aware of the lack of confidence and growing animosity towards the federal fisheries management this situation has created among the angling public.

CCA Comments on Amendment 17 to the SAFMC Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan - 11-6-09
CCA is fully aware of the tenets of the Magnuson Act that are forcing this issue, yet we do not believe that closing down fishery after fishery for recreational anglers was what Congress had in mind when it reauthorized the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 2006. Large-scale closures should always be the last option explored by fisheries managers, not the first.
With that in mind, CCA at this time is not able to come to a consensus to give its support to any of the alternatives before this Council. We support ending overfishing and rebuilding this stock, but urge the Council to continue searching for an alternative that avoids closures.

CCA Letter to Dr. Roy Crabtree, NMFS Regional Administrator - 7-30-09
"Have the red snapper stock assessment reviewed again by a panel of stock assessment experts. We are well aware the assessment has been peer reviewed through the SEDAR process and judged to be the best available science, and that the Council’s SSC has concurred in that finding. However, in this special instance where the potential economic ramifications are so severe, we believe there must be another review of the assessment to make sure managers are indeed using the best available science.
If further review indicates less stringent management measures could be implemented to end overfishing and meet the rebuilding target, that would be a simple matter within the current amendment process."

CCA Comments on Weakfish Management
The collapse of the Atlantic weakfish stock is an enigma. For the first time there is no ‘smoking gun’ one can discern that caused the decline. But it is abundantly clear from both anecdotal fishermen’s reports and the most recent stock assessment that the decline is severe and continuing. Most disturbing is the Technical Committees projection that even under a total moratorium the stock will not recover by 2020. 

Anglers call for exit strategy on red snapper disaster
If the federal government is going to impose significant closures that will negatively impact recreational anglers and related businesses in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, then it is vital for the government to develop a real exit strategy from this terrible situation. CCA is calling for specific, measurable criteria to determine when the objective of this plan will be met and recreational fishermen will be allowed to resume catching bottom fish.

CCA Calls for Balanced Approach to Red Snapper Crisis
“We need a scalpel, not a sledge hammer to manage this species. Massive bottom closures just do not fit the unique circumstances of this extraordinary case,” said Brame. “Anglers are willing to do their part and accept extensive regulations to keep marine resources healthy whenever necessary, but any proposals to close all bottom fishing should be the management tool of absolute last resort.”

Click HERE to see all CCA press releases.
 

Letter from South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to U.S. Secretary of Commerce -
April 6, 2010
...Council’s belief that the current data delivery system is grossly inadequate to properly implement the system of annual catch limits (ACLs), accountability measures (AMs), and management measures that the Council is establishing in Snapper Grouper FMP Amendments 17A and 17B and the Comprehensive ACL Amendment.

South Atlantic Fisheries News