Latest news with #fishingregulation
E&E News
7 days ago
- Business
- E&E News
Lutnick rejects NOAA rule to revise Atlantic cod management plan
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick rejected a scientifically vetted regulation to help protect Atlantic cod Wednesday, citing concerns about the proposed rule's interference with a national policy to achieve 'optimum yield' of highly sought-after commercial fish species. The regulation — known as Amendment 25 — was crafted by the New England Fishery Management Council and supported by conservation organizations that said it was essential to accurately monitor cod populations that continue to be overfished. It was opposed by two fishing industry groups that said the amendment needed to be reworked in a more 'deliberative and informed way,' including language about annual catch limits and other restrictions. Advertisement While the Commerce secretary has final authority over NOAA fisheries regulation, Lutnick's action signals a shift in NOAA's traditional deference to the regional fishery management councils, which are tasked with monitoring ocean fish species; collecting data on their status; and recommending to NOAA updates to federal fishery management plans, including catch limits.
E&E News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
South Carolina rolls out its own red snapper rules
South Carolina will no longer follow federal management standards in state waters aimed at protecting red snapper populations that are still recovering after years of overfishing off the south Atlantic coast. Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed S.B. 219 on May 8 taking full authority over the state's snapper-grouper fishery — composed of 55 species — within 3 miles of the South Carolina coast. The law specifically references red snapper and black sea bass, both of which are highly sought after by recreational fishermen. 'This law reflects South Carolina's commitment to common-sense, homegrown solutions' to fishing regulation, McMaster said in a statement issued by sportfishing groups. 'Our anglers deserve a system that's fair, science-driven, and tailored to our state's unique waters, not a one-size-fits-all approach.' Advertisement Among other things, fishermen in state waters will be free of federal rules governing the annual red snapper fishing season, which had been reduced to one day in 2024. Nor will they be bound to federal take limits of one fish per day per person. The state law also skirts a proposed NOAA regulation that would close the entire snapper-grouper fishery for two months to reduce accidental take of red snapper.
