Public meetings provide opportunity to weigh in on cobia management

June 03, 2024

As part of a plan to make changes to the management of cobia from New York to Georgia, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is conducting public hearings to gather input from anglers.

South Carolina anglers will have two opportunities to weigh in on these potential changes:

In Person: Thursday, June 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center (310 Okatie Highway Okatie, SC 29909)

Online: Thursday, June 20 from 6-8 p.m. at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/4078966477099083616

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is a deliberative body that coordinates the conservation and regulation of 27 nearshore fish species on the Atlantic coast. South Carolina is a member state with three representatives on the Commission. The Commission is seeking input on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Cobia, which considers recreational allocation, harvest target evaluation, and the timeline for setting management specifications.

The draft Addendum II and background information can be found on the ASMFC website. Draft addendum II was initiated due to an increase in the number of cobia being caught in the mid-Atlantic states, and it could impact the number of cobia that can be harvested in each state, including an option that would result in a reduction in quota for South Carolina. The draft Addendum presents background on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s management of the Atlantic cobia recreational fisheries; the addendum process and timeline; and a statement of the problem. This document also provides management options for public consideration and comment.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding the proposed management options in this document at any time during the public comment period. The final date comments will be accepted is July 8, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Comments may be submitted at state public hearings or by mail or email.

If you have any questions or would like to submit comment, please use the contact information below. Organizations planning to release an action alert in response to this Draft Addendum should contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

Mail:
Emilie Franke
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
(Subject: Cobia Draft Addendum II)
1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200 A-N
Arlington VA. 22201

Email: comments@asmfc.org (Subject: Cobia Draft Addendum II)