Proposed measures for fishing Cobia

Proposed Measures For Cobia May Affect Florida’s East Coast Fishery – Public Hearings Scheduled for October

Cobia, strong and aggressive predators known for their delicious flavor, are managed jointly by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils in federal waters from the Georgia/Florida border to Texas. The most recent stock assessment for Gulf Migratory Group Cobia, which includes the Florida East Coast Zone, indicates the stock is undergoing overfishing and biomass is at reduced levels.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a series of four in-person public hearings along the east coast of Florida to gather input on proposed measures to modify catch limits, revise the sector allocation for the Florida East Coast Zone, modify size and possession limits, and changes to Framework procedures. The measures are proposed through Amendment 32 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region.
Public Hearing ScheduleCoastal Migratory Pelagics Amendment 32All hearings begin at 6 p.m.
Monday, October 18 Harvey Governmental CenterKey West, FL
Tuesday, October 19 The River Center at Burt Reynolds ParkJupiter, FL
Wednesday, October 20 Hilton Cocoa BeachCocoa Beach, FL
Thursday, October 21 Mudville GrillJacksonville, FL
During the in-person public hearings Council staff will provide an overview of proposed actions and answer questions. Council representatives will also be present and formal public comment accepted. Additional information, including public hearing documents, presentations, and an online public comment form is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/public-hearings-scoping-meetings/. Public comments are due by October 21, 2021 at 5 p.m. The South Atlantic Council will address Amendment 32 during its December 6-10, 2021 meeting.
Photo credit: FWRI