The action is effective until August 29, 2000. At its November 1999 meeting the South Atlantic Council proposed a measure through Amendment 12 to the Snapper Grouper FMP that would allow limited harvest of red porgy including a 1 fish per person daily recreational bag limit, a commercial bycatch allowance of 50 pounds per trip and a January through April spawning closure. In other actions regarding the Snapper Grouper FMP, Council took action to consider in the next amendment the transfer of limited entry snapper grouper permits between family members and voted to move forward with a framework action to prohibit or control the use of powerheads by divers in the south Atlantic EEZ off the state of Florida. Public scoping meetings will be held for input regarding the proposed measures for the use of powerheads. The Dolphin Wahoo Committee updated the Council on the progress of the public hearings regarding the proposed Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Plan.
Public hearings continue along the Atlantic coast.
Written comments can be submitted until July 7, 2000. The Council will take final action on the plan during the September meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.