South Atlantic council meets in Beaufort, NC, December 7-11; written comments open November 20
The council will take up snapper grouper, dolphin wahoo and golden crab committees, plus a public comment session. Comments are accepted from November 20 through December 11, and the meeting is also available by webinar.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet from 8:30 a.m. Monday, December 7, to 12 p.m. Friday, December 11, 2026, at the Beaufort Hotel, 2440 Lennoxville Road, Beaufort, NC. A National Marine Fisheries Service notice (document 2026-23142) in the November 13 Federal Register announced the meeting, and a webinar option is available.
The week includes committee meetings for SEDAR Catch Advice and Data, Dolphin Wahoo, Golden Crab, Snapper Grouper and Citizen Science, a formal public comment session and full Council sessions. The notice says NMFS Southeast Regional Office and Science Center staff will update the Council on how the agency intends to prioritize mandates under the executive order "Restoring American Saltwater Angling and Recreation." The Council will also discuss its Resilient Fisheries Initiative, a developing comprehensive amendment to the Snapper Grouper and Dolphin Wahoo plans, and hear an update on the ICCAT advisory panel and annual meeting.
Written comments are accepted through the Council online comment form from November 20 to December 11, 2026. Agendas, briefing materials and webinar registration are posted at safmc.net/council-meetings.
What it means for anglers: this is a meeting notice, not a rule. Nothing in the notice changes a bag limit, season or closure. Meeting items can shift, and the excerpt we reviewed was cut off partway through the Monday agenda, so check the Council site for the full agendas and any Snapper Grouper or Dolphin Wahoo action items before commenting.
On the water: Rules and conditions can change quickly. Confirm current regulations and official marine forecasts for your exact trip.