Regulatory Amendment 34: Special Management Zones (SMZ)
Summary
Regulatory Amendment 34 would establish Special Management Zones (SMZ) at artificial reef sites off the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina. The framework amendment would establish 30 sites off North Carolina and four off South Carolina. The proposed actions would also prohibit the use of certain gear types in the SMZs and limit harvest to the recreational bag limit by some or all the gear. The goal is to reduce adverse effects to snapper grouper species and optimize fishing opportunities at the artificial reef sites.