November 6, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
WHAT/WHEN:
The commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 8, 2017. During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of gray triggerfish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open.
WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:
- The 2017 July-December commercial catch limit is 156,162 pounds whole weight. In addition, the unused portion of the January 1 through June 30, 2017, commercial catch limit (20,278 pounds whole weight) was added to the July 1 through December 31, 2017, commercial catch limit for a revised catch limit of 176,440 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach that revised July-December commercial catch limit on November 8, 2017. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.
AFTER THE CLOSURE:
- The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
- The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for gray triggerfish does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 8, 2017,and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1190.
Access this and other Fishery Bulletins from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office by clicking here.