March 24, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
KEY MESSAGE:
The 2017-2018 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic will start on April 1, 2017, and end on March 31, 2018. Estimates indicate recreational landings for the 2017-2018 fishing year will be below the 2017-2018 recreational annual catch limit. Therefore, black sea bass will be open for the entire April 1, 2017- March 31, 2018, recreational fishing year.
WHY IS THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAPPENING:
- This announcement is in compliance with the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 14 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which published on November 7, 2014 (79 FR 66316).
NOAA Fisheries projects that the 2017-2018 recreational annual catch limit of 1,001,177 pounds whole weight will not be met as recreational landings in the past three fishing years were below this value.