November 24, 2020 — 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 29, 2020. 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 2020 July through December commercial catch limit is 156,162 pounds whole weight. The unused portion of the catch limit from the January through June season is added to the July through December catch season. The new catch limit is used to project trip limit reductions and closures. Commercial landings are projected to reach the July through December commercial catch limit. 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 29, 2020, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
- The commercial gray triggerfish 2020 fishing season in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a catch limit of 156,162 pounds whole weight.
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.