A 16-month ban on fishing for several types of deep-water fish off the Florida Keys disappeared Thursday.
The prohibition against taking seven grouper and snapper species from waters deeper than 240 feet ended when the National Marine Fisheries Service published a revised rule in the May 10 Federal Register.
Two overfished species the deepwater ban sought to protect — Warsaw grouper and speckled hind — remain illegal to harvest and possess. However, recreational and commercial anglers now can resume fishing in deep water for snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper and silk snapper.
All bottom fishing for deep-water grouper and snapper species in South Atlantic waters deeper than 240 feet, from North Carolina to Key West, was prohibited on Jan. 31, 2011.
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