October 7, 2011 – News Friday of a black sea bass closure is having a devastating effect for charter and head boat operators in the Carolinas, Georgia, and North Florida, said Capt. Robert Thompson, owner of the fishing charter service Blind Hawg Charters in Murrells Inlet.
NOAA Fisheries Service announced Friday that the recreational black sea bass fishery will close Oct.17 as the annual catch limit for the species has been met for the 2011-12 fishing season.
“This will have huge economic impacts on the Grand Strand area, particularly where lots of fishermen come to catch black sea bass,” said South Atlantic Fishery Management Council member Tom Swatzel of Murrells Inlet. “It will impact hotels and restaurants in addition to charter boats.”
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