The following was released by NOAA:
March 24, 2016 — Commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in South Atlantic waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) April 2, 2016. The commercial annual catch limit for gray triggerfish in the South Atlantic is divided into two quotas for two 6-month periods (January through June and July through December). Landing reports indicate the January through June commercial quota of 156,162 pounds whole weight will be met by April 2, 2016. This commercial closure will be effective until June 30, 2016. Commercial harvest of gray triggerfish will re-open on July 1, 2016, with a commercial quota of 156,162 pounds whole weight for the July – December fishing season.
The operator of a vessel with a valid federal commercial permit for snapper-grouper and who is landing gray triggerfish for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such gray triggerfish prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, April 2, 2016. The prohibition on sale does not apply to sale or purchase of gray triggerfish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time) April 2, 2016, and held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
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.
- Sale or purchase of gray triggerfish from both state and federal waters is prohibited for a person onboard a vessel with a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for snapper-grouper.
This closure is necessary to protect the snapper-grouper resource.