Saving Seafood

Recreational Closure for Almaco Jack, Banded Rudderfish, and Lesser Amberjack in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 25, 2019

September 23, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The recreational harvest of almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack (Other Jacks Complex) in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., (local time), on September 25, 2019. During the recreational closure, harvest or possession of species in the Other Jacks Complex in or from federal waters is prohibited.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 recreational catch limit is 267,799 pounds whole weight.
  • Recreational landings have exceeded the recreational catch limit; therefore, recreational harvest must close.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • As a reminder, commercial harvest is closed.
  • The 2020 fishing season for both the recreational sector and commercial sector of the Other Jacks Complex will open at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2020.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register.

Commercial Closure for Almaco Jack, Banded Rudderfish, and Lesser Amberjack in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 4, 2017

August 1, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

  • The commercial harvest of the Other Jacks Complex (almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack) in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on August 4, 2017.  During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of species in this complex is prohibited, and harvest or possession of species in the Other Jacks Complex in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational fishery is open.

WHY IS THIS CLOSURE HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial catch limit is 189,422 pounds whole weight.  Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit by August 4, 2017.  According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.  This closure date will provide sufficient notice to fishermen to make preparations for the closure, while minimizing the chance that harvest will exceed the commercial catch limit.

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 2018 commercial fishing season for the Other Jacks Complex in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, with a commercial catch limit of 189,422 pounds whole weight.

Commercial and Recreational Harvest of Almaco Jack, Banded Rudderfish, and Lesser Amberjack in Federal Waters of the South Atlantic Will Close on August 9, 2016

August 3, 2016 — The following was released by NOAA:

Commercial and recreational harvest of the other jacks complex (almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack) in Federal waters of the South Atlantic will close, at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on August 9, 2016. Commercial and recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2017. The 2016 catch limits for the other jacks complex are 189,422 and 267,799 pounds whole weight for the commercial and recreational sectors, respectively. Reports indicate that commercial and recreational landings are projected to reach their respective 2016 catch limits. Note that the other jacks complex does not include greater amberjack.

The operator of a vessel with a federal commercial permit for snapper-grouper that is landing species in the other jacks complex for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such species prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time), August 9, 2016.

During the closure:

  • Harvest or possession of species in the other jacks complex is prohibited in or from federal waters in the South Atlantic.
  • Sale and purchase of species in the other jacks complex is prohibited in or from federal waters in the South Atlantic.
  • These bag and possession limits apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or federal waters.