March 20, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA:

WHAT/WHEN:

The daily trip limit for the commercial harvest of vermilion snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic is reduced from 1,100 to 555 pounds whole weight or from 1,000 to 500 pounds gutted weight effective 12:01 a.m. on March 22, 2017.

WHY THIS TRIP LIMIT REDUCTION IS HAPPENING:

• When commercial landings of South Atlantic vermilion snapper reach or are projected to reach 75 percent of the quota, regulations are in place to reduce the daily trip limit.
• The trip limit reduction is necessary to slow the rate of commercial harvest to avoid exceeding the quota.

AFTER THE TRIP LIMIT REDUCTION:

• The 555-pound whole weight or 500-pound gutted weight trip limit will remain in effect until the end of the current fishing season on June 30, 2017, or when 100 percent of the quota is reached or projected to be reached, whichever occurs first.
• The second vermilion snapper season in the South Atlantic will open on July 1, 2017, with a 1,100-pound whole weight or 1,000-pound gutted weight trip limit.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1191