Commercial Closures Announced By NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast
June 19, 2017 | 2 min to read
Commercial Harvest of Greater Amberjack in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Will Close on June 20, 2017
WHAT/WHEN:
Commercial harvest of greater amberjack in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will close at 12:01 a.m. on June 20, 2017. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time on January 1, 2018.
WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:
The latest report for greater amberjack landings through June 12, 2017, indicates 98 percent of the quota was harvested.
As a result, commercial harvest will close in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico on June 20, 2017.
This closure is necessary to protect the greater amberjack population. This population is currently considered overfished (the population is too low) and undergoing overfishing (too many fish being harvested).
DURING THE CLOSURE:
Any person aboard a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued must comply with the closure regardless of where the fish are harvested.
No greater amberjack caught in Gulf of Mexico federal waters after the closure date may be purchased, bartered, traded, or sold.
The prohibition of sale does not apply to trade in greater amberjack that were harvested, landed ashore and bartered, traded, or sold before the closure, and held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
Commercial Closure For Snowy Grouper In South Atlantic Federal Waters On June 22, 2017
WHAT/WHEN:
The commercial harvest of snowy grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. on June 22, 2017. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of snowy grouper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of snowy grouper in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational fishery is open.
WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:
The 2017 commercial catch limit is 135,380 pounds gutted weight, or 159,749 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit. According to the accountability measure, harvest should close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.
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 prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for snowy grouper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. on June 22, 2017,and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
· The 2018 commercial fishing season for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2018, with a catch limit of 144,315 pounds gutted weight, or 170,291 pounds whole weight.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast