Commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in South Atlantic federal waters will reopen beginning 12:01 a.m. (local time) on June 13, 2016 until 12:01 a.m. (local time) July 1, 2016. The July through December fishing season reopens at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on July 1, 1016. A commercial trip limit of 1,000 pounds whole weight is in place for commercial harvest of gray triggerfish.
A split fishing season has been established for commercial gray triggerfish which allocates 50 percent of the catch limit to January 1 through June 30, and 50 percent to July 1 through December 31. As a result, the commercial catch limit is divided into two equal seasonal catch limits of 156,162 pounds whole weight. NOAA Fisheries closed commercial harvest of gray triggerfish on April 2, 2016, as it was projected the January through June catch limit would be reached on that date. However, a landings update indicates the gray triggerfish catch limit has not yet been met and commercial harvest may reopen. If the commercial catch limit for the July through December 2016 season is projected to be met, NOAA Fisheries will announce the closure date.
Source: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
