Reminder of Seasonal Closure For Shallow Water Grouper

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Southeast Fishery Bulletin


National Marine Fisheries Service
Southeast Regional Office
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rick.DeVictor@noaa.gov
727/824-5305, FAX 727/824-5308
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/

Reminder of Seasonal Closure For Shallow Water Grouper in the South Atlantic Closure Begins January 1, 2011 A seasonal prohibition on the harvest of shallow water snapper-grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic will be effective 12:01 a.m. January 1, 2011 through April 30, 2011, and applies to recreational and commercial harvest of shallow water grouper species. During this time, no gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper, and tiger grouper may be harvested, possessed, sold or purchased. The closure also applies to shallow water grouper taken in South Atlantic state waters by any person on board a vessel holding a federal snapper-grouper permit, including a South Atlantic Charter/Headboat permit for Snapper-Grouper.

This seasonal closure is part of a suite of management measures contained in Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which became effective on July 29, 2009.

Fishermen should contact their state agencies to inquire about compatible regulations in state waters.

The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to shallow water grouper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2011, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

The shallow water grouper closure in the South Atlantic complies with regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region and is necessary to protect snapper-grouper species made more vulnerable during spawning season.

More Information For more information on this and other actions implemented through Amendment 16, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for Amendment 16, or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s web page at: http://www.safmc.net/.


Cheryl Gilgo
Public Affairs Assistant
252-808-8137

E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
 
Till next time....
Tight lines!
Johnny