October 13, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
WHAT/WHEN:
The commercial harvest of greater amberjack in South Atlantic federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. on October 18, 2017. During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of greater amberjack 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 769,388 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings have met the commercial catch limit. According to the accountability measure, commercial harvest should close.
DURING 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 greater amberjack does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 18, 2017, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1190.
Access this and other Fishery Bulletins from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office by clicking here.