June 06, 2014
By Florida Sportsman Newswire
Press release - NOAA
Golden Tilefish
Recreational harvest of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic will close, at 12:01 a.m. (local time) June 7, 2014. Recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2015. The recreational annual catch limit is 3,019 fish. The fishing season is closed when NOAA Fisheries expects landings to reach or exceed the annual catch limit. To prevent an annual catch limit overage in 2014, the recreational sector for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ will be closed on June 7, 2014.
During the closure
Recreational harvest or possession of golden tilefish is prohibited.
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels which have a valid charter/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
Commercial harvest of golden tilefish (longline component) for the 2014 fishing season is currently closed. Commercial harvest of golden tilefish (hook-and-line component) for the 2014 fishing season is currently open. Vessels with a golden tilefish longline endorsement are not eligible to fish for golden tilefish using hook-and-line gear. Commercial landings are updated on the Southeast Regional Office's Web site. Another Federal Register notice and Fishery Bulletin will be published if and when the commercial hook-and-line quota for golden tilefish is projected to be met.
Snowy Grouper
Recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2015. The 2014 recreational annual catch limit is 523 fish. The 2014 fishing season must be shortened if the average 2011-2013 recreational landings exceed the annual catch limit. Reports indicate the average 2011-2013 landings exceeded the annual catch limit; therefore, the recreational harvest of snowy grouper will close June 7, 2014. Recreational harvest of snowy grouper in the South Atlantic will close, at 12:01 a.m. (local time) June 7, 2014.
During the closure
Recreational harvest or possession of snowy grouper is prohibited. The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels with a valid charter/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
Commercial harvest of snowy grouper for the 2014 fishing season is currently open. Commercial landings are updated on the Southeast Regional Office's Web site. Another Federal Register notice and Fishery Bulletin will be published if and when the commercial annual catch limit for snowy grouper is projected to be met.
