Atlantic Sport Harvest of AJ and Hogfish Closes Nov. 30

Two important updates from the federal South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Keep in mind these apply only to federal waters, and not state waters which extend outward to three miles from shore on the Atlantic coast of Florida.

Recreational Harvest of Greater Amberjack in Federal Waters of the South Atlantic Will Close on November 30, 2016





The recreational harvest of greater amberjack in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close, at 12:01 a.m. (local time) November 30, 2016. Landings data and projections indicate that recreational harvest of greater amberjack has reached the 2016 recreational catch limit of 1,167,837 pounds whole weight. As a result, recreational harvest of greater amberjack in federal waters of the South Atlantic will be closed for the remainder of the March 2016 through February 2017 fishing year. Federal waters will reopen to recreational harvest of greater amberjack at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on March 1, 2017.



During the closure:

Recreational harvest or possession of greater amberjack is prohibited in or from federal waters in the South Atlantic.

These bag and possession limits apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper grouper has been issued without regard to where such species are caught, i.e., in state or federal waters.

This closure is necessary to protect the greater amberjack resource by limiting the amount of landings that exceed the recreational catch limit.

Recreational harvest of hogfish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on November 30, 2016.

Recreational harvest of hogfish has reached the 2016 recreational catch limit of 85,355 pounds whole weight. As a result, recreational harvest of hogfish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will be closed for the remainder of 2016. Federal waters will reopen to recreational harvest of hogfish at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2017.



During the closure:

Recreational harvest or possession of hogfish is prohibited in or from federal waters in the South Atlantic.

This closure is necessary to protect the hogfish stock by limiting the amount of landings that exceed the recreational catch limit.

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