FB18-055
August 10, 2018
For more information contact Lauren Waters, 727-824-5305, [email protected]
WHAT/WHEN/WHERE:
  • Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) will close at 12:01 am (local time) on August 17, 2018.
  • Recreational harvest will remain closed through the end of the year.
WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:
  • The 2018 recreational annual catch target is 217,100 pounds.  Data indicate that recreational harvest of gray triggerfish has met the annual catch target.
  • In accordance with the regulations, NOAA Fisheries must close a fishery when the annual catch target has been met. This closure is needed to prevent overfishing of this species. Overfishing is defined as the annual catch rate being too high.
  • As a result, recreational harvest will close in federal waters of the Gulf at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on August 17, 2018, and will remain closed through the end of the year.
DURING THE CLOSURE:
  • During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits for gray triggerfish in or from federal waters of the Gulf are zero.
  • The prohibition on possession of Gulf gray triggerfish also applies in Gulf state waters for a vessel issued a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish.