ISSUE DATE: November 21, 2019                                                                        

FB19-074

CONTACT: Kelli O’Donnell, 727-824-5305,
[email protected]

 

WHAT/WHEN/WHERE:

  • Commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on November 26, 2019.
  • Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2020.

 

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 adjusted commercial quota is 60,298 pounds.  Updated landings data indicate that the harvest of gray triggerfish is rapidly approaching the quota.
  • In accordance with the regulations, NOAA Fisheries must close commercial harvest for gray triggerfish when the quota has been met or is projected to be met.
  • As a result, commercial harvest for gray triggerfish will close in federal waters at 12:01 am (local time) on November 26, 2019, and will remain closed until 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2020.
  • This closure is necessary to protect the gray triggerfish resource.

 

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • No commercial fisherman may fish for or keep gray triggerfish after 12:01 a.m. on November 26, 2019.
  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a valid Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish permit.
  • Sale or purchase of any harvested gray triggerfish in or from federal waters is prohibited.

The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to trade in gray triggerfish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before 12:01 a.m., November 26, 2019, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.