Commercial and Recreational Harvest of Lane Snapper in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Will Close on October 18, 2021
The following fishery bulletin is provided as a courtesy:
What/When:
Commercial and recreational harvest of lane snapper in Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 18, 2021.
Commercial and recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January1, 2022
Why This Closure is Happening:
The 2021 stock annual catch limit is 301,000 pounds whole weight.
Based on preliminary landings and a projection, the 2021 stock annual catch limit set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and monitored by NOAA Fisheries will be met on October 18, 2021.
Landings exceeded the annual catch limit in 2020.
In accordance with regulations, if the stock annual catch limit is exceeded one year, then during the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational landings reaches or is projected to reach the stock annual catch limit, NOAA Fisheries must close the recreational and commercial sectors for the remainder of that fishing year.
This closure is needed to prevent overfishing of lane snapper (annual catch rate is too high).
During the Closure:
No recreational or commercial fisherman may fish for or keep lane snapper after 12:01 a.m. (local time) on October 18, 2021.
During the commercial and recreational closure, the bag and possession limits are zero for lane snapper in or from federal waters of the Gulf.
The prohibition on possession of Gulf lane snapper also applies in Gulf state waters for a vessel issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish.