FB17-067

FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: November 9, 2017

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

 

 

Commercial Harvest of Gray Triggerfish in Federal Watersof the Gulf of Mexico Will Close on November 18, 2017

 

WHAT/WHEN/WHERE:

  • Commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on November 18, 2017.
  • Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2018.

 

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2017 commercial quota is 60,900 pounds.  Updated landings data indicate that the harvest of gray triggerfish will reach the quota by November 18, 2017.
  • As a result, commercial harvest will close in federal waters at 12:01 am (local time) on November 18, 2017, and will remain closed until 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2018.
  • This closure is necessary to protect the gray triggerfish resource.  This population is currently considered overfished (the population is too low).

DURING THE CLOSURE:

  • No commercial fisherman may fish for or keep gray triggerfish after 12:01 a.m. on November 18, 2017.
  • 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 18, 2017, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.