CaptDQ
Site Admin
Joined: May 04, 2009
Posts: 604
Location: 100 Fathom Curve, FL
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 Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:44 pm Post subject: GAG GROUPER SEASON OPENS AGAIN TILL NOV. 16TH 2011 |
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Gulf of Mexico (except all state waters of Monroe County)
Updated: August 30, 2011
2011 Gag Grouper Closure and Fall Harvest Season
in Federal and State Waters
The latest stock assessment indicates that gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are overfished and undergoing overfishing. NOAA Fisheries Service recently announced interim rules that prohibit recreational harvest of gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico federal waters until long-term management measures for gag grouper can be developed.
The first interim rule prohibited harvest of Gulf gag grouper in federal waters through May 31, 2011. At its February meeting, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council discussed a second interim rule that would continue the interim gag grouper closure through the end of 2011, but also allow for a recreational open season for gag grouper in Gulf federal waters from Sept. 16 through Nov. 15. This rule has been approved by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
These closures also prohibit anyone on board a vessel for which a federal commercial or charter/headboat permit for the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish fishery has been issued from harvesting or possessing gag grouper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
The FWC Commissioners approved rules that closed state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, excluding Monroe County, to the recreational harvest of gag grouper from June 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011, with the exception of a fall harvest season September 16 through November 15, 2011. These rules will be in effect for 2011 only.
Long-term Management Measures for Gag and Red Grouper in Federal Waters Pending
At its August meeting, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) took final action to set long-term management measures for gag and red grouper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These measures include:
”Set the recreational gag grouper harvest season to July 1 through October 31 for Gulf federal waters
”Reduce the commercial gag grouper size limit from 24" to 22" total length (TL)
”Increase the recreational bag limit for red grouper from two fish to four fish per person per day
The Council also considered establishing new time and area closures in federal waters off Florida's Big Bend region to protect gag grouper spawning aggregations. However, additional time and area closures were not approved by the Council.
These measures are subject to approval by the US Secretary of Commerce and are expected to take effect in Gulf federal waters next year. The FWC may consider establishing consistent regulations for gag and red grouper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico at a future Commission meeting.
For more information:
”NOAA Southeast Fishery Bulletin - Fall 2011 Harvest Season
”NOAA Southeast Fishery Bulletin
”Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
”NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
”FWC April 2011 Commission Meeting
”FWC News Release
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Current Recreational Regulations
- Gag, Black, Red Grouper -
(State and Federal Waters)
State and Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Except All State Waters of Monroe County) *
Gag
Black
Red
Minimum Size Limit
22" TL
22" TL
20" TL
Bag Limit
State and Federal Waters CLOSED
Up to 2 Gag within the 4 grouper aggregate during open season
Up to 4 Black within the 4 grouper aggregate
Up to 2 Red within the 4 grouper aggregate
PENDING: up to 4 Red per person within the grouper aggregate in federal waters starting in 2012
Closed Season**
Feb. 1 - March 31**; June 1 - Sept. 15, 2011 and Nov. 16 - Dec. 31, 2011 closure in state waters
Jan. 1, 2011 - Sept 15, 2011 and Nov. 16 - Dec. 31 closure in federal waters
PENDING: Jan 1 - Jun 30, Nov 1 - Dec 31 closed season in federal waters starting in 2012
Feb. 1 - March 31 closure in state and federal waters
Feb. 1 - March 31 closure in state and federal waters
Capt/Crew
charter captain/crew - zero bag limit
*Note: Gear rules require circle hooks, dehooking and venting tools to be used in the Gulf reef fish fishery
**Feb. 1 - March 31 closed season in Gulf waters applies to all shallow-water grouper species (Red, Black, Gag, Yellowfin, Yellowmouth, Rock Hind, Red Hind, and Scamp).
For more information:
”Atlantic Grouper
”State Reef Fish Rule, 68B-14, F.A.C.
”Federal Code of Regulations
_________________
Bertram 31 FBC (Runem Hard & Fishem Wet) --~~---<*)((((<>(
IN GOD WE TRUST
'Life may be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well fish'! |
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