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Commercial and Recreational Closures for Hogfish in Federal Waters off the Florida Keys/East Florida Beginning August 24, 2017 (Clarification to the Florida State Water Season)

August 22, 2017

FB17-046 - REVISED South Atlantic Fishery Bulletin; For More Information, Contact: Sustainable Fisheries (727)-824-5305

Clarification:

  • The August 24, 2017, recreational closure for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish applies to federal waters.
  • The recreational closure for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish applies to both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal South Atlantic Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper-Grouper and/or Gulf of Mexico Charter/Headboat Permit for Reef Fish.
  • The August 24, 2017, commercial closure for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish applies in both state and federal watersfor vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper and/or Gulf Reef Fish.

What/When:

  • The commercial and recreational harvest for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish in federal waters of the South Atlantic and part of the Gulf of Mexico will close at 12:01 a.m. on August 24, 2017. The boundaries of the Florida Keys/East Florida population are from the 25°09′ N. latitude line off the west coast of Florida (near Cape Sable, Florida), east around South Florida, to the Florida/Georgia border.  During these closures, all sale, purchase, and possession of hogfish is prohibited.
map-FL-LMAXI-closure-SERO.png

 

Why These Closures are Happening:

  • The final rule for Amendment 37 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 37) published on July 25, 2017 (see Fishery Bulletin FB17-041, and is effective on August 24, 2017 (82 FR 34584).
  • The 2017 commercial catch limit for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish will be 3,510 pounds whole weight. Commercial landings are projected to have reached the new commercial catch limit by May 11, 2017.
  • The 2017 recreational catch limit for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish will be 15,689 fish. Recreational landings are projected to have reached the new recreational catch limit by May 4, 2017.
  • According to the accountability measures, commercial and recreational harvest should close to prevent the catch limits from being exceeded. The closures did not occur before August 24, 2017, because the final rule was not yet effective.
  • The final rule for Amendment 37 also implemented a closed recreational fishing season for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish in federal waters from January through April, and November through December each year.

After the Closures:

  • The commercial closure for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper and/or Gulf Reef Fish.
  • The recreational closure for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal South Atlantic Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper-Grouper and/or Gulf of Mexico Charter/Headboat Permit for Reef Fish.
  • The 2018 commercial fishing season for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish will open on January 1, 2018, with a commercial catch limit of 4,524 pounds whole weight. This catch limit will increase annually through 2027.
  • The 2018 recreational fishing season for the Florida Keys/East Florida population of hogfish will open in Federal waters on May 1, 2018, with a recreational catch limit of 18,617 fish. This catch limit will increase annually through 2027.
  • Please check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for more information on recreational closures in Florida state waters.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations.  Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov.

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Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

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Last updated by Southeast Regional Office on March 14, 2019