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The 8th quota monitoring report (September 30, 2003) of commercial king mackerel and Spanish mackerel landings, etc., for the 2003/2004 fishing year is attached.
GULF GROUP KING MACKEREL
The fisheries for Gulf group king mackerel opened for the 2003/2004 fishing year on July 1, 2003. The Florida east coast subzone, however, will open on November 1, 2003, and close on 03/31/2004.
An estimated 1,021,226 on 101.1 percent of the 1,010,000-pound quota of king mackerel were commercially landed in the western zone (Texas - Alabama) from July 1 - September 22, 2003. The fishery was closed in Federal Waters at noon (local time) on September 24, 2003. It will remain closed until July 1, 2004.
Texas and Louisiana closed the commercial king mackerel fishery in state waters to coincide with the closure in federal waters. Louisiana delayed closure in their waters for 72 hours, closing at noon on September 27, 2003. The fishery in Mississippi waters is expected to close within the week. NOAA Fisheries will endeavor to continue the monitoring of landings until all Gulf western zone fisheries are closed for the 2003/2004 fishing year.
ATLANTIC GROUP KING MACKEREL AND ATLANTIC/GULF GROUP SPANISH MACKEREL
The 2003/2004 fishing year for the Atlantic migratory groups of king mackerel and Spanish mackerel and the Gulf migratory group of Spanish mackerel began on April 1, 2003, and ends on March 31, 2004.
For additional information contact Jason Rueter (727) 824-5350