Caribbean Fishing Seasons and Closures

Fishing years, seasonal closures, and fishery status for federally managed Caribbean species 

Species or species group	Commercial/Recreational
	Fishing Year	Seasonal closure	Status
Red Grouper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Feb 1 – Apr 30	Closed
Black Grouper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Feb 1 – Apr 30	Closed
Tiger Grouper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Feb 1 – Apr 30	Closed
Yellowfin Grouper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Feb 1 – Apr 30	Closed
Yellowedge Grouper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Feb 1 – Apr 30	Closed
Mutton Snapper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Apr 1 – Jun 30	Open
Lane Snapper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Apr 1 – Jun 30	Open
Black Snapper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Oct 1 – Dec 31	Open
Blackfin Snapper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Oct 1 – Dec 31	Open
Vermilion Snapper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Oct 1 – Dec 31	Open
Silk Snapper	Jan 1-Dec 31	Oct 1 – Dec 31	Open
Red Hind	Jan 1-Dec 31	Dec 1 – Feb 28	Closed
Queen Conch*	Jan 1-Dec 31	June 1 – Oct 31	Open

* Fishing for or possession of queen conch in the EEZ is PROHIBITED, with the exception of Lang Bank, St. Croix, USVI (east of 64°34’W).

Please Note: This summary is intended to provide appropriate information to fishers about regulations and the sustainable use of marine fishery resources in the Caribbean. This summary is for general information purposes. Fishery Regulations are subject to changes. For more information on fishery regulations consult the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 622 or the NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office Fishery Regulation website.

This page provides only a summary of the information regarding the existing regulations. Any discrepancies between this information and the regulations as published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register.