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

November 09, 2017

FB17-067 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Bulletin; For More Information, Contact: Kelli O'Donnell, 727-824-5305, Kelli.ODonnell@NOAA.gov

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When/What/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.

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NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS).  Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

  • Immediate fishery openings and closures
  • Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

 Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

  • Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
  • Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
  • South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
  • South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
  • Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text CARIBFISH to 888777

Last updated by Southeast Regional Office on March 14, 2019