Commercial Closure for Snowy Grouper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 29, 2024

What/When:

The commercial harvest of snowy grouper in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 29, 2024. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of snowy grouper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of snowy grouper in or from federal waters is prohibited.

Why This Closure Is Happening:

• There are two commercial fishing seasons for snowy grouper. Each season is six months with its own catch limit.
• The 2024 July through December commercial catch limit is 31,852pounds gutted weight. Any unused portion of the catch limit from the 2024 January through June season is added to the catch limit for the 2024 July through December season, and the increased catch limit is used to project the closure for that season.
• Subsequent to the June 4, 2024, closure of the January through June season, updated commercial harvest information showed that 8,035 pounds gutted weight of that season's catch limit were not harvested, and that poundage was added to the commercial catch limit for the 2024 July through December season.
• Commercial landings are projected to reach the July through December commercial catch limit by October 1, 2024. According to the accountability measure, commercial harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

After The Closure:

• The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
• The prohibition on the possession, sale, and purchase of snowy grouper apply in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
• The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for snowy grouper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 29, 2024, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
• The 2025 January through June commercial fishing season for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2025.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR part 622 or at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-622/subpart-I/.

Sign Up for Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

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

Quick Glance Contact Listfor the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information contact the Permits Office at 727-201-2354 or please e-mail [email protected].

Media Contact: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202

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