Commercial Reopening for Red Snapper in South Atlantic Federal Waters on December 5, 2018

WHAT/WHEN:

• The commercial harvest of red snapper in South Atlantic federal waters will reopen for 10 days on December 5, 2018.  Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on December 5, 2018, and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on December 15, 2018.  During the 10-day reopening, the commercial trip limit for red snapper is 75 pounds gutted weight. 

WHY THIS REOPENING IS HAPPENING:

• The 2018 commercial catch limit for red snapper is 124,815 pounds whole weight.  On November 7, 2018, the commercial catch limit for the 2018 season was projected to be met, and NOAA Fisheries closed commercial harvest.  However, new information indicates that the red snapper commercial catch limit was not met.

AFTER THE REOPENING:

• The 2019 fishing season for the red snapper commercial sector opens at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 8, 2019, unless otherwise specified. 
• As a reminder, recreational harvest is closed.  Therefore, the recreational bag and possession limit for red snapper in or from South Atlantic federal waters is zero.  The 2019 recreational season, which consists of weekends only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), begins on the 2^nd Friday in July, unless otherwise specified.

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/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#_top.

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
  • Text CARIBFISH to 888777 

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Other contacts:

Media: Kim Amendola, 727-551-5707

            Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750