“The recreational sector for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic Region will re-open on August 20, 2015, with an annual catch limit of 23,647 pounds gutted weight or 4,152 fish. The recreational bag limit is one fish per vessel per day, while the recreational sector is open. The recreational sector will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on September 1, 2015. The recreational bag limit is zero during the closure. The recreational sector will re-open on May 1, 2016.”
“The commercial sector for snowy grouper in the South Atlantic Region will re-open on August 20, 2015, with an annual catch limit of 115,451 pounds gutted weight. The commercial trip limit will be 200 pounds gutted weight. The commercial sector will close when this new annual catch limit is met or projected to be met. As of August 6, 2015, 83,569 pounds gutted weight have been landed.”
I can remember when there were no saltwater regulations or fishing license requirements. Now there are almost weekly updates to fish closings and openings. There has to be a simpler way to manage a resource.
10 or 12 charter captains could hit 4152 fish up here in the Carolinas right now with fuel prices low.
1 per vessel should illustrate to you all how ridiculous it is to allow the government to use “best available” science in their decisions instead of sound science. RFA tried to tell Congress last time Magnuson was reauthorized, but some other groups wanted to kill commercial fishing and would let the government manage our resources (and our sport and local economy) this way.
How’s that working out for you? A commercial boat can keep 200lbs gutted, and we have to keep the first 4 pounder that comes up, IF they aren’t shut down. The whole thing is being slanted downhill to catch shares. Makes sense if you want only the people with plenty money to pay the government for an exclusive right for a common natural resource.
“Let’s close the Georgetown Hole while we’re at it for good measure.”
Y’all better pay attention because it’s coming to pelagics AND state waters next.
I still don’t understand triple the Total Catch Limit and cutting the "season"by 75% logic. If historically it has taken until June(6mos) to reach the limit, if you triple the limit, the season should be able to be sustained for 12 months.
I also still would like to see the “reports” of recreational catches.
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Sometimes we have to be careful about what we say... If they suspect this, then we could be looking at another permanent closure from 240' like they tried a few years ago... And those aren't seasonal. Loose lips sink ships!!!
THE bad thing is that once the SAFMC closes or restricts a species - like BSB they never let go of the restriction. They never admit that the closure was an error from poor or missing data. A good example is Vermillion snapper. The cockroaches of the ocean. somehow the council decided these rapidly reproducing, fast growing fish were nearing extinction. the 5 fish per day rule on this one species put the headboat fishery out of business. Likely there will never be a change to this restriction.