FF-3-2020
PROCLAMATION
RE: SNAPPER GROUPER COMPLEX – COMMERCIAL – GOLDEN TILEFISH LONGLINE COMPONENT – CLOSURE
This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-57-2019, dated December 30, 2019. It closes the commercial longline component of the golden tilefish fishery to harvest due to its annual catch limit being met. The longline component of the commercial golden tilefish fishery will reopen January 1, 2021. The hook-and-line component of the commercial golden tilefish fishery is currently open to harvest. Please see the following NOAA Fishery Bulletin for more information: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/closure-commercial-golden-tilefish-longline-component-south-atlantic-federal-waters
Stephen W. Murphey, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, February 18, 2020 the following restrictions will apply to the commercial fisheries for snapper-grouper:
I. Permit Requirements
A. It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or exceed the recreational bag limits of any species of the Snapper-Grouper complex specified in 50 CFR Part §622.187(b) unless the vessel owner has been issued a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit.
B. For a vessel with both a valid Federal South Atlantic Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper Grouper and a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit it is unlawful to exceed the recreational bag limits for snapper grouper species when fishing with more than four persons (including captain and mate) on board, or when carrying paying customers.
C. For a vessel with both a valid Federal South Atlantic Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper Grouper and a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit it is unlawful to sell or offer for sale any species of the Snapper Grouper Complex harvested when fishing with more than four persons (including captain and mate) on board or when carrying paying customers.
D. It is unlawful to purchase any species of the snapper grouper complex taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council without a valid Federal Gulf and South Atlantic Dealer Permit (see exception under Section XVII. I).
E. It is unlawful to purchase any species of the snapper grouper complex taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from a vessel that does not hold a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit.
F. It is unlawful to possess more than one trip limit of snapper grouper complex species at any time excluding licensed finfish dealers with a valid Federal Gulf and South Atlantic Dealer permit.
G. It is unlawful to take black sea bass using pot gear without having both a valid Federal Commercial Snapper Grouper Permit and a valid Federal South Atlantic Black Sea Bass Pot Endorsement onboard.
H. It is unlawful to take golden tilefish using longline gear without having both a valid Federal Commercial Snapper Grouper Permit and a valid Federal South Atlantic Golden Tilefish Longline Endorsement onboard.
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