FF-4-2020

PROCLAMATION

RE: SNAPPER GROUPER COMPLEX – COMMERCIAL – VISION BLUEPRINT REGULATORY AMENDMENT 27 – FINAL RULE

This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-3-2020, dated February 14, 2020. It implements the requirements of the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 27 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan of the South Atlantic and establishes the following:

• A 100 pound gutted weight commercial trip limit from January 1 through April 30 and a 300 pound gutted weight commercial trip limit from May 1 through December 31 for blueline tilefish;
  
• A 1,200 pound whole or gutted weight commercial trip limit from March 1 through August 31 and a 1,000 pound whole or gutted weight commercial trip limit from September 1 through the last day of February for greater amberjack;
  
• A 60 fish commercial trip from January 1 through April 30 and a 120 fish commercial trip limit from May 1 through December 31 for red porgy;
  
• A commercial minimum size limit of 20 inches fork length for almaco jack.
  
• A 500 pound gutted weight commercial trip limit for the Other Jacks Complex (almaco jack, banded rudderfish and lesser amberjack); and,
  
• Removal of the commercial minimum size limit for queen snapper, silk snapper and blackfin snapper.

Please see the following NOAA Fishery Bulletins for more information:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-changes-commercial-regulations-snapper-grouper-species

Stephen W. Murphey, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective 12:01 A.M., Wednesday, February 26, 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.