FF-23-2019
PROCLAMATION
RE: SNAPPER GROUPER COMPLEX – RECREATIONAL – RED SNAPPER – OPEN LIMITED SEASON

This proclamation supersedes Proclamation FF-20-2019 dated June 14, 2019. It opens a limited recreational red snapper season in 2019 only for the weekends of July 12-14, 2019 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and July 19 and 20, 2019 (Friday and Saturday). Please see the following NOAA Fishery Bulletin for more information:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-limited-openings-recreational-and-commercial-red-snapper

Stephen W. Murphey, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective 12:01 A.M., Friday, July 12, 2019 the following restrictions will apply to the recreational fisheries for snapper grouper:

I. Permit Requirements

A. It is unlawful to sell or offer for sale any species of the snapper grouper complex taken or possessed under the recreational bag limits 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.

II. Black Sea Bass, south of Cape Hatteras (35° 15.0321’ N. Latitude)

A. It is unlawful to possess black sea bass less than 13 inches total length.

B. It is unlawful to possess more than seven (7) black sea bass per person per day.

III. Groupers

A. It is unlawful to possess speckled hind, warsaw grouper, Nassau grouper, and goliath grouper.

B. It is unlawful to possess black grouper or gag grouper less than 24 inches total length.

C. It is unlawful to possess red grouper, yellowfin (fireback) grouper, yellowmouth grouper or scamp less than 20 inches total length.

D. It is unlawful to possess shallow water grouper species taken from the waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from January 1 through April 30. Shallow water grouper species include gag grouper, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin grouper and yellowmouth grouper.

E. It is unlawful to possess snowy grouper except from May 1 through August 31 each year, subject to the bag limits in XVI.B.

IV. Greater Amberjack

A. It is unlawful to possess greater amberjack less than 28 inches fork length.

B. It is unlawful to possess more than one greater amberjack per person per day.

V. Other Jacks
The Jacks Complex includes almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack. These species are included in the twenty (20) fish in the aggregate per person per day recreational bag and possession limit in XVI. C.

VI. Red Snapper
It is unlawful to possess red snapper taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Effective only for the following two weekend periods beginning at 12:01 A.M., Friday, July 12 through midnight, Sunday, July 14, 2019 and from 12:01 A.M. Friday, July 19 through midnight Saturday, July 20, 2019 it is unlawful to possess more than one red snapper per person per day. There is no minimum size limit.