FF-26-2012

PROCLAMATION

RE: SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Monday, April 16, 2012, the following restrictions will apply to the fisheries for snapper-grouper:

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

A. For commercial purposes:
It is unlawful to possess, sell or purchase black sea bass taken from the waters south of Cape Hatteras under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council though 12:01 A.M. June 1, 2012.

B. For recreational purposes:
It is unlawful to possess black sea bass taken from the waters south of Cape Hatteras under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council through 12:01 A.M. June 1, 2012.

II. Gag Grouper and Black Grouper

A. For recreational purposes:

1. It is unlawful to possess gag or black grouper less than 24 inches total length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than one gag or one black grouper per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.

B. For commercial purposes:

1. It is unlawful to possess gag or black grouper less than 24 inches total length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than one gag or one black grouper per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
3. Effective July 15, 2011, it is unlawful for a vessel with a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Permit to possess more than 1,000 pounds (gutted weight) of gag grouper per trip.

III. Other Groupers

A. 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, black, red, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin, yellowmouth and tiger grouper.

B. It is unlawful to possess red grouper less than 20 inches total length.

C. It is unlawful to possess yellowfin grouper (fireback grouper) less than 20 inches total length.

D. It is unlawful to possess scamp less than 20 inches total length.

E. It is unlawful to possess yellowmouth grouper less than 20 inches total length.

F. It is unlawful for a vessel with a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit to possess or land more than one hundred pounds of snowy grouper per trip.

IV.Greater Amberjack

A. For recreational purposes:

1. It is unlawful to possess greater amberjack less than 28 inches fork length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than one greater amberjack per person per day.

B. For commercial purposes:

1. It is unlawful to possess greater amberjack less than 36 inches fork length.
2. It is unlawful to sell or purchase greater amberjack less than 36 inches fork length.

C. It is unlawful to possess more than one greater amberjack per person per day without a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.
Effective July 15, 2011, it is unlawful for a vessel with a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper- Grouper Permit to possess more than 1,200 pounds (gutted weight) of greater amberjack per trip.

D. It is unlawful to possess more than one greater amberjack per person per day during the month of April.

F. It is unlawful to sell or purchase greater amberjack during any season closure for greater amberjack.

V. Red Snapper
It is unlawful to possess, sell or offer for sale red snapper taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for recreational or commercial purposes.

VI. Vermilion Snapper

A. For recreational purposes:

1. It is unlawful to possess vermilion snapper (beeliner) less than 12 inches total length.
2. It is unlawful to possess more than 5 vermilion snapper per person per day.
3. It is unlawful to possess vermilion snapper (beeliner) taken from the waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from November 1 through March 31.

B. For commercial purposes:
It is unlawful to sell or offer for sale vermilion snapper taken from waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for commercial purposes. This closure remains in effect until 12:01 A.M., Sunday, July 1, 2012.