St. Johns River blue crab trap closure starts Jan. 16

 Recreational and commercial blue crab traps in all waters of the St. Johns River system must be removed from the water before Jan. 16, the first day of a 10-day trap closure.  This closure will give groups authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and […]

Fed. Fishery Mgrs Solicit Public Input on Proposed Electronic Reporting

 The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting public input through a series of public hearings on proposed measures that could affect federally permitted charter ("6-pack") vessels along the Atlantic coast.  For-hire vessels (charter and headboats) operating more than three miles offshore in federal waters must have specific federal permits to legally target dolphin and […]

Seasonal grouper closure starts Jan. 1 in Atlantic, Monroe County waters

 Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest starting Jan. 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County.  This seasonal closure includes gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby. State waters in the Atlantic are from shore out to 3 […]

Council Approves New Federal Fishery Management Measures; Adpts Vision Blueprint

 Measures approved for dolphin, blueline tilefish, yellowtail snapper and black sea bass;  2016-2020 Vision Blueprint  if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, new federal fishing measures approved by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council during its meeting last week in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina will be implemented in 2016. The regulation changes are designed to […]

Waters in Pamlico Sound and northern Core Sound close to anchored, large-mesh g

 MOREHEAD CITY — Waters in the Pamlico Sound and the northern portion of Core Sound will close to anchored, large-mesh gill nets starting one hour after sunrise on Thursday morning due to interactions with sea turtles.     The closure impacts Management Unit B under the state’s Sea Turtle Incidental Take Permit, which includes all of […]

COAST GUARD URGES BOATERS TO WEAR LIFEJACKETS

 NEW ORLEANS — Over the course of the past week, the Coast Guard responded to multiple cases along the Gulf of Mexico where people in distress were not wearing lifejackets.  Life Jackets should be used with any activity on the water, whether it’s done with a paddle, motor or a sail. Using a properly fitted […]

Recreational harvest of gag grouper closes January 1st

 The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reminds anglers that there is a closed season for the recreational harvest of gag grouper from January 1st through June 30th of each year.    Additionally, the recreational harvest of black, red, yellowfin and yellowmouth groupers closes from February 1st to March 31st of each year seaward […]

Seasonal grouper closure starts Jan. 1 in Atlantic, Monroe County waters

 Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest starting Jan. 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. This seasonal closure includes gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby. State waters in the Atlantic are from shore out to 3 […]

NOAA Fisheries Announces New Regulations for Dolphin Wahoo and Snapper-Grouper

 The final rule implementing Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic and Amendment 33 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 7 and Snapper-Grouper Amendment 33) published on December 28, 2015 (80 FR 80686). Regulations will be […]

Coast Guard to public: Be safe this holiday weekend

MIAMI — The Coast Guard is reminding boaters to practice safe boating and exercise caution during New Year’s Eve celebrations, and throughout the upcoming weekend. Coast Guard crews throughout the Seventh Coast Guard District will be on duty New Year’s Eve to ensure everyone venturing out on the water has a safe holiday. Anyone planning […]