Recreational Harvest of the Porgy Complex in South Atlantic Waters Will Close on September 17, 2014
Recreational harvest of the porgy complex in the South Atlantic will close, at 12:01 a.m. (local time) September 17, 2014. Recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2015. The porgy complex is comprised of the following species: jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, whitebone porgy, scup, and saucereye porgy. The recreational annual catch limit of 106,914 pounds whole weight was exceeded in 2013. If recreational landings are exceeded, NOAA Fisheries will shorten the following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure landings do not exceed the recreational annual catch limit in the following fishing year. Reports indicate that recreational landings of porgies have met the 2014 catch limit and harvest should close as soon as possible to minimize overages. Therefore, the recreational sector for the porgy complex in the South Atlantic will be closed on September 17, 2014.
During the closure:
Recreational harvest or possession of species in the porgy complex is prohibited.
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels which have a valid charter/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
Commercial harvest of the porgy complex for the 2014 fishing season is currently open. Commercial landings are updated on the Southeast Regional Office’s Web site. Another Federal Register notice and Fishery Bulletin will be published if and when the commercial quota for the porgy complex is projected to be met.
Recreational Harvest of the Porgy Complex in South Atlantic Waters Will Close on September 17, 2014
Recreational harvest of the porgy complex in the South Atlantic will close, at 12:01 a.m. (local time) September 17, 2014. Recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2015. The porgy complex is comprised of the following species: jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, whitebone porgy, scup, and saucereye porgy. The recreational annual catch limit of 106,914 pounds whole weight was exceeded in 2013. If recreational landings are exceeded, NOAA Fisheries will shorten the following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure landings do not exceed the recreational annual catch limit in the following fishing year. Reports indicate that recreational landings of porgies have met the 2014 catch limit and harvest should close as soon as possible to minimize overages. Therefore, the recreational sector for the porgy complex in the South Atlantic will be closed on September 17, 2014.
During the closure:
Recreational harvest or possession of species in the porgy complex is prohibited.
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels which have a valid charter/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
Commercial harvest of the porgy complex for the 2014 fishing season is currently open. Commercial landings are updated on the Southeast Regional Office’s Web site. Another Federal Register notice and Fishery Bulletin will be published if and when the commercial quota for the porgy complex is projected to be met.