The 240-foot (40-fathom)
prohibition, implemented on 31 January, 2011,
prohibited the possession of six deepwater snappergrouper species (snowy grouper, blueline tilefish,
yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper,
and silk snapper) in or from the South Atlantic
federal waters in depths greater than 240 feet (40
fathoms).
The purpose of the 240-foot (40-fathom) prohibition
approved in Amendment 17B to the Fishery
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery
of the South Atlantic Region is to reduce bycatch of
speckled hind and warsaw grouper.
However, there
is evidence, from both public comments and new
analysis of data, that the prohibition is not effective
at its stated purpose and comes at a higher economic
cost to fishermen than originally anticipated. A new
analysis of landings data following the
implementation of the prohibition indicates that
different management measures are likely more
effective.
Therefore, the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council is currently developing an
amendment to further protect speckled hind and
warsaw grouper.
That amendment considers
additional measures to reduce bycatch of speckled
hind and warsaw grouper, including the expansion
of existing, and establishment of new, closed areas.
The decision to eliminate the 240-foot (40-fathom)
prohibition through Regulatory Amendment 11 to
the Fishery Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region does
not affect the prohibition on harvest and possession
of speckled hind and warsaw grouper in the South
Atlantic. It remains unlawful to harvest or possess
speckled hind and warsaw grouper.
240-Foot Snapper-Grouper Prohibition in South Atlantic Eliminated
US - NOAA Fisheries Service is eliminating the 240-foot (40-fathom) snapper-grouper prohibition in South Atlantic federal waters.
by Lucy Towers