The 2014 commercial catch limit is 326,722 pounds gutted weight. Reports indicate the catch limit will be met by November 21, 2014.
A seasonal closure is in place for commercial and recreational sectors for gag during January - April; therefore, commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on May 1, 2015.
The operator of a vessel that has been issued a federal commercial permit for snapper-grouper and that is landing gag for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such gag prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, November 21, 2014.
The prohibition on sale does not apply to sale or purchase of gag that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time) November 21, 2014, and held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
During the closure:
- Harvest or possession of gag in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits.
- Sale and purchase of gag in or from federal waters is prohibited.
- The closure applies in both state and federal waters for a person onboard a vessel with a federal snapper-grouper permit.
This closure is necessary to protect the snapper-grouper resource.
