From November 1 through March 31, the southern subzone is that part of the Florida west coast off Collier and Monroe Counties, Florida. Beginning April 1, the southern subzone is reduced to the area off Collier County, Florida, and Monroe County becomes part of the Atlantic zone, with the trip limit returning to 1, 250 pounds.
NOAA Fisheries is reducing the trip limit because 75 percent (or 455,711 pounds) of the 607,614-pound quota is projected to be taken. The 500-pound daily trip limit will remain in effect the quota is reached or through the end of the fishing year, June 30, 2013, whichever occurs first.
