The 2013 commercial catch limit is 21,447 pounds gutted weight. Reports indicate that commercial landings are rapidly approaching the 2013 catch limit.
The operator of a vessel with a federal commercial permit for snapper-grouper that is landing red snapper for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such red snapper prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time), October 8, 2013.
The prohibition on sale does not apply to sale or purchase of red snapper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. (local time), October 8, 2013, and held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
During the closure:
- Sale and purchase of red snapper are prohibited.
- The closure applies in both state and federal waters.
- This closure is necessary to protect the snapper-grouper population.
Amendment 28 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic established the annual process to determine red snapper fishing seasons and harvest amounts.
If NOAA Fisheries determines that commercial and recreational red snapper seasons can occur in 2014, an announcement will be made in a Fishery Bulletin next year.
