The SAFMC has determined that the commercial and rercreational fishery for Gag Grouper in the South Atlantic Federal waters will end at 12:01 AM (local Time) on October 23, 2023. It will re-open May 1, 2024.

Why This Closure is Happening:
The final rule for Amendment 53 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which revises and reduces the commercial and recreational catch limits for gag, will be effective on October 23, 2023.

For the 2023 fishing year, the gag commercial catch limit will be 85,326 pounds gutted weight. Reports indicate that commercial landings have reached the 2023 revised commercial catch limit. The accountability measure requires commercial harvest to close when the commercial catch limit has been reached. This closure is necessary to protect the gag population.

For the 2023 fishing year, the gag recreational catch limit will be 90,306 pounds gutted weight. Reports indicate that recreational landings have reached the 2023 revised recreational catch limit. The accountability measure requires recreational harvest to close when the recreational catch limit has been reached. This closure is necessary to protect the gag population.

During the Closure:
Sale or purchase of any gag harvested in or from federal waters is prohibited.
The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to gag that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before 12:01 a.m., (local time) October 23, 2023, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

The bag and possession limits for gag in or from South Atlantic federal waters are zero.

The restrictions on the bag and possession limits for gag and the prohibition on sale or purchase apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.

Commercial harvest for the 2024 fishing year in South Atlantic federal waters will open at 12:01 a.m., (local time,) on May 1, 2024, unless otherwise specified.

Recreational harvest for the 2024 fishing year in South Atlantic federal waters will open at 12:01 a.m., (local time,) on May 1, 2024, unless otherwise specified.