Fishery management Council taking comment on proposed Triggerfish rules

Commercial and recreational fishermen have until March the 15^th to comment on proposed changed to triggerfish harvesting rules for the Gulf of Mexico.

Triggerfish are considered overfished so the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council plans to implement some restrictions to help protect the species.

For commercial fishermen that would mean a trip limit of 12 fish per trip throughout the

fishing year, and a seasonal closure to the harvest of gray triggerfish from June 1st through July 31st.

For recreational fishermen the proposed changes would establish a recreational daily bag limit of 2-fish per fisherman within the 20-fish reef fish aggregate bag limit, and establish a seasonal closure to the harvest of gray triggerfish from June 1^st  through July 31^st.

The changes are expected to allow a longer fishing season for the both the commercial and recreational sector while helping protect the triggerfish population.

Written comments on the amendment must be received no later than March 15th, 2013.

For a copy of the proposed rule or to make comments go to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Web site at gulfcouncil.org

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