Commercial Harvest of King Mackerel in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Northern Zone Will Close on June 28, 2021

Commercial Harvest of King Mackerel in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Northern Zone Will Close on June 28, 2021 The following NOAA Fisheries Bulletin is provided to our readers as a courtesy: ISSUE DATE: June 25, 2021                                          FB21-040 CONTACT: Kelli O’Donnell, 727-824-5305, Kelli.ODonnell@NOAA.gov WHAT/WHEN: Commercial harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Northern Zone (depicted in map below) will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 28, 2021. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 1, 2021. WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING: The 2020/2021 commercial quota for the Gulf Northern Zone is 493,200 pounds.  Updated landings data indicate that commercial harvest of king mackerel in this zone has exceeded its quota.   In accordance with the regulations NOAA Fisheries is required to close harvest for a species when the quota has been met or is projected to be met.  DURING THE CLOSURE: No commercial fisherman may keep for sale king mackerel in or from the closed Northern Zone after 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 28, 2021. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to trade in king mackerel that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before 12:01 a.m., local time, June 28, 2021, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. Persons aboard commercial vessels with a federal king mackerel permit may fish for and retain the recreational bag and possession limit of king mackerel during the open recreational season, even if commercial fishing for this species is closed in this zone or others. About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.    Emily Muehlstein Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext.2380  ‌  ‌

http://live.oysterradio.com/