Changes to Recreational Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Fishing for 2014

Below is a NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fishery Bulletin announcing changes to recreational Gulf of Mexico red grouper fishing for 2014.    SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN      FB14-031        Rich Malinowski 727-824-5305         April 28, 2014       Changes to Recreational Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Fishing for 2014 NOAA Fisheries is implementing an in-season adjustment to the red grouper recreational fishing season. The red grouper recreational daily bag limit in federal waters will be reduced from four fish to three fish (within the current four-fish grouper aggregate bag limit) beginning on May 5, 2014, and the recreational harvest of red grouper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, September 16, 2014, until January 1, 2015, unless changed in subsequent rulemaking.  Landings data for 2013 indicate that the red grouper recreational annual catch limit of 1,900,000 pounds was exceeded by 492,113 pounds. Accountability measures established in the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico require NOAA Fisheries to reduce the bag limit and announce a fishing season closure in federal waters for red grouper the year following a recreational annual catch limit overage. The season closure date may change, after additional landings data become available.   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.       Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Charlene Ponce Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext. 229

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