Gray Triggerfish off limits through 2017

Gray triggerfish in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico will be off-limits to recreational fishermen through 2017 and possibly longer.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a rule last week cutting the gray triggerfish recreational annual catch target to zero pounds.

That brings state rules in line with recently approved federal rules, Though the FWC will consider a limited gray triggerfish season for next Fall.

The action was taken to protect the species after anglers brought home over 221 thousand pounds more triggerfish in 2016 than they were allowed, and that overage must be paid back in 2017.

During the 2016 season, recreational anglers harvested 422,000 pounds of gray triggerfish.
Their catch target was 217 thousand pounds.                                                                     

Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish are currently overfished which means their population is to low.

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