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Recreational management measures
For the recreational sector, the rule temporarily sets the bag limit for gag at zero, effectively setting the harvest to zero. It was the intent of the Council, when requesting this temporary rule, that there should be a recreational harvest of gag in 2011; however, this season will be developed in Amendment 32 if supported by the science. If the Council allowed the recreational sector to fish for gag at the beginning of the 2011 fishing year, the recreational season later in the year would have to be shortened. The Council favored a summer fishing season for gag because it maximized the season length and so requested the temporary closure to delay the beginning of the season.

What's your source, Wevans? There's nothing on the Gulf Council or FWC web sites about a temporary closure yet.

I'm also on both press release lists and nothing there, either.

Not doubting you, as I know this was anticipated, just trying to find more information and a source.

Thanks.

Just got the release. Wevans must have an inside connection.

Contact: Kim Amendola FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
727- 551-5707 November 30, 2010


NOAA Announces Fishing Rules to Protect Gulf of Mexico Gag and Red Grouper


NOAA’s Fisheries Service has announced a temporary rule that will prohibit recreational fishing for gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico federal waters. The six-month rule becomes effective on January 1, 2011, and can be extended an additional six months if necessary.

This rule will also reduce the commercial quota from 1.49 million pounds to 100,000 pounds and will prohibit the use of the red grouper multi-use individual fishing quota allocation for harvesting gag grouper. The quota will discourage commercial vessels from targeting gag or from fishing in areas with high accidental catch of gag, while still allowing the retention of some accidentally-caught gag that would otherwise be discarded dead at sea.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council requested the fisheries service implement this temporary rule while the council explores long-term measures to address the poor condition of the gag grouper population.

“This was a difficult decision, but a necessary action to protect the Gulf gag grouper population,” said Roy Crabtree, southeast regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “We hope this is a short term action and will look to increase the harvest of gag as soon as possible.”

The most recent scientific assessment update shows too many gag grouper are being removed from the population too quickly, indicating a need for protection under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The council is expected to recommend long-term measures for gag grouper to the fisheries service sometime next year. NOAA’s Fisheries Service will provide public comment periods before implementing final long-term management measures.

Through a separate long-term rule, the council also requested the fisheries service to reduce the red grouper total allowable catch from 7.57 million pounds to 5.68 million pounds, due to a recent scientific assessment update that indicates the population has declined since 2005. This rule will also become effective on January 1, 2011.

Dang! just when I was getting the hang of it.

Will you be able to fish for red grouper during this time? What about Red snapper? It is still allowed on the weekends? I'm planning on going this weekend if the weather permits.

MABEY STATE WATERS WILL STAY OPEN, WE'LL SEE

Red snapper is now closed and the season won't open again until mid-year 2011.

Not sure about the red grouper question.

And the state usually follows suit with the feds, so state waters will probably close to gags as well. FWC is meeting today and tomorrow.

From what I can gather from the FWC they will not follow on an interim rule. If a permanent rule goes into place that is another matter. The fwc is meeting tomorrow and Thursday down south and they do not have another meeting until late February. So unless they do it this week they will not have anything in place. 9 miles and in should be open for grouper during the federal closures.

Carlabear I would not keep any red snapper until next year around the summer of 2011.

More of the change that some folks voted for.

Thanks for the info. Carlabear.

OK. So let me get this right. If I am offshore "Red Grouper fishing" and I accidentally catch a gag grouper that does not survive - I have to throw him back to be consumed by the sharks or crabs? Why do I not have an incidental accidental ooooops I didn't mean to catch him BS buffer? Hell - I am not a commercial/professional fisherman. I have a bigger chance of accidentally catching a gag than they do. They are Pros. They know what they are doing? I am very confused. What a crock.

On another note. Has NOAA or any other fishing administration that makes the decisions EVER increased a limit on any fish? Has any "study" ever come back positive?

Lastly - I reccomend another study. What is the survival rate of grouper that are fileted and released?

Pinfish king......Last time We were grouper fishing out of st marks We were checked 2 x on in the channel and one off shore. We were legal of course but that is the 2nd time in mo we were checked off shore. 15+ MILES OUT. . THEY are getting out regularly off shore!

Although I love to fish, at some point the BS just gets too deep. Time to look into other recreational endeavors. ( More camping? )

Maybe even sell Dubble Trubble. I am not going to wait on a 1 trout limit to get enough!

Kiss my money goodbye Florida!

Dubble