Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Sept. 16, NOAA issued Fisheries Bulletin FB20-057 that announced a temporary rule to increase:

– The commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper from 1,000 pounds gutted weight to 1,500 pounds gutted weight in federal waters of the South Atlantic Region (Virginia/North Carolina boundary south to the Florida Keys in the Atlantic).

– The recreational bag limit for Atlantic migratory group king mackerel (Atlantic king mackerel) from three fish per person to four fish per person in federal waters from the Connecticut/Rhode Island/New York boundary to the Georgia/Florida boundary and two fish per person to four fish per person in federal waters from the Georgia/Florida boundary south to the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, Florida boundary.

States the bulletin: “These changes are being made to address economic losses to the commercial and recreational fishing communities and industries that have resulted from recent unforeseen events such as disruptions to market, restricted access to ports, closures of harbors and boat ramps and disruptions to fishing supplies.”

This change to the commercial trip limit and recreational bag limit was effective Sept. 17, 2020 and runs through March 16, 2021.

At its June 2020 meeting, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested an emergency rule to increase the commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper and the recreational bag limit for Atlantic king mackerel starting as soon as possible in 2020.

READ MORE IN OUR ON THE WATER SECTION HERE.