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North Carolina Marine Fisheries Proclamation FF-31-2020 sets the commercial harvest period for Spanish mackerel for North Carolina Coastal Fishing Waters. The fishery opened at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 and closes at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 unless closed earlier by proclamation.

The proclamation sets a 500 pound possession limit in any one day or trip, whichever is more restrictive.

It is unlawful to sell or offer for sale Spanish mackerel harvested in or from federal waters.

The commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel northern zone in federal waters closed at 12:01 a.m., the same day and time as North Carolina Coastal Waters opened for Spanish mackerel. Federal waters will reopen March 1, 2021. The northern zone for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel includes federal waters from North Carolina through New York.

Another closure was announced for federal waters.

The commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic closed at 12:01 a.m. on July 23, 2020.

The 2020 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish hook-and-line component is 82,935 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial catch limit and harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

READ MORE IN OUR ON THE WATER SECTION HERE.

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