Science Shows Planned Area Closure off Georgia and North Florida Not Necessary

Updated  scientific data on red snapper populations in the South Atlantic show that the  planned area closure for all snapper and grouper species off southern Georgia and northern Florida is no longer needed. As a result, NOAA’s  Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on a proposal to repeal the  previously approved area closure that is set to go into effect on June 1.

“The latest science suggests  that the planned area closure is not necessary for the red snapper population  to continue to improve, sparing South Atlantic  fishermen and their families from additional economic hardship,,” said Roy  Crabtree, southeast regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “By  using up-to-date science to manage these valuable fisheries, we will be able to  keep this area open to fishing for other snappers and groupers.”
Fisheries managers originally  approved the closed area in late 2010, based on 2008 stock assessment  information, as a means to reduce unintended catch, or bycatch, of red snapper,  the catch and possession of which is forbidden in federal waters of the South Atlantic. The area  closure was purposely delayed until June 1 to allow time for the South Atlantic  Fishery Management Council to consider the results of the October 2010 red  snapper scientific assessment, and determine if changes to the closure area  were warranted. The assessment showed that though the red snapper population is still  too low and fish are still being removed too quickly, the species is in better  condition than the earlier assessment indicated.

Eliminating the planned area closure would  not alter the existing prohibition on directed commercial and recreational catch  and possession of red snapper in federal waters of the South   Atlantic. Repealing the area closure would allow for the continued  harvest of 72 species of fish other than red snapper in this area, in  accordance with existing regulations.
If not  reversed through regulatory action, the 4,827-square mile area closure would  take effect June 1 and prohibit commercial and recreational fishing for  snappers and groupers between the depths of 98 and  240 feet, from southern Georgia to Cape Canaveral, Fla. Use of black sea  bass pots and spearfishing gear would be allowed within the closed area when  fishing for species other than red snapper.