Very Important Reminders with Fishing Closures

When Fishing Closures start over large area's, there are details to remember that are very important.
When Red Snapper closes Jan 4th in federal waters, it remains open in state waters. Though unlikely
to catch them of keeper size in state waters this far north, if you did, you could keep it, but if on a
boat, you may not travel into Federal waters while it is onboard. Reds are the same, they are legal
if in slot siz in state waters, but if you catch one while on the way offshore, you cannot take them
into Federal waters (3 miles), as it is illegal.

When (we all know its going to happen) the bottom fishing is closed from 98' to 300' from Sebastain
north, it will be illegal to have any bottom spesis in the boat past the 98' mark. This means is you are going to troll in deeper waters as well as bottom fish from 98' in, you must wait till done trolling out deeper to bottom fish if you intend to keep any catch! If you catch a "bottom" specis, such as
AJ's, even at the surface, while in water deeper than 98', it must go back in to be legal.

Expect Janurary 4th to see many more FWC checks, and perhaps NOAA checks for Red Snapper and Grouper, as well as Vermillion Snapper. When the bottom is shut down, expect a flotilla of
Marine LEA's on the water.

Henry
Wile E. Coyote

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Henry on December 19, 2009 at 6:28am

This situation already exist off our coast at the ouclina Banks (by the Cones). It is illegal to have
in possesion any spesis that is regulated under the "Snapper-Grouper" fisheries, which are about
any fish that can be caught bottom fishing, including AJ's. Though this is not typically enforced, it
is the law. I do expect more enforcement with Red Snapper closure Jan 4, and especially when
they close from 98' out.

Henry
Wile E. Coyote

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Permalink Reply by Tim, Jane, Michael and Patrick on December 28, 2009 at 12:21pm

So where can we go to get a straight forward explanation of what we can not catch and where we can not catch it?

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Permalink Reply by Henry on December 28, 2009 at 1:06pm

http://www.safmc.net/

Even here you have to do a little browsing, butthey are the ones making the fishing rules for 3-200 miles
offshore. The FWC does have many of the federal rules mirrored, but not all, so you really need both.

Right now,
Red Snapper are closing Jan 4, 2010. Dont expect this to reopen without legislation!
Grouper are closing Jan 1, 2010 and will reopen May 1, 2010
Vermillion Snapper are closed now, and will reopen April 1, 2010
Catch limits on Grouper and Vermillion have changed.
Venting tools and De-Hooking tools are required onboard.

This is for our waters, the Gulf has its own rules. This is also Recreational Rules, with
Charter and commercial having even more requirements.

You can download federal fishing regulations from the SAFMC site, and State Reg's
from the FWC site. Check regularry for updates. Have a copy with you onboard, as if
you would be stopped, you can at least show you are trying to follow the rules.

For my charter business I have (4) federal permits, and a Dolphin/Wahoo Operater Card,
plus a stack or regs about an inch thick, turtle and marine mammel notices and gear,
as well as a host of other "Red-Tape" specials!

Henry
Wile E Coyote

Henry

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Permalink Reply by Scott on January 1, 2010 at 1:53pm

Cobes, Dolphin and Kings will now be overfished so I am sure they will soon follow!!! Thanks for posting the regs got to get some spots inside at 70'

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Permalink Reply by Henry on January 1, 2010 at 3:00pm

Closed Red Snapper, Grouper, and Vermillion Snapper! However.........Wednedsay we nearly Aggregate
Limited the boat on Mutton, Lane and Yellowtail Snapper! Give it time though and they will try shutting
it all down (that was in 80' of water).

On the serious side it is going to kill the 70' to 80' reef line, such as Pelican and 8A for us, since everyone
including the party boats will hammer this to oblivion (they will have no choice).

It could be worse......one of the proposals was to shut down from 3 miles to 200 miles! Better not talk too
much about that, since they have not decided yet what they are doing for sure.

Henry