NOAA Announces Seasonal Prohibition on Fishing in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NOAA Fisheries reminds the public there is a seasonal prohibition on fishing for or possession of red, black, tiger, yellowfin and yellowedge grouper in U.S. Caribbean federal waters from 12:01 a.m., local time, Feb. 1 through April 30. This prohibition on possession does not apply to such grouper harvested and landed on shore prior to the closure.
Also, from Feb. 1 through April 30, each year, no person may fish for or possess any species of fish, except highly migratory species, within the Grammanik Bank closed area. The term “fish” means finfish, mollusks, crustaceans and all other forms of marine animal and plant life other than marine mammals and birds. Highly migratory species include bluefin, bigeye, yellowfin, albacore and skipjack tunas; swordfish; sharks; white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish and longbill spearfish.
The Grammanik Bank closed area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting the following points:
Point North latitude West longitude
A 18°11.898' N 64°56.328' W
B 18°11.645' N 64°56.225' W
C 18°11.058' N 64°57.810' W
D 18°11.311' N 64°57.913' W

The closure encompasses the area where a yellowfin grouper spawning aggregation is reported to occur on Grammanik Bank.
This bulletin provides only a summary of the information regarding the existing regulations. Any discrepancies between this bulletin and the regulations as published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register.

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