The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reminds of fishermen and the public of seasonal fishing restrictions in U.S. Caribbean federal waters beginning Dec. 1, 2017, at 12:01 a.m.
WHAT/WHEN:
Annual Seasonal Red Hind Closure
NOAA Fisheries reminds fishermen and the public of the annual seasonal closure on fishing for, or possession of, red hind grouper in federal waters west of 67ยฐ 10โ W longitude. This area is located off the west coast of Puerto Rico.
๏ท The closure begins at 12:01 a.m., local time, on Dec. 1, 2017, and extends through 11:59 p.m., local time, Feb. 28, 2018.
Fishing Prohibitions in Red Hind Spawning Areas
From Dec. 1 through Feb. 28 each year, fishing for any species is prohibited in federal waters of the following red hind spawning aggregation areas:
๏ท The Lang Bank red hind spawning aggregation area, east of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, bounded by the following coordinates:
A 17ยฐ50.2โ N 64ยฐ27.9โ W
B 17ยฐ50.1โ N 64ยฐ26.1โ W
C 17ยฐ49.2โ N 64ยฐ25.8โ W
D 17ยฐ48.6โ N 64ยฐ25.8โ W
E 17ยฐ48.1โ N 64ยฐ26.1โ W
F 17ยฐ47.5โ N 64ยฐ26.9โ W
A 17ยฐ50.2โ N 64ยฐ27.9โ W
๏ท The Tourmaline Bank area closure off western Puerto Rico, bounded by the following coordinates:
A 18ยฐ11.2โ N 67ยฐ22.4โ W
B 18ยฐ11.2โ N 67ยฐ19.2โ W
C 18ยฐ08.2โ N 67ยฐ19.2โ W
D 18ยฐ08.2โ N 67ยฐ22.4โ W
A 18ยฐ11.2โ N 67ยฐ22.4โ W
Regulations only apply to the portion of Tourmaline Bank in federal waters.
๏ท The Abrir La Sierra Bank area closure off western Puerto Rico, which lies completely within federal waters, and is bounded by the following coordinates:
A 18ยฐ06.5โ N 67ยฐ26.9โ W
B 18ยฐ06.5โ N 67ยฐ23.9โ W
C 18ยฐ03.5โ N 67ยฐ23.9โ W
D 18ยฐ03.5โ N 67ยฐ26.9โ W
A 18ยฐ06.5โ N 67ยฐ26.9โ W
Bajo de Sico Area Closure
Federal waters of the Bajo de Sico area off western Puerto Rico continue to be closed to fishing for and possession of reef fish managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council until March 31, 2018. Anchoring by fishing vessels is prohibited year-round.
Fishing and Anchoring Prohibitions within Hind Bank
Fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels within the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District, south of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is prohibited year-round. The Hind Bank Marine Conservation District is bounded by the following coordinates:
A 18ยฐ13.2โ N 65ยฐ06.0โ W
B 18ยฐ13.2โ N 64ยฐ59.0โ W
C 18ยฐ11.8โ N 64ยฐ59.0โ W
D 18ยฐ10.7โ N 65ยฐ06.0โ W
A 18ยฐ13.2โ N 65ยฐ06.0โ W
WHY ARE THESE CLOSURES HAPPENING?
These restrictions were developed to provide further protection for red hind spawning aggregations and large snappers and groupers, and to better protect the essential fish habitat where these species reside.
SIGN UP FOR TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS – FIND OUT ABOUT IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AND CLOSURES
NOAA’s Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message and data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.
Text alerts you may receive include:
๏ท Immediate fishery openings and closures
๏ท Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly
Sign up for one or more of the following groups:
๏ท Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
o Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
๏ท Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
o Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
๏ท South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
o Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
๏ท South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
o Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
๏ท Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
o Text CARIBFISH to 888777
