South Atlantic Fishery Management Council South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Complex Commercial Regulations (Updated November 30, 2016) For updated information, visit www.safmc.net, download our mobile app or call toll free 866/SAFMC-10

Snappers Porgys Jacks Grunts Sea Basses Rock Hind Red Greater Amberjack White Grunt Black Sea Bass Yellowtail Snapper Silk Snapper Graysby Jolthead Bar Jack Margate Bank Sea Bass Gray Snapper Yellowedge Grouper Saucereye Almaco Jack Tomtate Rock Sea Bass Mutton Snapper Groupers Coney Whitebone Lesser Amberjack Cottonwick Vermilion Snapper Gag Red Hind Knobbed Banded Rudderfish Sailors Choice Red Snapper Scamp Goliath Grouper Longspine Black Snapper Red Grouper Misty Grouper Scup Tilefishes Spadefishes Queen Snapper Black Grouper Nassau Grouper Golden Tilefish Spadefish Schoolmaster Speckled Hind Yellowmouth Grouper Triggerfish Blueline Tilefish Blackfin Snapper Snowy Grouper Yellowfin Grouper Gray Sand Tilefish Wrasses Warsaw Grouper Ocean Hogfish Mahogany Snapper Wreckfish NOTE: This listing is published for informational purposes and has no legal force or effect. Fishery regulations are subject to change. Commercial Closures: Commercial Trip Limits: - Vermilion snapper, effective October 11, 2016. The fishery will reopen on January 1, 2017. Black Sea Bass - OPEN: Hook&Line only= 1000-lb (gw)/ 1180-lbs (ww) - Greater amberjack, effective October 4, 2016. The fishery will reopen on January 1, 2017. Gag - OPEN - Blueline tilefish, effective August 30, 2016.The fishery will reopen on January 1, 2017. 1000-lbs (gw) - Other Jacks Complex (banded rudderfish, almaco jack, and lesser amberjack), Red Porgy - OPEN effective August 9, 2016. NOTE:The fishery willreopen January 1, 2017. 120 fish Gray Triggerfish - OPEN - Snowy grouper, effective June 14 2016.The fishery will reopen on January 1, 2017. 1,000-lb (gw) - Golden tilefish longline( component only), effective March 15, 2016. Greater Amberjack - CLOSED The fishery will reopen Jan 1, 2017. effective Oct 4, 2016; reopens Jan 1, 2017 During the longline closure: Vermilion Snapper - CLOSED - Golden tilefish may still be harvested commercially using hook-and-line gear. effective Oct 11, 2016; reopens Jan 1, 2017 - Vessels with a golden tilefish longline endorsement are not eligible to harvest golden tilefish Blueline tilefish - CLOSED using hook-and-line gear. effective Aug 30, 2016; reopens Jan 1, 2017 - The commercial longline closure applies in both state and federal waters. Snowy Grouper - CLOSED effective Jun 14, 2016; reopens Jan 1, 2017 Other Notes: Additional Notes: Endorsement Programs: - Circle hooks are required for the - Commercial golden tilefish longline endorsement program, effective May 23, 2013. snapper grouper fishery. The use of non-stainless steel circle hooks (offset or - Commercial black sea bass pot fishery endorsement program, effective July 1, 2012. non-offset) is required on any commercial - For more information on endorsement programs, visit www.safmc.net. or recreational vessel using hook-and-line gear with natural baits to fish for snapper Black sea bass commercial fishery changes: grouper north of 28 degrees N. - New fishing year = January 1 - December 31, annually latitude. - Trip Limits - Hook-and-line component: - All species in the snapper grouper • January - April = 300-lbs (gw; 354 ww) complex must be maintained with heads • May - December = 1,000-lbs (gw; 1,180 ww) and fins intact. (Cobia, king mackerel, - Trip Limits - Pot fishery component: Spanish mackerel, dolphin, and wahoo • May - October = 1,000-lbs (gw; 1,180 ww) must also be landed with heads and fins • November - April = Fishery is closed intact.) - Goliath and Nassau grouper must be - The following species are closed to harvest or possession in federal waters, unless released by cutting the line and not otherwise specified:red snapper, goliath grouper, Nassau grouper, speckled hind and warsaw removing the fish from the water. grouper.

- Recreational and commercial fishermen - Wreckfish - Only ITQ shareholders or their designees may commercially harvest wreckfish. are required to use dehooking tools when fishing for snapper grouper species. - After a commercial quota has been met, all purchase and sale is prohibited, and harvest and/or possession is limited to the recreational bag limit. This Now Available for Download - prohibition does not apply to fish Available Available harvested, landed and sold prior to the SA Fishing Regulations for iPhone for Android quota being met and held in cold FREE Federal Fishing Regulations App storage by a dealer. for the South Atlantic Region! Note: Commercial snapper grouper vessels must have onboard NMFS approved sea turtle release gear and follow smalltooth sawfish release protocol. For more information visit: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/turtle_sawfish_release/index.html or call 727/824-5312. Quota monitoring information is available from NOAA Fisheries: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/acl_monitoring/commercial_sa/index.html See Next Page for SUMMARY TABLE of Commonly Caught Species South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Complex Commercial Regulations (for commonly targeted species - updated November 30, 2016) NOTE: Regulations are subject to change. Check www.safmc.net for the latest updates or download the SA Fishing Regulations App. Common Name Local Names Size Limit Trip Limits Other Regulations

Black Grouper* Blackfin Grouper 24” TL OPEN; No trip limit NEW! Fishing Year is January 1 - December 31 annually; Black Sea Bass Sea Bass, Blackfish 11”TL Pot fishery: CLOSED Trip limit = 1,000-lbs (gw)/1,180-lbs (ww) Hook and Line: OPEN; Trip limit=1,000-lbs (gw)/1,180-lbs (ww) Blackfin Snapper 12” TL None; See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net 2 per person (not to exceed 2 per vessel) for fish 30” TL or larger Cubera Snapper Cuban Snapper 12” TL off East Florida. Dog Snapper 12” TL None See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Gag* Charcoal Belly 24” TL OPEN; 1,000-lb (gw) trip limit; Gray Snapper Mangrove Snapper 12” TL None See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Triggerfish 14” FL off East Florida OPEN; Split season (Jan-June; July-Dec) annually; Gray Triggerfish 12” FL off NC, SC, GA Trip Limit = 1,000-lb (ww) 36” FL; no coring CLOSED 10/4/16; The fishery will reopen 1/1/17; Greater Amberjack Amberjack, A.J. 1,200-lb (gw) trip limit Hogfish Hog Snapper 12” FL None See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Jewfish, Goliath Grouper Giant Seabass Closed to possession or harvest Redtail Snapper, 8” TL None See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Lane Snapper Candy Snapper Mahogany Snapper 12” TL None See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net During May and June, possession limited to 10/person per day or Mutton Snapper Muttonfish 16” TL per trip, whichever is more restrictive. Nassau Grouper Closed to possession or harvest Queen Snapper 12” TL None See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Red Grouper* 20” TL None; See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Pink Porgy, Silver Snapper, OPEN, effective May 1, 2016; 120 fish trip limit Red Porgy Pink Snapper 14” TL Mules, Sow Snapper, Spot CLOSED TO POSSESSION OR HARVEST, Red Snapper Snapper, American Snapper EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 9, 2014. Scamp* Broomtail 20” TL OPEN; No trip limit Schoolmaster 12” TL None See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Silk Snapper Yelloweye Snapper 12” TL None See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Snowy Grouper Snowflake None CLOSED, effective 6/14/16; Will reopen 1/1/17 Speckled Hind Strawberry Grouper, Kitty Mitchell, Calico Grouper Closed to possession or harvest Golden tilefish longline component: CLOSED effective March 15, 2016; Hook and line component: Golden, Blueline, Golden - Rainbow Tilefish; OPEN; 500-lb (gw) trip limit; Blueline = CLOSED, effective 8/30/16; Will reopen 1/1/17 Sand Tilefish Blueline - Gray Tilefish No size limit for golden, blueline or sand tilefish; Sand tilefish = no trip limits CLOSED, effective October 11, 2016. Vermilion Snapper Beeliner, Night Snapper 12” TL The fishery will reopen January 1, 2017. Warsaw Grouper Jewfish (Miscalled), Grouper Closed to possession or harvest Wreckfish Individual Transfer Quota (ITQ) Program in place. Spawning season closure: January 15-April 15. Yellowfin Grouper* 20” TL None; See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Yellowtail Snapper 12” TL OPEN; No trip limit; See “allowable gear” at www.safmc.net Yellowmouth Grouper* Yellowtail 20” TL OPEN; No trip limit NOTE: This summary is for informational purposes only and has no legal force or effect. Fishery regulations are subject to change. *Indicates species included in the Annual Shallow-water Grouper Spawning Season Closure January 1 through April 30.