South Atlantic Red Grouper ACL reduction

[kwyoungspear]

Here is a link to the proposed ACL (annual catch limits) changes for the next few years.

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishery_bu...023/index.html


This applies to recreational and commercial fisherman alike as both limits will be drastically cut. "Experts" say that the limit will be met by July 2018, closing the harvest of Red Grouper for the remainder of the 2018 grouper season.

This has not be passed yet and there is still a chance to leave a public comment.

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D...NMFS-2017-0162

[kwyoungspear]

Personally I think the size limit of the Red Grouper should be raised 20" reds are small fish. Lowering the ACL limit isn't that big of a deal since commercial fisherman haven't even been getting close to the current ACL, however I believe the drastic cuts are an over shot.

Grouper is already closed 4 months out of the year. I say raise the size limit and adjust the bag limit and give us a reasonable ACL.

[kywestfreediver]

How about to protect red grouper they don't leave federal gulf open for two months when it is closed everywhere else?? Every charter captain and their mom makes the trip to the red grouper breeding grounds because they can still keep grouper and it's literally the only place open. Instead of protecting them, they put the bullseye on the easily targeted red grouper.