Caribbean Fishery Bulletin Bringing Fishing News to You
FB24-076 FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: November 26, 2024 CONTACT: Sarah Stephenson, 727-824-5305, sarah.stephenson@noaa.gov
Reminder of Seasonal Fishing Restrictions in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters What/When: NOAA Fisheries reminds the public of the upcoming and implemented seasonal closures: 1) Seasonal Red Hind Closure From December 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, fishing for or possession of red hind grouper in federal waters of Puerto Rico west of 67° 10’ W longitude (see map) is prohibited. 2) Seasonal Fishing Prohibitions in Red Hind Spawning Areas From December 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, fishing for any species is prohibited in federal waters of the following red hind spawning aggregation areas: •
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Tourmaline Bank off western Puerto Rico (see map, inset A). Regulations only apply to the portion of Tourmaline Bank in federal waters. Abrir La Sierra (or buoy 6) off western Puerto Rico, (see map, inset A). Lang Bank red hind spawning aggregation area, east of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (see map, inset B).
3) Seasonal Bajo de Sico Area Closure The seasonal closure in federal waters Location of the seasonal area closures for red hind in the U.S. Caribbean. See table below for coordinates bounding the seasonal and area closures. of the Bajo de Sico area off western Puerto Rico began October 1, 2024, and continues until March 31, 2025. During the closure, fishing for and possession of reef fish managed by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council is prohibited. Anchoring by fishing vessels in this area is prohibited yearround. See Fishery Bulletin FB24-062 for more information.