Caribbean Fishery Bulletin Bringing Fishing News to You
FB26-012 FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: March 30, 2026 CONTACT: Sarah Stephenson, 727-824-5305, sarah.stephenson@noaa.gov
Reminder of Seasonal Prohibition on Fishing for or Possession of Mutton and Lane Snapper in U.S. Caribbean Federal Waters What Is Happening and When: •
The seasonal closure on fishing for or possession of mutton and lane snapper in federal waters around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands begins on April 1, 2026, and extends through June 30, 2026.
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The prohibition on possession does not apply to mutton and lane snapper harvested and landed ashore prior to the closure.
Why This Closure Is Happening: This seasonal closure protects mutton and lane snapper when they are spawning (reproducing) and therefore more vulnerable to fishing pressure. 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. Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time. Text alerts you may receive include immediate fishery openings and closures and any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly. Sign up for one or more of the fisheries-related alerts below by texting the following to 888777: • • • • •
Gulf of America Recreational: Text GULFRECFISH Gulf of America Commercial: Text GULFCOMMFISH South Atlantic Recreational: Text SATLRECFISH South Atlantic Commercial: Text SATLCOMMFISH Caribbean: Text CARIBFISH