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Gulf Coast Fisherman NewsletterJuly 1, 2014
(MASGP-14-001-7)
NEW REGULATIONS FOR KING AND SPANISH MACKEREL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO AND ATLANTIC REGION
A new rule, effective July 16, 2014, will change the coastal migratory pelagics permit requirements and restrictions, including modification of the sales provisions and income requirements. For the Gulf of Mexico, the rule prohibits the sale of king and Spanish mackerel caught under the bag limit unless those fish are either caught on a for-hire trip and the vessel has both a for-hire and commercial vessel permit, or the fish are caught as part of a state-permitted tournament and the proceeds from the sale are donated to charity.
For the Atlantic region, the rule prohibits the sale of king and Spanish mackerel caught under the bag limit unless the fish are caught as part of a state-permitted tournament and the proceeds from the sale are donated to charity. In addition, the rule removes the income qualification requirement for king and Spanish mackerel commercial vessel permits. NOAA Fisheries with the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils developed an amendment to the management plan for coastal migratory pelagics containing these management measures. The final rule implementing the regulations published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2014.
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New Requirements for Sale of King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, and Cobia in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic
A rule effective August 7, 2014, establishes a new
universal Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic
dealer permit that is required to purchase federally
managed species. For the first time, dealers from Texas
to New York who purchase king mackerel, Spanish
mackerel, or cobia harvested from federal waters will be
required to have a federal dealer permit. Federally
permitted dealers must submit electronic purchase forms once per week, with one exception; dealers who
purchase king mackerel landed by the gillnet sector in the Gulf West Coast Florida Southern Subzone must submit forms daily.
The rule also states that federally permitted vessels
operating from Texas to New York can only sell
federally managed species to a dealer who has a valid
Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, if they harvested those fish in either federal waters or adjoining state
waters. This includes sale of king mackerel, Spanish
mackerel, and cobia, whether those species were
harvested on a commercial or recreational trip.
New regulations effective July 16, 2014, require
fishermen to have the appropriate federal commercial
vessel permit to sell king and Spanish mackerel
harvested from federal waters from Texas to New York.
In the Gulf of Mexico, the sale of king and Spanish
mackerel caught under the bag limit on a for-hire trip on a vessel that has both a Gulf for-hire and the appropriate commercial vessel permit is allowed. In the Atlantic region, the sale of king and Spanish mackerel caught under the bag limit on a for-hire trip is prohibited.
Hopefully that will help keep them from going over their quota!