South Atlantic Federal Regulations

(For areas three-200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)

New! Effective May 10, 2012 the prohibition on harvest and retention of snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, and silk snapper, beyond 240 feet (40-fathoms) in federal waters in the South Atlantic has been eliminated. See Fishery Bulletin. The Council requested removal of the restrictions in August 2011 through approval of Regulatory Amendment 11 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. All other commercial and recreational regulations apply.

Commercial:

Note: Effective September 8, 2012 the commercial fishery for the Deepwater Complex (yellowedge grouper, blueline tilefish, silk snapper, misty grouper, queen snapper, sand tilefish, black snapper, and blackfin snapper) is closed. Commercial harvest of gray triggerfish also closes on that date. Effective September 11, 2012, the commercial fishery for the Porgy Complex (jolthead, knobbed, saucereye, whitebone and scup) and for yellowtail snapper is closed. See the Fishery Bulletin for additional details.

Limited access permit required.

• Gear restrictions apply.

Recreational:

• Included in the 3 grouper per person/day bag limit.
• Gear restrictions apply.
• Captain and crew of for-hire and charter vessels have a bag limit of zero (0).