50 C.F.R. § 622.34 Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.
Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries
PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC
Subpart C—Management Measures
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§ 622.34 Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45435, Aug. 9, 2006.
(a) Alabama SMZ. The Alabama SMZ consists of artificial reefs and surrounding areas. In the Alabama SMZ, fishing by a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a vessel that does not have a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish, as required under §622.4(a)(2), or a vessel with such a permit fishing for Gulf reef fish is limited to hook-and-line gear with three or fewer hooks per line and spearfishing gear. A person aboard a vessel that uses on any trip gear other than hook-and-line gear with three or fewer hooks per line and spearfishing gear in the Alabama SMZ is limited on that trip to the bag limits for Gulf reef fish specified in §622.39(b) and, for Gulf reef fish for which no bag limit is specified in §622.39(b), the vessel is limited to 5 percent, by weight, of all fish on board or landed. The Alabama SMZ is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------A........................................... 30°02.5[ 88°07.7[ min] min]B........................................... 30°02.6[ 87°59.3[ min] min]C........................................... 29°55.0[ 87°55.5[ min] min]D........................................... 29°54.5[ 88°07.5[ min] min]A........................................... 30°02.5[ 88°07.7[ min] min]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(b) Florida middle grounds HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap is prohibited year round in the area bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------A........................................... 28°42.5[ 84°24.8[ min] min]B........................................... 28°42.5[ 84°16.3[ min] min]C........................................... 28°11.0[ 84°00.0[ min] min]D........................................... 28°11.0[ 84°07.0[ min] min]E........................................... 28°26.6[ 84°24.8[ min] min]A........................................... 28°42.5[ 84°24.8[ min] min]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(c) Reef fish longline and buoy gear restricted area. A person aboard a vessel that uses, on any trip, longline or buoy gear in the longline and buoy gear restricted area is limited on that trip to the bag limits for Gulf reef fish specified in §622.39(b)(1) and, for Gulf reef fish for which no bag limit is specified in §622.39(b)(1), the vessel is limited to 5 percent, by weight, of all fish on board or landed. The longline and buoy gear restricted area is that part of the Gulf EEZ shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points listed in Table 1, in Appendix B of this part.
(d) Tortugas marine reserves HAPC. The following activities are prohibited within the Tortugas marine reserves HAPC: Fishing for any species and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels.
(1) EEZ portion of Tortugas North. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting the following points: From point A at 24°40'00" N. lat., 83°06'00" W. long. to point B at 24°46'00" N. lat., 83°06'00" W. long. to point C at 24°46'00" N. lat., 83°00'00" W. long.; thence along the line denoting the seaward limit of Florida's waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11434, to point A at 24°40'00" N. lat., 83°06'00" W. long.
(2) Tortugas South. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------A........................................... 24°33[mi 83°09[mi n]00[sec] n]00[sec]B........................................... 24°33[mi 83°05[mi n]00[sec] n]00[sec]C........................................... 24°18[mi 83°05[mi n]00[sec] n]00[sec]D........................................... 24°18[mi 83°09[mi n]00[sec] n]00[sec]A........................................... 24°33[mi 83°09[mi n]00[sec] n]00[sec]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(e) Shrimp/stone crab separation zones. Five zones are established in the Gulf EEZ and Florida's waters off Citrus and Hernando Counties for the separation of shrimp trawling and stone crab trapping. Although Zone II is entirely within Florida's waters, it is included in this paragraph (e) for the convenience of fishermen. Restrictions that apply to Zone II and those parts of the other zones that are in Florida's waters are contained in Rule 46–38.001, Florida Administrative Code. Geographical coordinates of the points referred to in this paragraph (e) are as follows:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------A........................................... 28°59[mi 82°45[mi n]30[sec] n]36[sec]B........................................... 28°59[mi 83°00[mi n]30[sec] n]10[sec]C........................................... 28°26[mi 82°59[mi n]01[sec] n]47[sec]D........................................... 28°26[mi 82°56[mi n]01[sec] n]54[sec]E........................................... 28°41[mi 82°55[mi n]39[sec] n]25[sec]F........................................... 28°41[mi 82°56[mi n]39[sec] n]09[sec]G........................................... 28°48[mi 82°56[mi n]56[sec] n]19[sec]H........................................... 28°53[mi 82°51[mi n]51[sec] n]19[sec]I \1\....................................... 28°54[mi 82°44[mi n]43[sec] n]52[sec]J \2\....................................... 28°51[mi 82°44[mi n]09[sec] n]00[sec]K........................................... 28°50[mi 82°54[mi n]59[sec] n]16[sec]L........................................... 28°41[mi 82°53[mi n]39[sec] n]56[sec]M \3\....................................... 28°41[mi 82°38[mi n]39[sec] n]46[sec]N........................................... 28°41[mi 82°53[mi n]39[sec] n]12[sec]O........................................... 28°30[mi 82°55[mi n]51[sec] n]11[sec]P........................................... 28°40[mi 82°53[mi n]00[sec] n]08[sec]Q........................................... 28°40[mi 82°47[mi n]00[sec] n]58[sec]R........................................... 28°35[mi 82°47[mi n]14[sec] n]47[sec]S........................................... 28°30[mi 82°52[mi n]51[sec] n]55[sec]T........................................... 28°27[mi 82°55[mi n]46[sec] n]09[sec]U........................................... 28°30[mi 82°52[mi n]51[sec] n]09[sec]------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Crystal River Entrance Light 1A.\2\ Long Pt. (southwest tip).\3\ Shoreline.
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(1) Zone I is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points A, B, C, D, T, E, F, G, H, I, and J, plus the shoreline between points A and J. It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone I that is in the EEZ from October 5 through May 20, each year.
(2) Zone II is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points J, I, H, K, L, and M, plus the shoreline between points J and M.
(3) Zone III is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points P, Q, R, U, S, and P. It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone III that is in the EEZ from October 5 through May 20, each year.
(4) Zone IV is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points E, N, S, O, and E.
(i) It is unlawful to place a stone crab trap in that part of Zone IV that is in the EEZ from October 5 through December 1 and from April 2 through May 20, each year.
(ii) It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone IV that is in the EEZ from December 2 through April 1, each year.
(5) Zone V is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points F, G, K, L, and F.
(i) It is unlawful to place a stone crab trap in that part of Zone V that is in the EEZ from October 5 through November 30 and from March 16 through May 20, each year.
(ii) It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone V that is in the EEZ from December 1 through March 15, each year.
(f) Southwest Florida seasonal trawl closure. From January 1 to 1 hour after official sunset on May 20, each year, trawling, including trawling for live bait, is prohibited in that part of the Gulf EEZ shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------B \1\....................................... 26°16.0[ 81°58.5[ min] min]C........................................... 26°00.0[ 82°04.0[ min] min]D........................................... 25°09.0[ 81°47.6[ min] min]E........................................... 24°54.5[ 81°50.5[ min] min]M \1\....................................... 24°49.3[ 81°46.4[ min] min]------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ On the seaward limit of Florida's waters.
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(g) Reef fish stressed area. The stressed area is that part of the Gulf EEZ shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points listed in Table 2, in Appendix B of this part.
(1) A powerhead may not be used in the stressed area to take Gulf reef fish. Possession of a powerhead and a mutilated Gulf reef fish in the stressed area or after having fished in the stressed area constitutes prima facie evidence that such reef fish was taken with a powerhead in the stressed area. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to the following species: dwarf sand perch, hogfish, and sand perch.
(2) A roller trawl may not be used in the stressed area. Roller trawl means a trawl net equipped with a series of large, solid rollers separated by several smaller spacer rollers on a separate cable or line (sweep) connected to the footrope, which makes it possible to fish the gear over rough bottom, that is, in areas unsuitable for fishing conventional shrimp trawls. Rigid framed trawls adapted for shrimping over uneven bottom, in wide use along the west coast of Florida, and shrimp trawls with hollow plastic rollers for fishing on soft bottoms, are not considered roller trawls.
(3) A fish trap may not be used in the stressed area. A fish trap used in the stressed area will be considered unclaimed or abandoned property and may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by the Assistant Administrator (including an authorized officer).
(h) Texas closure. (1) From 30 minutes after official sunset on May 15 to 30 minutes after official sunset on July 15, trawling, except trawling for royal red shrimp beyond the 100-fathom (183-m) depth contour, is prohibited in the Gulf EEZ off Texas.
(2) In accordance with the procedures and restrictions of the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, the RA may adjust the closing and/or opening date of the Texas closure to provide an earlier, later, shorter, or longer closure, but the duration of the closure may not exceed 90 days or be less than 45 days. Notification of the adjustment of the closing or opening date will be published in the Federal Register.
(i) Tortugas shrimp sanctuary. (1) The Tortugas shrimp sanctuary is closed to trawling. The Tortugas shrimp sanctuary is that part of the EEZ off Florida shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------N \1\....................................... 25°52.9[ 81°37.9[ min] min]F........................................... 24°50.7[ 81°51.3[ min] min]G \2\....................................... 24°40.1[ 82°26.7[ min] min]H \3\....................................... 24°34.7[ 82°35.2[ min] min]P \4\....................................... 24°35.0[ 82°08.0[ min] min]------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Coon Key Light.\2\ New Ground Rocks Light.\3\ Rebecca Shoal Light.\4\ Marquessas Keys.
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(2) The provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this section notwithstanding—
(i) Effective from April 11 through September 30, each year, that part of the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting the following points is open to trawling: From point T at 24°47.8' N. lat., 82°01.0' W. long. to point U at 24°43.83' N. lat., 82°01.0' W. long. (on the line denoting the seaward limit of Florida's waters); thence along the seaward limit of Florida's waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11439, to point V at 24°42.55' N. lat., 82°15.0' W. long.; thence north to point W at 24°43.6' N. lat., 82°15.0' W. long.
(ii) Effective from April 11 through July 31, each year, that part of the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting the following points is open to trawling: From point W to point V, both points as specified in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section, to point G, as specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this section.
(iii) Effective from May 26 through July 31, each year, that part of the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting the following points is open to trawling: From point F, as specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this section, to point Q at 24°46.7' N. lat., 81°52.2' W. long. (on the line denoting the seaward limit of Florida's waters); thence along the seaward limit of Florida's waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11439, to point U and north to point T, both points as specified in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section.
(j) West and East Flower Garden Banks HAPC. The following activities are prohibited year-round in the HAPC: Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, dredge, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels.
(1) West Flower Garden Bank. West Flower Garden Bank is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------ A 27°55[mi 93°53[mi n]22.8[sec] n]09.6[sec] B 27°55[mi 93°46[mi n]22.8[sec] n]46.0[sec] C 27°49[mi 93°46[mi n]03.0[sec] n]46.0[sec] D 27°49[mi 93°53[mi n]03.0[sec] n]09.6[sec] A 27°55[mi 93°53[mi n]22.8[sec] n]09.6[sec]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(2) East Flower Garden Bank. East Flower Garden Bank is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------ A 27°59[mi 93°38[mi n]14.4[sec] n]58.2[sec] B 27°59[mi 93°34[mi n]14.4[sec] n]03.5[sec] C 27°52[mi 93°34[mi n]36.5[sec] n]03.5[sec] D 27°52[mi 93°38[mi n]36.5[sec] n]58.2[sec] A 27°59[mi 93°38[mi n]14.4[sec] n]58.2[sec]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(k) Closure provisions applicable to the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps. (1)(i) The Madison and Swanson sites are bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------A........................................... 29°17[mi 85°50[mi n] n]B........................................... 29°17[mi 85°38[mi n] n]C........................................... 29°06[mi 85°38[mi n] n]D........................................... 29°06[mi 85°50[mi n] n]A........................................... 29°17[mi 85°50[mi n] n]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(ii) Steamboat Lumps is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------A........................................... 28°14[mi 84°48[mi n] n]B........................................... 28°14[mi 84°37[mi n] n]C........................................... 28°03[mi 84°37[mi n] n]D........................................... 28°03[mi 84°48[mi n] n]A........................................... 28°14[mi 84°48[mi n] n]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(iii) The provisions of paragraphs (k)(2) through (6) of this section apply within the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps through June 16, 2010.
(2) Possession of Gulf reef fish is prohibited, except for such possession aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed as specified in paragraph (k)(4) of this section.
(3) During November through April, all fishing is prohibited, and possession of any fish species is prohibited, except for such possession aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed as specified in paragraph (k)(4) of this section. The provisions of this paragraph, (k)(3), do not apply to highly migratory species.
(4) For the purpose of paragraph (k) of this section, transit means non-stop progression through the area; fishing gear appropriately stowed means -
(i) A longline may be left on the drum if all gangions and hooks are disconnected and stowed below deck. Hooks cannot be baited. All buoys must be disconnected from the gear; however, buoys may remain on deck.
(ii) A trawl net may remain on deck, but trawl doors must be disconnected from the trawl gear and must be secured.
(iii) A gillnet must be left on the drum. Any additional gillnets not attached to the drum must be stowed below deck.
(iv) A rod and reel must be removed from the rod holder and stowed securely on or below deck. Terminal gear (i.e., hook, leader, sinker, flasher, or bait) must be disconnected and stowed separately from the rod and reel. Sinkers must be disconnected from the down rigger and stowed separately.
(5) During May through October, surface trolling is the only allowable fishing activity. For the purpose of this paragraph (k)(5), surface trolling is defined as fishing with lines trailing behind a vessel which is in constant motion at speeds in excess of four knots with a visible wake. Such trolling may not involve the use of down riggers, wire lines, planers, or similar devices.
(6) For the purpose of paragraph (k) of this section, fish means finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal and plant life other than marine mammals and birds. Highly migratory species means tuna species, marlin (Tetrapturus spp. and Makaira spp.), oceanic sharks, sailfishes (Istiophorus spp.), and swordfish (Xiphias gladius).
(l) Closures of the commercial fishery for red snapper. The commercial fishery for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed from January 1 to noon on February 1 and thereafter from noon on the 10th of each month to noon on the first of each succeeding month until the quota specified in §622.42(a)(1)(i)(A) is reached or until noon on October 1, whichever occurs first. From October 1 to December 1, the commercial fishery for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed from noon on the 10th of each month to noon on the first of each succeeding month until the quota specified in §622.42(a)(1)(i)(B) is reached or until the end of the fishing year, whichever occurs first. All times are local times. During these closed periods, the possession of red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ and in the Gulf on board a vessel for which a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as required under §622.4(a)(2)(v), without regard to where such red snapper were harvested, is limited to the bag and possession limits, as specified in §622.39(b)(1)(iii) and (b)(2), respectively, and such red snapper are subject to the prohibition on sale or purchase of red snapper possessed under the bag limit, as specified in §622.45(c)(1). However, when the recreational quota for red snapper has been reached and the bag and possession limit has been reduced to zero, the limit for such possession during a closed period is zero.
(m) Closures of the recreational fishery for red snapper. The recreational fishery for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed from January 1 through April 20 and from November 1 through December 31. During a closure, the bag and possession limit for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is zero.
(n) Seasonal closure of the commercial fishery for vermilion snapper. The commercial fishery for vermilion snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed from April 22 through May 31, each year. During the closure, no person aboard a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued may fish for or possess vermilion snapper in the Gulf, regardless of where harvested. However, a person aboard a vessel for which the permit indicates both charter vessel/headboat for Gulf reef fish and commercial Gulf reef fish may continue to retain vermilion snapper under the bag and possession limits specified in §622.39(b)(1)(v) and (b)(2), respectively, provided the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat. During the closure, the sale or purchase of vermilion snapper is prohibited as specified in §622.45(c)(5).
(o) Seasonal closure of the commercial fishery for gag, red grouper, and black grouper. From February 15 to March 15, each year, no person aboard a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued may possess gag, red grouper, or black grouper in the Gulf, regardless of where harvested. However, a person aboard a vessel for which the permit indicates both charter vessel/headboat for Gulf reef fish and commercial Gulf reef fish may continue to retain gag, red grouper, and black grouper under the bag and possession limit specified in §622.39(b), provided the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat. From February 15 until March 15, each year, the sale or purchase of gag, red grouper, or black grouper is prohibited as specified in §622.45(c)(4).
(p) Closures of the Gulf group king mackerel gillnet fishery. The gillnet fishery for Gulf group king mackerel in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed each fishing year from July 1 until 6:00 a.m. on the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday. The gillnet fishery also is closed during all subsequent weekends and observed Federal holidays, except for the first weekend following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday which will remain open to the gillnet fishery provided a notification of closure of that fishery has not been filed under §622.43(a). Weekend closures are effective from 6:00 a.m. Saturday to 6:00 a.m. Monday. Holiday closures are effective from 6:00 a.m. on the observed Federal holiday to 6:00 a.m. the following day. All times are eastern standard time. During these closures, a person aboard a vessel using or possessing a gillnet with a stretched-mesh size of 4.75 inches (12.1 cm) or larger in the southern Florida west coast subzone may not fish for or possess Gulf group king mackerel.
(q) [Reserved]
(r) Pulley Ridge HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round in the area of the HAPC bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------ A 24°58[mi 83°38[mi n]18[sec] n]33[sec] B 24°58[mi 83°37[mi n]18[sec] n]00[sec] C 24°41[mi 83°37[mi n]11[sec] n]00[sec] D 24°40[mi 83°41[mi n]00[sec] n]22[sec] E 24°43[mi 83°47[mi n]55[sec] n]15[sec] A 24°58[mi 83°38[mi n]18[sec] n]33[sec]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(s) Stetson Bank HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round in the HAPC, which is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------ A 28°10[mi 94°18[mi n]38.3[sec] n]36.5[sec] B 28°10[mi 94°17[mi n]38.3[sec] n]06.3[sec] C 28°09[mi 94°17[mi n]18.6[sec] n]06.3[sec] D 28°09[mi 94°18[mi n]18.6[sec] n]36.5[sec] A 28°10[mi 94°18[mi n]38.3[sec] n]36.5[sec]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(t) McGrail Bank HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round in the HAPC, which is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:
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------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point North lat. West long.------------------------------------------------------------------------ A 27°59[mi 92°37[mi n]06.0[sec] n]19.2[sec] B 27°59[mi 92°32[mi n]06.0[sec] n]17.4[sec] C 27°55[mi 92°32[mi n]55.5[sec] n]17.4[sec] D 27°55[mi 92°37[mi n]55.5[sec] n]19.2[sec] A 27°59[mi 92°37[mi n]06.0[sec] n]19.2[sec]------------------------------------------------------------------------
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[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 48642, Sept. 16, 1996; 62 FR 46679, Sept. 4, 1997; 62 FR 47767, Sept. 11, 1997; 62 FR 67722, Dec. 30, 1997; 64 FR 47713, Sept. 1, 1999; 64 FR 57404, Oct. 25, 1999; 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999; 65 FR 30363, May 11, 2000; 65 FR 31830, May 19, 2000; 65 FR 50162, Aug. 17, 2000; 67 FR 47468, July 19, 2002; 69 FR 24535, May 4, 2004; 70 FR 33389, June 8, 2005; 70 FR 76219, Dec. 23, 2005]
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