Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2018 Commercial Accountability Measures and Closure for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia

Resumo

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for Atlantic migratory group (Atlantic) cobia that are sold (commercial) and harvested from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings of Atlantic cobia have reached the commercial quota. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for Atlantic cobia in the EEZ on September 5, 2018, and it will remain closed until the next fishing year that begins on January 1, 2019. This closure is necessary to protect the Atlantic cobia resource.