What/When/Where:

• Commercial and recreational harvest of lane snapper in Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 15, 2022.
• Commercial and recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2023.

Why This Closure Is Happening:

• The 2022 stock annual catch limit is 1,028,973 pounds whole weight.
• Based on preliminary landings, the 2022 stock annual catch limit set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and monitored by NOAA Fisheries has been met.
• In accordance with regulations, if the sum of commercial and recreational landings reaches or is projected to reach the stock annual catch limit, NOAA Fisheries must close the recreational and commercial sectors for the remainder of that fishing year.
• This closure is needed to prevent overfishing of lane snapper (annual catch rate is too high).

During The Closure:

• No recreational or commercial fisherman may fish for or keep lane snapper after 12:01 a.m. (local time) on November 15, 2022.
• During the commercial and recreational closure, the bag and possession limits are zero for lane snapper in or from federal waters of the Gulf.
• The prohibition on possession of Gulf lane snapper also applies in Gulf state waters for a vessel issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish.
• Sale or purchase of any harvested lane snapper in or from federal waters is prohibited.
• The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to trade in lane snapper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before 12:01 a.m., (local time) November 15, 2022, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.