I will be writing some reports on Conservation, most will be related with Regulation Changes and or proposed changes as I find them and believe will affect Recreational fishermen. These are just FYI and you should check with the Governing Authorities on their accuracy as these are extracted snippets from their sites. If you knew about it that is awesome.

The Following was extracted from:

Click to access fb13-041_sa_rec_snowy_grouper_closed.pdf

Recreational Harvest of Snowy Grouper Closing to Vessels Fishing in the South Atlantic Federal Waters on May 31, 2013

Recreational harvest of snowy grouper in the South Atlantic waters will close, at 12:01 a.m. (local time) May 31, 2013. Recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1,2014.

The 2013 recreational annual catch limit is 523 fish. The accountability measure for snowy grouper requires that the 2013 fishing season be shortened if the average 2010-2012 recreational landings exceed the annual catch limit. Reports indicate the average 2010-2012 landings exceeded the annual catch limit; therefore, the recreational harvest of snowy grouper should close by May 31, 2013, to protect the snowy grouper resource.

During the closure:

Recreational harvest or possession of snowy grouper is prohibited.

The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels witha valid charter/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
Commercial harvest of snowy grouper for the 2013 fishing season is currently open.

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The Following was extracted from:

Click to access sa_reg_am15_faqs_052413.pdf

South Atlantic
Frequently Asked Questions
Proposed Regulations for
Yellowtail Snapper and Shallow-Water Groupers in the South Atlantic
Regulatory Amendment 15
May 2013

Why are these actions for yellowtail snapper being proposed?
•The state of Florida completed a population assessment for yellowtail snapper in May 2012. The yellowtail snapper stock is neither over fished (too few fish in the population) nor currently undergoing overfishing (fish being removed too quickly)
• The assessment results suggest the yellowtail snapper catch levels could be increased without jeopardizing the health of the population.

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The following was extracted from:

Click to access Reg11_FAQs_051112.pdf

South Atlantic
Regulatory Amendment 11
Removal of the 240-Foot (40-Fathom) Prohibition Frequently Asked Questions
May 2012

Does the implementation of Regulatory Amendment 11 change the regulations for speckled hind, warsaw grouper, snowy grouper,blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, or silk snapper?

• The decision to eliminate the 240-foot (40-fathom) prohibition through Regulatory Amendment 11 does not affect the prohibition on harvest and possession of speckled hind and warsaw grouper in the South Atlantic. It remains unlawful to harvest or possess speckled hind and warsaw grouper.