The porgy complex is comprised of the following species: jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, whitebone porgy, scup, and saucereye porgy.
Reports indicate that landings are approaching the 2014 commercial sector catch limit of 36,348 pounds whole weight.
Recreational harvest of the porgy complex in South Atlantic waters closed on September 17, 2014 (79 FR 55658). Commercial and recreational harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, 2015.
The operator of a vessel with a federal commercial permit for snapper-grouper that is landing porgies for sale must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such porgies prior to 12:01 a.m. local time, December 9, 2014.
The prohibition on sale does not apply to sale or purchase of porgies that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. local time, December 9, 2014, and held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
During the closure:
- Harvest or possession of porgies in or from federal waters is prohibited.
- Sale and purchase of porgies in or from federal waters is prohibited.
- The closure applies in both state and federal waters for a person onboard a vessel with a federal snapper-grouper permit.
This closure is necessary to protect the snapper-grouper resource.
