08-29-00
New Limits For Red Porgy

On August 29, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) section of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) announced that new harvest restrictions on red porgy would go into effect immediately. This is for the Federal Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which is from 3 to 200 miles offshore, in the Atlantic Ocean. Red porgy are often referred to as pink snapper or pinkies.

North Carolina has implemented its restrictions in order to maintain compliance with the Fishery Management Plan for Snapper and Grouper in the South Atlantic Region. The new regulations include the following harvest restrictions:

1. The minimum size limit for red porgy is 14 inches total length. This is for both commercial and recreational harvest.

2. Recreational fishermen can possess one red porgy per person per day.

3. It is unlawful to sell red porgy from January through April. This is to protect the fish, during their spawning season.

4. It is unlawful for a commercial fishing operation to land more than 50 pounds of red porgy from May 1 to December 31.

For more information on red porgy, please contact Dr. Louis Daniel at the NCDMF. The phone numbers are252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632. Dr. Daniel's E-dress is Louis.Daniel@ncmail.net.

Capt. Jerry Dilsaver