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Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council |
FINAL RED SNAPPER COMMERCIAL LANDINGS DATA FOR 1998 FALL QUOTA
November 5, 1998 - The commercial red snapper Fall fishery, which opened on September 1, filled its quota and was closed on October 15. It will remain closed until its scheduled February 1, 1999 opening date for the 1999 Spring season. The fall quota of 1.53 million pounds included a quota reduction of 0.06 million pounds due to an overharvest during the spring commercial red snapper season. The commercial fishery was open from noon on the first to noon of the fifteenth of each month until the quota was reached.
| Reporting Period | Texas | AL/MS/LA | Florida | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1-7 | 78,162 | 176,195 | 5,948 | 260,305 |
| September 8-15 | 38,315 | 128,799 | 12,080 | 179,194 |
| October 1-7 | 87,505 | 347,726 | 23,292 | 458,523 |
| October 8-15 | 193,236 | 657,422 | 34,088 | 884,746 |
| Total | 397,218 | 1,310,142 | 75,408 | 1,782,768 |
The total commercial quota for 1998 (Spring and Fall seasons combined) was 4.65 million pounds. Total commercial landings through October 15, 1998 are estimated to be 4.90 million pounds (105% of quota). Even with the bad weather in September and monthly closures to extend the season, the commercial sector has continued to fill its quota in fewer fishing days. The current quota has been in effect since 1996. The number of fishing days to fill the quota each year has been: 1996 - 86 days, 1997 - 72 days, 1998 - 67 days.