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Black Sea Bass Closure
Date: June 6, 2000
Dear Black Sea Bass Dealer and Commercial Vessel Permit Holder:
This letter is to inform you that the Quarter 2 period (April-June) commercial quota for the black sea bass fishery is projected to be harvested.
Therefore, effective June 9, 2000, fishing vessels issued a Federal moratorium permit for the black sea bass fishery may no longer land black sea bass for the remainder of the Quarter 2 period. Vessel owners issued Federal permits are reminded that they must continue to complete and submit vessel logbooks. Additionally, dealers issued Federal dealer permits for black sea bass are advised that they may not purchase black sea bass from Federally permitted vessels that land for the remainder of the Quarter 2 period (through June 2000). Federally permitted dealers must continue to report all fish purchases from any vessel.
The owners of vessels issued valid commercial permits for both the Northeast Region black sea bass fishery and the Southeast Region Snapper-Grouper fishery may surrender their Northeast Region permit by certified mail to the address shown above, and may then fish pursuant to their Southeast Region Snapper-Grouper permit provided all fishing is conducted in waters, and all landings made, south of the 3515.3' N. Latitude. The vessel owner may request reissuance of the Northeast Region Permit, but reissuance cannot be made until six months following permit cancellation.