The Department of Marine Resources wishes to advise the general public of the fixed dates of closure of fishing of the Nassau Grouper from December 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018.

The Department of Marine Resources wishes to further advise that to take, land, process, sell and to offer for sale the Nassau Grouper is strictly prohibited.

The general public is to note that the ban is only for the Nassau Grouper species, and one is able to capture and purchase any of the remaining species of groupers in The Bahamas.

All groupers are to be landed head and tail intact to assist in the identification of the species of grouper.  

The identification of the Nassau Grouper species is exhibited in this characteristic: the Nassau Grouper is the only grouper species with a black band or saddle near its tail.

The Department of Marine Resources requests the cooperation of the general public in adhering to the fisheries laws of The Bahamas.  Persons found violating the fisheries laws will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.