Question

the fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish is managed under the fishery management plan (fmp) for coastal migratory pelagic resources in the gulf of mexico and atlantic region. the fmp was prepared by the gulf of mexico and south atlantic fishery management councils (councils) and is implemented by the national marine fisheries service (nmfs) under the authority of the magnuson - stevens fishery conservation and management act (magnuson - stevens act) by regulations at 50 code of federal regulations (cfr) part 622. the gulf migratory group king mackerel is divided into western and eastern zones. the eastern zone is further divided into the florida west coast northern and southern subzones that have separate quotas. the quota for the florida west coast northern subzone is 178,848 lb (81,124 kg). regulations at 50 cfr 622.388 require nmfs to close the commercial sector for gulf migratory group king mackerel in the florida west coast northern subzone when the commercial quota is reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the office of the federal register. based on the best scientific information available, nmfs has determined the commercial quota of 178,848 lb (81,124 kg) for gulf migratory group king mackerel in the florida west coast northern subzone will be reached by november 28. accordingly, the florida west coast northern subzone is closed effective noon, local time, november 28 through june 30, the end of the current fishing year, to commercial fishing for gulf migratory group king mackerel. except for a person aboard a charter or headboat, during the closure, no person aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for king mackerel has been issued may fish for or retain gulf migratory group king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (eez) in the closed subzone. a person aboard a vessel that has a valid charter/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain king mackerel in or from the closed subzone under the bag and possession limits set forth in 50 cfr 622.382, provided the vessel is operating as a charter or headboat. a charter vessel or headboat that also has a commercial king mackerel permit is considered to be operating as a charter vessel or headboat when it carries a passenger who pays a fee or when there are more than three persons aboard, including operator and crew. during the closure, king mackerel from the closed subzone, including those harvested under the bag and possession limits, may not be purchased or sold. this prohibition does not apply to king mackerel from the closed zones or subzones that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. 1. a vessel less than 100 gross tons that meets the requirements of the us coast guard to carry six or fewer passengers on a for - hire trip. as it is used in the document shown, quota refers to the weight limit for a. all fishing of king mackerel in zones off the florida coast. b. commercial fishing of king mackerel in subzones off the florida coast. c. all fishing of coastal migratory pelagic fish in the gulf of mexico and atlantic region. d. commercial fishing of coastal migratory pelagic fish in the gulf of mexico and atlantic region. e. all fishing of king mackerel by persons aboard charters or headboats during season closure.

Explanation:

The text mentions that the Florida west - coast northern subzone of the Gulf migratory group king mackerel has a commercial quota, and when the commercial quota is reached or projected to be reached, the commercial sector is closed. This shows that quota refers to the weight limit for commercial fishing of king mackerel in subzones off the Florida coast.

Answer:

B. commercial fishing of king mackerel in subzones off the Florida coast.