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. you are an officer for the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission. based on the above, under what circumstances is fishing for migratory group king mackerel legal between november 28 and june 30? a. if the boat is a certified headboat with six fee - paying passengers b. all circumstances, as no fishing for king mackerel is allowed during that time c. if the boat is a certified headboat with twenty fee - paying passengers d. if the boat is a certified charter vessel carrying six tourists who hired it for the day e. if the boat is neither a charter vessel nor a headboat

Explanation:

The text states that the Florida west - coast northern subzone is closed to commercial fishing for Gulf migratory group king mackerel from November 28 through June 30. However, a person aboard a charter or headboat with a valid permit may continue to retain king mackerel under certain limits. A charter vessel or headboat is considered operating as such when it has fee - paying passengers or more than three persons aboard (including operator and crew). Option A describes a certified headboat with fee - paying passengers, which is an exception to the closure.

Answer:

A. If the boat is a certified headboat with six fee - paying passengers