It is spring in Alabama, and that means triggerfish season opens.
State waters will be open to the harvest of gray triggerfish at 12:01 a.m., March 1, 2019, to coincide with the opening of federal waters. Anglers are reminded that the bag limit is just one per person with a minimum size of 15 inches fork length.
The Alabama Marine Resources Division has provided an optional reporting tab in the Snapper Check program for the reporting of gray triggerfish. Although this is not a mandatory report, as with red snapper, there is a federal quota for this species. Angler trip reporting helps the MRD collect timely data that could assist with in-season access, if allowed in the future. The Snapper Check program may be accessed through the Outdoor Alabama mobile app or online at www.outdooralabama.com.
The grey triggerfish feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates including shrimp, crabs, mollusks, sea urchins, sand dollars, starfish and sea cucumbers. It has strong teeth specialized for making holes in hard-shelled prey.
Fishing, both freshwater and saltwater is a major contributor to the Alabama economy.
Fishers must remember to make sure they have a valid saltwater fishing license before going fishing off the Alabama shore.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
