Federal Register #0648-BN69

Proposed Regulatory Changes for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery (Regulatory Amendment 36)

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, is seeking public comment on proposed regulatory changes for the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery: - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division - Agency: Department of Commerce, Sub-agency: NOAA - Products/Services Requested: - No procurement of products or services; this is a regulatory action - Proposed changes include: - Revising recreational vessel limits to an aggregate of two gag or black grouper per vessel per day/trip in Federal waters of the South Atlantic - Modifying transit stowage requirements to allow buoys to remain connected to on-demand black sea bass pots during transit through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and spawning Special Management Zones (SMZs), provided pots are not baited - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Applies to federally permitted private recreational vessels, for-hire vessels, and commercial vessels operating in Federal waters of the South Atlantic - Aims to enhance biological benefits for gag and black grouper stocks and facilitate more practical commercial fishing operations - Regulatory period covers fishing years 2026 through 2028, with specific monkfish quotas projected for 2027 and 2028 - No OEMs or vendors are mentioned, as this is a regulatory amendment, not a procurement opportunity - Key locations include Federal waters of the South Atlantic and the NMFS Southeast Regional Office in St. Petersburg, FL

Description

NMFS seeks public comment on proposed regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 36 under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. The proposed rule would revise recreational vessel limits for gag and black grouper and revise transit storage requirements for commercial on-demand black sea bass pots. The changes aim to increase biological benefits to the gag and black grouper stocks and allow more practical transit of vessels through certain gear restricted areas consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

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