Federal Register #260430-0122

NMFS Proposed Rule to Revise Management Measures for Gulf Deep-Water Grouper Fishery

This opportunity involves a proposed regulatory action by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Commerce Department, to revise management measures for the Gulf deep-water grouper fishery. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NOAA, Department of Commerce - Scope of Rule: - Revises catch limits for the deep-water grouper (DWG) complex - Sets a recreational annual catch limit (ACL) - Updates recreational accountability measures (AM) - Revises status determination criteria - Adjusts sector allocations based on recent landings data - DWG Complex Species: - Yellowedge grouper - Snowy grouper - Warsaw grouper - Speckled hind - Sector Allocations: - Commercial sector: 89.79% of DWG complex ACL - Recreational sector: 10.21% of DWG complex ACL - New Annual Catch Limit: - 555,026 pounds for the DWG complex - Notable Requirements: - Rule aims to prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and promote sustainable fishery management - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory change - Place of Performance: - NMFS Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, FL

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 58B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf. This proposed rule would revise catch limits for the deep-water grouper (DWG) complex, set a recreational annual catch limit (ACL), and revise the recreational accountability measure (AM). It also revises the status determination criteria and sector allocations for the DWG complex to update catch levels and management measures consistent with the best scientific information available. The rule aims to prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and promote the long-term health and stability of the fishery.

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