Federal Register #2026-18484

NOAA proposes withholding 275,000 pounds of 2027 Gulf Red Grouper quota for pilot pool program

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the Department of Commerce, is proposing to withhold 275,000 pounds of the 2027 Gulf of America red grouper commercial quota: - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Regional Office - OEMs and Vendors: - NOAA (as the quota administrator) - Products/Services Requested: - 275,000 pounds of Gulf red grouper commercial quota (2027 fishing year) - No part numbers; quota is the product - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Quota withholding is in anticipation of Amendment 63, which would establish a 3-year pilot quota pool program - If Amendment 63 is not implemented by May 1, 2027, the withheld quota will be distributed to current IFQ shareholders - The pilot program aims to improve participation in the IFQ program and reduce bycatch - Eligibility criteria for quota pool participation will be defined by Amendment 63 - The total 2027 commercial quota is set at 4.83 million pounds; 275,000 pounds are being withheld for the pilot program

Description

NMFS proposes a rule to withhold a portion of the commercial allocation of Gulf of America red grouper for the 2027 fishing year. This withholding is in anticipation of implementing Amendment 63 to the Fishery Management Plan, which would establish a pilot program setting aside part of the red grouper commercial quota for a quota pool. The withheld quota, amounting to 275,000 pounds, would otherwise be allocated to shareholders in the Individual Fishing Quota program on January 1, 2027. If Amendment 63 is not implemented by May 1, 2027, the withheld quota will be distributed to current shareholders based on their shares.

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