08-20-2010, 05:00 PM
Here is what The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has decided this morning regarding reef fish:
GREATER AMBERJACK- Council has tentatively chosen a recreational seasonal closure for Greater Amberjack from June 1 – July 31 as its preferred alternative. (This action is being considered in order to avoid in-season closures during peak fishing months.) Council is expected to take final action on this amendment during their October 25- 28, 2010 in Baton Rouge, LA. There will be opportunity to submit public comment before and during the October meeting, and I will be sure to keep you informed on how and when that will take place.
GAG GROUPER- Council approved to move forward with an interim rule that prohibits the recreational harvest of Gag Grouper beginning January 1, 2011. The same interim rule has established a 100,000 lbs quota for the commercial fishing sector. (The commercial quota was established to allow fishermen targeting other species to retain some bycatch of Gag.) The Southeast Fishery Science Center will re-run the gag assessment and provide updated information to the Council during its February meeting so they can move forward with Amendment 32 and remove the interim rule as soon as possible.
RED SNAPPER- The council has ruled to recommend that NOAA go forward with the emergency action to re-open the recreational red snapper season beginning at 12:01 a.m. October 1, 2010, to be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through 12:01 p.m. November 22. This allows for an additional 24 fishing days in 2010. (I believe Council was intentionally conservative with the number of days they reopen the season because they don’t want to risk an overage of this year’s quota, thereby protecting the possible Total Allowable Catch increase proposed for 2011 and 2012.) The measure will be reviewed, and if approved, implemented by NOAA fisheries as soon a possible. NOAA has requested public comment, to be received no later than 5 p.m. on August 31, 2010. Comments should focus on whether of not NOAA Fisheries Service should have the authority to re-open the recreational red snapper season. You may submit comments, identified by “0648-BA06", by any one of the following methods:
• Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov.
• Fax: 727-824-5308, Attn: Steve Branstetter
• Mail: Steve Branstetter, Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries Service, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
The full document produced by NOAA soliciting public comment is attached. If you have any questions contact me at Emily.Muehlstein@gulfcouncil.org
In other red snapper news, the Council discussed possible regional management of red snapper and asked staff to continue working on a draft discussion paper that explores options for dividing the stock into sub-units.
The Council also discussed an increase in red snapper total allowable catch for 2011-2012. The Council directed staff to proceed with a regulatory amendment, selecting as its preferred alternative setting total allowable catch at 7.185 million pounds for 2011. That would mean commercial and recreational quotas of 3.664 million pounds and 3.521 million pounds, respectively. Council will work to get this amendment approved and implemented before the opening of the 2011 season.
Your Chum,
Emily Muehlstein
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
[signature]
GREATER AMBERJACK- Council has tentatively chosen a recreational seasonal closure for Greater Amberjack from June 1 – July 31 as its preferred alternative. (This action is being considered in order to avoid in-season closures during peak fishing months.) Council is expected to take final action on this amendment during their October 25- 28, 2010 in Baton Rouge, LA. There will be opportunity to submit public comment before and during the October meeting, and I will be sure to keep you informed on how and when that will take place.
GAG GROUPER- Council approved to move forward with an interim rule that prohibits the recreational harvest of Gag Grouper beginning January 1, 2011. The same interim rule has established a 100,000 lbs quota for the commercial fishing sector. (The commercial quota was established to allow fishermen targeting other species to retain some bycatch of Gag.) The Southeast Fishery Science Center will re-run the gag assessment and provide updated information to the Council during its February meeting so they can move forward with Amendment 32 and remove the interim rule as soon as possible.
RED SNAPPER- The council has ruled to recommend that NOAA go forward with the emergency action to re-open the recreational red snapper season beginning at 12:01 a.m. October 1, 2010, to be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through 12:01 p.m. November 22. This allows for an additional 24 fishing days in 2010. (I believe Council was intentionally conservative with the number of days they reopen the season because they don’t want to risk an overage of this year’s quota, thereby protecting the possible Total Allowable Catch increase proposed for 2011 and 2012.) The measure will be reviewed, and if approved, implemented by NOAA fisheries as soon a possible. NOAA has requested public comment, to be received no later than 5 p.m. on August 31, 2010. Comments should focus on whether of not NOAA Fisheries Service should have the authority to re-open the recreational red snapper season. You may submit comments, identified by “0648-BA06", by any one of the following methods:
• Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov.
• Fax: 727-824-5308, Attn: Steve Branstetter
• Mail: Steve Branstetter, Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries Service, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
The full document produced by NOAA soliciting public comment is attached. If you have any questions contact me at Emily.Muehlstein@gulfcouncil.org
In other red snapper news, the Council discussed possible regional management of red snapper and asked staff to continue working on a draft discussion paper that explores options for dividing the stock into sub-units.
The Council also discussed an increase in red snapper total allowable catch for 2011-2012. The Council directed staff to proceed with a regulatory amendment, selecting as its preferred alternative setting total allowable catch at 7.185 million pounds for 2011. That would mean commercial and recreational quotas of 3.664 million pounds and 3.521 million pounds, respectively. Council will work to get this amendment approved and implemented before the opening of the 2011 season.
Your Chum,
Emily Muehlstein
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
[signature]