South Atlantic – New Conservation Measures Proposed for Snapper-Grouper Fishery
NOAA Fisheries Service has published a proposed rule to implement Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery, as prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This proposed rule would establish a seasonal closure of the recreational and commercial fisheries for gag and associated grouper species, as well as a seasonal closure of the recreational fishery for vermilion snapper. It would also reduce the aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish, reduce the bag limit for gag or black grouper combined, and reduce the bag limit for vermilion snapper. The captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat would be prohibited from retaining any fish under the aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish or the vermilion snapper bag limit.
In addition, this rule would establish semiannual quotas for the commercial vermilion snapper fishery, establish a quota for the commercial gag fishery, and establish restrictions on the possession, sale, and purchase of gag and associated grouper species after the gag commercial quota is reached. Finally, it would require possession of a venting tool and dehooking device onboard a vessel when fishing for South Atlantic snapper-grouper and use of such tools as needed to accomplish the release of fish with minimum injury.
The intended effects of this proposed rule are to end overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper, protect shallow-water grouper during their spawning season, and reduce bycatch of snapper-grouper species in the South Atlantic. Comments may be submitted at www.regulations.gov until 5pm on March 9, 2009.
For more information, read the fishery bulletin or contact Jo***********@no**.gov .
South Atlantic – New Conservation Measures Proposed for Snapper-Grouper Fishery
NOAA Fisheries Service has published a proposed rule to implement Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery, as prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This proposed rule would establish a seasonal closure of the recreational and commercial fisheries for gag and associated grouper species, as well as a seasonal closure of the recreational fishery for vermilion snapper. It would also reduce the aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish, reduce the bag limit for gag or black grouper combined, and reduce the bag limit for vermilion snapper. The captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat would be prohibited from retaining any fish under the aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish or the vermilion snapper bag limit.
In addition, this rule would establish semiannual quotas for the commercial vermilion snapper fishery, establish a quota for the commercial gag fishery, and establish restrictions on the possession, sale, and purchase of gag and associated grouper species after the gag commercial quota is reached. Finally, it would require possession of a venting tool and dehooking device onboard a vessel when fishing for South Atlantic snapper-grouper and use of such tools as needed to accomplish the release of fish with minimum injury.
The intended effects of this proposed rule are to end overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper, protect shallow-water grouper during their spawning season, and reduce bycatch of snapper-grouper species in the South Atlantic. Comments may be submitted at www.regulations.gov until 5pm on March 9, 2009.
For more information, read the fishery bulletin or contact Jo***********@no**.gov .