NOAA Seeks Comments on a Proposed Rule Modifying the Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack Rebuilding Plan

July 19, 2012    Below is a Southeast Fishery Bulletin recently distributed by NOAA Fisheries Service announcing a public comment period for Reef Fish Amendment 35 - Greater Amberjack Rebuilding Plan. SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN   FB12-055    Rich Malinowski 727-824-5305 July 19, 2012  NOAA Seeks Comments on a Proposed Rule   Modifying the Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack Rebuilding Plan    NOAA Fisheries Service has published a proposed rule adjusting the sector specific annual catch limits and annual catch targets for the greater amberjack stock in the Gulf of Mexico. The rule also establishes a 2,000 lb commercial trip limit throughout the fishing year. Addressing Changes to Rebuilding Plan In 2008, NOAA Fisheries Service issued a final rule establishing commercial and recreational quotas, accountability measures, and a rebuilding plan for the greater amberjack stock. In response to the 2010 update stock assessment, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended a new acceptable biological catch of 1,780,000 lb, which is less than the current catch limit of 1,830,000 lbs.  Adjustments to the rebuilding plan are needed because the current annual catch limit exceeds the new acceptable biological catch. Commercial Trip Limit The proposed rule would establish a commercial sector trip limit of 2,000 lb throughout the fishing year.  Implementing a trip limit is intended to extend the fishing season for the commercial sector. Annual Catch Targets (quotas) The Council established quotas for the commercial and recreational sectors. The commercial allocation is 27 percent and the recreational allocation is 73 percent of the catch limit. Until a future stock assessment is completed, or the catch limit is exceeded, the commercial quota would be 409,000 lb, and the recreational quota would be 1,130,000 lb.   Request for Comments The proposed rule published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2012. Written comments on this proposed rule must be received no later than August 20, 2012, to be considered by NOAA Fisheries Service. All comments received by NOAA Fisheries Service will be addressed in the final rule.  Electronic copies of the proposed rule may be obtained from the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov, and the amendment is available at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/. How to Submit Comments You may submit comments by either of the following methods. Comments received through other means may not be considered. Electronic Submissions:   Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Enter the following docket number into the "Search" box: NOAA-NMFS-2012-0107. Select the appropriate title, and click "Submit a Comment." This will display the comment Web form. Attachments to electronic comments (up to 10 MB) will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Mail:   Rich Malinowski   NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office  Sustainable Fisheries Division 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505 All comments will be part of the public record, and generally posted for public viewing tohttp://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter, may be publicly accessible.  Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.  Anonymous comments will be accepted. This summary is not a substitute for the actual regulations. We encourage you to read the full text of the regulations, available at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/.   To view a complete list of Fishery Bulletins, visit the NOAA Fisheries' Southeast RegionalOffice website at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. This announcement is forwarded as a courtesy of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.       Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Charlene Ponce Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext. 229

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