NOAA Fisheries Publishes Proposed Rule to Modify Catch Limits for Spanish Mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic

Below is a Southeast Fishery Bulletin recently distributed from NOAA Fisheries Service. To see the complete list of  Fishery Bulletins visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishery_bulletins/index.html.  SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN  (Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic)     FB14-056       Karla Gore 727-824-5305         July 31, 2014       NOAA Fisheries Publishes Proposed Rule to Modify Catch Limits for Spanish Mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposed rule to implement Framework Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Region. The proposed rule for Framework Amendment 1 published in the Federal Register (79 FR 44369) on July 31, 2014, and the comment period ends on September 2, 2014. Recent stock assessments for Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel indicate the stocks are healthy, and catch levels can be increased. If implemented, the proposed rule would increase the combined commercial and recreational catch limit for Spanish mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico from 5.15 million pounds to 12.7 million pounds in 2014-2015, and then decrease to 11.8 million pounds in 2015-2016, and 11.3 million pounds in 2016-2017. In the South Atlantic, the proposed rule would increase the catch limit for Spanish mackerel from 5.69 million pounds to 6.063 million pounds; with 3.330 million pounds (55%) allocated to the commercial sector and 2.727 million pounds (45%) allocated to the recreational sector. Addresses Framework Amendment 1 may be obtained from: The NOAA Fisheries Web site http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/2014/framework_am1/index.html The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Web site at http://www.safmc.net. You may submit comments by the following methods: Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0075 click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Sustainable Fisheries Division c/o Karla Gore 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, Florida 3370-5505 NOAA Fisheries will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Comments received through means not specified in this bulletin may not be considered. 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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