NOAA Fisheries Announces New Recreational Fishing Regulations for Red Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico

The following Southeast Fishery Bulletin from NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office is provided as a courtesy to our subscribers.  SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN  (Gulf of Mexico) FB15-028 Rich Malinowski 727-824-5305     April 7, 2015       NOAA Fisheries Announces New Recreational Fishing Regulations for  Red Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico     NOAA Fisheries announces two new changes to recreational red grouper fishing: The red grouper bag limit will go from 4 fish to 2 fish effective May 7, 2015, at 12:01 a.m., local time. The accountability measure for a reduction in the bag limit when the annual catch limit is exceeded is removed. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved these changes at their October 2014 meeting. With the existing four-fish bag limit, the annual catch target was met in 2014 resulting in the recreational season closing on October 4, 2014. Reducing the four-fish bag limit to two fish is intended to extend the recreational fishing season and avoid such in-season closures. Removing the accountability measure is intended to reduce public confusion when the bag limit is adjusted the following year after the annual catch limit is exceeded in the previous year. With the reduction of the bag limit to 2 fish, this action is no longer necessary. Electronic copies of the final rule and supporting documents may be obtained from NOAA Fisheries Web site at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2014/red_grouper_rec_framework/index.html. This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. 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

http://live.oysterradio.com/