NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Changes to Red Snapper Quotas

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)   FB15-025   Cynthia Meyer 727-824-5305      April 1, 2015       NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Changes to  Red Snapper Quotas in the Gulf of Mexico  NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on changes to the red snapper quotas in the Gulf of Mexico. As recommended by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee, the red snapper acceptable biological catch would increase from 11.0 million pounds (mp) whole weight to those values provided in the table below, including the quotas, acceptable biological catches, and annual catch targets in mp whole weight. Year Acceptable Biological Catch Total Quota Commercial Quota Recreational Quota Recreational Annual Catch Target 2015 14.30 14.30 7.293 7.007 5.606 2016 13.96 13.96 7.120 6.840 5.473  2017+ 13.74 13.74 7.007 6.733 5.386 The red snapper commercial sector is managed under an individual fishing quota program. The increase to the commercial quota would be distributed to quota shareholders on, or shortly after, the effective date of the final rule. The increase to the recreational quota would allow additional days to be added to the red snapper recreational fishing season which will open on June 1, 2015, and close when the catch target is met or projected to be met. The season length will be announced in May 2015. How to Submit Comments: NOAA Fisheries must receive comments on this proposed rulemaking no later than April 16, 2015. You may submit comments on the amendment or the proposed rule, identified by "NOAA-NMFS-2015-0036", by one of the following methods: Electronic Submission: Go to the federal e-Rulemaking Portal athttp://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail%3BD%3DNOAA-NMFS-2015-0036 click the "CommentNow!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. NOAA Fisheries will accept anonymous comments. Comments received through means not specified in this bulletinmay not be considered. Mail:    NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Sustainable Fisheries Division             c/o Dr. Cynthia Meyer 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505 All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on the regulations.gov website without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. Electronic copies of the framework action, which includes an environmental assessment, Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office Web Site at  http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2015/rs_framework_quota. 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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