Final Rule to Increase Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Cobia Recreational and Commercial Minimum Size Limit in the Gulf Zone

The following Fishery Bulletin is provided to our subscribers as a courtesy:  ISSUE DATE: February 24, 2020                                                                                 FB20-011 CONTACT: Rich Malinowski, 727-524-5305, Rich.Malinowski@noaa.gov Final Rule to Increase Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Cobia Recreational and Commercial Minimum Size Limit in the Gulf Zone KEY MESSAGE: The final rule for Framework Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region will increase the recreational and commercial minimum size limit for cobia in the Gulf Zone (see map) from 33 inches fork length to 36 inches fork length. WHEN WILL THE RULE TAKE EFFECT: The final rule will be effective on March 25, 2020. This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. MORE INFORMATION: If you have further questions regarding this matter, please contact the Southeast Regional Office Sustainable Fisheries Office at the address below or by telephone at (727) 824-5305, weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Environmental Assessment for the Framework Amendment 7 Final Rule may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/management-plan/gulf-mexico-and-south-atlantic-coastal-migratory-pelagic-fishery-management-plan. Frequently Asked Questions Why did the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) request the size reduction? At its meeting in April 2018, the Gulf Council explored options for reducing fishing mortality of Gulf cobia in the Gulf Zone based on public comments by stakeholders expressing concern regarding the condition of the stock and that recreational landings decreased in 2017 and 2018. The most recent stock assessment did not indicate that Gulf cobia are overfished (population is too low) or undergoing overfishing (fishing mortality is too high). The next stock assessment is scheduled to be available in the fall of 2020. The Gulf Council decided to increase the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for Gulf cobia as a precautionary approach, in case the decrease in landings indicates some presently unknown issue with the stock. Why is the minimum size limit only changing in the Gulf?  The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council was informed of the proposed changes to the minimum size limit for the Gulf zone and chose not to consider changes for the Florida East Coast zone at this time. Atlantic cobia, which range from the Georgia-Florida state line north to New York, can reach similar sizes as Gulf cobia, but do so over a longer lifespan. Therefore, the management measures appropriate for Atlantic cobia may not be appropriate for Gulf cobia. Why did the Gulf Council decide not to change the possession limit?  The Gulf Council determined that a reduction in the Gulf cobia possession limit to one fish would have minimal benefit to the stock given that most trips (greater than 95 percent) do not catch more than one cobia per person. Where can I find more information on Framework Amendment 7? Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office By Mail: Rich Malinowski NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office Sustainable Fisheries Division 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505 By FAX: (727) 824-5308       By Phone: (727) 824-5305 Framework Amendment 7 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/modifications-gulf-mexico-migratory-group-cobia-size-and-possession-limits.

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