NOAA Fisheries Announces New Regulations for Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack

December 18, 2012   Below is a Fishery Bulletin recently distributed by NOAA Fisheries Service announcing new regulations for Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack. FB12-091        Rich Malinowski 727-824-5305 December 18, 2012   NOAA Fisheries Announces New Regulations for  Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack Small Entity Compliance Guide    On October 4, 2012, NOAA Fisheries approved Amendment 35 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources in the Gulf of Mexico. This rule adjusts the annual catch limits and annual catch targets for the greater amberjack population in the Gulf of Mexico and establishes a 2,000-pound commercial trip limit. A final rule implementing these regulations published in the Federal Register on November 13, 2012 (77 FR 219), with an effective date of December 13, 2012. Commercial Fishing Trip Limit & Season The rule establishes a commercial trip limit of 2,000 pounds throughout the fishing year. The trip limit will allow for a longer fishing season for the commercial sector. The commercial fishing season re-opens on January 1, 2013. The 2013 commercial closed season will be March 1 through May 31, and will re-open on June 1st, as long as the annual catch target has not been exceeded or is projected to be exceeded. Recreational Fishing Season No changes were implemented for the 2013 fishing season that opens on January 1, 2013, and will remain open through May 31, 2013. The annual recreational fishing season closure will occur as scheduled from June 1, 2013, through July 31, 2013, and the fishing season will re-open on August 1st, as long as the annual catch target has not been exceed. Annual Catch Limits In response to a 2010 update stock assessment, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended a new annual catch limit equal to the acceptable biological catch at 1,780,000 pounds, which is less than the current annual catch limit of 1,830,000 pounds whole weight (pounds). Annual Catch Targets The Council established annual catch targets, which act as quotas for the commercial and recreational sectors. The catch target provides a buffer for management uncertainty, intended to keep landings less than the annual catch limits. The commercial allocation is 27 percent and the recreational allocation is 73 percent of the allowable catch. Until a future stock assessment is completed, or the annual catch limit is exceeded, the commercial quota will be 409,000 pounds, and the recreational quota will be 1,130,000 pounds. The 2013 commercial quota will be reduced by the 2012 landing overage after those numbers have been finalized. This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. Electronic copies of the amendment and final rule may be obtained from the NOAA Fisheries Web site http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/GrouperSnapperandReefFish.htm. For more information on Amendment 35 and the greater amberjack rebuilding plan, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the NOAA Fisheries Web site. 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/. 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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