NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on a proposed rule that would adjust the commercial and recreational red snapper quotas in the Gulf of Mexico from 3.542 and 3.403 million pounds to 3.66 and 3.525 million pounds in 2011, respectively.
A recent red snapper assessment update projected overfishing (rate of removal is too high) ended in 2009. Therefore, the total allowable catch can be increased from the existing 6.945 million pounds to 7.185 million pounds. This action was evaluated in a regulatory amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources in the Gulf of Mexico.
“While the Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused a decline in fishing effort in the Gulf, the results of this most recent stock assessment update show that the rebuilding plan is working and the stock is improving,” said Dr. Steve Bortone, GulfCouncil Executive Director.
The proposed rule published in the Federal Register February 22, 2911, with the comment period ending
March 24, 2011. If the amendment is approved, the final rule may contain NOAA Fisheries Services’ estimated projection for the number of days in the 2011 recreational fishing season.
Written comments must be received no later than March 24, 2011, to be considered by NOAA Fisheries Service. Electronic copies of the proposed rule or the regulatory amendment may be obtained from the e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Web site – www.gulfcouncil.org, or from NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5505.
