Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Emergency Rule to Re-Open the Recreational Red Snapper Season

الملخص

NMFS issues this proposed emergency rule to authorize the Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS (RA) to re-open the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) recreational red snapper season after the September 30, 2010, end of the fishing season. Such a re-opening would only occur if NMFS determines that the recreational red snapper quota was not met by the 12:01 a.m., local time, July 24, 2010, closure date. Because of the Deepwater Horizon MC252 oil spill and the associated large-area fishery closure (fishery closed area) in the north-central Gulf, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) requested NMFS publish this proposed emergency rule. The Council does not expect the recreational quota will be reached by the closure date because the fishery closed area is located where a substantial portion of the recreational red snapper fishing effort occurs. The intent of this rulemaking is to provide fishermen the opportunity to harvest the recreational red snapper quota, and flexibility to achieve the optimum yield for the fishery, thus enhancing social and economic benefits to the fishery.