Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Meeting

Zusammenfassung

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene six public hearings on a draft generic trap amendment. The draft amendment would modify the construction specifications of spiny lobster traps used in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), establish construction specifications for stone crab traps used in the EEZ, prohibit the use of blue crab traps in the EEZ off Florida, and establish geographic and reef fish bycatch restrictions in the stressed area off Florida north of 27 deg. for traps other than reef fish traps. The amendment also contains alternatives to allow traps in minor or potential trap fisheries such as octopus, shrimp, and deep-water crab and lobster.