NOAA Issues Final Rule for Amendment 29 to Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan

Summary

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a final rule to implement Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico, which aims to reduce effort in the commercial reef fish fishery by introducing a multi-species individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for grouper and tilefish. The rule also allows permit consolidation and dual classifications for certain species, and modifies provisions for the Gulf red snapper IFQ program.