Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 11; OMB Control Numbers

Resumen

NMFS issues this final rule to implement certain provisions of Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). These provisions revise the framework procedure for modifying management measures, restrict the sale/purchase of reef fish harvested from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to permitted reef fish vessels/dealers, allow transfer of reef fish permits and fish trap endorsements under specified circumstances, implement a new reef fish permit moratorium, and require charter vessel and headboat permits. In addition, NMFS informs the public of the approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the collection-of-information requirement contained in this rule. The intended effects of the final rule are to improve procedures for timely management, relieve restrictions and hardships, and enhance enforceability of the regulations.