Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2023 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper

Resumen

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the red grouper recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2023 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2023 recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf red grouper will have been reached by July 21, 2023. Therefore, NMFS closes the recreational sector for Gulf red grouper on July 21, 2023, and it will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2023. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf red grouper resource.