Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Changes in Catch Limits

Résumé

NMFS announces changes in the management measures applicable to the Atlantic migratory groups of king and Spanish mackerel and the Gulf group of king mackerel, in accordance with the framework procedure for adjusting management measures for the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). This rule decreases the total allowable catch (TAC), commercial allocation, and recreational bag limit for Atlantic group king mackerel; increases the TAC and commercial allocation for Atlantic group Spanish mackerel; and changes the commercial vessel trip limits for Gulf group king mackerel. The intended effect is to protect king and Spanish mackerel from overfishing and continue stock rebuilding programs while still allowing catches by important recreational and commercial fisheries dependent on king and Spanish mackerel.