Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management Measures

Résumé

NMFS issues this final rule to implement the approved provisions of a regulatory amendment prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) in accordance with the framework procedure for adjusting management measures of the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The approved provisions of the regulatory amendment: Increase the annual commercial quota for red snapper; reopen the commercial red snapper fishery on September 15, 1996, to allow harvest of the remainder of the 1996 quota; split the 1997 commercial quota between two seasons, the first beginning on February 1, 1997, with a quota of 3.06 million lb (m lb) (1.39 million kg (m kg)) and the second beginning on September 15, 1997, with a quota equal to the unharvested balance of the annual commercial quota; extend the rebuilding schedule for red snapper; and increase the total allowable catch (TAC) of red snapper. The intended effect of this action is to maximize the economic benefits from the red snapper resource while extending for 10 years the rebuilding program for this overfished resource.