Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Framework Amendment 1

Résumé

NMFS issues this final rule to implement management measures described in a framework amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP) (Framework Amendment 1), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils (Councils). This rule modifies the annual catch limits (ACLs) for Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) migratory groups of Spanish mackerel and modifies the recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel, based on the results of the most recent stock assessments for these stocks. Framework Amendment 1 also specifies the optimum yield and acceptable biological catch (ABC) estimates for Atlantic and Gulf migratory groups of Spanish mackerel. The purpose of this rule is to update ACLs based on the best scientific information available and to ensure overfishing does not occur for the Spanish mackerel resources in the Atlantic and Gulf.