Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 3

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NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). Amendment 3 prohibits the taking of wild live rock in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) off Florida north and west of the Levy/Dixie County line; removes the prohibition on taking wild live rock by chipping between the Pasco/Hernando County and Levy/Dixie County, FL lines; establishes annual quotas for wild live rock harvesting for 1995 and 1996 in the Gulf EEZ; and reduces the amount of substrate that may be taken with allowable octocorals in the Gulf EEZ. The intended effect is to protect the live rock resource and fishery habitat in the Gulf EEZ and to simplify the regulations.