Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 17

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NMFS announces that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 17 would extend the commercial reef fish vessel permit moratorium for 5 years to December 31, 2005. The current moratorium is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2000. The purpose of the moratorium is to provide a stable environment in the fishery for evaluation and development of a more comprehensive controlled access system for the entire commercial reef fish fishery.