Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Referendum Procedures for a Potential Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Individual Fishing Quota Program

Riepilogo

NMFS issues this proposed rule to provide information about the schedule, procedures, and eligibility requirements for participating in referendums to determine whether an individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the Gulf of Mexico commercial red snapper fishery should be prepared and, if so, whether it should subsequently be submitted to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for review. This proposed rule revises a previously published proposed rule based on public comments that were received on the initial proposed rule. In response to those public comments, this proposed rule includes additional options regarding the procedure for weighting votes by eligible participants. NMFS is soliciting additional public comment on this proposed rule and, particularly, comments on the vote-weighting options. The intended effect of this proposed rule is to implement the referendums consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).