Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish

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NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the gray triggerfish recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2021 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2021 recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf gray triggerfish will be reached by September 10, 2021. However, because there is uncertainty in the projection and to provide additional notice to fishery participants, NMFS closes the recreational sector for Gulf gray triggerfish on September 15, 2021, and it will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2021. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf gray triggerfish resource.