Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Amendment 10

Riepilogo

The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) have submitted Amendment 10 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 10 proposes actions to revise the lobster species contained within the fishery management unit; revise definitions of management thresholds; establish an acceptable biological catch control (ABC) rule, an annual catch limit (ACL), and an annual catch target (ACT) for Caribbean spiny lobster; revise the Federal spiny lobster tail- separation permitting requirements; revise the regulations specifying the condition of spiny lobster landed during a fishing trip; modify the undersized attractant regulations; modify the framework procedures; and transfer to the state of Florida the authority to remove derelict spiny lobster traps within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Florida.