Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico

요약

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). This rule requires dealers who purchase from fishing vessels reef fish caught in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to obtain Federal permits and maintain records of such purchases; allows the transfer of a fish trap endorsement with the transfer of the vessel's reef fish permit to an immediate family member; and allows the transfer or revision of a red snapper endorsement on a reef fish vessel permit upon the disability or death of a vessel owner or, in certain circumstances, an operator. The intended effects of this rule are to enhance enforceability of the regulations, improve quota monitoring of reef fish species, allow families that have historically fished in the Gulf of Mexico with fish traps to continue such fishing, and alleviate hardships caused by disability or death of owners/operators no longer able to use red snapper endorsements.