Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Reopening of the 2008 Deepwater Grouper and Tilefish Commercial Fisheries

Samenvatting

NMFS reopens the commercial fishery for deepwater grouper (misty grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind) and tilefishes in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS previously determined that the quotas for these commercial fisheries would be reached by May 10, 2008. The latest estimates for deepwater grouper and tilefish landings indicate the quotas were not reached by that date. Consequently, NMFS will reopen these fisheries for 10 days. The purpose of this action is to allow the fisheries to maximize harvest benefits and at the same time protect the deepwater grouper and tilefish resources.