Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Catch Specifications

Resumo

In accordance with the framework procedure for adjusting management measures of the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP), NMFS proposes to increase the total allowable catch (TAC) for Atlantic group Spanish mackerel and for Gulf group king mackerel, revise the commercial trip limits off the Florida east and south coasts for the Gulf and Atlantic groups of king mackerel, and allow the operator and crew on for-hire vessels to take the bag limit of Gulf group king mackerel. The intended effects of this proposed rule would be to protect king and Spanish mackerel from overfishing and maintain healthy stocks while still allowing catches by important commercial and recreational fisheries.