Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management Measures

Resumo

This interim rule implements changes to the management measures for the red snapper fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) to reduce overfishing. This rule modifies the recreational and commercial fishing seasons, increases the recreational minimum size limit, and reinstates a 4-fish bag limit for the captain and crew of for-hire vessels (i.e., charter vessels and headboats). The intended effect is to reduce overfishing of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.