Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment 32 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico

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NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) intends to prepare a DEIS to describe and analyze management alternatives to be included in an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). These alternatives will consider measures to end overfishing of gag; create a rebuilding plan for the gag stock that will restore the stock to its maximum sustainable yield level (MSY); adjust gag and red grouper annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and other management measures; and revise shallow-water grouper accountability measures (AMs). In addition, the DEIS will consider separating the recreational sector of the grouper component of the reef fish fishery, revising multi-use individual fishing quota (IFQ) shares, methods to reduce gag bycatch, and improving data collection and monitoring of the recreational sector. The purpose of this notice of intent (NOI) is to solicit public comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the DEIS.