Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper

摘要

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the red grouper recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2021 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2021 recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf red grouper has been met. Therefore, NMFS closes the recreational sector for Gulf red grouper on September 15, 2021, and it will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2021. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf red grouper resource.