NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 15 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). This proposed rule would establish a limited access system for the commercial fishery for Gulf and Atlantic migratory group king mackerel by capping
participation at the

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

This notice announces that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is considering management measures to further limit participation or effort in the commercial fishery for snapper grouper species (excluding wreckfish) in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Possible measures include individual fishing quotas

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southern zone to 1,500 lb (680 kg) per day. This trip limit reduction is necessary to maximize the socioeconomic benefits of the quota.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted a comprehensive amendment to its Spiny Lobster, Queen Conch, Reef Fish, and Coral Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. The amendment proposes to: establish management strategies to end overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks; require

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule requires an owner or operator of a trawler that harvests or possesses penaeid shrimp (brown, pink, or

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA announces receipt of a petition for emergency regulations or interim measures, filed by The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. CCA has petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce to promulgate emergency regulations or

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this emergency rule to establish trip limits for the commercial shallowwater and deepwater grouper fisheries in the exclusive economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico. The intended effect of this emergency rule is to moderate the rate of harvest of the available quotas and, thereby, reduce the adverse social and economic effects of derby

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces its decision to deny a petition for emergency or interim rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Stevens Act). The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), a marine conservation group composed of approximately 90,000 members, petitioned the U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this emergency rule to provide a limited reopening of the application process for the charter vessel/headboat permit moratorium for reef fish and coastal migratory pelagic fish in the Gulf of Mexico. This reopening allows qualifying persons, who can provide documentation of economic harm as a result of inability to obtain a moratorium

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS has determined that the red grouper quota for the commercial fishery will have been reached by October 10, 2005, and therefore closes the commercial fishery for shallowwater grouper (red, black, gag, scamp, yellowfin, yellowmouth, rock hind, and red hind) in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico. The existing regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces the availability of Amendment 23 prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) that would establish a 10year rebuilding plan for vermilion snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico. The rebuilding plan seeks to achieve a 25.5percent reduction in harvest based on the 2003 predicted

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 15 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). This final rule establishes a limited access system for the commercial fishery for Gulf and Atlantic migratory group king mackerel by capping participation at the current

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 13 to the FMP for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 13 would revise Federal permitting requirements for the shrimp fishery of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including the establishment of a moratorium on the

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene public hearings to solicit comments on the Draft Amendment to the FMPs for Reef Fish (Amendment 25) and Coastal Migratory Pelagics (CMP) (Amendment 17) for extending the Charter Vessel/Headboat Permit Moratorium and Draft Amendment 18A to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan for

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS reduces the trip limit in the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast subzone to 500 lb (227 kg) of king mackerel per day in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

An emergency rule of February 17, 2005, that established trip limits for the commercial shallowwater and deepwater grouper fisheries in the exclusive economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico is in effect from March 3, 2005, through August 16, 2005. NMFS extends that emergency rule for an additional 180 days through February 12, 2006. The intended

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces the availability of Amendment 24 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 24) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). Amendment 24 would establish a limited access system for the Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish fishery. The intended effect of

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would require an owner or operator of a trawler that harvests or possesses brown, pink, or white

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces that the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) have submitted Amendment 15 to the FMP for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 15 would establish a limited access system for the commercial fishery for Gulf and Atlantic group king mackerel, and change the fishing year for Atlantic

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 24 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 24) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule establishes a limited access system for the commercial reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico by capping

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement a regulatory amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would establish a 6,000lb (2,722kg) commercial trip limit for shallowwater and deep water grouper, combined,

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Generic Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) of the Gulf of Mexico (EFH Amendment 3) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). EFH Amendment 3 would amend each of the seven Council FMPs shrimp, red drum, reef fish, coastal migratory pelagic resources, coral and

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 6 to the FMP for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 6 would modify the FMP's bycatch reduction device (BRD) framework by transferring authority from the Council to NMFS for the BRD testing protocol and by modifying the bycatch

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS reduces the trip limit for the commercial shallow-water grouper fishery in the exclusive economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico to 5,500 lb (2,500 kg) per trip. The intended effect of trip limit reduction is to moderate the rate of harvest of the available quotas and, thereby, reduce the adverse social and economic effects of derby fishing,

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration