Candy
04-27-07, 11:59 AM
NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE IS ACCEPTING PUBLIC COMMENTS ON A PROPOSED RULE TO INCREASE HARVEST OF VERMILION SNAPPER IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
NOAA Fisheries Service is currently reviewing a regulatory amendment submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, which proposes to increase harvest of vermilion snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. The public comment period on the rule that proposes to implement these regulatory changes is open through May 14, 2007.
Management measures proposed in this rule are:
· Reduce the commercial and recreational vermilion snapper minimum size limit from 11 inches to 10 inches total length;
· Eliminate the 10-fish recreational bag limit for vermilion snapper within the existing 20-fish aggregate reef fish bag limit; and
· Eliminate the 40-day commercial closure for vermilion snapper, which extends from April 22 through May 31 each year.
The intended effect of these regulatory changes is to assist the vermilion snapper fishery in achieving optimum yield. A recent assessment indicates vermilion snapper is no longer overfished or undergoing overfishing, and current harvest levels are below the optimum level.
Current regulations require closure of the commercial fishery for vermilion snapper from April 22 through May 31, 2007. Any change in that closure resulting from this proposed rulemaking would be announced by NOAA Fisheries Service as soon as a final rule is published.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Press Release Date: April 26, 2007
Sarah DeVido, or Sarah.DeVido@noaa.gov FB07-018
727/824-5305, FAX 727/824-5308
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov
NOAA Fisheries Service is currently reviewing a regulatory amendment submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, which proposes to increase harvest of vermilion snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. The public comment period on the rule that proposes to implement these regulatory changes is open through May 14, 2007.
Management measures proposed in this rule are:
· Reduce the commercial and recreational vermilion snapper minimum size limit from 11 inches to 10 inches total length;
· Eliminate the 10-fish recreational bag limit for vermilion snapper within the existing 20-fish aggregate reef fish bag limit; and
· Eliminate the 40-day commercial closure for vermilion snapper, which extends from April 22 through May 31 each year.
The intended effect of these regulatory changes is to assist the vermilion snapper fishery in achieving optimum yield. A recent assessment indicates vermilion snapper is no longer overfished or undergoing overfishing, and current harvest levels are below the optimum level.
Current regulations require closure of the commercial fishery for vermilion snapper from April 22 through May 31, 2007. Any change in that closure resulting from this proposed rulemaking would be announced by NOAA Fisheries Service as soon as a final rule is published.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Press Release Date: April 26, 2007
Sarah DeVido, or Sarah.DeVido@noaa.gov FB07-018
727/824-5305, FAX 727/824-5308
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov