According to NOAA it seeks public comment on Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 29 to NOAA Fisheries Service for review, approval, and implementation. The association has issued the Notice of Availability for public comment on this amendment in the Federal Register on March 8, 2009.
It is said that the current commercial regulatory measures used to manage the grouper and tilefish complex include a license limitation system, quotas, trip limits, minimum size limits, area/gear restrictions, and seasonal closures. Nonetheless, the commercial grouper and tilefish fisheries have become overcapitalized causing commercial regulations to become increasingly restrictive. NOAA told that in the present management structure, the commercial grouper and tilefish fisheries are expected to continue to have higher than necessary levels of capital investment, increased operating costs, increased likelihood of shortened seasons, reduced safety at-sea, wide fluctuations in supply, and depressed ex-vessel prices.
It is explained that Amendment 29 was developed to rationalize effort and reduce overcapacity in the commercial grouper and tilefish fisheries to achieve and maintain optimum yield. This amendment includes several actions such as establishment of an IFQ program for groupers and tilefishes in the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone; establishment of design elements of the IFQ program.
It will also allow consolidation of multiple reef fish commercial vessel permits; establish dual classifications to the shallow water and deepwater management units for speckled hind and warsaw grouper. This amendment will allow fishermen to select landing sites for IFQ programs, but require approval by NOAA Fisheries Service Office for Law Enforcement.
