Fishery Management Council met in Mobile

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in Mobile, Alabama, Oct. 20-23, to discuss a number of fishery issues, including recreational red snapper sector separation and red snapper regional management.

Sector Separation

Reef Fish Amendment 40 divides the recreational red snapper sector into two distinct components, a private angling component and a for-hire component.

After reviewing the document and listening to hours of public testimony, the council approved sector separation after adding a three-year sunset provision. The amendment will go to the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation.

The sunset provision was a huge addition to the amendment considering it will allow the council to look at how things are working in three years and decide if it’s something they should continue or do away with. Without the sunset, the new split would be set in stone even if it was not working for one or both of the sectors.

Regional Management

The Council resumed discussions on Reef Fish Amendment 39. This amendment considers dividing the federal recreational red snapper quota among states and giving them authority to set some of their allowing for own management measures for red snapper to vary by state.

They added an alternative to Action 1 that would establish a regional management program in which each region would submit proposals to NMFS describing the measures they would adopt for the management of their respective portion of the red snapper quota.

Alternative 2 was selected by the council, delegation with a sunset after three calendar years, as its preferred alternative. This would result in splitting up the quota based on 50 percent of landings from 1986-2012, and 50 percent from 2007-2012 landings, and exclude landings from 2006 and 2010.

Red Grouper Regulations

The council took final action on a framework action that will adjust the bag limit to two fish per person, per day, to reduce the likelihood of in-season quota closures.

The framework also eliminates the automatic bag limit reduction accountability measure that currently occurs after the annual catch limit is exceeded.

They considered changes to the recreational red grouper closed season, but decided to leave it at Feb. 1 through March 31 beyond 20 fathoms.

To learn more about the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council or times and locations for upcoming meetings visit their website at gulfcouncil.org.