Environmental Economics

FB18-032 FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: May 17, 2018 CONTACT: Frank.Helies@noaa.gov, Sustainable Fisheries, 727-824-5305

 Request for Comments: Limited Opening of Recreational and Commercial Red Snapper Fishery in South Atlantic Federal Waters

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests comments on a proposed rule for Amendment 43 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 43).  The proposed actions would specify recreational and commercial annual catch limits for red snapper beginning in 2018.

• Red snapper recreational and commercial seasons would open in South Atlantic federal waters for limited harvest beginning in 2018.  
• The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved Amendment 43 after recent scientific information indicated an increase in the red snapper population since 2014.
• NOAA Fisheries determined the proposed limited harvest beginning in 2018 is neither expected to result in overfishing, nor prevent continued rebuilding of the population.

*The comment period on the proposed rule begins on May 17, 2018, and comments are due by June 18, 2018.*

Source: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishery_bulletins/2018/032/index.html