Amendment 56: Modifications to Catch Limits, Sector Allocation, and Recreational Fishing Seasons for Gulf of Mexico Gag

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that a Fisheries Management Council prepare and implement a rebuilding plan within two years of notification that the stock is overfished. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council was notified by NMFS of the overfished status of the gag stock on January 26, 2022, following the SSC’s review of the most recent Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) gag stock assessment, SEDAR 72. The Council and NMFS are developing Amendment 56 with the goal of having the management measures implemented by NMFS in January 2024. Amendment 56 would modify the status determination criteria, optimum yield, catch limits, accountability measures, sector allocations, and the recreational fishing season and establish a rebuilding timeline for Gulf gag. The need for this action is to use the best scientific information available to end overfishing of Gulf gag and rebuild the stock to a level commensurate with maximum sustainable yield, consistent with the authority under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.