Gulf of Mexico Generic Historical Amendments and Rulemaking (1998-2014)

The following is a list of historic rulemakings to Fishery Management Plans for Gulf of Mexico fishery resources effective 2014 and earlier. For current amendments and recent rulemaking, see the Gulf of Mexico Generic Actions Homepage or Notices & Rules.

See current rules that are open for comment here.

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Generic Amendment: Modifications to Federally Permitted Seafood Dealer Reporting Requirements

This amendment consolidates the existing South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico federal dealer permits and requires permits for dealers who currently are not required to have one. The amendment additionally increases the frequency of federal dealer reporting from monthly to weekly and establishes requirements to maintain a federal dealer permit. The amendment went into effect on August 7, 2014.

• Proposed Rule, 79 FR 81.
• Final Rule, 79 FR 19490. Effective August 7, 2014.

Framework Action: Modify the Reef Fish Permit Condition for For-Hire Vessels

• Proposed Rule, 78 FR 37500.
• Final Rule, 78 FR 46292. Effective August 30, 2013.

Framework Action: Headboat Electronic Reporting Requirements

• Proposed Rule, 78 FR 63946.
• Final Rule, 79 FR 6097. Effective March 5, 2014.

Generic Amendment: Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures

This amendment addresses a requirement in the Reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act of 2006 to establish Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures for federally managed species. The amendment has been approved by the Secretary of Commerce.

• Proposed Rule, 76 FR 66021.
• Final Rule, 76 FR 82044. Effective January 30, 2012, except for the amendments to § 622.32(b)(2)(iii) and § 622.39(b)(1)(ii). NOAA will publish a document announcing the effective date of the amendments to § 622.32(b)(2)(iii) and § 622.39(b)(1)(ii) in the Federal Register.
• Correction, 77 FR 23632. Effective April, 20, 2012.

Generic Amendment: Essential Fish Habitat Requirements, Habitat Areas of Particular Concern, and Adverse Effects of Fishing

This amendment addressed EFH requirements, Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs), and adverse effects of fishing in the fisheries for shrimp, red drum, reef fish, stone crab, coral, and coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as spiny lobster and the CMP resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Management measures include; prohibiting bottom anchoring to protect coral reefs in the East and West Flower Garden Banks, McGrail Bank, Pulley Ridge, and the North and South Tortugas Ecological Reserves, as well as Stetson Bank HAPCs prohibiting longlines, buoy gear, and all traps/pots to protect coral reefs in those same HAPCs; and requiring a weak link in the tickler chain of bottom trawls on all habitats throughout the Gulf EEZ.

• Proposed Rule, 70 FR 56157
• Final Rule, 70 FR 76216. Effective January 23, 2006, except for Sec. 622.34(q), which is effective January 24, 2006.

Generic Amendment: Establishment of the Tortugas Marine Reserves

This amendment was to all 7 fishery management plans and created two marine reserves where all fishing is prohibited. One 60 sq. mile reserve was created on a spawning aggregation site for mutton snapper in the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s jurisdiction. The other (125 sq. miles) was created in the jurisdictions of the National Park Service, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, GMFMC, and the State of Florida. These reserves will provide for research to assess the value of no-use reserves. The amendment number for each FMP is as follows: Mackerel (13), Coral (4), Red Drum (4), Reef Fish (19), Shrimp (12), Spiny Lobster (7), and Stone Crab (8).

• Proposed Rule, 67 FR 5780.
• Final Rule, 67 FR 47467. Effective August 19, 2002.

Sustainable Fisheries Act

This amendment was to all 7 fishery management plans and addresses the new provisions implemented by the SFA that pertain to preventing overfishing and rebuilding of overfished stocks. It also provides demographic and economic information on fishing communities. It proposed scientific definitions for each stock managed by the Council for maximum sustainable yield, optimum yield, Maximum Fishing Mortality Thresholds, and for Minimum Stock Size Thresholds. It proposed rebuilding plans for overfished stocks for which such data were available. It assessed bycatch and proposed reporting requirements for bycatch.

• Proposed Rule, 64 FR 59153.
• Final Rule, 65 FR 31831. Effective June 19, 2000.

Generic Amendment for Addressing Essential Fish Habitat Requirements in the Gulf of Mexico

• Proposed Rule 63 FR 60287. November 9, 1998
• Partial Approval 64 FR 13363. Effective Feb 8, 1999