Reef Fish Amendment 47: Establish a Vermilion Snapper MSY Proxy and Adjust the Stock Annual Catch Limit

This Amendment and proposed rule address the calculation for the estimate of the vermilion snapper stock's maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and an increase in the stock annual catch limit (ACL). For vermilion snapper, there is a high degree of variability and a narrow range of spawning biomass data available, which is used to estimate MSY.   Because of this, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommend using a proxy for MSY corresponding to the yield when fishing at a mortality rate 30% of the spawning potential ratio (F_30%SPR). Using this proxy, it was determined the stock was neither overfished nor undergoing overfishing, and ultimately suggested the ACL could be increased.

Amendment

Amendment 47: Establish a Vermilion Snapper MSY Proxy and Adjust the Stock Annual Catch Limit ( contact us for 508 compliant version)