KEY MESSAGE:
NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule to implement Framework Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (Framework Amendment 8), which increases the Atlantic king mackerel trip limit in federal waters off Florida.
Effective Date: September 9, 2020
SUMMARY OF CHANGES:
- The rule increases the Season 2 (October-end of February) Atlantic king mackerel trip limit in Federal waters of the Atlantic Southern Zone, beginning on October 1, 2020.
- For Season 2 between the Flagler/Volusia, Florida county line and the Miami-Dade/Monroe, Florida county line, the trip limit is 100 fish.
FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 55592, published September 9, 2020.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What does the rule do?
- The rule for Framework Amendment 8 increases the Atlantic king mackerel trip limit from 50 to 100 fish during Season 2 (October-end of February) between the Flagler/Volusia, Florida county line and the Miami-Dade/Monroe, Florida county line.
Why is this action needed?
- The trip limit system for the Atlantic Southern Zone was implemented on May 11, 2017, through the final rule for Amendment 26 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (Amendment 26).
- Following the implementation of Amendment 26, fishermen on the Florida east coast expressed concern about the new trip limits.
- Fishermen indicated that the commercial king mackerel Season 2 quota for the Atlantic Southern Zone has not been not harvested in recent years.
- Comments from stakeholders indicated that the 50-fish trip limit in the Southern Zone has prevented fishermen from fully utilizing the available resource, and has made it challenging to earn enough money to pay for the cost of a trip, potentially causing undue hardship to fishermen and communities.
- In response to these concerns, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council developed Framework Amendment 8 to modify the Season 2 Atlantic king mackerel trip limit in the Atlantic Southern Zone.
Where can I find more information on the framework amendment and rule?
Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
By Mail: Karla Gore
NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505
By Phone: (727) 824-5305
By FAX: (727) 824-5308
- Framework Amendment 8 and rule may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site.
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