KEY MESSAGE:
NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on the proposed rule for Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. The proposed rule would allow the South Atlantic red snapper fishing season to be less than four days. NOAA Fisheries will announce the 2020 commercial and recreational fishing seasons in a future Federal Register notice and Fishery Bulletin. Comments on the removal of the minimum season requirement are due by June 15, 2020.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
- Currently, if NOAA Fisheries projects the commercial and recreational catch limit for red snapper will be caught in three days or less, the commercial and/or recreational seasons would not open for that fishing year.
- This proposed rule would remove this minimum season length requirement, and red snapper harvest could be open for either commercial or recreational harvest for three days or less.
- The removal of this requirement, if implemented, would improve access to the red snapper resource.
HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED RULE:
You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0017.
2. Click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Frank Helies, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Where can I find more information on Regulatory Amendment 33?
- Regulatory Amendment 33 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/regulatory-amendment-33-red-snapper-fishing-seasons.
- By Mail: Frank Helies
NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505
By FAX: (727) 824-5308
By Phone: (727) 824-5305
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Why is NOAA Fisheries proposing to remove the minimum season length requirement for South Atlantic red snapper?
- The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested removal of the minimum season length requirement to improve access to red snapper.
How would the action in Regulatory Amendment 33 impact future fishing seasons, including 2020?
- Currently, there is a requirement that if NOAA Fisheries projects the commercial or recreational catch limit will be met in three days or less, the commercial and/or recreational seasons will not open for that fishing year.
- This proposed rule would remove the minimal season length requirement, and red snapper harvest could be open for either commercial or recreational harvest for three days or less.
How will the public know if Regulatory Amendment 33 is implemented?
- NOAA Fisheries will announce information on Regulatory Amendment 33 and the 2020 commercial and recreational fishing seasons in a future Federal Register notice and Fishery Bulletin.
SIGN UP FOR TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS - FIND OUT ABOUT IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AND CLOSURES
NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.
Text alerts you may receive include:
- Immediate fishery openings and closures
- Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly
Sign up for one or more of the following groups:
- Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
- Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text CARIBFISH to 888777
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Other contacts:
Media: Kim Amendola, 727-551-5707
Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750
