Request for Comments: Proposed Rule for a Framework Action to Update Private Angling Red Snapper Calibrations and Gray Snapper Catch Limits in the Gulf of Mexico

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule for a framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico to update private angling red snapper calibration ratios and increase Gulf gray snapper catch limits.  These changes are based on recommendations of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee.  The framework and proposed rule would:

• Modify the calibration ratios for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, and the state-survey calibrated annual catch limits accordingly.  The modifications would increase the state-survey calibrated annual catch limits.
• Increase the overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, and annual catch limit for gray snapper based on the results of the most recent stock assessment, which included recreational data estimates calibrated to the Marine Recreational Information Program-Fishing Effort Survey.

Comments are due by February 16, 2024

Summary of Proposed Changes: Red Snapper

• The calibration ratios would be modified for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi based on updated state survey data provided to the Scientific and Statistical Committee.  Louisiana did not provide updated state survey data, so a change to Louisiana’s ratio is not considered in this proposed rule. Texas has never participated in the federal survey, so no conversion is needed.
• The current and proposed calibration ratios and corresponding state annual catch limits are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1: Current and proposed calibration ratios for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi.  The federal annual catch limit, which is based in part on landings estimates generated by the Marine Recreational Information Program-Coastal Household Telephone Survey is multiplied by the applicable state ratio to get the state-survey based annual catch limit.  All weights are in pounds whole weight.  ACL = annual catch limit; MRIP-CHTS = Marine Recreational Information Program-Coastal Household Telephone Survey.

*Note that the Marine Recreational Information Program-Coastal Household Telephone Survey based annual catch limits will not change for any state.

Summary of Proposed Changes: Gray Snapper      

• The proposed rule would increase catch limits for the Gulf of Mexico gray snapper stock (Table 2).
• The proposed catch limits are based on the results of the most recent stock assessment, which included recreational landings estimates calibrated to the Marine Recreational Information Program-Fishing Effort Survey.  The current catch limits are based on the result of the prior stock assessment, which included recreational landings estimates calibrated to the Marine Recreational Information Program-Coastal Household Telephone Survey. 

Table 2: Proposed catch limits for gray snapper.  Weights in million pounds whole weight. OFL = overfishing limit; ABC = acceptable biological catch; ACL = annual catch limit.

How To Comment On The Proposed Rule:

The comment period is open now through February 16, 2024.  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.

Formal Federal Register Name/Number: 89 FR 2913, published January 17, 2024.

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. 

1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NMFS-2023-0120-0001

2. Click the "Comment" icon, complete the required fields.

3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Dan Luers, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is NOAA Fisheries announcing today?

• NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposed rule to:
  • update Gulf of Mexico red snapper private angling calibration ratios for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi; and
  • increase the annual catch limit for Gulf of Mexico gray snapper.

What is the purpose of red snapper calibration ratios for the Gulf states?

• For the private angling component, each Gulf of Mexico state is allocated a portion of the component’s annual catch limit and is responsible for constraining landings to its annual catch limit. 
• The private angling component catch limit is derived from a stock assessment that included recreational landings estimates calibrated to the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP)-Coastal Household Telephone Survey but each Gulf state manages the harvest by its private anglers using estimates from its unique state collection system.  The MRIP-based catch limits for Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana are not directly comparable to the landings estimates generated by each of those states, and the state estimates are not directly comparable to each other.  Therefore, in January 2023, NOAA Fisheries implemented a framework action under the Reef Fish FMP to calibrate the various state red snapper annual catch limits so that they can be directly compared to each state’s data collection program.
• This proposed rule would modify the calibration ratios for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi using more recent data and update the state-specific annual catch limits.

Why would the red snapper calibration ratios for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi be updated?

• At its June 2022 meeting, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council directed its Scientific and Statistical Committee to review state private recreational red snapper calibration ratios using more recent state survey data and provide a recommendation to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council on changes to ratios, if necessary, prior to the January 2023 meeting. 
• State agency staff from Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida analyzed contemporary landings data and produced updated calibration ratios.  Louisiana did not provide updated data, so revisions to its calibration ratios were not considered in this action.  Texas has not participated in Marine Recreational Information Program surveys so no calibration is needed.
• The Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved a framework action that, if implemented, would update the calibration ratios for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi based on the more recent state data.

Are there separate catch limits for the recreational and commercial gray snapper sectors?

• No, this catch limit is not divided between recreational and commercial.  It is one catch limit for both sectors combined.

Why would the gray snapper annual catch limit increase?

• A 2022 gray snapper stock assessment indicated that the stock is not undergoing overfishing (too many fish being removed from the population) and is not overfished (too few fish present in the population).

• The new stock assessment also included recreational landings estimates that are calibrated to the Marine Recreational Information Program-Fishing Effort Survey.  The current catch limits are based on an assessment that included recreational landings estimates calibrated to the Marine Recreational Information Program-Coastal Household Telephone Survey.  Conversion from the old survey to the new survey resulted in greater recreational catch and effort estimates because the new survey indicates greater recreational fishing effort than previously estimated.
• The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee determined the stock assessment suitable for providing catch advice and recommended an increase in catch levels.

Where can I find more information on Red Snapper Calibration/ Gray Snapper Catch Limits Framework Action?

• Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office 

By Mail: Daniel Luers

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

• The framework action may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/update-red-snapper-calibrations-and-gray-snapper-catch-limits 

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Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701).  You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers.  Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application.  The mailbox will be checked daily.  For more information contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750 

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202