Request for Comments: Proposed Rule to Increase the Gray Triggerfish Catch Limits in the Gulf of Mexico

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule for gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico.  Comments are due by May 21, 2021.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:

• The proposed rule increases the gray triggerfish catch limits by 151,600 lbs whole weight (ww) going from 305,300 lbs ww to 456,900 lbs ww.
• This proposed rule retains the current sector allocation of 79% recreational and 21% commercial.
• The recreational annual catch limit would increase to 360,951 lbs ww and the commercial annual catch limit would increase to 95,949 lbs ww.
• This proposed rule would increase the buffers between the sector annual catch limits and annual catch targets to 24% for the recreational sector and 8% for the commercial sector.
• The resulting annual catch targets would increase to 274,323 lbs ww for the recreational sector and 88,273 lbs ww for the commercial sector.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED RULE:

The comment period is open now through May 21, 2021.  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: 86 FR 20649, published April 21, 2021

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

1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2021-0030.
2. Click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Kelli O’Donnell, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
 

Why are the catch limits increasing?

• A gray triggerfish interim analysis, completed in 2020, showed an increase in abundance of the gray triggerfish population.
• The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee determined the interim analysis suitable for providing catch advice and recommended an increase to catch levels through 2023.

Where can I find more information on the Gray Triggerfish Catch Limits Framework?

Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

•  By Mail: Kelli O’Donnell

     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 Gray Triggerfish Catch Limits Framework may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/framework-action-modification-gray-triggerfish-catch-limits  

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