Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Amendment 15

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 15 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). This final rule establishes a limited access system for the commercial fishery for Gulf and Atlantic migratory group king mackerel by capping participation at the current level. The final rule also changes the fishing year for Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish mackerel to March through February. The intended effects of this final rule are to provide economic and social stability in the fishery by preventing speculative entry into the fishery and to mitigate adverse impacts associated with potential quota closures.